Investors cheered Steve Ballmer’s decision to step down as CEO of Microsoft. The share price leapt higher by more than 7% on the day of the announcement that he would leave within the next 12 months, once a successor had been identified. Most critics said that, at best
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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
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
Fans of the open-source Firefox Web browser, developed by the Mozilla Foundation, have long enjoyed the “Easter egg” in the software that takes a dig at Microsof t and its browser, Internet Explorer (IE). Typing in “about:mozilla” in the address bar has always brought up some clever
When was the last time you heard people, young or old, arguing the merits of different rock bands? I’m guessing it’s been a while. But what about a tiff about their choice of mobile phone? In the last five years, I’ve heard too many to count. Does that make personal technology the rock ‘n roll of this century? The
As has become customary at this time of the year, TechCentral is pleased to present its lists of who it considers the biggest technology newsmakers over the past 12 months, both internationally and in South Africa. We kick it off, as always, with the five people the
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has a great deal riding on Windows 8. Since he took the helm 13 years ago from his friend Bill Gates, the company’s share price has gone nowhere. The software giant is far from sinking, but it’s slowly taking on water. Windows 8 will be a key product in plugging the hole. But
What the heck is going on? Microsoft, famous for developing products for its platforms only, has suddenly become a leading advocate of openness. Office, its productivity suite, for example, will be available early next year for Apple’s iPad and for devices powered by Google’s Android operating