U.S. National Committee on Labour in its report accusing Microsoft of using low-skilled labor and low-paid Chinese adolescents. More precisely, using them is not itself Microsoft, but Chinese contractors, are available for Microsoft computer mouse. In particular, the report mentions the factory KYE, which operates thousands of students aged 16-17 years who work there during the summer holidays. Sometimes attract and adolescents 14-15 years. According to the report, this is equivalent to the use of child labor.

In this company, even staff members – mostly girls under 25 years. Both full-time and seasonal workers are working very long and for low wages. A typical employee spends at the factory 15 hours a day, seven days a week, often he is forced to work overtime. Workers live in dormitories have the right to leave only for a fixed time. Payment for this spartan work is about 65 cents an hour. Food employees shall not be granted.

KYE very strongly rejected these accusations, Microsoft took a more balanced position – stated that it would hold its own investigation.

KYE – factory known, it delivers the goods for giants such as Acer, Asustek, BestBuy, Foxconn, HP, Logitech and Samsung. These companies have not yet commented on the report of the committee.

The problem of child and adolescent labor in Chinese factories IT is not the first time pops up on the front pages. Officially, the Chinese laws prohibit such conditions, as described above, but the execution of these laws almost do not follow that it is not surprising: Many thanks to low wages and minimal social obligations of the Chinese products so successfully compete in the global market.

Via Electronista

On the Internet a interesting video demonstrating the power of the new touch interface from Microsoft – Manual Deskterity. In fact, it is the same Surface, only with the possibility of simultaneous input stylus and fingers.

The video shows all the possibilities of new technology, such as the various image editing functions on the go. Manual Deskterity especially enjoy the children – to draw on it a pleasure.

It is possible that these technologies will be used in currently being developed Flatbed Courier . If you believe the early concept video mysterious tablet from its main rival – iPad – «Courier favorably with just an advanced system of handwriting.

Below – videos of how this functionality is implemented with the current touchscreen iPad . Frankly, not inspiring. Manual Deskterity, in contrast to the iPad, eliminates false positives from the palm of the hand that holds a stylus pen.

Via Electronista

In March, the market share of Windows 7 for the first time exceeded the mark of 10%. In Microsoft said that in 2009 sold 60 million licenses, and in the new year this figure had increased at least half.

In March, the total percentage of all Windows-based decreased slightly – by 0.54% (from 92.12% to 91.58%). It passed the position of all versions, except 7, which is quite expected. Share Windows XP fell by 1.03% (65.49% and 64,46%), Vista – by 0,5% (with 16.51% and 16,01%). Share Windows 7 has increased by 1,31% (from 8.92% to 10.23%).

Via ArsTechnica

Microsoft made a funny ad in Twitter: now Platform Windows Phone 7 Series, as it was presented and a half months ago, will be called simply Windows Phone 7. What's good: it is a word, and so few people used, but it has made the name more overweight.

In Microsoft also announced that an updated Windows Phone 7 will be produced centrally and independently from manufacturers. Previously, users of Windows Mobile 5 / 6 completely dependent on the whims of manufacturers: they wanted to release a firmware update for a particular device – well, did not want to – sorry. Now, Microsoft itself will publish updates simultaneously to all devices running on WP 7, which is very correct.

Via Electronista

On Thursday it became known that Microsoft has patented a "panoramic user interface" as used in Windows Phone 7. The application was filed in September 2008 and was granted only recently.

Now the competition will be harder to implement something akin; recall, in Windows Phone 7 in many applications, the actual screen is more physical, and the user is prompted to move on it scroll.

Via Electronista

According to the report BeyondTrust, more than half of all vulnerabilities of the official Microsoft Security Bulletin for 2009 can be eliminated by simply working from a simple user account without administrative rights.

For Windows 7, the figure is 57% (according to the list of vulnerabilities for March 2010) for Windows 2000 – 53% for XP – 62% for Server 2003 – 55, Vista – 54%, Server 2008 – 53%. Most of all pleased Office and Explorer 8: They can be closed so all 100% of vulnerabilities.

In general, all Windows-based vulnerabilities number of solved borrow 64%, and if we take only critical, they will be much 81%. Overall, for all the products Microsoft statistics is 90%.

In the Microsoft Security Bulletin for 2009 lists 166 vulnerabilities, 133 of which belong to different versions of Windows.

As is known, many users Windows operating from the administrator account: so it is easier and familiar. The same often happens in companies where IT departments look the other way at such a flippant attitude to safety. As you see, simply by limiting user rights can be significantly – and totally free – to solve many problems.

Via Ars Technica

Microsoft in his blog JobsBlog confirmed the existence of a tablet-book with two screens Courier , which had previously been known only unofficially. The blog is a device called an unusual – "Digital Magazine".

It is believed that the Courier will be able to compete iPad , although the functionality it is quite different: it is enough to name only two screens, a stylus and handwriting recognition.

It is known that the Courier will be placed a strong emphasis on working together and reading books. Most likely, the platform will be the same as in Windows Phone 7 , which will facilitate the application development process.

Via Electronista

Since Microsoft at the request of the European Union introduced the Windows 7 system browser of choice, the proportion of Internet Explorer began to plummet. A growing number of European users choose other browsers when you install a new OS.

Now European buyers of new computers no longer get IE to "voluntary-compulsory" basis, but can choose one of 12 browsers at will. This antitrust action led to quite the expected results: Information on the company Statcounter, in March the share of IE has decreased in France by 2.5% in the UK – by 1% in Italy – by 1,3%.

On the other hand, Mozilla and Opera reported an increase in the proportion of their products, and the Norwegian company reported back as much to double the number of downloads of the browser from your own site. A small increase occurred and the developers quite exotic browsers like Flock.

Via Reuters

Rumors about the absence of Windows Phone 7 copy and paste, perhaps a little exaggerated. Browser Microsoft Lun Zheng (Long Zheng), visit the conference MIX10, wrote that at the beginning of WP7 this function was, but Microsoft was temporarily removed in time to release the OS to the end of the year. But shortly after the release will update that will return to the system clipboard operations.

This information contradicts statements made by the very few Microsoft, whose representatives at the conference argued that users actually do not really need the functions of the clipboard. On the other hand, it may simply be an excuse for the lack of these operations in the initial stage and then in Microsoft suddenly "change their minds and returned them.

In Windows Mobile clipboard operations have always been, and they are quite important for business users. Microsoft made a bad mistake if they ignore this category of buyers. The emergence of copy and paste on the iPhone has considerably improved the adoption of this phone in the business segment.

Via Electronista

Microsoft suffers is the second legal defeat in almost before it had begun in 2010: District Court of Texas ruled that the corporation intentionally violated two patents the company VirnetX of communication technology. Microsoft has used these technologies in Windows XP and Vista, and Office and Messenger. The court ordered the corporation to pay the plaintiff $ 105.8 million

As Microsoft did not agree with the decision of the court and will appeal it.

Via Electronista