Connect with us

E-Business

Microsoft’s Focus on Windows 10 is Paying Off

Published

on

microsoft logo.jpg
Kindly share this post

Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft, is relying on the latest version of Windows, and its ability to connect every device to the cloud, to recapture the hearts, minds and wallets of consumers everywhere.

His strategy might be working.

He has made Windows 10 the linchpin of his strategy for getting people to think about Microsoft products again.

With Windows 10, developers can write universal apps that work on any device. That could help the world’s largest software company build a compelling app repository, like Google’s Play or Apple’s App Store.

The new Surface Pro 4 taps into businesses’ and consumers’ growing appetite for high-end hybrids that can serve as a laptop and a tablet.

That could help Microsoft gain traction in corporations, where Apple’s Mac computers do well. And premium phones could finally give Microsoft the cred it needs to hold its own against Apple’s iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy S devices.

“Nadella knows you never have a second chance to make a good impression,” said Daniel Ives, an analyst with investment firm FBR & Co. “He has to make developers, consumers and companies want to buy and use Windows products, and he’s doing that through a unified platform. There are no delusions of grandeur. They have to start small and dream big.”

Think of it as a kind of virtuous cycle: The more devices that rely on the new operating system, the more developers will write apps for it, which in turn will attract more customers. For his goal to work, though,
 
Microsoft needs to quickly get the latest software into as many devices as it can, even if it means taking a short-term hit on revenue.

Which is why the company offered Windows 10 free to most current users. Earlier this month, Microsoft said more than 110 million people had installed the software in the first 10 weeks after its release at the end of July.

The company on Thursday reported a profit, excluding severance and acquisition costs, of 67 cents a share on $21.7 billion in revenue in its first fiscal quarter of 2016, which ended September 30. That sales figure includes deferred revenue from subscription fees for cloud-based products like Office 365 and Azure.

Cloud-related revenue across all product segments lifted the results to beat Wall Street’s expectations. On average, analysts polled by Reuters estimated a profit of 59 cents a share on $21.03 billion in revenue.

“We are making strong progress…by delivering innovation people love,” Nadella said in a statement.

This is also the first time Microsoft has divided financial results into three buckets. “Productivity and Business Processes” includes its business suites such as Office and Office 365. The “Intelligent Cloud” segment focuses on corporate software, such as its Windows Server. All eyes may be on its “More Personal Computing” group, which contains Windows 10 licensing, mobile devices, the Xbox gaming console and advertising revenue from search.

Revenue in that group fell 17 percent, brought down primarily by a change in Microsoft’s phone strategy. The company in the previous quarter wrote-down $8.4 billion in acquisition and restructuring costs related to its failed acquisition of Nokia’s phone business.

On the plus side, revenue from search advertising excluding traffic acquisition costs grew 29 percent, while the number of monthly users actively using the Xbox increased 28 percent, to 39 million.

Investors apparently liked what they heard, sending shares up more than 8 percent in after-hours trading.

Separately, Microsoft laid off about 1,000 employees, or less than 1 percent of its global workforce.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

E-Business

Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.

Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity

Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.

When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.

The growing demand for proactive security

One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.

Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.

With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.

Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies

The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.

“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.

Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.

When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.

This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.

As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga

The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.

To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.

Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.

Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”

He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.

As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.

Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.

When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.

At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.

“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending