This summer, Microsoft’s Online Services Division (OSD) held its First Annual Hack Day for interns at Bing, Bing Mobile and MSN. The competition gave teams of interns a single day to collaborate and create a new app.

Over forty interns showed up to demonstrate 9 apps. The People’s Choice prize was awarded to Peter Huang, Jessica Leung, Daphne Ezer, Zhiyong “Joe” Xie and Etienne Le Grand for building the Sidecar app.

Below, the team discusses Hack Day, interning at Microsoft and the Sidecar app in their own words.

More...

'Softie in question: Young Kim

Job title: Senior User Experience Designer, Microsoft Hardware Group

Check out the video below. Young discusses the innovative - and literally flexible -  Arc Touch Mouse from concept and design through creation.

More...

'Softie in question: Randall Boseman

Job title: Principal Test Manager - SDET - Office.com

Randall, what is hot in Office right now?  Can we expect more of Microsoft Office online and now with a mobile piece to the business?
Services. Nowadays it’s all about software + services. People work and switch between different devices (a pc at both home and the office, tablets, phone, browser) multiple times a day. We’ve got to allow them to be able to remain productive and have their work follow them seamlessly. I’d say, yes, there’s plenty coming in terms of innovation, platform integration and experience improvement - mobile will definitely be a part of that.

You are a great technology and diversity ambassador with The National Society of Black Engineers and more. Can you share with us why you chose Microsoft, Office, and the SDET discipline?
When I was finishing up at school, if you wanted to do serious software, MS was the place. The number of products, customers and the potential… wow! I still think that is the case. Microsoft is an awesome company. There are brilliant people here with a lot of passion and focus. 

More...