THE MICROSOFT INVESTOR: Get Ready For Kinect Apps Coming From Big Businesses This Year (MSFT)

The Microsoft Investor is a daily report from SAI. Sign up here to receive it by email.MSFT Off With Broader Market Market is mixed mid-day as initial jobless claims beat expectations. Shares of MSFT are off as the rest of tech rises. Upcoming catalysts include Windows 8, Windows Server 8, Office 15 and Windows Phone 8; expansion in the smartphone market with primary hardware partner Nokia; strides in cloud computing; profitability in the online business, including integration of Skype; and continued evolution of Kinect and next generation Xbox. The stock currently trades at 8.0x Enterprise Value / TTM Free Cash Flow.Microsoft Launching Commercial App Development On Kinect For Windows (betanews)Microsoft launched its Kinect for Windows commercial program, allowing businesses to build applications and solutions using Microsoft's free-space interface. More than 300 companies are already developing their own solutions, including: United Health Group, American Express, Mattel, Telefonica, and Toyota. Expect to see a whole family of new Kinect applications hitting the market in the next year. This is exactly why you need to buy another Kinect.Microsoft Eliminating Marketing Jobs In Cost Cutting Plan (Bloomberg)Microsoft is eliminating a “small percentage” of marketing jobs as part of a previously reported reorganization of the department. In numbers, that's about 200 heads. The layoffs are focused on a single area with the goal of streamlining and reducing redundancies. The company said, “We’re taking steps to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our marketing.” The company's overall headcount will probably still rise, as it's hiring elsewhere.Nokia Working Closely With Microsoft On NFC For Windows Phone (The Guardian)Nokia is working on a Windows Phone model that incorporates Near Field Communications (NFC) technology to connect to external accessories. The company is also considering versions with wireless charging . Nokia is working closely with Microsoft to co-ordinate software details according to Nokia's head of design, Marko Ahtisaari.Latest Xbox 720 Rumor Says Two Different Units Coming (Slash Gear)Xbox 720 rumors abound, but the most interesting is the newest: that there will be not one, but two new Xbox units coming. The first one will be no less than a fully functional monster of gaming. The second unit will be a bit more unique. This unit will cost significantly less than the other as it will sit on top of your television and work with you via Kinect, working with your television to bring all the Smart TV functionality you could possibly want.Please follow SAI on Twitter and Facebook.Join the conversation about this story »See Also:Your Next Laptop Could Have Kinect Built InTHE MICROSOFT INVESTOR: Microsoft Admits, "PC Sales Have Not Been The Best"Microsoft Cuts About 200 Marketing Jobs

Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei "Business Insider"