Introducation
Microsoft (MSFT) is a household name and one of the largest companies in terms of market capitalization in the world. The company is trading at a record high of $ 78.81 thanks to major successes such as Azure and the commercial model that has become the subscription services and recurring revenue we talked about in June. On Thursday, Microsoft will release its first quarter earnings report. Today, we will discuss what to look for in the results of results, future perspectives and we will provide an evaluation model that we can use to compare results after the announcement.
Overview
Microsoft develops, licenses, and supports software products, services, and peripherals around the world. The company is divided into three segments. Productivity and Business Processes offers Office 365 products and services for businesses and consumers, as well as LinkedIn's professional online network. Its Intelligent Cloud segment licenses server products and services in the cloud, such as Microsoft SQL Server, Windows Server and Azure, which now holds the second largest portion of the public cloud. The most personal computing segment of Windows includes OEM Windows, volume and other non-volume operating system Windows licenses, including Microsoft Surface and phones, as well as search advertising, including Bing and Bing Ads. This segment also provides gaming platforms, including the Xbox brand.
In its latest earnings report, Microsoft exceeded market expectations due to the extremely strong performance of Azure and the cloud. It achieved non-GAAP income of $ 24.7 billion and GAAP earnings per share of $ 0.83, exceeding expectations of $ 24.3 billion and $ 0.71, respectively.
Wednesday, 25 October 2017
Sunday, 1 October 2017
The Amazing Ways Microsoft Uses AI To Drive Business Success
Microsoft plans AI
The adoption of AI in business and society is encouraged by technology giants with resources to design, build and deploy affordable services and simple enough for daily use. Microsoft is one of those in the vanguard. This year, the words "artificial intelligence" appear for the first time in a vision statement, reaffirming that intelligent and learning machines are considered essential in everything they do.
Although it's all about shouting, Microsoft has developed smart features in many of its products and services for quite some time. If you use Skype, Office 365, Cortana or Bing, you probably know it.
Machine learning - what most people hear at the moment, when using the term AI - helps to equalize research with useful results, and gives the Cortana Virtual Assistant the opportunity to improve and become more useful over time . Thanks to Skype, it allows chatbots to operate on their communication platform, where they can be used for customer services or access services such as weather information or travel information.
In its Office Enterprise Productivity Suite, as well as Cortana's support, Microsoft implemented interface-assisted functionality designed to provide assistance with daily tasks, such as live voice translation of recorded voice.
These are great examples of how specialized AI - designed to perform a single task and be more and more good - is already integrated into our lives. However, Microsoft has noted that its ambition goes further. Work towards the goal of generalized AI intelligent machines that can turn your talents into any task.
Harry Shum, executive vice president of his AI and research group, said: "Today's computers can perform specific tasks very well, but with regard to general tasks, AI can not compete with a human child."
The Research and AI group was founded in 2016 as the fourth engineering division of Microsoft, along with Office, Windows and Cloud teams. In less than a year, it has grown to 8,000 employees. It is safe to say that after losing the last seismic change in the technological landscape - the jump to the mobile - does not want to delay the output block.
Apart from the services it provides to end users, Microsoft's backbone services are available to organizations that want to create their own smart tools. The global framework is known as Microsoft's Platform AI, which includes a series of more specialized packages, such as Microsoft Cognitive Services, Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit and Microsoft Bot Framework. This work allows AI algorithms to be used on Azure's powerful and popular cloud computing platform, with users only paying for processing and storage as needed. Eliminating the need for organizations to host their own costly and rapidly aging infrastructure is key to CEO Satya Nadella's vision of "democratizing AI."
The technology giant is also interested in the development of stand-alone vehicle technology. This year, he announced that he is partnering with the leading Chinese search engine Baidu to develop a platform for self-driving cars. These vehicles rely heavily on artificial intelligence to interpret sensor data on board and respond appropriately to driving hazards.
More recently, Microsoft announced a new technology designed to accelerate real-time machine learning algorithms. Known as Project Brainwave, it uses programmable processors known as FPGAs to execute sophisticated and distorted algorithms. Essentially, it is software that can be programmed directly on a programmable chip, allowing the core hardware to function as specialized deep neuronal network processing units. Microsoft is able to capitalize on this because of the investment it has made in installing FPGA in its worldwide data centers over the past few years.
Microsoft also develops industry-specific AI applications. The company has just announced a new division of health based on artificial intelligence in order to develop predictive analytical tools that can alert people about medical problems, help diagnose diseases and recommend the right treatments and interventions.
These projects represent the culmination of a goal declared by the most famous figurehead of society, the founder Bill Gates, in 1991, when he said he believed that computers would see, hear, and learn one day like humans.
Bernard Marr is the best-selling author and keynote speaker on business, technology and large data. His new book is Data Strategy. To read his future publications, just join his network here.
Today, the level of available computing power has reached a threshold where intelligent and self-teaching machines are beginning to become a viable reality. If we imagine the task of creating the AI as if we were Dr. Frankenstein in his lab, our creation might not be on his feet and walk around, but it opened his eyes, and we can see that the lights are on .
Advances such as those made by Microsoft put this kind of technology - and with it, the opportunity to build a better world - at the fingertips of millions of people every day. However, it is still early, and everything is to be gained. If Microsoft continues to leverage its strong technology infrastructure and extensive user base, it can prove to be the winner of the race to establish leaders in the AI .
The adoption of AI in business and society is encouraged by technology giants with resources to design, build and deploy affordable services and simple enough for daily use. Microsoft is one of those in the vanguard. This year, the words "artificial intelligence" appear for the first time in a vision statement, reaffirming that intelligent and learning machines are considered essential in everything they do.
Although it's all about shouting, Microsoft has developed smart features in many of its products and services for quite some time. If you use Skype, Office 365, Cortana or Bing, you probably know it.
Machine learning - what most people hear at the moment, when using the term AI - helps to equalize research with useful results, and gives the Cortana Virtual Assistant the opportunity to improve and become more useful over time . Thanks to Skype, it allows chatbots to operate on their communication platform, where they can be used for customer services or access services such as weather information or travel information.
In its Office Enterprise Productivity Suite, as well as Cortana's support, Microsoft implemented interface-assisted functionality designed to provide assistance with daily tasks, such as live voice translation of recorded voice.
These are great examples of how specialized AI - designed to perform a single task and be more and more good - is already integrated into our lives. However, Microsoft has noted that its ambition goes further. Work towards the goal of generalized AI intelligent machines that can turn your talents into any task.
Harry Shum, executive vice president of his AI and research group, said: "Today's computers can perform specific tasks very well, but with regard to general tasks, AI can not compete with a human child."
The Research and AI group was founded in 2016 as the fourth engineering division of Microsoft, along with Office, Windows and Cloud teams. In less than a year, it has grown to 8,000 employees. It is safe to say that after losing the last seismic change in the technological landscape - the jump to the mobile - does not want to delay the output block.
Apart from the services it provides to end users, Microsoft's backbone services are available to organizations that want to create their own smart tools. The global framework is known as Microsoft's Platform AI, which includes a series of more specialized packages, such as Microsoft Cognitive Services, Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit and Microsoft Bot Framework. This work allows AI algorithms to be used on Azure's powerful and popular cloud computing platform, with users only paying for processing and storage as needed. Eliminating the need for organizations to host their own costly and rapidly aging infrastructure is key to CEO Satya Nadella's vision of "democratizing AI."
The technology giant is also interested in the development of stand-alone vehicle technology. This year, he announced that he is partnering with the leading Chinese search engine Baidu to develop a platform for self-driving cars. These vehicles rely heavily on artificial intelligence to interpret sensor data on board and respond appropriately to driving hazards.
More recently, Microsoft announced a new technology designed to accelerate real-time machine learning algorithms. Known as Project Brainwave, it uses programmable processors known as FPGAs to execute sophisticated and distorted algorithms. Essentially, it is software that can be programmed directly on a programmable chip, allowing the core hardware to function as specialized deep neuronal network processing units. Microsoft is able to capitalize on this because of the investment it has made in installing FPGA in its worldwide data centers over the past few years.
Microsoft also develops industry-specific AI applications. The company has just announced a new division of health based on artificial intelligence in order to develop predictive analytical tools that can alert people about medical problems, help diagnose diseases and recommend the right treatments and interventions.
These projects represent the culmination of a goal declared by the most famous figurehead of society, the founder Bill Gates, in 1991, when he said he believed that computers would see, hear, and learn one day like humans.
Bernard Marr is the best-selling author and keynote speaker on business, technology and large data. His new book is Data Strategy. To read his future publications, just join his network here.
Today, the level of available computing power has reached a threshold where intelligent and self-teaching machines are beginning to become a viable reality. If we imagine the task of creating the AI as if we were Dr. Frankenstein in his lab, our creation might not be on his feet and walk around, but it opened his eyes, and we can see that the lights are on .
Advances such as those made by Microsoft put this kind of technology - and with it, the opportunity to build a better world - at the fingertips of millions of people every day. However, it is still early, and everything is to be gained. If Microsoft continues to leverage its strong technology infrastructure and extensive user base, it can prove to be the winner of the race to establish leaders in the AI .
Sunday, 10 September 2017
Microsoft Made A Custom, Light-Up Xbox One With The Chainsmokers
Microsoft and the DJ duo The Chainsmokers have teamed up for a special edition of Xbox One S coming. This is part of a larger initiative that will allow Microsoft to create custom Xbox One S consoles with "celebrities and brands".
As explained on Xbox Live, Xbox One S Chainmokers uses a small USB processor that turns sound into a changing light show. There are 60 pixels that light up that not only looks good, but also creates what Microsoft says is a 3D effect. You can view the custom console and drivers in the video below.
"We have been really pumped to work with Xbox on this project and help us improve our lives by combining it with the best gaming console in the world," Chain Chain said in a statement (via Rolling Stone). "We knew the team would do something incredible, but when we first saw the custom Xbox One S, we were thrilled by the quality of the design."
For its part, Xbox marketing director Aaron Greenberg said that this console is different from any custom console that Microsoft has done. He also called it "true art".
Microsoft distributes the console. You can try to win one by following The Chainsmokers on Twitter and responding to a message about why you like the design of the console. You can see the rules of the contest here.
As for the other custom Xbox One consoles made by Microsoft, they will be produced in collaboration with "the most important personalities of music, sports, television, fashion, art and Hollywood." At least some of them are expected to be announced later this year.
Although you can never get these consoles, Microsoft launches Xbox One X in November. It is described as the most powerful console ever made, and is also the smallest system Microsoft has ever produced. It will live next to Xbox One S, which costs less (about $ 250) compared to $ 500 for Xbox One X. The Xbox One games and the drivers you already own will work on Xbox One X.
As explained on Xbox Live, Xbox One S Chainmokers uses a small USB processor that turns sound into a changing light show. There are 60 pixels that light up that not only looks good, but also creates what Microsoft says is a 3D effect. You can view the custom console and drivers in the video below.
"We have been really pumped to work with Xbox on this project and help us improve our lives by combining it with the best gaming console in the world," Chain Chain said in a statement (via Rolling Stone). "We knew the team would do something incredible, but when we first saw the custom Xbox One S, we were thrilled by the quality of the design."
For its part, Xbox marketing director Aaron Greenberg said that this console is different from any custom console that Microsoft has done. He also called it "true art".
Microsoft distributes the console. You can try to win one by following The Chainsmokers on Twitter and responding to a message about why you like the design of the console. You can see the rules of the contest here.
As for the other custom Xbox One consoles made by Microsoft, they will be produced in collaboration with "the most important personalities of music, sports, television, fashion, art and Hollywood." At least some of them are expected to be announced later this year.
Although you can never get these consoles, Microsoft launches Xbox One X in November. It is described as the most powerful console ever made, and is also the smallest system Microsoft has ever produced. It will live next to Xbox One S, which costs less (about $ 250) compared to $ 500 for Xbox One X. The Xbox One games and the drivers you already own will work on Xbox One X.
Tuesday, 18 July 2017
Microsoft set to cut 'thousands' of jobs
Microsoft said it cut thousands of sales personnel while focusing on cloud computing.
The company reported a jolt in its traditional sales focus primarily on office software licenses, as it confirmed that notices of dismissal were sent.
However, he declined to say where they were carrying out most of the cuts.
It is understood that Microsoft has not denied that 3,000 employees have left - some were redistributed - especially outside the United States.
Microsoft employs several thousand people in the UK, its main activities in reading focuses on cloud services.
The company is conducting a race against rivals such as Amazon and Google to sell subscriptions to access software on multiple devices, especially for businesses.
Its cloud business, including its Azure platform are underway to generate annual revenues of 15 billion dollars (11 billion).
The company reported a jolt in its traditional sales focus primarily on office software licenses, as it confirmed that notices of dismissal were sent.
However, he declined to say where they were carrying out most of the cuts.
It is understood that Microsoft has not denied that 3,000 employees have left - some were redistributed - especially outside the United States.
Microsoft employs several thousand people in the UK, its main activities in reading focuses on cloud services.
The company is conducting a race against rivals such as Amazon and Google to sell subscriptions to access software on multiple devices, especially for businesses.
Its cloud business, including its Azure platform are underway to generate annual revenues of 15 billion dollars (11 billion).
Wednesday, 7 June 2017
Kaspersky files antitrust complaints against Microsoft in Europe
Kaspersky Lab has filed antitrust complaints against Microsoft in Europe, accusing the company to make it more difficult to run Kaspersky antivirus on Windows 10 and Microsoft promote alternative.
Eugene Kaspersky, a co-founder of Russia's cyber security firm, announced Tuesday that the company had recently filed antitrust complaints with the European Commission and the German Federal Cartel Office. Kaspersky had raised the issue with Russia's antitrust regulator in November.
"We see clearly - and we are ready to demonstrate - that Microsoft uses its dominant position in the computer operating systems market to vigorously promote its own lower security software," Kaspersky said.
In many cases, according to Kaspersky, customers upgrade their operating system to Windows 10 from previous versions to find their Kaspersky antivirus tools have been deleted or disabled. The company also criticized Microsoft because it is impossible to remove Windows Defender, Microsoft's antivirus software, in some Windows editions.
In a statement, Microsoft said its goal was to protect Windows users and "we are convinced that the security features of Windows 10 comply with the competition laws."
Microsoft said it had expected Kaspersky a few months ago for a meeting among leaders to address concerns, but the rally did not take place.
Following the complaint by Kaspersky in Russia, regulators have held hearings on anti-virus policies from Microsoft in Windows 10. They have not come to a conclusion.
The latest complaints do not necessarily indicate that the European Union or the German regulatory authorities are conducting a study of Microsoft practices.
The EU was watching hard Microsoft over the years, which condemns the purchase of around 733 million in 2013 to break a promise to give Windows users a clear choice for the use of web browsers built by other companies.
This year one of the EU's data collection control body criticized what it said was a lack of transparency in Windows 10 data collection practices.
Eugene Kaspersky, a co-founder of Russia's cyber security firm, announced Tuesday that the company had recently filed antitrust complaints with the European Commission and the German Federal Cartel Office. Kaspersky had raised the issue with Russia's antitrust regulator in November.
"We see clearly - and we are ready to demonstrate - that Microsoft uses its dominant position in the computer operating systems market to vigorously promote its own lower security software," Kaspersky said.
In many cases, according to Kaspersky, customers upgrade their operating system to Windows 10 from previous versions to find their Kaspersky antivirus tools have been deleted or disabled. The company also criticized Microsoft because it is impossible to remove Windows Defender, Microsoft's antivirus software, in some Windows editions.
In a statement, Microsoft said its goal was to protect Windows users and "we are convinced that the security features of Windows 10 comply with the competition laws."
Microsoft said it had expected Kaspersky a few months ago for a meeting among leaders to address concerns, but the rally did not take place.
Following the complaint by Kaspersky in Russia, regulators have held hearings on anti-virus policies from Microsoft in Windows 10. They have not come to a conclusion.
The latest complaints do not necessarily indicate that the European Union or the German regulatory authorities are conducting a study of Microsoft practices.
The EU was watching hard Microsoft over the years, which condemns the purchase of around 733 million in 2013 to break a promise to give Windows users a clear choice for the use of web browsers built by other companies.
This year one of the EU's data collection control body criticized what it said was a lack of transparency in Windows 10 data collection practices.
Sunday, 14 May 2017
Microsoft criticizes governments for stockpiling cyber weapons, says attack is 'wake-up call'
Microsoft has criticized governments for storing computer exploits secretly, calling the attack continues WannaCry ransomware to "wake up."
Ransomware, also called WannaCrypt, was first observed on Friday and affected at least 200,000 computers in more than 150 countries, including some in hospitals, blocking until their owners paid a rebate to Bitcoin attackers.
Some security experts expect a second wave of attacks began Monday morning, as employees and how to get to work and return on affected computers.
WannaCry software is particularly virulent, as it does not necessarily require users to take action, such as clicking a link or downloading software to propagate; It can also be propagated automatically using file sharing systems on networks.
WannaCry uses a vulnerability in earlier versions of Windows originally discovered and used by the US National Security Agency as an offensive cyber weapon.
"This attack is another example of why government storage vulnerabilities are a problem," Microsoft President Brad Smith wrote in a blog post Sunday.
"We have seen vulnerabilities stored by the CIA to appear on WikiLeaks, and customers now this stolen NSA vulnerability has hit the world. On several occasions, the exploits in the hands of governments have gone public and caused considerable damage ".
Smith's post destroyed Microsoft critics by pointing out that the company has released a patch for vulnerability earlier this year, but many organizations have not patched older computers. Smith also said Microsoft has been working all day to help affected customers, even older operating systems that are no longer supported.
But he also warns that similar attacks will recur unless governments stop stockpiling these kinds of vulnerabilities:
Ransomware, also called WannaCrypt, was first observed on Friday and affected at least 200,000 computers in more than 150 countries, including some in hospitals, blocking until their owners paid a rebate to Bitcoin attackers.
Some security experts expect a second wave of attacks began Monday morning, as employees and how to get to work and return on affected computers.
WannaCry software is particularly virulent, as it does not necessarily require users to take action, such as clicking a link or downloading software to propagate; It can also be propagated automatically using file sharing systems on networks.
WannaCry uses a vulnerability in earlier versions of Windows originally discovered and used by the US National Security Agency as an offensive cyber weapon.
"This attack is another example of why government storage vulnerabilities are a problem," Microsoft President Brad Smith wrote in a blog post Sunday.
"We have seen vulnerabilities stored by the CIA to appear on WikiLeaks, and customers now this stolen NSA vulnerability has hit the world. On several occasions, the exploits in the hands of governments have gone public and caused considerable damage ".
Smith's post destroyed Microsoft critics by pointing out that the company has released a patch for vulnerability earlier this year, but many organizations have not patched older computers. Smith also said Microsoft has been working all day to help affected customers, even older operating systems that are no longer supported.
But he also warns that similar attacks will recur unless governments stop stockpiling these kinds of vulnerabilities:
Tuesday, 2 May 2017
Surface Laptop images leak ahead of Microsoft's event
Microsoft seems to throw a laptop surface at an event in New York City tomorrow. Twitter user WalkingCat shared several photos of what is simply "Laptop size", and it looks like Microsoft's response to Google Chromebook Pixel. The laptop area should include a 13.5-inch PixelSense display and comes in four colors: platinum, burgundy, cobalt blue and gold graphite.
Microsoft laptop also includes a alcantara keyboard, the same material used in the top keyboard option Surface Pro 4. It is not clear what the CPU and other hardware power of the mobile area, but the pictures show that it will be a USB port Normal, a Mini DisplayPort and a conventional surface power connector. Microsoft does not seem to adopt USB type C ports for its portable surface.
The portable area should also weigh 2.76 pounds, with a thickness of 14.47 mm at the back and 9.9 mm at the front. Microsoft's display should include 3.4 million pixels, suggesting that the company uses a 1080p panel for what appears to be a 3: 2 aspect ratio to 13.5 inches.
WalkingCat also says that surface laptop also runs Windows 10 S, a common name for the alternative Chrome OS Microsoft. We expect Microsoft to introduce the new version of Windows 10 tomorrow, including its ability to run only Windows Store applications. We will have to wait until tomorrow for the complete details of Microsoft, but this portable surface is seen as a high quality alternative to the Chromebook Pixel. It is likely that Microsoft will place this material as the premium for its new efforts with Windows 10 S.
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