Microsoft's in the money as revenues jump

Microsoft reported its latest revenue figures to the strains of "We're in the Money" (we expect) as it broke records with its income for the second fiscal quarter.

The company's revenue reached heady new heights of $20.9 billion (£13.5 billion), with its entertainment and devices division up by 15 per cent thanks to the continuing success of the Xbox and its associated bits and pieces.

One part of the business that has dropped off, though, is Windows – sales were down six per cent compared to 2010, taking "only" $4.74 billion (just over £3 billion).

Lend us a fiver?

Since Windows 8 is set for release this year, we can't imagine Microsoft is too worried about this drop off, with CEO Steve Ballmer pointing to 2012's launches for more pick up.

"We delivered solid financial results, even as we prepare for a launch year that will accelerate many of our key products and services," he said.

Microsoft's not letting on how much it makes from its Windows Phone operations though, no doubt partly because it makes more from shilling Android manufacturers for patent fees than it does from selling phones.

Oooh, zing.

Apple will pay money for your old PC

Apple's Reuse and Recyling Programme will dispose of old electronics, even handing over cash if they're still useful.

There are a number of services already in operation such as Envirofone and Mazuma Mobile that will hand over cash in return for your old phone, even if it's not working, but Apple's service extends to some of the bulky, harder to get rid of items like desktop computers and displays.

The Reuse and Recyling Programme is operated by Dataserv GmbH.

A statement on the Apple Reuse and Recyling site says :"Apple's commitment to the environment includes finding the most efficient ways to reuse or recycle electronic equipment at the end of its useful life, including iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC computers, and displays from any manufacturer. You may even get some money for your old equipment."

Cash for questions

To see if you could make a quick buck from your old laptop, all you have to do is head over to the Apple Reuse and Recycling Programme website and answer a few questions.

You'll then get an estimate of the value of your item and be sent a prepaid postage label.

If all is well (and you haven't told any fibs) your bank account will get a cash injection once Apple receives your item.

Apple will also take your old iPods and any mobile phones through its iPod and Mobile Phone Recycling Programme, though it won't give you any money for them.

Intel Settles With NVIDIA: More Money, Fewer Problems, No x86

NVIDIA and Intel just released their respective PR announcements a bit ago, but after much rumor mongering it’s official: Intel and NVIDIA are the latest duo to bury the hatchet. This comes on the heels of 3 other major Intel actions in the past two years: the EU fining Intel (which is still under appeal), Intel settling with AMD (affirming GloFo as a legal venture), Intel settling with the United Stated Federal Trade Commission.

With the exception of the EU fine which is still under appeal, this is the final outstanding major legal battle for Intel over their actions of the first decade of the 21st century. Generally speaking someone is always suing Intel – or Intel is always suing someone else – but as far as normality is concerned this is a return to normal for Intel: they’ve now settled with every significant government and corporate entity and are no longer living under a cloud of allegations from a number of parties.

So what are NVIDIA and Intel burying the hatchet over? A lot of this has to do with the same matters we saw in the FTC suit, as part of the FTC’s case was built on NVIDIA’s complaints. As you may recall the FTC didn’t get everything they wanted, and this suit looks to resolve those outstanding issues along with settling NVIDIA’s chipset allegations, and providing NVIDIA with a sizable 1.5bil compensation package for their troubles.

 

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