Microsoft deal may lead to free, but “watermarked” music

MICROSOFT has agreed to license its audio watermarking technology to Activated Content Corp. of Seattle. We all know watermarking’s place as a part of the music industry’s DRM toolbox, but Activated—already a DRM watermarking player—now wants to use Microsoft’s watermarking technology to get into the advertising business. Watermarks… and ads? Yep.

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Official Vista “performance” and “compatibility” packs released

Something SP1 this way comes … in the form of two significant updates to Windows Vista. New performance and compatibility updates scratch a few long-standing Vista itches (including file transfer speed).

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Patents from Microsoft and Apple reveal future plans for WiFi on Zune, iPod

Patents filed by Microsoft and Apple reveal plans by both to add various file-sharing capabilities to their handheld music players. iPods may be playing catch-up to the Zune, but Microsoft has a few wireless tricks up its sleeve for the Zune.

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Microsoft’s Flash-killer Silverlight steals the show at MIX07

Microsoft’s new web application development technology was the star of the show at the company’s MIX07 conference. With extensive support for rich media delivery, Silverlight is poised to give Flash the fight of its life.

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Microsoft will sell $3 software to developing countries

In what initially sounds like an altruistic gesture towards developing nations — but is in reality a shrewd business move to both compete with pirates and get kids hooked on Windows — Microsoft will be selling a package containing full-fledged versions (well, kinda) of its OS and office software to eligible countries for a mere three-bucks-a-pop.

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Xbox 360 scratching discs? Maybe, says Microsoft

So far the Xbox 360 has had its fair share of hardware problems, both large and small, and while Microsoft has dealt with most of these challenges by extending warranties and offering up free fixes, it usually takes its own sweet time to come around, which seems to be the case here.

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Microsoft drops case against FairUSE4WM creator Viodentia

Hey Viodentia, you can come out of hiding now — we have good news for you and the rest of the DRM-hating world. Microsoft has gone home with its tail between its legs, and very, very quietly dropped their lawsuit against you.

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