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 .

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. While studying abroad in Peru...

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 teamsin the categories of Games, Innovation and World Citizenship. The list of finalists include: Project SAM, from the University of Chicago, who developed a mobile application on Windows Phone...

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...

By: Leilani Garrett, Collaboration Solutions Sales Specialist, Microsoft There’s something incredible about getting a shiny new bike all tricked out just the way you want: a supple leather saddle, the perfect brass bell and a paint color that gleefully shouts your name. Michael Salvatore, co-owner of Heritage Bicycles with his wife Melissa, launched his unique take on selling two-wheelers on Chicago’s north side a year ago. The store is part vintage coffee house and part bike shop. It offers custom bicycles crafted by local artisans. Shoppers choose from three classic styles complemented...

“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 Oakbrook 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 receive a...

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 fact, check out why Chicago Sun-Times' Andy Ihnatko calls the Surface Pro “ as powerful as a desktop and as ultraportable as an ultrabook .” 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 Oakbrook for a demo or click here to learn more about the...

The future for Chicago area youth got a bit brighter last week with the launch of Microsoft’s YouthSpark initiative . A packed room of local government, education, and non-profit leaders joined Microsoft executives to learn how YouthSpark, through new education and training programs, will create opportunities for youth in today’s economy. The Brookings Institution shared some compelling and revealing data about the state of local youth education and employment. This data stated that job openings in the Chicago area demand higher levels of education than currently achieved by local...

Tomorrow, Microsoft officially launches its YouthSpark initiative in Chicago. As part of the launch, Microsoft will host a panel discussion on the youth opportunity divide with education, government, and non-profit leaders from around Chicago. The panel line-up includes: Beth Swanson, Deputy Chief of Staff for Education, Office of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, City of Chicago Alan Berube, Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Brookings Institution Donald J. Laackman, President of Harold Washington College Lisa Morrison Butler, Executive Director, City Year of Chicago Andrew Ko, Senior Director...

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 : •...

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...

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 . ...

The City of Chicago announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft that will save the city more than $1.3 million over the next four years. Microsoft Office 365 was selected to support Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s cloud computing and IT modernization strategy, which will improve productivity, security, and collaboration across all City departments. The adoption of Office 365 will allow more than 30,000 employees to migrate to one e-mail application, consolidating three disparate email systems into one environment. To learn more about the announcement, please visit the Official Microsoft Blog...

Interested in learning more about Windows Intune and Windows 8 devices? You’re in luck! The Chicago Windows User Group (CWUG) is holding a meeting Thursday, Jan. 17, beginning at 6 p.m. at the McDonald’s Hamburger University in Oak Brook , to discuss Windows Intune and Windows 8 devices. Dinner will be provided and every attendee will receive a free Microsoft Press technical resource book. Interested in attending? You can register for the event here . When : Thursday, January 17, 2013 5 p.m. CT - Arrival/networking/tour/dinner 6 p.m. CT - Meeting begins 7 p.m. CT - Microsoft technical...

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...

‘Tis the season to give! And Microsoft is doing just that by donating more than $1.2 million in software to Metropolitan Family Services , an organization dedicated to strengthening low-income families in the Chicagoland area. This software donation, which includes Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, will completely refresh the organization’s technology systems, enabling them to focus resources on their core mission—helping families in need. Not only will the new software enhance productivity, security, and performance of information technology functions agency-wide...

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 2011, students from Chicago’s Tribeca Flashpoint Media Academy were...

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...

Today, Microsoft announced a partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and several non-profit partners, including the United Way of Metro Chicago, the YMCA of Metro Chicago, Metropolitan Family Services, and Children’s Home and Aid Society to open 12 new Parent Engagement Centers at community schools throughout Chicago. The Parent Engagement Centers will be updated with computers fully loaded with Microsoft Windows and Office, internet access, and additional software thanks to a donation from our Microsoft Citizenship Team. Parents will receive computer training and have access to...