Microsoft planning Xbox event for May  —  Microsoft had originally been planning to unveil its next-generation Xbox details at an event in April, but The Verge has learned that the company has pushed this back to May.  Windows watcher Paul Thurrott revealed recently that Microsoft is planning …

Intel announces next-gen Thunderbolt with 20 Gbps throughput, 4K support  —  Here at NAB, Intel just introduced the next generation of its Thunderbolt interface, which promises a data rate of 20 Gbps in both directions (on each of the two channels) as opposed to 10 Gbps for the previous version.

Mediaroom and Our TV Journey  —  The following is a post from Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President of Marketing, Strategy and Business for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.  —  Today, Microsoft and Ericsson announced a definitive agreement for Ericsson to acquire Mediaroom …

Confirmed: Apple Kicks AppGratis Out of the Store for Being Too Pushy  —  Apple has ousted a popular app-discovery application from its iTunes App Store, claiming the app circumvented App Store rules preventing applications promoting other apps and direct marketing.

HTC Posts Record-Low Profit After Latest Smartphone Delayed  —  HTC Corp. (2498), Taiwan's largest smartphone maker, posted its lowest quarterly profit on record after the delay of a new flagship phone caused revenue to miss the company's target.  —  First-quarter net income plunged 98 percent …

News Corp. Threatens to Pull Fox off the Airwaves if Aereo Wins  —  Goodbye, free TV?  —  News Corp. COO Chase Carey said his conglomerate is considering moving programming from its Fox broadcast network, which viewers can receive over the air, for free, to its pay cable networks.

HP launches Project Moonshot, powered with Intel's Atom at first  —  Summary: HP's bet to be a server leader revolves around hyperscale servers, targeted workloads, power savings and better density.  At stake is HP's reputation as an innovator.  —  Hewlett-Packard launched its Moonshot server line …

As to recent allegations that have been leveled at my former business partner, Michael Arrington: Michael recruited me to be his CEO.  TechCrunch was a calling for him, not just a business venture.  That he trusted me to grow it from his bedroom-based hobby to a leading media outlet speaks most authentically of his regard for women.

U.S. Patent Office Withdraws Primary Objections to Apple's ‘iPad Mini’ Trademark Application  —  Last week, we noted that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) had issued an initial office action denying Apple's application for a trademark on the term “iPad mini”.

Silicon Valley's Mouthwatering Tax Break  —  Debate Emerges Over Whether Daily Fringe-Benefit Meals Are Taxable; Issue Is Now on IRS's Radar  —  Google has more than 120 corporate cafes world-wide serving over 50,000 meals a day.  Above, a cafeteria at Google's Venice Beach campus.