Weekend Reading: Oct. 28th Edition–Nokia Announces Two New Windows Phones, Office Unveils the Future of Productivity and Microsoft is Named the No. 1 Global Workplace

It’s been a heck of a week on the news front here at Microsoft. First, Nokia announced its first two smartphones running the Windows Phone mobile platform. Next, the Office team unveiled a concept video that shows its vision of the future of productivity. Then, it was announced late Thursday night that the Great Places to Work Institute had named Microsoft the number one global workplace. Finally, the Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit announced a settlement in the Kelihos botnet case. Those stories and more in this edition of Weekend Reading…

Nokia’s first two Windows Phones are here, and they’re awesome. On Wednesday, the first two Windows Phones from Nokia were unveiled at Nokia World 2011 in London – the Lumia 800 and the Lumia 710. To get all the latest news on the new Nokia phones, read this post on the Windows Phone Blog and this press release from Nokia. Also, to read more about the partnership between Microsoft and Nokia, check out this Wednesday post on The Official Microsoft Blog. Below is a screenshot of the Lumia 800. Pretty, isn’t it? If that’s not enough for you, take a gander at this image gallery on the Microsoft News Center.

Nokia Lumia 800

And in other Windows Phone news this week… Two great posts on the Windows Phone Blog this week to help users get the most out of their phones. First, check out this edition of Pinworthy, which highlights five fun Halloween apps for Windows Phone. Then there’s this Tip Tuesday post, which covers hands-free posting to Facebook. Don’t miss ‘em.

Microsoft offers a glimpse into the future of productivity. Earlier this week, Microsoft released a new concept video that, as Kurt DelBene, president of the Microsoft Office Division describes it, “shows our vision for a future where technology extends and highlights our productive capabilities; it helps us manage our time better, focus our attention on the most important things, and foster meaningful connections with the people we care about.” For more on this story, read this DelBene post on The Official Microsoft Blog and this post on the Next at Microsoft Blog.

Microsoft recognized as the no. 1 global workplace. On Thursday evening, Microsoft was recognized as the number one global workplace by the Great Places to Work Institute. “Being recognized as the number one global workplace by the Great Places to Work Institute is an honor. Our investments in our employees and the opportunities for them have not gone unnoticed,” wrote Microsoft Chief People Officer Lisa Brummel in a post on The Official Microsoft Blog.

Microsoft settles in the Kelihos botnet case. Microsoft has reached a settlement with defendants Dominique Alexander Piatti and his company, dotFREE Group SRO, and will be dismissing the lawsuit against them pursuant to the agreement. However, the case for the remaining John Does remains open, as Microsoft continues its investigation to hold those responsible for the Kelihos botnet. To get the rest of this story, read this Wednesday post on The Official Microsoft Blog.

Giving through football, karaoke and a 24-hour marathon. Earlier this week, Pete Carroll, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, came to Microsoft’s Redmond, Wash. campus to talk about A Better Seattle. The initiative, which was launched in September, aims to raise awareness and funds for programs designed to prevent gang violence. It builds on the success of Carroll’s A Better LA initiative with the support of the Seattle Seahawks and local community leaders, government, nonprofit and business organizations. For the rest of this story, read this Tuesday post on the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Blog.

That’s a wrap for this edition of Weekend Reading! Thanks for stopping by and happy Halloween!

Posted By Jeff Meisner
Editor, The Official Microsoft Blog

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