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Microsoft Corp launched Windows 7 on Thursday in its most important release for more than a decade, aiming to win back customers after the disappointing Vista and strengthen its grip on the PC market. The world’s largest software company, which powers more than 90% of personal computers, has received good reviews for the new operating system, which it hopes will grab back the impetus in new technology from rivals Apple Inc and Google Inc. The new and faster system is less cluttered and has new touch-screen features. It comes almost three years after the launch of Vista, whose complexity frustrated many home users and turned off business customers. The success of Windows, which accounts for more than half of Microsoft’s profit, is crucial for Chief Executive Steve Ballmer to revive the company’s image as the world’s most important software firm. “I have to say I’m chomping at the bit,” Ballmer told an audience of Microsoft customers and partners in Toronto on Wednesday, adding that he is ready to make sales calls himself on Windows 7. Sales won’t immediately impact the bottom line of Microsoft, which is expected to post a lower quarterly profit on Friday.

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Vonage Holdings Corp shares surged 35% on Wednesday on growing views that the company would survive despite earlier skepticism over its business model. The stock has now climbed more than 300% in the past week, a rally that has surprised analysts who say the company still faces stiff competition and weak revenue. Last week, the stock was trading at less than 50 cents a share, and yesterday it closed above US$2.00/shr. on news of Google Inc’s new voice application may be renewing interest in VoIP, a technology that Vonage pioneered. Vonage was among the first to offer Internet-based calling services to people looking for cheaper alternatives to regular phone lines. Since its inception, the company has struggled with high costs and competition from traditional phone and cable operators that now offer bundled video, Internet and phone services. It is also challenged by SKYPE, a unit of eBay Inc, and other Internet-based services. While it posted its 1st quarterly net profit earlier this month, a weaker economy resulted in fewer subscribers. Vonage, perhaps, is in the sights of a larger company.

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