The Seattle Times: Microsoft Pri0

Update: Microsoft pulls nauseating Internet Explorer ad

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:59:09 PDT

Update 1:52 p.m.: Microsoft has pulled its online ad for Internet Explorer 8, after complaints from viewers that it was too foul.

According to a statement from the company:

"We make a point of listening to our customers. We created the OMGIGP video as a tongue-in-cheek look at the InPrivate Browsing feature of Internet Explorer 8, using the same irreverent humor that our customers told us they liked about other components of the Internet Explorer 8 marketing campaign. While much of the feedback to this particular piece of creative was positive, some of our customers found it offensive, so we have removed it."

One of the commenters below, quincompoix, has posted a link to the video elsewhere if you still want to see it.

Earlier: Microsoft continues to launch online videos to promote its Web browser Internet Explorer 8. The latest features actor Dean Cain again and vomit. There is a lot of projectile puke in this video, like Monty Python levels of regurgitation.

A wife gets online after her husband has used the computer, and is so horrified by what she sees, she repeatedly spits up on the floor. He slips, falls on the floor, and she continues to spit up on him. The tag line is O.M.G.I.G.P., as in "Oh my god, I'm gonna puke."

The ad promotes Internet Explorer's privacy browsing feature, which many have dubbed a porn mode. It allows the user to browse without leaving a trail in the browser.

To check out the earlier IE8 ads, click here.

Download the new Firefox 3.5 Web browser

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:00:11 PDT

Get your hot, fresh Web browser from Firefox today.

Firefox 3.5, the latest version of the competitor to Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, was released today. Developed by open-source company Mozilla in Mountain View, Calif., Firefox has revitalized competition among Web browsers since the first version came out in 2004.

Firefox first introduced tabbed browsing, which has since become commonplace. Mozilla also paved the way for other companies to develop browsers to compete with Microsoft, such as Apple's Safari, Google's Chrome and Opera.

"Since then the Web has become a more interesting place," said Mike Beltzner, director of Firefox, in an interview earlier this month. "We got a secondary explosion of Web startups, then Apple put its foot in. Now there's intense collaboration and competition. We're happy to see Microsoft is not standing still."

Firefox 3.5's new features include: faster browsing, video capabilities built into the browser, location-aware browsing and a privacy-browsing mode (which many have dubbed a "porn mode"). Developers hope that the new features will spur Web developers to create more innovative applications on the Internet. As Beltzner said, think back to 2004, when most Web sites were little more than static brochures, to today's rich landscape of video and other applications.

Firefox 3.5 ias available here.

Microsoft could be selling Razorfish

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:10:04 PDT

The Financial Times reports this morning that Microsoft has put its Seattle subsidiary Razorfish up for sale.

Razorfish was founded in Seattle, and Microsoft bought the digital advertising company when it acquired aQuantive, also known as Avenue A, in 2007. Razorfish had a round of layoffs in February this year; here's the story we ran on that.

According to the Financial Times, Microsoft has hired Morgan Stanley to find a buyer, and Publicis, a French marketing company, could be a candidate.

Update 11:08 a.m.: Microsoft is not commenting on the reports that Razorfish is for sale.

Kayak says Microsoft's Bing is copying its site

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:02:52 PDT

Kayak.com, a travel Web site, confirmed that it sent a letter to Microsoft last week complaining that thetravel Web site at Bing.com looks too much like Kayak.com.

Microsoft's travel-search component ofBing comes from Farecast, a Web travel company Microsoftacquired. Wired reported the news Wednesday.

Kayak is in discussions with Microsoft about the similarities, according to an e-mail from Robert Birge, chief marketing officer at Kayak, based in Norwalk, Conn.

Microsoft spokeswoman Whitney Burke said in a statement, "Bing Travel is based on independent development by Microsoft and Farecast.com, which Microsoft acquired in 2008. Any contrary allegations are without merit."

Check out the two screen shots and see what you think.

Legal wars have been waged over the "look and feel" of software, most notably Apple's 1988 lawsuit against Microsoft for allegedly copying the Macintosh in Windows 2.0.

Where to pre-order Microsoft's Windows 7 for $49.99

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:43:24 PDT

Microsoft and retailers will be taking pre-orders for Windows 7 upgradesstarting today and ending July 11. The pre-order upgrades -- which are being sold at half the list price -- are available to users who are now using Windows Vista or Windows XP.

When the new operating system goes on sale in stores on Oct. 22,anyone who has pre-ordered it will be able to download it or get a disc copy then.

Shoppers can pre-order at the Microsoft store, Fry's Electronics, Best Buy, Amazon.com, Costco.com, NewEgg.com, TigerDirect.com, Office Depot, OfficeMax and SamsClub.com.

If you have any technical questions on system requirements, check Microsoft's site on the pre-order offer.

This is how much pre-orders will cost:

Windows 7 Home Premium Pre-Order	$49.99

Windows 7 Professional Pre-Order

$99.99

This how much Windows 7 will cost at full price on Oct. 22

Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade	$119.99

Windows 7 Professional Upgrade	$199.99