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Briefly…

• Adobe launched Creative Suite 4, slated to ship in early October.
• Paragon Software, known for partitioning, backup & disk maintenance, now available at SoftwareMedia.com.
• The Best Global Brands 2008 survey puts Microsoft at #3, Google at #10, Apple at #24.
• Adobe posted better-than-expected quarterly results this month, raising shares 5 percent.
• Symantec rolled out Norton Antivirus 2009 and Norton Internet Security 2009 this month..

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The Seinfeld-Gates commercials from Microsoft have already come to an end. Despite the controversy that the ads were pulled because of criticism, Microsoft and all parties involved contend that this was always the plan with the ads, saying “Jerry was contracted for three commercials and that was it.” The ad campaign is now moving on to phase two, which involves Eva Longoria Parker (among other TV stars) and the theme “I am a PC”.

With the buzz about the new campaign, many are asking why Microsoft isn’t making more of a direct rebuttal against competitor Apple, who clearly takes aim at Microsoft in its ongoing ads. The tables could easily be turned, but it isn’t necessary. Apple is rapidly growing and for good reason, but with eleven of twelve new computers running Windows, Microsoft still holds first place by a long shot. Only time will tell what will happen with these two companies.

Demonstrating their confidence in the company’s long-term growth yet again, Microsoft has announced plans to buy back $40 billion in stock for the second time. They just completed their first buyback program, and this one will last through 2013. Microsoft shares have lost 22 percent of their value since they announced their (failed) bid to buy Yahoo. In light of the buyback announcement, investors pushed Microsoft’s stock to $26.50 a share in premarket trading, up 5.33 percent. Microsoft revenue exceeded 60 billion dollars in fiscal 2008.

In their biggest acquisition to date, McAfee has announced plans to buy Secure Computing for $465 million. The deal will help round out McAfee’s security offerings, adding specialized equipment that keeps hackers from breaking into computer networks. This will vault the #2 rated computer security company further into the protection of business networks as well as boost the number of companies that use its services. “The market is moving toward bigger vendors with broader suites. That just means more dollars for McAfee,” McAfee Chief Executive DeWalt said. “That is why we are expanding the portfolio.” Secure Computing began in 1984 developing technology to protect computer systems at the U.S. National Security Agency. It was spun off as an independent company in 1989.

Next month developers will get their first look at the next major version of the Windows operating system, Windows 7. Microsoft will demonstrate its progress at the annual Professional Developers Conference next month. “Attendees will have the opportunity to attend 21 different sessions that drill down into the details of developing for Windows 7,” said marketing manager Denise Begley. Windows 7 will use the same kernel as Vista, which is seen as a positive thing for the compatibility, stability and timeline of the new OS.