AfterTek

The European Commission will be investigating Microsoft’s new plan that will allow its Office software to edit and save files in a rival format. The EU is skeptical on whether or not the ability for Microsoft to support Open Document Formats in Office will give consumers a fair choice.

“The Commission will investigate whether the announced support of Open Document Format in Office leads to better interoperability and allows consumers to process and exchange their documents with the software product of their choice,” the commission said in a statement reported by Dow Jones.

NASA has been getting pressure from Congress to embark on a mission that is dangerous – but could offer up some much needed information. They will be sending a spacecraft closer to the sun that any has ever been able to go.

NASA has already begun work on a Solar Probe mission – which is costing them close to $750 million if not more. They have ordered the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to begin the work as of last month.

Microsoft stated this week that they are once again talking and trying to strike a deal with Yahoo. They are looking to make a deal that will not include a full buyout.

At this time they may not be putting forth a bid at get their hands on all of Yahoo “but (they) reserve the right to reconsider that alternative depending on future developments and discussions…”

Earlier this month a suit against Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) by shareholders angry over its refusal of Microsoft’s $47.5 billion buyout expanded to include company co-founder David Filo.