This article was published on July 8, 2011

This week at Microsoft: Samsung, Xbox, and Windows 8


This week at Microsoft: Samsung, Xbox, and Windows 8

Somehow yet another seven days have slipped us by, and that means that it is time for the weekly TNWmicrosoft roundup that brings you four of the hottest recent Microsoft stories in a whimsical format to send you into the weekend with a smile on your face and a head full of knowledge.

As usual, be sure to follow TNWmicrosoft on Twitter and Facebook, where our content is ever-flowing, to keep you up to date around the clock as to what the Redmond behemoth is up to. Now, let’s get into the news.

Microsoft Wants Samsung’s Cash

Over the past two weeks, Microsoft has landed four new patent deals with Android vendors that are set to bring in fat royalty checks to the company. Microsoft wants another, and has set its sights on Samsung.

Of course, Microsoft and Samsung are long-time partners, so an amicable deal might be struck. Microsoft is looking for $15 per handset sold, and Samsung wants to pay no more than $10. At the 15 dollar rate, Microsoft would be set to bring in roughly $200 million per year out of the deal.

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What is funny about all of this is that it is all but certain that Microsoft is making oodles more profits off of Android than it is off of its own mobile offerings.

Xbox 360 Profile Changes

Microsoft is working on moving saved Xbox 360 games and profiles away from local storage, and to the cloud, to prevent data loss.

Also, the change will allow for gamers to load their profiles on a number of consoles, in effect making their gaming persona more portable. In the words of Microsoft: “Gone are the days of ‘gamertag recovery’. Now all you need to do is sign in, no matter where you are.”

Oh, and we are trying to do more Xbox coverage here on TNWmicrosoft, so please sound off in the comments as to what type of content you are looking for.

Windows 8: Not Your Idea

Windows 8 will not be, like the Windows 7 advertising campaign claimed about the current version of Windows, your idea.

An intrepid IT worker sent Microsoft a suggestion for Windows 8, and the company shot him down: “We hope that you will understand our intention to avoid any potential misunderstandings or disputes that may arise from submissions of information not related to current Microsoft products. Thus, we are returning your information without review.” Zing.

Anyway, you are welcome to submit tips about any current Microsoft product, just not about anything that,  you know, might need your insight.

Microsoft’s Mobile Market Share Continues To Erode

Microsoft seems set on losing as much mobile market share as quickly as possible, or at least that it what its market share numbers seem to indicate.

The company shed another chunk of its share over the past few months, controlling a mere 5.8% of the US market in May. That was down 1.9% since February. If you look at Microsoft market share, it is losing 6% of its total percentage every month. Ouch.

Windows Phone 7 has had time to turn around Microsoft’s mobile status, and has failed so far to do so. If Mango does not make a splash, Microsoft could be doomed to only hold Palm-esque market share in the coming year.

That’s all for this week, stay tuned for more.

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