Microsoft

November was the first full month of availability for both Windows 8.1 and OS X 10.9. After the initial surge in October, Windows 8.1 increased its usage share of the Web by fifty percent. OS X 10.9, however, almost tripled its share—bringing Apple's operating system within spitting distance of Microsoft's.

In the browser space, the launch of Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 (as an automatic update, no less) has seen that browser more than double its share in a month.

Microsoft is planning to encrypt some or all of the data traffic moving through its servers in an attempt to protect both its consumers and, presumably, its own corporate secrets, according to a report from the Washington Post.

The maneuver is prompted by concerns that the NSA has tapped critical communications links inside the company's networks, "people familiar with the emerging plans" told the Post.

A new zero day flaw in Windows XP and Server 2003 is being exploited in the wild to bypass the sandbox on unpatched versions of Adobe Reader, security firm FireEye has reported.

According to the firm’s analysis, the vulnerability allows for a standard user running XP SP3 to elevate privileges to admin level, allowing a targeted attack on users running Reader versions 9.5.4, 10.1.6, 11.0.02 and before using a malicious PDF.

Microsoft is moving toward a major new effort to encrypt its Internet traffic after concluding that the National Security Agency may have broken into its global communications systems, said people familiar with the emerging plans.

What’s the current Windows Phone landscape look like? There’s really no better way to tell than by looking at the data from AdDuplex. The cross-promotion network for both Windows Phone and Windows 8 gives us insight that we might not get from places like IDC or comScore.

Latest data from AdDuplex shows the Lumia 520 continuing to dominate. While at the same time Windows Phone 7.x concedes more market share to Windows Phone 8. Nokia finally reaches 90% dominance with Windows Phone.

A $500 “nano-camera” that can operate at the speed of light has been developed by researchers in the MIT Media Lab.

The three-dimensional camera, which was presented last week at Siggraph Asia in Hong Kong, could be used in medical imaging and collision-avoidance detectors for cars, and to improve the accuracy of motion tracking and gesture-recognition devices used in interactive gaming.

Every once in a while, it's good to remember that Microsoft is a big company full of individuals with many different priorities, view points and strategies -- especially when it comes to open source.

While the company continues to pursue Android developers for alleged IP violations with one hand, it also is attempting to meet developers where they are by supporting open-source tools and technologies.

 Late on Friday, Microsoft announced that the Xbox One had sold over 1 million units in its first 24 hours after launch. The company also claimed, "Xbox One is now sold out at most retailers.  We are working to replenish stock as fast as possible to meet the unprecedented demand from our customers."

Looks like the llama may not get off so easily after all.

AOL yesterday announced that it was shutting down Winamp, media playing software for Windows and Android devices that it picked up through its 1999, $80 million acquisition of Nullsoft in 1999. But today Techcrunch has learned that AOL is talks with Microsoft to sell Winamp, along with Shoutcast, a media streaming service also developed by Nullsoft. We have also learned that AOL has been planning to announce the closure of Shoutcast next week.

After eight years, Microsoft has finally released a proper successor to the Xbox 360—the Xbox One. Will this be the One Xbox? Follow us as we journey into the tower of Microsoft's new console—coming to you straight from Mordor New Zealand!