In a joint filing with U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who has been overseeing Microsoft's antitrust compliance, they asked for a soon-to-expire oversight period to be temporarily extended until at latest January 31, 2008. That way, the judge will have more time to weigh the merits of last-minute pleas from a number of state prosecutors to add another five years to the oversight regime.

Microsoft Corp. today announced the retail availability of new accessories for its innovative digital media player, Zune. The new first- and third-party accessories will usher in the next generation of Zune digital media players, which will be on shelves Nov. 13. ...

Zune also announced an expanded third-party accessory partners program, teaming up with leading manufacturers to offer a wide selection of products created exclusively for Zune. Microsoft is collaborating directly with 23 accessory partners to ensure customers have a number of accessory options, complementing and enhancing their Zune experience.

Licensed Zune accessory partners are Agent 18, Altec Lansing Technologies Inc., Belkin International Inc., Case-mate, Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO), Directed Electronics Inc. (Polk Audio), Dual Electronics Corp., GPX, Griffin Technology Inc., Golla, iHome, Incipio Technologies, Integrated Mobile Electronics Corp., , Kicker, mStation Corp., Memorex Electronics, Monster Cable Products Inc., Skinit, Speck, Targus Group International Inc., VAF Research, Vaja Corp., and zLive (DPI, Inc.).

With these new partners, the Zune accessory family now includes more than 60 new products. The accessories will be available for purchase at a variety of online retailers and major retail store locations beginning this week. New Zune accessories include the following:

• Speaker docks from Altec Lansing, iHome and Kicker

• Cases from Belkin, Case-mate, DLO, Incipio and Speck

• Cables, FM transmitters and car kits from Belkin, DLO, Monster and Kicker

Microsoft Accessories for Zune

In addition to the robust selection of accessories from partners, Microsoft will offer a new line of first-party accessories to help consumers get the most from their Zune content wherever they are — at home, in the car or on the go. To make it easy and affordable for existing Zune customers, many original Zune accessories will work on new Zune devices, and many new accessories will also work with the Zune 30GB device. The following eight new Zune accessories from Microsoft are available this fall:

• Zune Home A/V Pack. Power your home stereo with your Zune. Pack includes Home Dock with three faceplates to accommodate each Zune device, a wireless remote, an AC adapter and composite audio-video output cable. (ERP $99.99)

• Zune Dock Pack. Give your Zune a convenient home when it is connected to your computer or charging. Home Dock with three faceplates to accommodate each Zune device and AC adapter. (ERP $49.99)

• Zune Car Pack. Take your music with you on the road. Redesigned FM transmitter/charger and dashboard grip pad. (ERP $79.99)

• Zune Cable Pack. Get connected to your computer, your stereo or your TV. Sync cable, composite AV output cable and audio cable. (ERP $39.99)

• Zune Premium Headphones. Take your listening experience up a notch with these high-quality headphones. Included with the Zune 80GB device. (ERP $39.99)

• Zune Leather Case. Dress for success and protect your Zune in the process. (ERP $39.99 and $49.99)

• Zune Sync Cable (ERP $19.99)

• Zune AC Adapter (ERP $29.99)

Microsoft unveiled the next generation of Zune portable media players and software; an online store; and Zune Social, a beta online community Web site, earlier this month. The three new models of Zune portable media players feature a touch-sensitive Zune Pad for navigation, as well as wireless sync, a feature that allows Zune to connect automatically over the user’s home wireless network. With this expansion of features and products, Zune is positioned as a clear end-to-end alternative for customers looking to buy a digital music player.

Building on a worldwide commitment to improving health through software technology, Microsoft Corp. has agreed to acquire software, intellectual property and other assets from Global Care Solutions (GCS), a privately held company based in Bangkok, Thailand, that develops enterprise-class health information systems. The acquisition complements Microsoft's already strong portfolio of health solutions and will provide hospitals across international markets with a new alternative to achieve improved workflow and patient safety through information technology. GCS employees will join Microsoft's Health Solutions Group, which will manage product development and delivery. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Microsoft reports solid earnings quarter after quarter—and yesterday beat earnings estimates by more than $1 billion. Yet Microsoft's stock price is stuck at 2001 levels. Apple earnings results are good, but nowhere near what Microsoft delivers. Yet Apple's stock just climbs and climbs—this morning to more than $185 a share, up from about 77 bucks 52 weeks earlier. ...

This week, a number of tech journalists gave glowing reviews of Leopard. They received the software on Mac Book Pro laptops provided by Apple. Nowhere have I seen anyone gripe about conflicts of interest. But when Microsoft's PR agency sent bloggers preloaded Vista notebooks ahead of the operating system's launch, there were ridiculous accusations of attempted bribery. The accusations made it difficult for those receiving the Vista units to say anything positive about the operating system. ...

Today will be no exception. The blogosphere will praise Leopard as the next best thing ever and use it as more proof why Vista sucks (It doesn't). Meanwhile, there will be little good said about Microsoft's colossal 2008 fiscal first quarter results. Those people acknowledging the earnings results will blame Microsoft for trying to kill Linux and babies in Africa as reasons for its success. The perception: When Microsoft competes, it cheats.

In the just-reported fiscal first quarter, Microsoft beat even Wall Street's most bullish forecast with a net profit of $4.29 billion, or 45 cents per diluted share, up from $3.48 billion, or 35 cents per diluted share, a year earlier.

Revenue rose 27 percent to $13.76 billion in the three months ended September 30.

Analysts, on average, had forecast 39 cents per share in profit with estimates ranging from 38 cents to 40 cents per share on revenue of $12.54 billion, according to Reuters Estimates.

"It looks like it was a blowout quarter," said Toan Tran, analyst at Morningstar. "It looks like they're firing on all cylinders. Windows, Office ... all grew by 20 percent and they're the big hitters for Microsoft."

Microsoft Corp. and Phase One today announced a strategic alliance to explore ways to improve digital imaging solutions for professional photographers and enthusiasts. The companies will work together to develop solutions for the Microsoft Windows platform that further innovation in the digital photography space. The alliance combines Phase One’s industry expertise with Microsoft’s widely used platform technology and includes technology sharing and intellectual property assets as well as joint marketing. ...

Microsoft has a strong record of making investments in digital imaging technology for Windows Vista, HD Photo, Photosynth, Digital Image Suite and other products that provide superior solutions for professional photographers and enthusiasts alike. The alliance builds on Microsoft’s focus in the digital imaging market by ensuring that professional-quality tools for the Windows platform are accessible enough for enthusiasts. Phase One has a deep knowledge of the industry, having built software that streamlines the image-capture and post-production process for 14 years.

The two companies said on Wednesday that Microsoft would invest $240 million for a 1.6 percent stake in Facebook. The investment values the three-year-old Facebook, which will bring in about $150 million in revenue this year, at $15 billion.

The deal ends two months of jockeying between three major Internet players for the right to invest in and forge close ties with Facebook.

Microsoft and Google are each vying to take a stake of between 5 percent and 10 percent in Mark Zuckerberg's social-networking site, with a deal expected to be announced in the next 24 to 48 hours, according to three sources familiar with the situation.

Today Microsoft Corp. expands its selection of family-oriented programming on Xbox LIVE with more than 100 new episodes of popular Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Nickelodeon TV shows. Now families looking for the ultimate entertainment experience need look no further than Xbox 360.

More than any other next-generation video game console on the market, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft offers a wide variety of fun-for-all content with more than 700 episodes of TV shows specifically for the family and more than 200 family-friendly games the whole household can enjoy. The company also introduced two new game titles, “SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam” and “SHREK-N-ROLL™,” based on the popular animation characters SpongeBob SquarePants and Shrek®, for Xbox LIVE Arcade, the premier destination to download high-definition games for Xbox 360.

“What’s Up, Doc?”

Starting today, Warner Bros. for the first time offers more than 50 episodes of the classic Looney Tunes library in high definition for on-demand download to own. Fans of all ages will be able to digitally download Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck episodes and all the other classic characters episodes directly to their TV via Xbox LIVE. In addition, 10 episodes will be available in Spanish.

“Looney Tunes cartoons have been family favorites for generations, and now everyone can download them anytime on Xbox 360,” said Michele Edelman, vice president of marketing for Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “We are particularly proud to offer programming in Spanish as well as high definition, both of which help enhance the appeal of these great shows for Xbox 360 owners.”

Exclusive Content From Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon delivers three top shows to Xbox LIVE, also available today, including programming for the Nick Jr. hit series “The Backyardigans.” The show’s double-length “Super Secret Super Spy” episode featuring the vocal talents of special guest star Cyndi Lauper will be exclusively available for download on Xbox LIVE. In addition, kids of all ages can download the entire first season of the educational and imaginative, play-to-learn, top-rated preschool series “Blue’s Clues.” Tweens will love episodes of the network’s latest smash “iCarly,” as new episodes will be added to Xbox LIVE immediately after they air on Nickelodeon’s TEENick.

Xbox LIVE Arcade Adds New Family Games

Also being introduced today are new kid-friendly game titles, “SHREK-N-ROLL” and “SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam,” based on two of the most popular family icons in animation. These new games will both be available soon for download from Xbox LIVE Arcade.

“To truly entertain our audience, we know we have to seed our content on every platform they are using, and the Xbox 360 is a great entertainment console for our target demographic,” said Steve Youngwood, executive vice president of digital media for Nickelodeon-MTVN Kids and Family Group. “We’ve seen tremendous response to the Nickelodeon content already available on Xbox LIVE, and we expect ‘Blue’s Clues,’ exclusive content from ‘The Backyardigans’ and our newest TEENick series, ‘iCarly,’ to perform just as well.”

All these developments coincide with the announcement today of a new Xbox 360 console for families, Xbox 360 Arcade. Available in stores beginning today, the Xbox 360 Arcade console includes five arcade games, a wireless controller and 256 MB of memory — useful for storing games and entertainment content — all for an estimated retail price of just $279.99 (U.S. estimated retail price). Xbox 360 Arcade console invites everyone in the family to play and comes with five best-selling games: “Pac-Man Championship Edition” (NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.), “Uno” (Carbonated Games), “Luxor 2” (MumboJumbo), “Boom Boom Rocket” (Electronic Arts Inc.), and “Feeding Frenzy” (Sprout Games).

In addition to this great value, this holiday season families will have a selection of more than 200 “E”- and “T”-rated games appropriate for everyone from kids to teens for Xbox 360, including “BEE MOVIE™ GAME” (Activision), “Guitar Hero III®: Legends of Rock” (Activision), “Naruto: Rise of a Ninja” (Ubisoft Entertainment), “Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action” (Screen Life Games) and “Viva Piñata: Party Animals” (Krome Studios). No matter what type of content users decide to play or watch on their console, every Xbox 360 comes equipped with leading Parental Controls, known as Family Settings, to let parents control the access their children have to games and entertainment, as well as who they can play with on Xbox LIVE. More information about Family Settings is available at http://www.xbox.com/isyourfamilyset.com.

Just in time for holiday, Microsoft Corp. today released a new Xbox 360® console that delivers games and content to everyone in the family for an incredible value of $279.99 (U.S. estimated retail price)*. Available in stores beginning today, Xbox 360 Arcade console is the first Xbox 360 console to include five family-friendly games, a wireless controller, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connection to enable high-definition output if desired and 256 MB of memory useful for storing games and entertainment content. At $279.99, the Xbox 360 Arcade console will include five best-selling games: “PAC-MAN Championship Edition” (NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.), “Uno” (Carbonated Games), “Luxor 2” (MumboJumbo), “Boom Boom Rocket” (Electronic Arts Inc.) and “Feeding Frenzy” (Sprout Games).

“At the time the Court of First Instance issued its judgment in September, Microsoft committed to taking any further steps necessary to achieve full compliance with the Commission’s decision. We have undertaken a constructive discussion with the Commission and have now agreed on those additional steps. We will not appeal the CFI’s decision to the European Court of Justice and will continue to work closely with the Commission and the industry to ensure a flourishing and competitive environment for information technology in Europe and around the world.”

Microsoft Corp. and Turbolinux, a leading Linux client and server distributor in Japan and China, have announced a business agreement that expands on their recent collaborations. The deal advances Linux-Microsoft Windows Server interoperability, furthers research and development collaboration, and provides IP assurances for Turbolinux users.

A key customer component to the agreement is a collaborative “single sign-on” solution. According to a recent study released by SupportSoft Inc., a provider of technology problem resolution software provider, password problems — including the need to reset them — make up one out of every five calls received by corporate IT help desks. This collaboration features the development of a single sign-on solution enabling customers to use one set of credentials to log onto Windows-based and Turbolinux devices. This solution is intended to improve computing efficiencies and cut down on internal IT costs.

Microsoft Corp. and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) today announced a unique public-private collaboration that intends to promote international development in the areas of economic growth, health, governance, education and humanitarian assistance around the world. The five-year public-private partnership aims to catalyze the global community to address the diverse social and business challenges faced by those who currently receive few or no benefits from technology.

Building on decades of business experience, research and development, and corporate citizenship efforts, Microsoft will strengthen its ongoing commitment, known as Unlimited Potential, to helping those underserved by technology overcome the barriers to social and economic empowerment.

By seeking to share respective strengths, experience and resources (including human, in-kind and financial support) Microsoft, USAID, PEPFAR and MCC will support achievement of the following core development objectives:

• Disaster Response/Humanitarian Assistance. Facilitating the provision of assistance including through collaboration on processes, tools and technologies to save lives and alleviate human suffering through disaster preparedness, response and recovery

• Health. Advancing global health care and addressing HIV/AIDS challenges through effective technology

• Environmental sustainability. Promoting a clean and sustainable environment by focusing on climate change and other forms of environmental degradation

• Education and youth empowerment. Expanding educational opportunities to enable access to quality education through dynamic, learner-focused technologies and resources

• Growth. Enabling economic development through digital inclusion, local innovation, access to credit and job opportunities

• Governance. Promoting enhanced government service delivery, engagement with civil society, transparency, rule of law, human rights, child Internet trafficking and protection issues, and strong intellectual property rights

This expanded initiative is an outgrowth of numerous successful joint global projects between Microsoft and USAID that have taken place over the last five years in areas such as education, digital literacy training and economic development.

First, open source software developers will be able to access and use the interoperability information. Microsoft will not assert patents against non-commercial open source software development projects.

Second, the royalties payable for this information will be reduced to a nominal one-off payment of 10,000 euros.

Third, the royalties for a worldwide license including patents will be reduced from 5.95 percent to 0.4 percent, far less than the 7 percent originally demanded by Microsoft.

Disney and Microsoft, which have been negotiating a pact for the past nine months, have pulled together a group that also includes General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal, Viacom Inc., CBS Corp., News Corp.'s Fox and MySpace units, Veoh Networks Inc. and Dailymotion SA. Notably absent is Google Inc., which had been in discussions about possibly joining the group.

The copyright holders in the group have agreed not to pursue Internet companies for infringement claims if their sites adhere to certain principles. Those principles include eliminating copyright-infringing content uploaded by users to Web sites, and blocking any infringing material before it is publicly accessible.

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