This week, the Microsoft Technology Center (MTC) in Kendall Square hosted 100 students from local non-profit Year Up . Year Up is an organization working to close the opportunity divide in Boston through education and corporate internships. Microsoft has partnered with Year Up Boston, as well as nationally, to promote careers in technology for youth. While at the MTC, students had a full day of sessions that included learning about Microsoft’s latest technology, an introduction to coding, and careers in technology. They were also able to explore the Kinect – using it for gaming...

We should all know there are many dangers that come with pirated software. In a recent blog post, Microsoft Vice President of U.S. OEM, Peter Han , takes a look at the dangers of pirated software, including how 78% of pirated software contains spyware. To learn more about the risks of pirated software and to view the full infographic, please read the original blog post here " target="_blank"> here .

In honor of the new Microsoft Store opening at the Natick Mall on Saturday, June 8, Microsoft will be hosting a Grand Opening ceremony and an exclusive performance by rock band weezer. At 10:30 a.m. the Grand Opening ceremony will be performed, and tickets will be distributed for a free concert and meet and greet with weezer. Gates open at 5 p.m. for weezer’s performance at the Verve Crowne Plaza. Natick Mall is located at 1245 Worcester St, Natick, MA 01760. Click here for directions. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more information on the store opening. We hope to see...

Once again, Microsoft's flagship student technology competition, Imagine Cup , is bringing together student innovators from around the world. And this year, Microsoft is re-imagining the competition to be a springboard for budding entrepreneurs as much as it is a student technology competition. The U.S. Imagine Cup Finals will be run as a Demo Day, where the top 10 U.S. teams will pitch their solutions to investors, entrepreneurs, and technology professionals for a chance to win cash prizes in the competition categories of Games, Innovation, and World Citizenship. This year Boston University...

Recently, Microsoft Boston sponsored the Annual Boys and Girls Club CyberSummit. This year’s event drew nearly 100 Boys and Girls Club members, ages 10-18 from various Boston communities, who attended a technology night at One Cambridge Center’s new Microsoft Technology Center (MTC) in the heart of Kendall Square. CyberSummit is a two-day experience that exposes members of Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, as well as outside community-based organizations, to different technologies in a fun, social and non-competitive way. The event at the MTC included a “Digital Arts Smarts”...

The world’s coolest student technology competition just announced who is making it to the next round! Microsoft just unveiled the 10 teams who will compete in the 11 th annual Imagine Cup U.S. Finals Demo Day on May 13 in Silicon Valley. Each of the top teams will pitch their business to investors, as well as members of the press and the startup community. Prizes will be presented to the best teams in the categories of Games, Innovation and World Citizenship. The list of finalists include: Team Pitch , from Boston University, who developed an online system for creating and managing...

Grilled hot dogs, the smell of fresh roasted peanuts, and that glorious crack of a Louisville slugger hitting the ball out of the park- baseball season is upon us! Between work and busy schedules, it’s not always easy to make it to the ballpark to relish the baseball experience. Never fear, Microsoft has you covered with the new MLB.TV app , which is now available on Windows 8. With MLB.TV on Windows 8, MLB.TV Premium subscribers have access to every out-of-market MLB game LIVE or on demand in HD. Subscribers can watch either the home or away broadcast feed as well as several different...

We’ve all thought it – “I could be so much more productive if I were (insert cool place i.e., local coffee shop, mall, park bench, my living room in fuzzy slippers) instead of handcuffed to my desk or in the midst of yet another meeting.” Fret not. Microsoft has an app for that, and it’s in the new Office. It’s called Skydrive, this pretty cool video tells you all you need to know. Even better, it’s all free for students for an entire 3 months using SkyDrive. SkyDrive allows you to work with others across platforms, devices, and Office versions...

Earlier this month, Microsoft’s DigiGirlz Boston chapter hosted its annual signature event for teen girls to show them that IT is more than just punching code; there are many exciting career opportunities in the world of technology today. DigiGirlz brings together female students grades 8 through 12 to help break down the stereotype associated with technology, educate them about exciting career opportunities in technology and participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops. This year’s workshops focused on using technology to design a product, learning Windows development...

Let’s be honest, few people enjoy physical therapy. And without the prodding of a therapist at your home instructing you to bend, stretch and repeat, as required to heal your injury, few people are motivated enough to correctly complete the assigned exercises. Enter Home TeamTherapy , a Boston-based startup aiming to make home therapy more fun and effective using Kinect , a motion sensing input device by Microsoft. With the Kinect application, all you need is a PC and a Kinect sensor and you’re on your way to better health. The Home Team app allows patients to communicate...

“I hate finding good deals,” – said No One Ever. Even if the bargain-priced shirt has loose stitch, or the recently-reduced loaf of bread is near the end of its prime, you’re saving money, and who doesn't love saving a buck or two? Of course, some products are safe bets for a bargain basement deal, but software for your PC isn't one of them . Illegal software may save you money at purchase, but it exposes everything on your computer to cyber-threats like identity theft, data loss and system crashes. To learn more about software piracy, Microsoft and IDC recently surveyed...

Live for NCAA basketball? Who doesn't! MSN for Windows 8 , with its totally re-imaged interface, is the perfect resource for fans to stay up-to-date with the latest scores and schedules throughout the tournament season, without having to click through multiple websites. If you haven’t tried MSN for Windows 8, take a break from March Madness and head to the Microsoft store in The Shops at Prudential Center, where a retail store associate will guide you through the new interface including its interactive touch features and design elements. Visit a store before March 24 and you’ll...

This is the ‘ golden era’ of insight. The world holds twice as many bytes of data as there are liters in the ocean, and with the right technology tools, we are now able to replace hunches with insight and action. Think comparing utility costs with meteorological data to spot trends and inefficiencies. Or compare ambulance GPS information with hospital records on patient outcomes to determine the correlation between response time and survival. This is all currently possible. Big data isn’t new. But in the past, high costs and technology limitations have constrained access...

Have you checked out the Surface Pro yet? Now’s a great time to do so, with reporters and tech elites giving it high praise. In a nutshell, Surface Pro is a beautiful, powerful device that is simplifying how we do things. With this device, there’s no need to choose between a tablet and a PC. Test out the Surface Pro for yourself! Visit your local Microsoft store in Boston for a demo or click here to learn more about the features and benefits.

Recently, Microsoft hosted the YouthSpark and EduTech Family Summit at UMass Boston. The Summit brought together close to a thousand teachers, students, non-profits and governments leaders to discuss the opportunity divide among Boston’s adult and youth populations. As a way to address the divide, Microsoft has partnered with local non-profit leaders like City Year , Year Up , the Boys and Girls Club of Boston , and civic leaders from Cambridge and Boston, as part of its YouthSpark program. YouthSpark invests in young people by training them on the latest technology, exposing them to essential...

Do you ever wonder how companies use the personal information you share online? Do you feel like you have control over your personal information on the Internet? If you said, “I don’t know,” you’re not alone. In recognition of Data Privacy Day , Microsoft just released new research for consumers interested in learning more about keeping their sensitive personal information safe on the web. According to the new research, gathered from 1,000 U.S. adults, many people are not sure how their data is being collected by companies. Highlights of the research include : •...

Today in Boston, Microsoft kicks off the first in a series of exclusive events called YouthSpark Connections. Hosted at the University of Massachusetts Boston, today’s event features a conversation with prominent leaders from education, government and the civic community to discuss findings from a recent study on the youth opportunity divide in Boston. As part of the event, the Brookings Institute will share new research on the state of youth education and opportunity in the Boston area. The new research finds that more than 1 in 6 young people (ages 18-24) in Boston are on the path to...

When disaster strikes, what’s your first move? Many of us are focused on reaching out to those that are most important to us. To help connect people during these times, Microsoft partnered with FEMA and the American Red Cross to launch HelpBridge , a free mobile app that helps people connect with their loved ones as well as donate to those in need during a disaster. The app, built by Microsoft, aims to connect users with the people and non-profits important to them through the most popular social media channels and communication vehicles. The app allows users to: Instantly...

This week Microsoft introduced EduTech Family Summits. The EduTech Family Summits provide ways for students and their families to explore new technology that will allow them to tap their creativity and productivity. Today, technology skills are crucial for students heading to college or career bound and these summits bring together parents, students and teachers to support students as they begin their academic and career paths. And there will be one in Boston on January 26. To find out more about the EduTech Family Summits, check out the official Microsoft in Education Blog, here or learn more...

Whether you’re looking for a PC that provides fast-paced office productivity, an all-in-one device to browse recipes in the kitchen, or a sleek touch tablet to surf the Internet while lounging on the couch, there’s a device out there that can fit all your needs. Microsoft’s Vice President of U.S. OEM Peter Han takes us through a small sample of the more than 1,500 devices running Windows 8, including Ultrabooks and tablets with a variety of form factors, mobility and functionality. You can check out the devices, which are all currently available for purchase here . ...

Who doesn’t like to get an award? Microsoft was recently named number one in Corporate Social Responsibility by the Reputation Institute for our philanthropy efforts. While this award is a wonderful validation, there is something much more important than recognition: the people and communities who benefit from the employees who take their time to give back through meaningful programs and individual efforts. Microsoft’s philanthropy campaigns this year included YouthSpark and the 30th Employee Giving Campaign . Why are these important? YouthSpark connects hundreds of millions of youth...

In only a few days, the clock will strike midnight and we’ll welcome a new year. As we embark on 2013, let’s look back at the hottest trends of 2012. From PSY’s viral hit “Gangnam Style” to the summer Olympics, Bing offers a glimpse of the most popular people, places and moments of the past year. Baby fever spread like wildfire over the internet with celebrities like Beyoncé, Jessica Simpson, Snookie and Kourtney Kardashian welcoming bundles of joy. In fact, their babies actually hold four of the top five “Celebrity Events” in 2012. How’s...

For more than 50 years, North American Aerospace Defense Command ( NORAD ) has helped children track Ol’ Saint Nicholas as he makes his journey to homes with his trusty reindeer and gifts in tow. This year, Microsoft is partnering with NORAD to make following Santa’s sleigh even easier. The Santa Tracker tool is built on Microsoft’s Windows Azure cloud computing platform and incorporates leading-edge mapping from Bing Maps . Children can even track Santa’s movements in real-time on a variety of mobile devices with dedicated Windows Phone and Windows 8 apps, as well as apps...

Bing it On already challenged the nation to select its preferred web search results but now the challenge has risen to a whole new level. It’s time to Bing it On with the holidays for a chance to win a ‘Microsoft Box of Awesome' for anyone participating in the U.S. And what’s a ‘Microsoft Box of Awesome' you might ask? This awesome bundle includes a Windows Phone 8, Xbox 360 with Kinect and a Windows 8 device, and you have the opportunity to win the grand prize of a $10,000 paid trip to any place of your liking in the U.S. Enter the sweepstakes by visiting www.bingiton...

Since 2002, Microsoft’s Imagine Cup has served as the springboard for innovative ideas in technology. The Imagine Cup has engaged thousands of U.S. college and high school students to generate and nurture their entrepreneurship and technology prowess. Recent competitions have focused on technology ideas that help solve the world’s toughest problems. Now in the event’s 11 th year, U.S. Imagine Cup participants are again encouraged to participate in the most prestigious student technology competition. In 2012, finalists from Harvard and MIT provided a great example of the collaboration...