How old do you look? Microsoft’s new face detection software guesses age, but how well does #HowOldRobot know top CEOs? May 1, 2015 Microsoft has created new facial recognition software which claims to be able to identify people's age and gender based solely on a single photo. Forget the bold leap into the future this technology brings, the website has caused a viral sensation as millions of people check out how they fare and whether a robot can [...]
Microsoft Band review: The ultimate fitness tracker or another “wearable” damp squib? April 29, 2015 Back in the dark ages of the mid 2000s, the “quantified self” movement barely existed. Disparate groups of fitness and data geeks had just begun to measure every aspect of their lives, entering the results into creaking spreadsheets in the hope of gleaning some insight into the mysteries of the human body and soul. [...]
Microsoft trump expectations thanks to sky-high cloud revenue April 23, 2015 The figures Microsoft's profit and revenue came in above analysts' expectations for the third quarter of 2015, causing the company's stock to rise in after-hours trading. The software and technology giant posted earnings of $0.61 per share – trumping the forecast $0.51 per share – but also significantly falling from the $0.68 per share posted [...]
These tech companies offer the best junior salaries: Linkedin, Amazon, Microsoft April 9, 2015 Career starters with a head for stats, a passion for code, and a burning desire to take home a hefty pay cheque should consider roles at companies like LinkedIn and Amazon over their trendier rivals such as Google. Research by salary benchmarking site Emolument.com shows software and internet-focused companies offer young employees higher salaries, with hardware firm [...]
Data deluge: Microsoft boss Dave Coplin on how SMEs can best harness technology March 29, 2015 What if, instead of making us smarter, the technology we surround ourselves with was actually making us less efficient? This perhaps unpalatable suggestion becomes even more surprising when made by a man entitled “chief envisioning officer” of one of the world’s largest technology companies. But Microsoft’s Dave Coplin made just this point when speaking at [...]
Microsoft is killing off Internet Explorer for new browser codenamed Project Spartan on Windows 10 March 17, 2015 Microsoft is killing off Internet Explorer. Sort of. It’s unlikely anyone will shed too many tears over the demise of the browser which is hated by many for a number of reasons, from its slowness down to its market dominance and lack of support. After nearly 20 years, Microsoft has realised Internet Explorer has become [...]
“Machine learning”: Microsoft creates platform for analysing data in the cloud February 23, 2015 Microsoft has created a platform, located in the cloud, to allow people to analyse large quantities of data. Called Azure, it uses something called "machine learning", which has been around for over 20 years but not available to the masses. It involves using algorithms to look at past behaviour and make business predictions [...]
The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One could be biggest-selling consoles yet for Sony and Microsoft February 19, 2015 The PlayStation 4 is on course to match the success of Sony’s best-selling console the PlayStation 2, while Microsoft’s Xbox One could top the Xbox 360. A new report from technology consultant Strategy Analytics reveals that the games console industry is in fine health as total shipments grew 11 per cent in 2014 to [...]
There is nothing to fear from the rise of artificial intelligence, says Microsoft’s Eric Horwitz January 28, 2015 We need not fear the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the doomsday iRobot scenario, according Microsoft's head of research. Steven Hawking caused controversy last year with his dire warnings that intelligent machines pose a threat to the very existence of humanity. In December, he told the BBC "the development of full artificial intelligence could [...]
Microsoft share price plummets 10pc after profits fall January 27, 2015 Microsoft’s share price has plummeted almost 10 per cent in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange, after profits fell in the second quarter. Shares opened at $42.96 after closing at $47.18 on Monday night. In its earnings report for the quarter ended 31 December 2014, the company revealed a 10.6 per [...]