November, 2012

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...

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are all about buying. “Giving Tuesday” is all about giving. Based on the idea that there is one day for giving thanks and two for getting deals, New York’s 92 nd Street Y partnered with the United Nations Foundation to create Giving Tuesday , which takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Microsoft is proud to be a founding partner of Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season, a day that encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations. Giving back to national and local communities...

Do you have an idea that will help children learn how to read? Are you passionate about keeping our environment clean? Well now you have the opportunity to create an app that can help the world -- and win up to $15,000 in the process. To celebrate the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 , Microsoft recently announced the “Apps for Social Good” contest to encourage developers to create apps that positively impact the world. From improving education to providing access to clean water, developers can use technology to positively change lives. For the purposes of the contest...

An interesting phenomenon became apparent to Microsoft engineers and designers several years ago: consumers spent too much time learning their phones, when phones really ought to be learning consumers. Instead of building smartphones around icons, they should be built around people. This week, Microsoft launched Windows Phone 8 , designed as the world’s most personal smartphone operating system. Windows Phone 8, and the Windows 8 operating system for computers and tablets, share common design innovations, from their Live Tiles that constantly update the information that people value most...

Last Friday, more than 1,500 Bostonians flocked to Kendall Square to celebrate the launch of Windows 8 and to check out the latest devices, including the Surface. Microsoft employees were on hand distributing Windows swag and showing off the Surface’s beautiful user interface during live demos. If you weren’t able to join us, never fear! To learn more about Windows 8 and the Surface, or to try them out for yourself, visit your local Microsoft store in the Prudential Building or one of Microsoft’s special holiday stores opening in the Natick Collection and South Shore Mall...