Seeking The Next Rovio, Microsoft, Nokia Commit Up To $24 Million Into A New Push To Get Apps On Windows Phone - also the best of the web

I've been warming up for a thorough examination of the most interesting links of the day. We'll be talking about Microsoft, Intel and Facebook.

Microsoft: http://Microsoft.com

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First things first, let's see who's been talking about Microsoft? It was techcrunch.com with their write-up entitled Seeking The Next Rovio, Microsoft, Nokia Commit Up To $24 Million Into A New Push To Get Apps On Windows Phone.

What did they point out about Microsoft? They said:

Now it looks like Microsoft and its biggest partner, Nokia, are taking some steps to make sure that they have better control over how that story develops in the future - on Nokia's home turf, at least. Today the two announced that they are each putting in up to 9 million (around $12 million) into a new mobile apps development program at Finland's Aalto University called AppCampus - aimed specifically at funding new apps for the Windows Phone platform, but also some of the legacy platforms that Nokia still users, such as Symbian and Series 40

and went on to say

The program will start in May 2012, and in addition to the funding from Microsoft and Nokia, "Aalto University will make a significant contribution to the project by providing premises, coaching services, and access to both academic and business networks for budding app developers," they say in a statement

Intel: http://Intel.com

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Next it's a site that's been writing about Intel - Intel Extends Semiconductor Lead Over Samsung: IHS.

They wrote:

Intel saw its share of the worldwide semiconductor market surge in 2011 to its highest level in more than 10 years, a jump propelled by demand for its core PC and server chips and flash memory as well as the revenue gained by its $1.4 billion acquisition of Infineon Technologies mobile chip business, according to numbers released March 26 by IHS iSuppli

... OK ...

Intel grew its market share to 15.6 percent, a 2.5 percent increase, and put at least a temporary stop to the push by Samsung Electronics, which had been chipping away at Intels lead over the past couple of years. Samsungs market share stayed at 9.2 percent, part of an up-and-down showing for manufacturers who use chip designs from ARM Holdings.

Facebook: http://facebook.com

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To finish it's Senators Ask Feds to Probe Requests for Facebook Passwords During Job Interviews from techland.time.com, focussing on Facebook. They had some interesting points to make, particularly

Troubled by reports of the practice, Democratic Sens

and

Chuck Schumer of New York and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said they are calling on the Department of Justice and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to launch investigations. The senators are sending letters to the heads of the agencies