March 15 The Shared Source Initiative reaches a milestone of 1 million participants. Through Shared Source programs, Microsoft shares source code with customers, governments, partners, academics, and individuals.
April 2 Microsoft and Sun Microsystems enter into a broad technology collaboration arrangement to enable their products to work better together and to settle all pending litigation between the two companies. The companies also enter into agreements on patents and other issues.
July 20 Microsoft’s board of directors approves an $0.08 per share quarterly dividend, plans to buy back up to $30 billion of the company’s stock over four years, and a special one-time dividend of $3 per share. In all, $75 billion is to be returned to shareholders over four years.
August 11 Microsoft announces a five-country pilot program for Windows XP Starter Edition, a low-cost introduction to Windows XP designed for first-time desktop PC users in developing technology markets.
October 12 Bill Gates delivers Microsoft’s vision of digital entertainment anywhere, unveils Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, and showcases a variety of sleek new computer designs, portable media devices, and digital content services.
December 30 Microsoft announces a commitment of $3.5 million in financial support for relief and recovery efforts in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami.
Stats
Revenues: $36.84B %Growth 14%
Employees:57,086
Net Income (US$) $8.17B % Growth 8%
