Shares of Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) slightly down in pre trading session on Wednesday as the corporation was about to abandon an experimental research project that used audio-based technology to assist visually-impaired persons in navigating and becoming more aware of their environment.
However, Microsoft stated that the code will be made available to other developers under an open-source license. Microsoft released Soundscape in 2017, assisting individuals in becoming “more comfortable with strange environments” through the use of 3D audio cues.
According to TechCrunch, the effort resulted in an Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) iOS app in 2018 that calls out points of interest as the user travels by major roads and crossroads. Microsoft will delete the Soundscape app from the App Store on January 3, 2023, and share the underlying code on GitHub.
In related news, Microsoft is planning to create a “super app” that would merge shopping, texting, online search, news feeds, and other services into a single smartphone app.
Microsoft officials hoped that the app would help the company’s multibillion-dollar advertising and search businesses, as well as attract more users to Teams messaging and other mobile services.
Microsoft offered to accede to the FTC consent decree on ‘Call of Duty’ games
Microsoft President Brad Smith said on Tuesday that the business has proposed to enter into a legally binding consent decree with the United States Federal Trade Commission to distribute “Call of Duty” games to competitors such as Sony and others for a decade.
The news comes as Microsoft seeks clearance for its $69 billion acquisition proposal for video game producer Activision Blizzard Inc.
Sony, the creator of the Playstation platform, has criticized the agreement, noting Microsoft’s influence over games such as the “Call of Duty” franchise.
On Tuesday, neither the FTC nor Activision Blizzard responded promptly to a request for comment.
In an effort to deflect criticism, Microsoft announced this month a 10-year commitment to deliver “Call of Duty” to Nintendo systems. Sony received the same offer from the corporation.
The Biden administration moved earlier this month to prevent Microsoft’s proposal to purchase Activision, putting a stumbling block in the computer giant’s aspirations to swiftly grow its library of popular games and catch up to larger rivals.
The agreement is also being scrutinized outside of the United States. The European Union launched a full-scale inquiry in November, and the EU competition agency said it will decide whether to clear or ban the agreement by March 23, 2023.
In September, Britain’s antitrust authority announced a full-scale investigation.
