Microsoft job cuts to hit mobile?

Microsoft has said it's cutting 5,000 jobs worldwide during the next 18 months, with 1,400 going immediately. It's now reported that the company's Entertainment and Devices unit will be the first to suffer. This is the part of Microsoft that's responsible for Xbox, Zune and Windows Mobile -and many of the immediate cuts are expected here. [Source: ZDNet.com]

MSN adds mobile music downloads for UK

The MSN Mobile portal has launched a music download service that lets UK consumers choose from a million tracks and download them directly to their phone. Music tracks cost £1.50, ringtones are £3.00 and music videos are £2.00 each. Charges are added to the user’s monthly bill or taken from their prepay credit. [Source: Mobile News]

Three Microsoft mobile launches expected in Barcelona

Technology news website Neowin.com says Microsoft plans to announce three major new mobile products at next month's Mobile World Congress. It says we should expect Windows Mobile 6.5, a mobile application marketplace and an online sync & storage service.

Microsoft Zune phone rumours return

The rumours that Microsoft is planning a Zune-branded music-playing mobile phone seem to have more substance these days, according to a report from CNBC.

LG and Microsoft working together

LG Electronics and Microsoft have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that'll see them working together on mobile convergence. They will collaborate on research & development, marketing, applications and services. [Press release]

Motorola ditching Symbian and Linux OS phones

Motorola is going to concentrate on selling phones that use Google's Android operating system, Microsoft Windows Mobile and its own system in a bit to cut costs. Company co-CEO Sanjay Jha said Motorola would be dropping support for Symbian UIQ and the Java-Linux platform. It's also no longer planning to sell its mobile handset business in Q3 2009 but says it'll take longer. As part of the company's reorganisation, two thousand jobs are being cut from its mobile business, with three thousand - 4.5% of its global workforce - going overall. [Sources: WashingtonPost.com; Press release]

Microsoft considering BlackBerry purchase?

Falling share prices are apparently raising the possibility of Microsoft taking over RIM, the maker of BlackBerry devices, according to Unstrung.com.

BlackBerry and Microsoft working together

Did someone mention another partnership with BlackBerry? Fresh from its MySpace announcement, RIM has said it's working with Microsoft to add Microsoft's Live Search to the BlackBerry. [Press release]

Nokia updates Ovi and Email services

There've been a couple of relatively-interesting announcements from Nokia in the last 24 hours. Firstly, its Ovi multimedia service can now synchronise calendar, contacts, notes and task information between your Nokia phone and your online storage at ovi.com. It's also possible to use a PC to access your files. And now they've enabled Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to offer corporate email on 43 different S60 smartphone models, which equates to 80 million mobile devices. [Press releases: Ovi, Exchange]

Microsoft plans online mobile application store

First came the iPhone App Store - then it was Google's Android Market. Now Microsoft is apparently planning to sell Windows Mobile programs in an online store called Skymarket. [Source: iTWire.com]

Microsoft buys mobile backup company

Microsoft has said it's buying Portugal-based MobiComp, which specialises in mobile backup and mobile access to social networking sites. [Press release]

Mobile working is becoming less popular

The desire to be seen in the office is leading to the decline of mobile working, according to new UK research from Microsoft. Its study shows that worries about jobs and the economy are affecting the desire to use mobile technology to get work done. Under 50% of UK businesses currently offer any type of mobile working, compared with almost 60% in 2007. And only 10% of workers say they have the freedom to work from outside the office as part of their day-to-day job... yet a quarter of all UK businesses say they've lost staff as a result of not being able to offer mobile working. [Sources: vnunet.com; onrec.com]

Microsoft and BlackBerry to work more closely

Microsoft and Research In Motion, the makers of the BlackBerry, have said they're going to start working together to provide Windows Live services on BlackBerry smartphones. The agreement will give BlackBerry users access to Windows Live Messenger and Hotmail from later this year. [Press release]

40% of smartphones running Windows Mobile by 2012

40% of smartphones worldwide will be running Windows Mobile by 2012, according to Microsoft's MD of Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) embedded devices in Asia. It's currently on course to deliver 20 million Windows Mobile devices in the company's current financial year, with its Windows Mobile 7 operating system scheduled for launch in 2009. [Source: DigiTimes.com]

Icahn considering Yahoo/Microsoft move?

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn, who has recently campaigned successfully for changes to Motorola's management, is now reported to be turning his attention to the failed Yahoo/Microsoft merger. He's apparently bought around 50 million Yahoo! shares and could be planning to replace the company's board of directors, according to the Wall Street Journal. Any merger between Microsoft and Yahoo! would have a dramatic effect on the mobile industry, as we reported in our podcast in early February.

Microsoft walks away from Yahoo! deal

Microsoft has said it's no longer interested in buying Yahoo! because the two companies can't agree on a price. Microsoft had originally offered $44.6 billion three months ago, later raising the bid to $47.5 billion. Yahoo! said it wasn't prepared to accept less than $53 billion. Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's CEO, has said the company doesn't plan to launch a hostile bid because it could result in Yahoo! working more closely with Google. [Press release]

Microsoft reveals improved operating system

Microsoft has released Windows Mobile 6.1 - an updated version of its mobile phone software - and has announced a new version of Internet Explorer Mobile. The new web browser includes Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight, while Windows Mobile 6.1 offers faster set-up and an easier interface for keeping track of messages and information. [Microsoft press release]

Microsoft and Nokia working together

Nokia says it plans to bring the Microsoft Silverlight enhanced browsing service to its Symbian-powered S60 menu system, as well as Series 40 devices and Nokia Internet tablets. Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-platform browser plug-in that allows a variety of multimedia features to run within a standard web browser. [S60.com press release]

Vodafone appoints ex-Microsoft man as web chief

Vodafone has hired Pieter Knook, previously Senior Vice President of Microsoft’s Mobile business, to the new role of Director of Internet Services. It says the new Vodafone Internet Services division will focus on the provision and delivery of distinctive consumer web services such as IP communications, mobile internet access and selected content categories, through mobile devices. Mr Knook will report to Frank Rovekamp, Vodafone's Global Chief Marketing Officer.

Microsoft buys Danger

Microsoft has bought Danger Inc., the software company behind the Sidekick (or 'Hiptop') consumer-focussed smart phone. [Press release]