This was posted a day or two ago on the DSP sub-forum on KVR:
 
My team at Microsoft is looking for audio software engineers and program managers with experience building best-in-class products. If you want to be a part of the future of music creation in multiple dimensions check out the following openings and apply!
Senior Program Manager (Digital Audio Software) https://careers.microsoft.com/jobdetails.aspx?ss=&pg=0&so=&rw=1&jid=304496&jlang=EN&pp=SS (https://careers.microsoft...mp;jlang=EN&pp=SS)
Senior Music Software Engineer https://careers.microsoft.com/jobdetails.aspx?ss=&pg=0&so=&rw=1&jid=320824&jlang=en&pp=ss (https://careers.microsoft...mp;jlang=en&pp=ss)
 
No more information than that, but it leads to all kinds of speculation ... not all of it positive.
 
Of course, it being KVR, a number of childish, snarky responses was to be expected, but the clear message from the adults was: not another plug-in API standard!!!
 
 

Maybe they're making their own GarageBand-style "intro" type of software to include with Windows.  Would be cool if this had something to do with the Surface series, too, in my opinion.
 
I didn't look at the listings yet, nor the KVR thread so I'm totally guessing and selfishly so :)

Who knows what powers a new API might have...hmmmmm ... sounds interesting.

Interesting indeed.

Is good to see recognition for audio finally. The Garage Band concept is intriguing but that begs the question of a follow-on platform. It would make sense to be Windows only (SONAR would be in contention), but they may also pursue market penetration into the Mac arena to upset the audio throne that Apple is sitting on.

The problem I have with Microsoft entering the market is that like with many things they do, they will likely make a Garageband type, minimal program and not do anything else. They need to make Windows more out-of-the-box friendly for audio, they need to work on their audio driver more, they need to focus on Windows itself not being such a mess. Instead, they will likely make an Audacity clone, throw it out the door and never update it because this is how Microsoft operates anymore.

Seems obvious to me.  M$ is planning to acquire Cakewalk.  I mean Cake and M$ are already pretty tight.
 
Isn't the weather in Redmond about the same as Boston?

IK_Multimedia
 
Would be cool if this had something to do with the Surface series, too, in my opinion.
 

 
I think it would be kool too IK Man.
 
I use Sonar to some degree of success on a Surface Pro. (I tried but haven't gotten SampleTank working on it yet.) And at first I thought that using a touch screen would be harder or counter productive. But in real use I am seeing that finding a workflow with it is pretty easy. Most of it comes natural. So natural in fact that I find myself reaching for the screen when I am at my main DAW!
 
If a nice big touch screen was cheap (oxymoron?) I 'd get one for sure. It is that pleasing to work with.

BobF
Seems obvious to me.  M$ is planning to acquire Cakewalk.  I mean Cake and M$ are already pretty tight.
 
Isn't the weather in Redmond about the same as Boston?

So M$ is moving to Boston?

BobF
Seems obvious to me.  M$ is planning to acquire Cakewalk.  I mean Cake and M$ are already pretty tight.
 
Isn't the weather in Redmond about the same as Boston?

 That would be the perfect nightmare.