P-I reporter Todd Bishop covers Microsoft and the high-tech world. He also writes a weekly notebook about Microsoft and maintains a Blog that monitors the goings-on in Redmond. You can contact him by e-mail or phone (206-448-8221).

Microsoft achieves U.S. review of mouse complaint
Microsoft Corp. has persuaded U.S. trade officials to review a complaint seeking to block imports of computer-mouse technology that it claims infringes its patents.

Google, Yahoo to proceed with ad deal
Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc. will start a high-profile advertising partnership by early October, even if federal regulators haven't yet approved the deal, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said Thursday.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2008
Next Internet Explorer includes features to keep browsing secret
Microsoft released a preview of Internet Explorer 8, with new features for privacy and online navigation.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2008
Immersion to pay Microsoft $20.75 million
Microsoft Corp. will receive $20.75 million from Immersion Corp. after the companies agreed to settle a lawsuit that revealed the Redmond company's behind-the-scenes maneuvering against video-game console rival Sony.

Technology Briefing
Microsoft sets pace in online display ads ... Broadcom co-founder apologizes for lying.

MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2008
Software Notebook: Microsoft test-driving Wi-Fi use in vehicles
Microsoft and university researchers have come up with a way to make it easier to connect to community WiFi networks from moving vehicles.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2008
Seinfeld to step into spotlight for Microsoft
Microsoft has hired comedian Jerry Seinfeld to star, with Bill Gates, in a long-awaited Windows advertising campaign.

Excessive demand shuts down Microsoft's new Photosynth site
Microsoft Corp.'s new Photosynth site was down for several hours Thursday as a result of excessive demand for the online photo service, the company said.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2008
Microsoft launches Photosynth
Microsoft's Photosynth service will let people upload their own photos to create "synths" -- scenes that automatically position images as they would appear in real life, letting users zoom around and explore environments.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2008
Microsoft to boost Novell deal by up to $100 million
Microsoft is putting as much as an additional $100 million toward the unusual -- and controversial -- partnership that it struck in November 2006 with Linux vendor Novell.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2008
Microsoft faces fair-trade inquiry in Taiwan
Microsoft Corp. is being investigated by Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission after an activist group filed a complaint saying consumers are being forced to buy its Windows Vista operating system.

MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2008
Software Notebook: Boxed software faces uncertain future
Packaged software isn't dead yet, but the rise of digital downloads is causing software companies to think twice about all those boxes and discs they ship to stores.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2008
Microsoft file format approved as the international standard
GENEVA -- The format used by Microsoft Corp.'s Office 2007 programs to save documents will become an international standard after appeals against the move failed to gather sufficient support, the International Organization for Standardization said Friday.

Business Briefing
Ford adds Microsoft to its preferred vendor network ... N.Y. attorney general to file suit against Merrill Lynch ... Auto industry rebound helps boost July industrial output ... Netflix service back to normal after 3-day delay ... also, new top officers and shipping news.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2008
Technology Briefing
Microsoft is now TPG-Axon's sixth-biggest holding ... PlayStation 3 sales outpace Xbox 360 for third month ... Warner Music adding its videos to Sony game console ... BlackBerry's new Bold model expected within a month ... Apple working on iPhone update over dropped calls.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2008
Microsoft Surface tabletop computers debut at selected Sheraton hotels
One of Microsoft Corp.'s flashiest gizmos will be made available to guests of Sheraton Hotels & Resorts in five cities, including Seattle, under a pilot program that began Wednesday.

Yahoo spends $36 million on outside takeover advice
Yahoo Inc. shelled out $36 million in the first half of 2008 to the outside advisers that helped the company navigate stormy buyout talks with Microsoft Corp. and the ensuing proxy threat from activist investor Carl Icahn.

Suit filed against company Microsoft plans to buy
A patent-infringement suit was filed in federal court Wednesday against DATAllegro, a data-warehousing company that Microsoft announced plans to acquire last month.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2008
Gates says computers will interact with touch, speech in a software revolution
HONG KONG - Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said Tuesday that the dramatic growth of the Internet would eventually spark a software-writing revolution.

MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2008
Software Notebook: Microsoft to buy back shares?
Microsoft's plan to buy back more of its own shares provides a glimpse into the mind-set of its executives, who contend the market is underestimating the company.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2008
Business Briefing
Microsoft moves its Money software to online only ... ">Seattle Times selling two parcels in South Lake Union ... Starbucks UK and Ireland executive stepping down ... Harassment suit against Boeing goes back to court ... and more.

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