Netflix and ads: Streaming giant teams up with Microsoft to launch cheaper subscription plan July 14, 2022 Netflix announced a partnership with Microsoft late yesterday to introduce a “lower priced ad-supported subscription plan” to drive down its prices. The advert option will be an “addition” to the existing plans and will not feature on all offers. The streaming giant has not said how much the reduced package will cost, but comes after a [...]
UK competition watchdog digs into Microsoft’s £58bn mega deal with Activision Blizzard July 6, 2022 Microsoft is under the spotlight of UK’s competition watchdog after snapping up “Call of Duty” maker Activision Blizzard for $68.7bn (£57.8bn) earlier this year in the biggest deal in gaming history. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had until 1 September to make a call on whether the deal would reduce competition in [...]
Activision Blizzard board denies claims execs turned blind eye to gender harassment June 16, 2022 Activision Blizzard board members have pushed back against claims that execs ignored or downplayed gender harassment at the firm.
Goodbye 90s nostalgia: Microsoft pulls plugs on Internet Explorer after 27 years June 14, 2022 In another blow to millennial tech nostalgia, Microsoft announced it will be axing the Internet Explorer browser after 27 years. From tomorrow, users will be directed to Edge, the newer browser, with the Internet Explorer software being completely discontinued in the coming months. Microsoft said in a statement: “Not only is Microsoft Edge a faster, [...]
Tech giants concede to EU anti-disinformation code as bloc continues crack down June 13, 2022 Tech firms are gearing up to sign the European Union's fresh anti-disinformation code, having made concessions on the types of data they are willing to share with countries.
Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard fights off shareholder lawsuit following alleged sexual harassment April 21, 2022 US judges have dismissed a lawsuit from Activision Blizzard shareholders alleging the Call of Duty maker had lied to them by minimising the impact of allegedly widespread sexual harassment and discrimination against female employees.
US officials investigate claims trader used insider information to profit from Activision’s Microsoft deal April 3, 2022 US officials have launched an investigation into whether the son of a Belgian fashion designer and a Swiss born aristocrat used insider information to profit off of Microsoft’s $68.7bn acquisition of games developer Activision Blizzard. US authorities are investigating a meeting between Activision chief executive Bobby Kotick and options trader Alexander von Furstenberg on [...]
Microsoft among best firms to work for despite CEO making 410 times average salary March 14, 2022 HP and Microsoft are some of the best Fortune 500 firms to work for, with high average earnings despite eye-watering sums going to those at the top. Chief executives for some of the world’s leading companies earn up to 840 times the average employee according to a new report released this week. Ranked number one [...]
Following Google’s lead: Microsoft axes Russia Today and bans state-owned media ads February 28, 2022 Microsoft have stated in a blog post that it will be removing Russian state-owned media outlet RT’s mobile apps from the Windows App store, as well as cutting ads on Russian state-sponsored media. In a post, the tech giant said: “One of our principal and global responsibilities as a company is to help defend governments [...]
Microsoft crafts new app rules as it jumps through regulatory hurdles for Activision Blizzard deal February 9, 2022 Microsoft has announced a new set of principles for its app store, including open access to developers who meet privacy and security standards, as it jumps through regulatory hoops to gain approval for Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard mega-deal. Microsoft will file for approval of the deal in 17 jurisdictions for the $68.7bn deal, [...]