Microsoft Reportedly Being Investigated By FTC In Sweeping Probe, Teams and Outlook Experiences Major Outage

Following a momentous Microsoft Ignite last week, it was less rosy news for the tech giant this week.

Microsoft is reportedly being investigated by the US’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in a newly announced, wide-ranging probe.

Initially reported by Bloomberg and corroborated by several other publications, the FTC is allegedly assessing Microsoft’s cloud and software licensing operations, cybersecurity services, and AI solutions.

According to Bloomberg sources, a key focus is how Microsoft bundles productivity and security software with its Azure cloud services, specifically how Microsoft’s allegedly punitive licensing terms impede customers from transferring business data from its Azure cloud service to competitor platforms.

The FTC’s apparent interest in Microsoft’s cloud business intensified following several security incidents involving its products, especially given Microsoft’s role as a major software provider for US government agencies.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and Exchange went down for many users worldwide, and a conclusive resolution was not confirmed until late Tuesday.

Among the issues specifically cited were the inability to access Teams Calendar, Outlook, and Exchange and Outlook crashing for some users. Others could not load or send email attachments or log into the server. Some users reported partial functionality of the services, with specific features working normally, while others experienced issues. For example, emails could be received, but attachments might fail to load correctly.

Zoom Drops ‘Video’ From Company Name, Secures Largest Workvivo Deal

Zoom has dropped “Video” from its full name to become simply “Zoom Communications” as it strives to become an “AI-first company”.

Timed alongside Zoom’s latest earnings call, during which the company demonstrated a steady financial performance and confirmed it had secured its largest-ever Workvivo deal, Zoom CEO and Founder Eric Yuan revealed the news in an announcement blog.

The name change reflects Zoom’s ongoing desire to be an all-in-one collaboration platform in which meetings and video are but one important part rather than the critical fulcrum. It also intends to signal the company’s evolution into one powered by AI from top to bottom. “What may have been a ‘nice-to-have’ is now a ‘must-have’, as our customers are experiencing the true benefits of integrating AI into their workday,” Yuan wrote.

Additionally, there were some eye-catching stories as part of Zoom’s latest earnings. These include achieving “incredible traction” with Workvivo. Yuan outlined that Zoom won three net new Workvivo customers with over $1 million in ARR, including the “largest deal to date with a Fortune 10 company”.

Google Chat Bolsters Collaboration With Slack-Like Huddles

Google Chat has launched a huddles feature, which enables coworkers to have impromptu audio calls with one another.

Google’s latest communication and collaboration tool, Google Huddles, mirrors Slack’s Huddles in both name and functionality. Like Slack, Google’s huddles default to audio calls, but users can enable video at any time.

“In continuing our effort to make Google Chat your home for team collaboration, we’re excited to introduce a fast and flexible way to connect: huddles,” Google wrote in an announcement blog.

Powered by Google Meet, huddles let you start an audio-first meeting, making real-time collaboration easier than ever(…) Huddles provide a seamless collaboration experience across Chat and Meet, and can be useful in a variety of scenarios, such as two colleagues syncing quickly to discuss a project they’ve been messaging about in their Chat stream.”

Tango Networks, Cisco Enhance Mobile Comms With Extend For Webex Calling

Tango Networks has partnered with Cisco to deliver Tango Extend For Webex Calling, a native mobile comms solution for Cisco Certified Mobile Calling Providers.

Tango Extend for Webex Calling is pitched as empowering Cisco partners in the Cloud Connect for Webex Calling program to bolster their offerings with Mobile Unified Communications, refining efficiency, productivity, and collaboration.

With Webex Calling Professional licenses now including Webex Go entitlements, both businesses stress that Cisco’s Certified Mobile Calling Providers can offer and provision Tango Extend mobile services and plans to over 16 million Webex Calling users, expanding the reach and functionality of their solutions.

“By partnering with Tango, Cisco is leveraging our Cloud Connect for Webex Calling partners and building a worldwide ecosystem of partners that offers both fixed-line and mobile plans with Webex Go,” said Amey Parandekar, Vice President of Product Management at Cisco.

The initial six Certified Mobile Calling Providers launching the service are AudioCodes, CallTower, NTT, Nuwave, BCM One PureIP, and Tata Communications.



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