Microsoft to spend $3.8 b. on R&D

Microsoft already spends more on research and development than the rest of the windows software industry combined. Now the company announced it is boosting R&D investments by a whopping 28 per cent to $3.8 billion, up from $2.97 billion during the year ended June 30.

Company chief Bill Gates said the increased R&D budget would be used to develop new and expanded products for the personal computer, and developing software that would run on products other than a PC. "Although global PC sales have proved remarkably robust, some slowdown is likely in the coming year. The PC will undoubtedly remain at the heart of computing at home, work and school, but it will be joined by numerous new intelligent devices.''