Microsoft is so confident it has the Internet's best email service that it is about to spend at least $30 million to send its message across the U.S. The barrage begins Tuesday when Microsoft's twist on email, Outlook.com, escalates an assault on rival services from Google, Yahoo, AOL and others.
Apple's retail stores are giving employees raises today, according to a source -- at least $4 per hour for every employee.
Apple is holding a private memorial service for employees to celebrate the life of Steve Jobs. The service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at company headquarters in Cupertino; it will also be webcast to employees worldwide. Apple plans to close its retail stores for several hours so employees can watch the service online.
It's a sign of just how far and wide demand for Apple products has grown: the consumer-electronics store is about to open a store in Anchorage, Alaska. The new retail outlet, along with another one in Murray, Utah, brings the total number of U.S. Apple stores to 240.
Apple jacked up the number of full-time employees working in its retail division by 61% to 26,500 in its fiscal year that just closed. The move came as Apple rolled out its new addition to the i-line -- the iPad -- and retooled its iPhone with video chat, which helped to drive sales in the stores.
