Microsoft Corp. will postpone the release of Office 2008 for Apple, Inc.'s Macintosh computers until the January 2008 in order to fix lingering bugs in the software. The software giant was planning to release Office 2008—which will include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Entourage email program—in the second half of 2007. Microsoft now intends to launch the software at the Macworld mega-conference for all Apple products in mid-January, and it will be widely available in the first quarter. There has been a 72% increase in sales of Office for Macs from 2001 to 2006, as compared to an 18% increase for Windows versions.
Dell to buy ASAP Software for $340M
Global computer maker Dell, Inc. will increase its software business by acquiring ASAP Software for $340 million. ASAP is a unit of the Amsterdam-based software firm Corporate Express. Subject to regulatory approvals, the deal is expected to close in the third quarter. ASAP Software, a Buffalo Grove, IL-based company, provides services in information technology for government organizations and other institutions. The company's subsidiary, License Technologies Group, is a provider of licensing and e-commerce services for software publishers. The move to acquire ASAP software has been met with positive reactions.
Google gears up for its cell phone project
Google, Inc has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in its cell phone project and is in talks with mobile operators in the U.S. and Europe. Google joined hands with Taiwan's High Tech Computer Corp to design a Linux-based phone for a 2008 launch. The search engine company has also approached the two major American wireless services, AT&T, Inc. and Verizon Wireless, and asked them to sell phones with Google's services. Google, having developed prototype phones, is in discussion with other phone manufacturers regarding the technical specifications.
