Microsoft Launches Public Cloud in China

Today in international tech news: Microsoft becomes the first multinational company to offer public cloud services in China. Also: BlackBerry sues one of its own before he can jump to Apple; there's a new plot twist in Turkey's Twitter drama; and Sony will pocket tens of millions by selling off property.

Microsoft is now offering general availability of its Azure cloud service in China, becoming the first multinational company to provide public cloud services in the Middle Kingdom.

Sony's New Business Tab Allows Document Doodling

Sony's new Digital Paper tablet looks like a tricky product to sell. "Sony will have to have a very cogent, compelling market campaign in place to convince mainstream businesses that its Digital Paper tablet is a must-have device," said tech analyst Laura DiDio- "Not many businesses will shell out $1,100 just so you can mark up an electronic document."

Sony has launched a high-end tablet targeted at businesses, which allows users to annotate and draw on documents on an e-Ink screen.

Cortana for Windows Phone 8.1

Microsoft has just introduced Cortana, "the most personal smartphone assistant of all." Drawing on the wealth of data supplied by Bing, along with users' individual preferences, connections, routines and habits, Cortana is quick to make helpful suggestions and efficiently carry out instructions, the company says. Cortana is styled after a popular AI character in the video game Halo.

Clock Counting Down on Windows XP Support

As Microsoft prepares to cut off support for Windows XP, hackers are sharpening their knives in anticipation of carving up the operating system's carcass.

Web predators will pounce on XP 10 minutes after Microsoft pulls the support plug on the software, predicted one former military computer specialist and network engineer.
Indeed, it appears that information highwaymen are stockpiling ammunition for a series of assaults on the operating system.

EA launches free games promotion with Dead Space

Electronic Arts has kicked off a free games promotion through Origin by offering up Dead Space for free.

The space horror title is free as part of the On the House promotion which will see full games and expansions sporadically become available as a free Origin download at various times.

EA warns that these deals can appear and disappear at any time and has not provided a specific schedule for the promotion. Despite this, it has confirmed that Dead Space itself will be available for free until May 8. The game is ordinarily £9.99 through EA’s digital distribution system.

These are full games and not simply trial versions or temporary access codes. Any games claimed through the On the House deal will be available to players even after the offer expires.