EU launches investigation into Microsoft’s bundling of Office and Teams after Slack complaint July 27, 2023 The European Union will investigate Microsoft over its bundling of Office and Teams. Thursday’s announcement comes amid fears the packaging of productivity software Office with messaging and videoconferencing app Teams gives the tech giant an unfair edge over competitors. The 27-nation bloc’s top competition enforcer, the European Commission, said it will carry out the probe [...]
Google and Microsoft AI showdown continues July 26, 2023 After Microsoft and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, reported better-than-expected results yesterday, analysts say the race to dominate the burgeoning AI field is moving quickly. Alphabet’s robust performance saw a 3.3 per cent surge in ad revenue, as search revenue hit $42.63bn (£32.98bn), causing shares to climb six per cent on Wednesday. Despite the market applause, [...]
Microsoft charges ahead with spending to serve AI demand July 26, 2023 Microsoft on Tuesday laid out an aggressive spending plan to meet demand for its new artificial intelligence services after surpassing Wall Street estimates for fiscal fourth-quarter revenue and profit. Costs rose sharply as Microsoft built new data centers to support AI, and Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood said on a conference call with analysts the company’s capital expenditures [...]
Big tech look ahead: Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon shares in focus July 23, 2023 THE RACE to exploit the potential of artificial intelligence will dominate investor chatter around big tech this week, with all the big players set to release results to Wall Street.
Countdown on for Microsoft and Activision as they try to extend deal deadline July 18, 2023 Time is ticking for Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, which are reportedly in discussions to extend the deadline for their proposed multi-billion pound tie up. Originally set to be closed by today, the deal may now require more time as the two tech companies work to address regulatory concerns, according to sources close to Reuters. If [...]
Microsoft pens agreement to keep Call of Duty on Playstation after Activision mega-deal July 17, 2023 Microsoft has signed an agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said in a tweet. A deal to keep Call of Duty on Playstation could further ease concerns surrounding the acquisition’s impact on competition. Speaking on the agreement, Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a tweet, “Even after we cross the finish line [...]
CMA outlines next steps for Microsoft and Activision as firms work to clear deal July 12, 2023 Microsoft and Activsion would have to present a new revised deal to the UK’s competition authority if it is to reconsider the multi-billion pound takeover deal, the agency said today. “While the merging parties do not have the opportunity to submit new solutions once a final report has been issued, they can choose to restructure [...]
CMA agrees pause on Microsoft appeal after US court waves through Activision deal July 12, 2023 The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said it is willing to work with Microsoft over its planned acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard, which could help end its legal battle with the firms over the deal. It comes after a US judge yesterday handed Microsoft a victory by saying it would not [...]
‘Get the companies under control!’: Microsoft president tells UK to get AI safety in order June 28, 2023 Microsoft president Brad Smith has reiterated that the UK needs to prioritise AI safety in its quest to become a global leader in new technologies. “Let’s get the companies under control”, Smith said, speaking at a packed Chatham House event on Wednesday afternoon, where he argued that a licensing regime is necessary on both a [...]
US competition watchdog follows UK and blocks Microsoft’s $68bn Activision swoop June 13, 2023 America’s competition watchdog, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has moved again to prevent Microsoft from acquiring Call Of Duty maker Activision Blizzard. The US regulator asked a court to temporarily block the $68.7bn (£54.7bn) merger, which it believes could significantly reduce competition in the market. In December, the FTC issued an initial legal complaint, saying, [...]