Om Malik has come up with a to-do list for Microsoft which I think is pretty good.

"The paper of record" on the announcement that Bill Gates will be stepping away from Microsoft in two years to focus efforts on his foundation.

Quoted: The move, analysts said, points to the changes sweeping the software industry.

Microhoo!

Quoted: Microsoft has been in talks with Yahoo! about potentially acquiring a major portion of the company, according to a report published Wednesday.

Microsoft's earnings came in below expectations and the market has decided to shave it by nearly 11% so far today. Yikes.

Quoted: Redmond has big plans for tools and partnerships that will let users consult a circle of friends when conducting Web searches.

"What's he building in there?" OK, that's just a Tom Waits quote rip-off but it appears as if Transmeta and Microsoft have been tag-teaming on a non-Origami project. For those not in the know, Transmeta develops low-powered, efficient, processor chips to be put in small electronics.

click to play

Apparently this leaked and is expected to be the big Microsoft announcement on Thursday. It certainly looks too polished to be a fake. Looks like the ultimate Dotting machine to me!

Quoted: Microsoft Project origami

Quoted: Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. are
preparing to link together their free instant messaging
services as they take on entrenched messaging leader AOL and
market newcomer Google Inc., a source close to the companies
said on Tuesday.

Quoted: Get an overview of the new Microsoft Office user interface. Learn about some of the new technologies and features that deliver a simplified, uncluttered workspace that minimizes distraction and presents commands in a more easily accessible way.