The big stories on ZDNet this week: September 20, 2013

Meanwhile, Splunk said on Monday it acquired Bugsense, a company that makes analytics software to track mobile device data. In both cases, financial terms were not disclosed.

Read more:  Google acquires mobile contact, file-sharing app Bump  |  Splunk buys Bugsense, connects M2M, app monitoring

Related: Bump hits 50 million downloads with 10 million active bumpers |  Big data summer reading list  |  Big-data confusion blunting business-intelligence spend

Box adds a new word processing app to its roster. But reps for the enterprise cloud company asserted, according to ZDNet's Rachel King, that the new word processing feature is not intended to compete with Google Docs or Evernote.

Read more:  Box filling out cloud-based productivity toolset with Box Notes

Related:  Box, Salesforce reinforce relationship with Box Embed framework  |  Box embeds itself with 10 new partners including Oracle, NetSuite  |  Box aims to take down last barrier to cloud adoption: security  |  Box touts European customers and growth

Microsoft announced on Tuesday plans to boost its dividend to shareholders, and buy back more shares. It comes at a time just weeks after the software giant bought Nokia's phone division, amid questions by shareholders over the company's innovation strategy. 

Read more:  Microsoft hands out cash ahead of analyst powwow

Related:  Microsoft prices Windows 8.1 starting at $119.99  |  Microsoft reports IE zero-day attacks  |  Microsoft: Phablets are Windows RT's future

It looks like Nokia's phablet and RT tablet will finally be launched next month, according to ZDNet editor Jo Best, who reported Nokia's announcement of new hardware on deck for October.

Read more:  Nokia reveals launch date for next-gen hardware: Phablet, RT tablet coming next month?

Related:  Nokia delays rumoured 'Bandit' phablet launch event  |  Nokia's coming tablet and phablet: Rumor roundup  |  Samsung's Galaxy Mega phablet: Will it fly in the U.S.?

Despite the public outrage over the U.S. government's mass phone metadata collection program, a secret surveillance court ruled the U.S. National Security Agency's program is within the bounds of the constitution.

Read more:  U.S. secret surveillance court rules phone metadata collection lawful

Related:  Verizon records vacuumed up by NSA under 'top secret' Patriot Act order  |  Verizon's secret data order timed to expire, but NSA spying to carry on  |  When the feds come knocking: The tale of a Utah ISP, a secret court order, and a little black box

The critics had their time with the latest iPhone devices and software, and the reviews are out. ZDNet offers a roundup of what the tech experts and pundits are saying.

Read more:  iPhone 5s, 5c, iOS 7 reviews are in: The good, the bad, and the ugly

Related:  Apple releases iOS 7 for existing iPhone, iPad upgrades  |  iOS 7 patches 80 vulnerabilities  |  Six reasons why you should not immediately upgrade to iOS 7  |  iOS 7 lock screen bypass flaw discovered, and how to fix it

Not content with its game-changing search engine, its vast wealth, its revolutionary products, and its trend-setting offices, Google is expanding its reach into the health sphere. How? By killing off the notion of death altogether.

Read more:  Google labors on with trying to solve health problems via new Calico project

Related:  Apple releases iOS 7 for existing iPhone, iPad upgrades  |  iOS 7 patches 80 vulnerabilities  |  Six reasons why you should not immediately upgrade to iOS 7  |  iOS 7 lock screen bypass flaw discovered, and how to fix it

A new handset rounds out BlackBerry 10 portfolio. But two questions linger: will it ignite any enthusiasm for BlackBerry's ecosystem; and amid ongoing financial troubles, will it even make it to launch?

Read more:  BlackBerry Z30: Can this big screen, big battery smartphone turn around BlackBerry's fortunes?

Related:  BlackBerry Z10 review  | BlackBerry Q10 review |  BlackBerry Q5 review  |  Microsoft Windows Phone 8 granted government security standard

The offerings include the Slate 7 Extreme, a version of Nvidia's Tegra Note, and the Slate 8 Pro with an ultra-high-resolution screen. The Slate 7 HD and Slate 10 HD come with two free years of T-Mobile data service. ZDNet's Sean Portnoy has more.

Read more:  HP unveils four new Android-powered Slate tablets

Related:  The Android HP Slate 7 might signal good news for Microsoft  | CNET: HP Slate 7 HD and Slate 10 HD (hands on) | HP Slate 7 Extreme | HP Slate 7 review | The HP Slate 8 Pro

There's no European Google Glass Explorer program on the search turned wearable computer giant's agenda, but Google's Moonshot team is giving Europe's lawmakers a sneak peek, reports ZDNet's Liam Tung.

Read more:  'Years' before Google Glass arrives in Europe?

Related:  U.K. launches early assault on using Google Glass while driving  |  Google cuts out Glass' facial recognition apps  |  Google lets Google Glass owners 'invite a friend' to join Explorer program

Reports suggested earlier this week the beleaguered Canadian smartphone maker to slash its workforce by as much as 40 percent before the end of the year. But just before the markets closed on Friday afternoon, BlackBerry made its painful announcement.

Read more:  BlackBerry gearing up for more cutbacks across all departments: report

Related:  Canada keeping 'close eye' on ailing BlackBerry  |  How much is BlackBerry worth? By the numbers  |  Photos: BlackBerrys through the ages  |  Should BlackBerry have gone Android? The answer is no - and these numbers show why

Thursday marks the return of Microsoft's Financial Analyst Meeting. This year's is definitely going to be one to watch, according to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley. ZDNet has the full coverage of the event.

Read more:  What to expect coming up from Microsoft's Financial Analyst Meeting 2013

Related: Nokia's Elop to get $25 million as part of Microsoft acquisition deal |  Microsoft: Touch-first Office apps will come to more devices  |  Microsoft execs make their 'One Microsoft' pitch to Wall Street  |  Microsoft: Phablets are Windows RT's future  |  Microsoft's new financial structure shows off enterprise strength

As one might expect, iOS 7 comes with a few bugs — as almost every new mobile or desktop operating system or major software. But a more serious lock screen bug present in iOS 7 remains unpatched.

Read more:  Apple releases iOS 7.0.1 to patch fingerprint scanner bug

Related: Apple strikes gold with latest iPhone color, but joy is in short supply |  iOS 7 lock screen bypass flaw discovered, and how to fix it  |  One month with iOS 7: An old soul with style and substance (review)  |  Apple releases iOS 7 for existing iPhone, iPad upgrades

As reports suggested earlier this week, BlackBerry announced late on Friday it would cut 40 percent of its workforce. BlackBerry shares were halted on the Nasdaq stock exchange on Friday afternoon. 

Read more:  Apple releases iOS 7.0.1 to patch fingerprint scanner bug

Related:  BlackBerry gearing up for more cutbacks across all departments: report  |  BlackBerry looking at 'speedy sale': Will Microsoft jump in to save it?  |  How much is BlackBerry worth? By the numbers