BU Now » Microsoft

Microsoft, Google antitrust sparring

Dick Taffe — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:34:22 +0000

Google says Microsoft is waging a proxy war by hijacking lawsuits brought by third parties to crank up antitrust sentiment against it so that regulators clamp down on Google’s growth. Law Professor Keith Hylton says legal weapons have become competitive tools among big technology firms.

“I don’t think there are any angels left in the high-tech sector at this stage. The problem is that all of them will suffer if they do not take a firm, public stance against excessively interventionist antitrust regulation.”

Contact Keith Hylton, 617-353-8959, knhylton@bu.edu

EU ends Microsoft antitrust case

Dick Taffe — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:18:17 +0000

After Microsoft agreed to market its rival’s browsers alongside its own Internet Explorer, the European Commission settled its last antitrust issues with the software giant. Law Professor Keith Hylton says the deal makes sense to both Microsoft and the European regulators, but he sees a problem looming.

“This settlement may encourage even more aggressive theories of monopolization against Microsoft and other big firms to be brought before the European Commission. It could be viewed by some rivals as an invitation to bring their business grievances to the EC.”

Contact Keith Hylton, 617-353-8959, knhylton@bu.edu

Bing gaining on Google, Yahoo

Dick Taffe — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:05:47 +0000

Latest user data shows that Microsoft’s new Internet search engine, Bing, continues to gain ground on those of industry leaders Google and Yahoo. With Microsoft now joining forces with Yahoo in taking on Google’s command of the lucrative Net ad market, School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman says the next key milestone will be reaching the 40% share level (it’s now about 30%).

“That level could give a boost to both Microsoft and Yahoo to marshal additional resources and ways to challenge Google.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Microsoft, Yahoo deal done

Dick Taffe — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:31:34 +0000

In a big deal for the Internet search world, Microsoft and Yahoo have entered a partnership to take on Google. Microsoft’s new Bing search engine will power Yahoo’s search, and Yahoo will be the global sales force for both companies’ search advertisers. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman says it’s a good deal for Microsoft and Yahoo, and possibly for advertisers.

“I am not so sure of the claim about a ‘new era of innovation’ that the two CEOs claim, but we will have to wait and watch.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Microsoft targets Web

Dick Taffe — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:06:01 +0000

By offering details of its Web-based, free version of its Office software, Microsoft continues its strategy of profiting both from boxed software and online distribution. And it marks the latest battle in the business war between Microsoft and Internet-based rivals like Google. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, head of the Information Systems Department, can discuss the battlefield.

Contact N.Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Google challenges Microsoft OS

Dick Taffe — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:01:01 +0000

Google now says it has developed an operating system for PCs that can challenge Microsoft’s Windows domanance. School of Management Senior Associate Dean Mike Lawson, an authority on information and computers in management, says it’s the latest chapter of the “disruptive process” of moving computing from desktops to the Internet.

Contact Mike Lawson, 617-353-2664, mlawson@bu.edu

Microsoft’s new Xbox

Dick Taffe — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:29:21 +0000

Microsoft bills it as full-body interactivity. “Project Natal,” it’s new Xbox gaming technology, dumps the controller for a camera-based full-skeletal-mapping technology that makes the user the remote. College of Communication Professor Hyun-Yeul Lee, an expert on gaming design, can discuss the technical and social implications of the new Xbox 360 console.

Contact Hyun-Yeul Lee, 617-353-5974, hyun@bu.edu

Learning to “Bing” it

Dick Taffe — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:23:42 +0000

In its effort to better compete with Google, Microsoft is rebranding its search engine. Microsoft’s “Live Search” (which used to be “MSN Search”) is now officially called “Bing” — or as Microsoft says, “the sound of found.” School of Management marketing Professor C.B. Battacharya can discuss the challenges of rebranding and retaining brand loyalty.

Contact C.B. Battacharya, 617-353-5710, cb@bu.edu

Facebook gets Russian investment

Dick Taffe — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:03:44 +0000

Digital Sky Technologies, a Russian investment firm, is investing $200 million for a 1.96-percent stake in the social networking site Facebook. School of Management Professor N.Venkat Venkatraman, chairman of the Information Systems Department, says this won’t challenge Microsoft’s investment in Facebook which is more of a strategic partnership.

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Microsoft to unveil new search engine

Dick Taffe — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:01:33 +0000

Word’s out that Microsoft plans to unveil next week a new version of its Internet search engine. Meantime, Yahoo says it plans to improve the way it’s engine performs searches. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, who heads the Information Systems Department, can offer perspective on how the moves will affect the battle to compete to search giant Google.

“It’s encouraging to see Microsoft persevering with the search engine for several reasons: (1) Search is an essential building block for many online services and Microsoft is in the midst of transforming its business model to include online and cloud-based services and it cannot let the gateway be controlled by Google; (2) Mobile search is still in its infancy; (3) Search within social networks and social graphs (a la Facebook and Twitter) is still very immature.

“Their current low market share, while discouraging, should not deter Microsoft if they can come up with a more effective search engine that yields relevant, context-specific and timely results.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu