First time Microsoft's publicly said it will bring the lucrative franchise to Apple's tablet
Hectic back-and-forth from May to August ends with Microsoft back where it started
Unlike last year, no surprises in CEO's last letter to investors
Security expert calls it a success -- enough bugs to fill one or two IE updates -- even though the dollar amount was about the same as Google's for the last iteration of Chrome
Same message as last year, when Surface RT pre-order inventory emptied, but sales ultimately disappointed
Hackers jack 3 million credit cards, many tied to Creative Cloud software-by-subscription service
Simon & Schuster, one of five publishers that settled out of court earlier, also appeals to the Second Circuit
Past practice hints that Oct. 23 is the upgrade's likely launch date
The penalty is equivalent to half the cost of a cup of coffee at McDonalds to the average American
Eight updates will plug holes in IE, Windows, Office, SharePoint and Silverlight
