Tuesday 17 September 2013

Windows 8.1 Enterprise TechNet and MSDN

Enterprise available now …

File Name: en-gb_windows_8_1_enterprise_x64_dvd_2791100.iso
Languages: English
SHA1: 48C87A991A1B6E7C1CC51AAC6CCDCE548471810C


File Name: en-gb_windows_8_1_enterprise_x86_dvd_2791526.iso
Languages: English
SHA1: FF49F12633BA25742F5B98A426371A9419A3F806

Monday 9 September 2013

Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 on TechNet & MSDN

Available now …

File Name: en_windows_8_1_x86_dvd_2707392.iso
Languages: English
SHA1: 802CFCD3A411D99C097EA7E747F0B6697F9BDAC4

File Name: en_windows_8_1_x64_dvd_2707217.iso
Languages: English
SHA1: BC2F7FF5C91C9F0F8676E39E703085C65072139B

File Name: en_windows_server_2012_r2_x64_dvd_2707946.iso
Languages: English
SHA1: B6F063436056510357CB19CB77DB781ED9C11DF3

File Name: en_windows_storage_server_2012_r2_and_windows_server_2012_r2_foundation_x64_dvd_2708426.iso
Languages: English
SHA1: E3F320EACACFC7F2B000D3E6B02872133BCA547C

File Name: en_microsoft_hyper-v_server_2012_r2_x64_dvd_2708236.iso
Languages: English
SHA1: 1EEC2EE8DD77E8EB970B210C9B0E01986D7210DD

Thursday 5 September 2013

Outlook Web App delegated access.

The ability to delegate access to your inbox or calendar has historically been limited to the desktop version of Microsoft Outlook until today.  Office 365 users will soon have the ability to delegate folder permissions within Outlook Web App (OWA).

image

More information can be found here; there are a few limitations such as sending emails on behalf-of as this comes from the delegate email address.  Some nice touches around calendar access and notifications.

The Inside Story of Microsoft’s Nokia Deal

An interesting series of events are outlined in the following article from allthingsd.com about how the Microsoft Nokia deal was agreed.

Wednesday 4 September 2013

Xbox One to Launch on November 22, 2013

The CPU from 1.6GHZ to 1.75GHZ, roughly a 10% increase in CPU performance.  This is on top of the 6% increase we previously announced for the GPU. 

More information can be found here;

TechNet Subscriptions Extended for an additional 90 days.

It looks like MCT’s will be getting an alternative benefit; MSDN unlikely!

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We have extended your TechNet Subscription
for an additional 90 days.

On July 1, 2013, Microsoft announced the retirement of the TechNet Subscriptions program. Since then, we’ve been listening to your feedback on how we can better support the IT professional community through this transition.

   

Additional information

More background on Microsoft’s decision to retire the TechNet Subscription service and the implications for current subscribers is available on the TechNet Subscriptions FAQ.

 


Two of the most common pieces of feedback we heard are that you need more time to prepare for this change, and ongoing access to prior versions of Microsoft software. As a result, we’re announcing the following updates:

Eligible subscribers with active accounts as of September 1, 2013 will receive a free, one-time, 90 day subscription extension. You can continue to access your product downloads, use your professional support calls*, and get priority support in TechNet Forums through your updated expiration date, which you can find on the My Account page of the TechNet Subscriptions benefits portal.

As TechNet Subscriptions customers begin to transition to the free evaluation resources Microsoft provides, we’re improving the TechNet Evaluation Center by making prior versions of products available for trial. Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and others are available now. We will add additional products over time.

In addition, since you are an MCT, we wanted to let you know that Microsoft plans to replace the TechNet Subscription that you receive today with a new solution that will provide access to non-time bombed software for instructional/training purposes for the duration of your MCT program membership. More details will be available in the coming weeks.

We appreciate your feedback and will continue to invest in free evaluation, learning, and support resources to meet your business needs and career goals.

- TechNet Subscriptions Team

Tuesday 3 September 2013

Microsoft to acquire Nokia’s devices & services business.

I guess this comes as no surprise; Stephen Elop for CEO..?

REDMOND, Washington and ESPOO, Finland – Sept. 3, 2013 – Microsoft Corporation and Nokia Corporation today announced that the Boards of Directors for both companies have decided to enter into a transaction whereby Microsoft will purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, license Nokia’s patents, and license and use Nokia’s mapping services.

Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will pay EUR 3.79 billion to purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, and EUR 1.65 billion to license Nokia’s patents, for a total transaction price of EUR 5.44 billion in cash. Microsoft will draw upon its overseas cash resources to fund the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, subject to approval by Nokia’s shareholders, regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

Building on the partnership with Nokia announced in February 2011 and the increasing success of Nokia’s Lumia smartphones, Microsoft aims to accelerate the growth of its share and profit in mobile devices through faster innovation, increased synergies, and unified branding and marketing. For Nokia, this transaction is expected to be significantly accretive to earnings, strengthen its financial position, and provide a solid basis for future investment in its continuing businesses.

“It’s a bold step into the future – a win-win for employees, shareholders and consumers of both companies. Bringing these great teams together will accelerate Microsoft’s share and profits in phones, and strengthen the overall opportunities for both Microsoft and our partners across our entire family of devices and services,” said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft chief executive officer. “In addition to their innovation and strength in phones at all price points, Nokia brings proven capability and talent in critical areas such as hardware design and engineering, supply chain and manufacturing management, and hardware sales, marketing and distribution.”

“We are excited and honored to be bringing Nokia’s incredible people, technologies and assets into our Microsoft family. Given our long partnership with Nokia and the many key Nokia leaders that are joining Microsoft, we anticipate a smooth transition and great execution,” Ballmer said. “With ongoing share growth and the synergies across marketing, branding and advertising, we expect this acquisition to be accretive to our adjusted earnings per share starting in FY15, and we see significant long-term revenue and profit opportunities for our shareholders.”

More information here;

From: Steve Ballmer
To: MS FTEs
Date: Sep. 2, 8:00 PM PDT (Sep. 3, 6:00 AM EET)
Subject: Accelerating Growth

We announced some exciting news today: We have entered into an agreement to purchase Nokia’s Devices & Services business, which includes their smartphone and mobile phone businesses, their award-winning design team, manufacturing and assembly facilities around the world, and teams devoted to operations, sales, marketing and support.

For Microsoft, this is a bold step into the future and the next big phase of the transformation we announced on July 11.

We are very excited about the proposal to bring the best mobile device efforts of Microsoft and Nokia together. Our Windows Phone partnership over the past two and half years has yielded incredible work - the stunning Lumia 1020 is a great example. Our partnership has also yielded incredible growth. In fact, Nokia Windows Phones are the fastest-growing phones in the smartphone market.

Now is the time to build on this momentum and accelerate our share and profits in phones. Clearly, greater success with phones will strengthen the overall opportunity for us and our partners to deliver on our strategy to create a family of devices and services for individuals and businesses that empower people around the globe at home, at work and on the go, for the activities they value most.

More information can be found here;