Steve Ballmer

Microsoft isn't going to let Apple have all the app-store fun. On Monday, the software giant announced more details about Windows Phone 7 Series applications in its online store as it moves to get third-party developers excited about the new platform.

With the stakes high in Microsoft's bid to add its search engine to the iPhone, a few words of praise by the software giant's CEO have drawn a considerable amount of attention.

"Apple's done a very nice job that allows people to monetize and commercialize their intellectual property" in the App Store, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told a University of Washington audience last week.

Playing Bing-o

On Thursday, Microsoft and Yahoo received something they've been waiting for since July -- a nod from both the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Commission on a search agreement that could help the companies compete with Google. With the regulatory approvals, Microsoft and Yahoo can implement the deal that calls for transitioning Yahoo's search platforms to Microsoft.

On Thursday, Microsoft and Yahoo received something they've been waiting for since July -- a nod from both the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Commission on a search agreement that could help the companies compete with Google. With the regulatory approvals, Microsoft and Yahoo can implement the deal that calls for transitioning Yahoo's search platforms to Microsoft.

Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft said Wednesday they will jointly spend $250 million to develop hardware and software products that are designed to work together smoothly in their customers' data centers and in cloud computing facilities.

"This is all about integrating technology and making things as close to 'plug and play' as we can," HP CEO Mark Hurd said during a telephone conference call with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and other executives, in which they announced a partnership that appears to represent another move toward consolidation in the commercial tech industry.

The Consumer Electronics Association ended the decade on a happy note with an overall increase in numbers at this year's International Consumer Electronics Show. Having faced a tough economy with decreased sales, more competition, and upset shareholders, technology companies were eager to show the world what they have been working on.

More than 2,500 tech companies unveiled more than 20,000 new products at CES. While the show saw repeat vendors, a record 330 new exhibitors came to display innovations, including wrist PCs, 3-D TVs and new services.

If Apple is hoping to keep a tablet computer unconfirmed until it reveals the product later this month, a comment made Monday by a France Telecom/Orange executive undermines those plans. In a broadcast interview with French television, France Telecom Deputy CEO Stephane Richard confirmed that a tablet is coming.

In the interview, Richard indicated the tablet will include a webcam that offers real-time video streaming. And his answer of "Oui" to a question about whether Orange customers can use it is being taken to mean that the tablet will have 3G connectivity.

Hot new tablet computers are shaking up the stodgy computer industry -- possibly giving consumers reason to buy yet another PC.

Dell, Lenovo and Hewlett-Packard each unveiled tablet PC models at [the] Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Each features a touch-screen that eliminates or reduces the need for a keyboard.

Apple is expected to come out with its own tablet later this month. Apple declined to comment.

Se le presentó como un visionario, pero no lo es. Steve Ballmer cumplió diez años al frente de Microsoft y con el ritual de abrir la feria CES de Las Vegas dedicada al consumo electrónico. El protagonismo, sin embargo, lo tuvo otro directivo de la empresa al anunciar que el Proyecto Natal, una manera de jugar con la videoconsola sin mandos, con los gestos y la voz, llegará en verano

Apple tablet rumors may be stealing the electronics thunder in this post-Christmas season, but the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) promises to showcase plenty of innovative products that offer a sneak peak of what we can expect from manufacturers over the next few months. Despite a down economy, the number of new exhibitors shows a growing confidence in the market.