Microsoft officially released its next version of its SQL Server database software. The new version offers several new features aimed at bridging the feature gap between its database server and Oracle's. The new version supports spatial data for non-uniform data and a new filestream data type designed to store files and documents efficiently.

Although, many analysts questioning Microsoft's moves to continue to lose money in online services; Steve Ballmer stated that the company needs to increase its ante in order to stay in the game. Ballmer stated Microsoft will need to spend at least $1.2 to $1.5 billion in 2009 in just the area of online search to help the company "reinvent" its search.

Joined with Carl Ichan, Microsoft has made a new offered to acquire Yahoo. Microsoft gave Yahoo 24 hours to respond to its new offer, and Yahoo again declined the offer. Yahoo stated that the new offer was better than the previous offer; however, still came up short compared to what the company is worth.

Bill Gates official says his farewells at Microsoft today. He built up the company to become the most valuable technology company, and he led the company to successful meet its goal of placing a computer onto every desk in every home.

Microsoft has agreed to acquire Navic for an undisclosed amount. Navic Networks sells television advertising technology. Its technology is used to allow viewers to vote in reality shows, learn more about advertised products, check theater times, and even order pizzas.

In a move aimed at stopping Yahoo from partnering up with Google, Microsoft has offered Yahoo $8 billion or $35 per share to acquire its search unit. Microsoft is deeply worried about Yahoo partnering with Google as the move would allow the two companies to control more then 90 percent of the market.

After failed takeover bids and Ichan attempting to vote off Yahoo's board of directors, Microsoft and Yahoo are still in negotiations. This time the two companies are discussing the idea of a potential partnership agreement. It is clear that Microsoft is indeed still interested in Yahoo and the prospects that Yahoo will be able to bring in additional online revenues for Microsoft.

The primary reason Microsoft bailed on Yahoo is that the price didn't match up. Not only the initial takeover costs, but the costs to merge the two companies software would had been a costly and time intensive endeavor. And although acquiring Yahoo would helped Microsoft compete on the web front, Microsoft's real threat is that online services such as Google Docs may potentially challenge Microsoft's... More

In an unexpected move, Microsoft has withdrawn its bid for Yahoo stating the two companies could not agree on an acceptable price. Steve Ballmer stated that Microsoft had been willing to pay up to $44.6 billion for Yahoo; however, Yahoo wanted at least $53 billion.

Steve Ballmer told employees during a scheduled meeting that the decision about rather or not to proceed with the Yahoo acquisition would be coming "in very short order." He stated that Microsoft is evaluating three large options. Although not stated, the three large options are most likely, to walk away from the deal, offer a higher bid, or to take the bid directly to Yahoo's shareholders.

Microsoft leaked to the Wall Street Journal that it is willing to pay between $34 and $35 to acquire Yahoo; however, large Yahoo shareholders have indicated that they want an offer between $35 and $37 a share. This puts the two companies between $4 apart from making a deal. The leak also states that Microsoft does not want to pursue hostile negotiations and may still walk away from the deal altogether.

Microsoft's deadline for Yahoo to accept its takeover offer for $44.6 billion expired at midnight Saturday. Microsoft has already warned that it will take the vote directly to Yahoo's shareholders in a hostile takeover attempt to persuade Yahoo's shareholders to take the bid. Yahoo's board has been unwilling to negotiate with Microsoft stating that its current offer significantly undervalues its... More

Microsoft has been a huge supporter behind Vista; however, investors are beginning to question rather or not the operating system will be able to gain corporate sales. Since for companies to upgrade to Vista, it most likely would require them to purchase additional hardware as well as software licenses many companies have planned to put off the costly upgrade.

Shares of Microsoft declined over 5 percent Thursday after the company reported that its profits fell 11 percent in the third quarter and released lower than expected guidance for the next quarter. The company reported that sales of Windows dropped nearly 24 percent.

At a technology conference in Seattle, Ballmer asked the audience how many people use Yahoo as their primary search engine. After only a handful of people raised their hands, Steve Ballmer stated "Wow! We offered 31 bucks a share."