Paul Thurrott

As expected, Apple unleashed a new generation of mobile smart devices on Wednesday. The firm announced the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus smartphones, plus the Apple Watch Series 2 and some related accessories.

As Brad noted yesterday, Microsoft will take on the Slack team collaboration solution by leveraging its in-house Skype capabilities to create a new product called Skype Teams. This is just one of three obvious tactics the software giant could have employed, and it suggests, I think, a new-found confidence in Skype.

On Friday, over 80 technology firms, media organizations, civil liberties groups, and others filed legal briefs supporting Microsoft’s challenge to secret U.S. government orders. Amazon, Apple, and Google are among those supporting Microsoft, as are firms as diverse as Fox News and the A.C.L.U.

Because Kaby Lake is a lie, this edition of Short Takes focuses on another forced Windows 10 upgrade, smartphone sales to slow further this year, an apology for Apple’s actual tax rate, Samsung recalls the Galaxy Note 7, Google kills a modular phone project, and much more.

A European Union investigation has concluded that Ireland illegally taxed Apple at a rate of just 1 percent for over 10 years. As a result, it has ordered Ireland to collect $14.5 billion in lost taxes from the consumer electronics giant.

Because my Kindle broke my webcam or something, this edition of Short Takes focuses on whether Excel should be blamed for scientific tunnel vision, why iPhone users need to check for updates right now, Windows 95 and Linux milestones, Xbox One S demand is better than expected, and more.

Because I’m already planning my next trip, this edition of Short Takes focuses on Windows phone market share, Microsoft’s Edge problem, PowerShell coming to Linux and macOS, Xbox One highs and lows, and the next Apple Watch.

Because I can’t stop interrupting Brad today, this edition of Short Takes focuses on the London police and their love affair with Windows XP, Xbox One success in July, Russia fines Google for antitrust abuses, and South Korea thinks about it, and much more.

Because I still dream in French, this edition of Short Takes focuses on Apple’s and Microsoft’s new emojis, Nadella’s cloud confirmation, Microsoft is helping ex-employees in Finland find jobs, all kinds of bug bounties, and more.

Because Paris, vous me manques déjà, this edition of Short Takes focuses on more Microsoft layoffs related to phone disaster, Microsoft’s phone sales revealed, Windows 10 Upgradegate triggers lawsuits, Windows NT 4.0 turns 20, and so much more.

On Tuesday, Apple announced the results of its most recent quarter, posting net income of $7.8 billion on revenues of $42.4 billion. But the firm sold fewer iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches than it did a year ago, for the second quarter in a row.

According to multiple reports, Verizon Wireless will announce as soon as Monday morning that it will acquire Yahoo’s core business for $4.8 billion. The firm will combine Yahoo with AOL, another former Internet giant, bolstering its digital media and advertising offerings.