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Google is developing an operating system (OS) for personal computers, in a direct challenge to market leader Microsoft and its Windows system. Google Chrome OS will be aimed initially at small, low-cost netbooks, but will eventually be used on PCs as well.

Google said netbooks with Chrome OS could be on sale by the middle of 2010. “Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS,” the firm said in its official blog.

The operating system, which will run on an open source license, was a “natural extension” of its Chrome browser, the firm said.

Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker, will start selling its Windows 7 operating system on October 22, ahead of the holiday season when demand for computers is usually highest.

Feedback on the new software has been positive from the millions of people testing it, Senior Vice President Bill Veghte said in an interview this week. Still, the timing means Microsoft won’t make the key back-to-school shopping season.

The company is looking to Windows 7 to reverse three quarters of shortfalls in Windows sales, owing to the popularity of low-cost notebook computers. Those machines use an older and cheaper version of the operating system. Redmond, Washington- based Microsoft wants to move past the poor reception for Windows Vista, the current version, which went on sale in 2007.

via The Indo

I was reading an article on The Guardian about the possibility that Microsoft will be rebranding Live Search as Kumo.com. A quick whois search confirms that Microsoft Corporation is indeed the owner of Kumo.com. Apparently the reason for this rebranding is that the brand Live isnt doing as well as Microsoft had hoped. The consensus on the web seems to be that Kumo.com wont be doing any better, it doesnt exactly roll off the tongue.

Microsoft said today that it has offered to buy struggling Internet firm Yahoo for $44.6  billion in cash and stock.

Microsoft said it had proposed $31 a share to Yahoo’s  board of directors.

The offer represents a 62% premium above the closing price of Yahoo stock yesterday, it said.