Microsoft
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Microsoft Boosts .NET Bug Bounty Program: Rewards Up to $45,000
Microsoft has expanded its .NET bug bounty program, increasing the top reward to $40,000 for critical vulnerabilities in .NET and ASP.NET Core. The program now encompasses a wider range of technologies and offers tiered rewards based on the severity of the vulnerability, incentivizing researchers to focus on the most damaging flaws, like Remote Code Execution (RCE) and Elevation of Privilege (EoP). This move reflects Microsoft’s commitment to proactive security and leveraging external talent to identify weaknesses.
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Microsoft Becomes Second Company to Hit $4 Trillion Market Cap
Microsoft has joined the $4 Trillion Club, becoming the second company after Nvidia to reach this valuation. Shares surged 8% following a strong Fiscal Year 2025 Q4 earnings report. Microsoft reported a Q4 revenue of $76.44 billion, up 18% year-over-year, driven by AI-powered cloud services. Full-year revenue reached $281.724 billion, a 15% increase. Analysts are optimistic, with Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase raising their price targets. Nvidia first achieved the $4 trillion milestone earlier in July.
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Microsoft Closes “Movies & TV” Store After 12 Years, Exiting Streaming Market
Microsoft is shutting down its “Movies & TV” store on Windows and Xbox after 12 years. Users will no longer be able to purchase new digital movies and TV shows. Launched in 2012 to compete with rivals like Apple and Amazon, the service allowed users to rent or buy content across Microsoft’s ecosystem. While new purchases are halted, users can still access previously purchased content. This closure signifies Microsoft’s exit from the direct-to-consumer streaming market, following the earlier termination of its Groove Music streaming service.
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Microsoft Layoffs Spark Controversy as Employees Lose Unvested Stock Grants
Microsoft announced its second major workforce cut this year, eliminating approximately 9,000 jobs (under 4% of its workforce) to streamline operations, with controversy erupting over revoked unvested stock awards from laid-off employees. Former Xbox developer Noble Smith criticized the policy as stripping potential family education funds, sparking debate on compensation ethics during layoffs. Analysts note competitors sometimes accelerate vesting as goodwill, while Microsoft’s stock clawbacks amid record share prices could save hundreds of millions. The dispute underscores tensions between cost-cutting measures, employee retention, and transparency in equity-based compensation models across the tech sector.
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Microsoft Announces Second Major Layoff This Year, Potentially Affecting 9,000 Roles
Microsoft announced a second major round of job cuts this year, potentially impacting up to 9,000 roles across departments, geographies, and levels. This move aims to streamline operations and reduce costs amidst increasing AI infrastructure expenses and broader industry trends of workforce adjustments. These cuts represent less than 4% of Microsoft’s global workforce.
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Microsoft Achieves Major Quantum Computing Breakthrough: Error Rate Reduced 1,000x
Microsoft has developed a 4D topological quantum error-correcting code, a breakthrough promising more reliable and efficient quantum computing. This code, integrated into Azure Quantum, boasts superior error correction, encoding efficiency, and streamlined operations, reducing error rates significantly. It minimizes physical qubit requirements, making quantum computing more practical for applications in fields like medicine and materials science, and compatible with various qubit types.
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Microsoft Study Finds 6-Hour Workday Optimal
Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index reveals that excessive work hours are hindering productivity. The study highlights a blurring of work-life boundaries, with many experiencing extended workdays. Peak productivity is observed between 9 AM and 3 PM but is often disrupted by meetings. Microsoft suggests AI could streamline tasks, potentially leading to a more focused, six-hour workday.
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Microsoft’s Hardware Play: A Forced Move? Former Xbox Exec Reveals Content Monopoly as Ultimate Goal
Former Xbox VP Peter Moore revealed Microsoft’s preference for a cloud-based gaming strategy, mirroring Netflix’s model. He suggests Microsoft would have skipped consoles entirely, prioritizing content aggregation via streaming. The Activision Blizzard acquisition signals this shift towards multi-platform expansion. Despite this, Microsoft recognizes the continued demand for consoles like the Switch and will likely maintain hardware development alongside its evolving, broader ecosystem.