Uh, no. The only way Microsoft has anything to do with Apple is that it's a competitor and MS uses Apple's computers for graphics work and for the "XBOX 360".
Heh, used google. Apparently MS bought stocks a few years ago, but has sold them since. http://www.simplebits.com/notebook/2004/08...8/10/apple.html Lot of posts, but read the bottom 2 or 3.
Apparently. They let MAC use their new Office versions and stuff, so I guess MAC lets them use their stuff too. Almst sounds like there is no competition, just a Pepsi-Coke relationship.
Microsoft is just trying to be more like Apple now. Like Longhorn. They are trying to push that to be like Apple's OS. Well, gfx wise i guess. Apple did move to Intel though, but that doesn't mean much...or that much.
They weren't happy with IBM. Everything was behidn or something so said fuck it and are working with Intel now. Microsoft makes it's Office for Apple, and I suppose Apple does let Microsoft use their PowerMacs. Last time I checked there isn't a rule or law against Microsoft using them. At any rate, Longhorn still has a waaaaaaaays to go yet before it hits shelves. By that time Apple will have more updates and services for their OS than Microsoft can dream of.
No one lets anyone do anything. Microsoft makes a version for Office for Mac because they know it will make money, and will do it whether Apple likes it or not. And frankly, Apple could care less. Same with using PowerMacs for the Xbox 360. Apple has no say in what MS does with the PowerMacs that they bought. If MS wants to buy a ton of PowerMacs to build a game console, that's their choice. If they want to buy 3,000 PowerMacs to blow them all up with military-grade explosives, then again, Apple doesn't need to give them permission and Apple can't do a thing to stop them. On the same subject, Apple doesn't need Microsoft's permission to make iTunes or QuickTime for Windows. There is a ton of competition between the two, mainly OSX v.s. Windows, but there's also iTunes v.s. Windows Media Player, Office v.s. AppleWorks, Keynote v.s. PowerPoint, ect.
Longhorn doesn't have that much further to go. I wouldn't be surprised if it's out by this Fall or by Christmas. They've taken so much out of it and made into updates i'm surprised it's not out now.
MS has stated at least 2006 for Longhorn. Its not going to be out anytime this year, and from what I've heard regarding the betas, it would be a miracle if it was ready by 2006