Microsoft’s long-serving and sometimes controversial CEO, Steve Ballmer, 57, will step down from the US software company within the next 12 months. This will happen after the conclusion of a process to choose his successor, the company says in a statement. The news sent Microsoft’s
The following is the text of an internal e-mail sent by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to the software maker’s employees outlining the reasons behind his decision to step down within the next 12 months. “I am writing to let you know that I will retire as CEO of Microsoft within the next 12 months
Outgoing Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer developed a reputation over the years for his exuberant personality and enthusiastic keynote addresses, many of which have become firm favourites on YouTube. He was also prone to gaffes, including his ridiculing
In the wake of another set of poor quarterly results tied to weak consumer demand for its new smartphones, BlackBerry on Monday announced that it was exploring “strategic options”, including the possibility of selling the business. But who would want to buy
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is giving US$1m to the Jane Goodall Institute to study and protect gorillas in Africa. The Paul G Allen Family Foundation says wildlife conservation projects in Africa will be a major initiative. Science officer Kathy Richmond
Next month, Microsoft’s offices in Sandton will play host to the third Johannesburg Startup Weekend. The event is aimed at entrepreneurs looking for feedback on an idea, those searching for a potential co-founder for their startup, or simply at people looking for support and mentoring
Apple has hit a plateau. Its quarterly earnings results revealed flat revenues, falling iPad sales and markedly lower profits. But the company is not doomed to collapse, despite what some of the more excitable pundits are claiming. Apple is clearly going through a rough
Microsoft believes it can use television white-spaces spectrum – gaps in broadcasting frequencies – to deliver uncapped broadband Internet access to South Africans for between R20/month and R50/month. Microsoft South Africa MD Mteto Nyati says the US-headquartered
On 18 July, Microsoft announced yearly profits of nearly US$22bn. Its shares immediately plunged by more than 11% and have yet to recover. What has made investors so nervous? Part of the problem is around expectations. Investment analysts had been expecting an additional $1,35bn in profit
Former IBM South Africa MD Mark Harris has been named as the new CEO of Kagiso Media. He replaces Murphy Morobe, who stepped down recently. The JSE-listed Kagiso, which owns a range of radio stations, including East Coast Radio, Jacaranda FM and Kaya FM, told shareholders on Wednesday that
