Paul Thurrott

Microsoft announced this week that it will donate $1 billion in “cloud computing resources” over the next five years to nonprofits, faculty researchers, and communities that lack broadband Internet access. The goal is to help transform the cloud from a solution for the privileged into a resource that everyone can use.

Microsoft announced this morning its acquisition of MinecraftEdu, a version of the blockbuster game Minecraft that is built for the classroom, for an undisclosed sum

While most people associate Windows with personal computing devices such as PCs, tablets, and phones, Microsoft is of course bringing Windows 10 to a much broader array of device types. And this week, Microsoft added retailing to that list.

This week: Microsoft’s share of the enterprise cloud, the missing Windows 7 convenience rollup, Microsoft’s iOS porting tools move forward, Intel meets expectations while Xiaomi does not, and Xbox One just can’t catch a break.

Despite a modest improvement in the fourth quarter, PC sales in 2015 met expectations and delivered the largest year-over-year decline in history, with PC makers selling fewer than 300 million units for the first time since 2008.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been awarded a rare honor with an invitation to attend U.S. President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address tomorrow night, on Tuesday, January 12.

Because it’s my New Years resolution, this week’s other news includes tech empires striking back against terrorism, Microsoft’s “renewed partnership” with Samsung, Lenovo killing Motorola brand, worries about UK governmental spying, and Samsung’s fading fortunes.

Hoping to catch up to rivals such as Apple and Google, Microsoft today announced multiple partnerships with automotive companies aimed at enhancing the “connected car” experience.

Microsoft on Thursday announced that it will alert users of its consumer cloud services—Outlook.com, OneDrive and so on—when it suspects that governments are trying to hack into their accounts.

Because auld acquaintance should never be forgot, this (short) week’s other news includes Microsoft encryption news from the past, Microsoft v. Corel, someone finally sues Apple over forced obsolescence, and Google is ripping the Java guts out of Android.

2015 was a watershed year for Microsoft, with many notable product releases and updates. But Microsoft’s 2015 was in turn both good and bad, a series of ups and downs. Worse, some of its biggest successes were tarnished by unnecessary setbacks.

This (short) week’s other news includes LG stealing the Surface ad, Google and Ford partnering on driverless cars, and Google’s plans for chat apps and getting rid of passwords.