Major Microsoft Announcement on the Way

The company will make a "significant" announcement at 8:30 a.m. PST, which will be unrelated to its Yahoo bid.

In a surprise move on Thursday, Microsoft sent out word to the press to prepare for a “significant” morning announcement via teleconference. Although the release did not include details on what the surprise announcement would address, it did rule out the possibility that it would be related to Microsoft’s recent failed bid to acquire Yahoo.

Attendees will include Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, chief software architect Ray Ozzie, senior vice president of the server and tools business Bob Muglia, and the company’s general counsel for legal and corporate affairs, Brad Smith.

Some speculate the announcement could have something to do with the European Union’s recent scrutiny of Microsoft, due to the legal counsel present, or possibly Microsoft’s reaction to the death of HD-DVD, although the parties present seem to rule out the latter.

The announcement will occur at 8:30 a.m. PST and run for 45 minutes until 9:15.