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Microsoft Corp. will build software for managing identities into Windows in order to beef up security by giving users more control over their personal information, the world's largest software maker said on Tuesday. The ID technology called "info-cards" will give users more control over their own personal information in order to shop and access services online, said Michael Stephenson, director in Microsoft's Windows Server division.

Microsoft is currently working on a new Internet Explorer Web browser and version of Windows, code-named Longhorn, but Stephenson declined to say whether "info-cards" would be built into the current Windows XP version or Longhorn. "We're trying to make the end-user experience as simple as possible," Stephenson said, adding that Microsoft's "goal is to make sure that this is as broadly accessible as possible." The initiative is the latest effort by the software giant to improve the reliability and security of its software.

News source: Reuters

iPOD’s secret is marketing. iPOD won its first battle in 2002 when it surpassed Creative’s hard-disk based MP3 player which even had a smaller price. The secret weapon? The marketing team behind iPOD managed to promote the idea that iPOD is not just an equipment for playing music, but a whole concept. In December 2002, iPOD launches models that bear the signatures of stars like Madonna, Beck, Tony Hawk and No Doubt. All the celebrities fell in love with the little player, which made a career in video clips, music magazine, even at Oprah’s shows. Where could you get a better marketing?

iPOD’s second secret was Microsoft’s Windows. The first iPOD models launched in October 2001 only worked with Macs and iTunes program which copied CDs and then transferred to iPOD. Apple thought then that this combination will be enough to ensure the player’s success. By July 2002, 150,000 units had been sold. People were not ready to buy a Mac fro the sake o a MP3 player.

In July 2002 realized that and launched Windows compatible models which used as transfer software MusicMatch. In less than two years, iPod sales reached 2 million units. Microsoft found out too late what had happened and HP declared that is too late to think about an alternative and prefers to launch an iPOD version together with Apple. iTunes Music Store and the download revolution owe iPOD their celebrity and not the other way around.