Microsoft CEO ordered by judge to appear at the court

Microsoft CEO has been ordered by judge to present at the court.Steven Ballmer, Chief Executive officer, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is facing lawsuit over misinforming consumers regarding Windows Vista. Marsha Pechman, U.S. District Judge, did not grant Microsoft’s request to stop consumer lawyers from questioning Ballmer on the ground of a recorded conversation between Ballmer and the top executive of Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) which indicates that Ballmer have first hand knowledge about the case.

Due to the delay in the development of Windows Vista, the latest version of Microsoft’s flagship software, the company advised hardware manufacturers to label their products as “Vista Capable” but the products could not even run the basic Windows Vista let alone the premium edition. Despite knowing about the problem, the company went ahead and started selling Vista in January 2007 and the case was made in March 2007. Judge Marsha Pechman classified the case as a “class-action, or group, lawsuit” in February. On April 13, 2008, Microsoft faced the trial.David Bowermaster, Microsoft spokesperson, forwarded an email which says:

“We will of course comply with the court’s order …Mr. Ballmer’s knowledge about the Windows Vista Capable program comes from the executives he empowered to run the program and make decisions, and two of those executives already testified in this case.”

Marsha Pechman limited Ballmer’s presence in court up to three hours and she ordered that the trial will be conducted within 30 days of her ruling.

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Bloomberg

Sony Corporation's share falls by 4% after announcing its business strategy

After Sony Corporation’s chairman, Howard Stringer, announced the company’s new strategy, Sony Corporation observed a 4% fall in its share prices.

On June 26 2008, at a press conference in Japan, chairman Howard Stringer said that Sony Corporation (TYO:6758) is going to increase the number of online products and target the emerging markets for its seven types of business. However, investors are not sharing Stringer’s optimism. Looking at the unfavorable economic conditions, they are losing interest. Reuters reports:

Sony said on Thursday it aimed to double revenues from the fast-growing markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China to 2 trillion yen ($18.7 billion) and invest 1.8 trillion yen in key businesses and technologies as part of a three-year strategy.

"Sony's shares are not being sold because investors thought the mid-term business plans were negative. The plans are not bad," said Soichiro Monji, chief strategist in the equity management department at Daiwa SB Investments.

Interestingly, at the flat market on Thursday Sony’s stock gained 2.8% but in the morning session in today’s stock market, share prices of Sony Corporation dipped 4% at 4860 yen.

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Reuters

Microsoft, Hyundai and Kia Motors join to develop in-car infotainment system

Hyundai-Kia automotive group and Microsoft Corporation are going to work jointly on developing the next generation in-car infotainment systems. The two companies will develop new products that will work on the software platform of Microsoft. These systems will be available in all the automobiles of Hyundai and Kia. The intelligencer reports:

Comparable to mini-PCs, the next-generation infotainment system provides voice-controlled connectivity between mobile devices and will expand into multimedia and navigation devices particularly suited to Asian and European markets; it will be introduced in North America in 2010.

Even after product launch, new functions can be added or upgraded in the form of software program updates, an innovation to existing in-car multimedia technology.

"These new systems will redefine consumer experiences in the car," said Martin Thall, general manager of Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit. "Since the spring of 2006, HKAG and Microsoft have been sharing their vision for the future of in-car technology. We're now aligned to develop the next generation of in-car infotainment systems."

In his recent visit to South Korea, Microsoft Chairman, Bill Gates, met with the officials from Hyundai and Kia motors. The three companies decided to develop various in-car software products. They even decided to set up an automobile innovation center.

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The intelligencer

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Sony does not think Microsoft or Nintendo as competitors

In terms of handheld games Sony thinks that it does not compete with either Nintendo or Microsoft. PS3 News:

“I think that PS3, PS2 and PSP are all entertainment platforms so I feel that our competition is not Microsoft or Nintendo, but basically any form of entertainment that is competing for the consumers’ attention,” SCE president Kaz Hirai said in an interview with MCV.

“So we need to make sure we offer the most compelling entertainment – not videogame but in in general. I can’t speak for their strategy but I like to think that we’ve got a very well balanced portfolio with PS3, PSP and you can’t discount the PS2.”

Sony is proud about the fact that their Play Station 3 has taken the lead from Xbox 360.

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PS3 News

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Bill Gates in South Korea

On his Asia tour, last Tuesday, Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), met with the President of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak. Mr.Gates forecasted a vast shift in Internet technology in the next ten years. In a press conference before the meeting with the President, Mr. Gates told the reporters that the people around the world are moving toward the second decade of the digital age. The internet had been operating for ten years and the second ten years will be different. After 2001, this is Bill Gates’ first tour in South Korea. International Herald Tribune reports:

The Blue House said in a statement that Microsoft, the South Korean government and South Korean companies will invest a total of US$313 million (€202 million) in information technology for vehicles, games and education.

Earlier, Microsoft Corp. and automakers Hyundai Motor Inc. and Kia Motors Corp. announced a deal whereby the South Korean companies will use Microsoft's in-car software, which allows people to control personal music players and telephones with voice commands.

The companies also said they planned to set up an automobile IT innovation center. Hyundai and its affiliate Kia together form the world's sixth-largest automotive group.

South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak mentioned Bill Gates as member to his Global advisory committee. The projects declared during this visit will have major impact on South Korea’s economy. Microsoft also announced its plan to invest $280 million to build a research and development facility in Beijing and double the R&D staff to 3000 within three to five years.

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International Herald Tribune

AFP

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