TPG's "disgusting" merger block; Windows 10's iOS, Android apps; Telstra's new CFO

Amcom has postponed a meeting for shareholders to vote on its proposed acquisition by Vocus, after TPG attempted to block the deal by buying almost 12% of Amcom last week.

TPG increased its 6.7% stake in Amcom to 18.6% mid last week and said it intended to vote against the merger, ITnews reported.

"TPG supports the continued operation of Amcom as a standalone business under the stewardship of the current board of directors and management team," ITnews quoted TPG as saying.

Despite TPG's move, Vocus CEO James Spenceley was reportedly confident the merger would still be voted through.

"It is going to be tough, and there are a lot of small shareholders, but it's by no means over," Spenceley was quoted as saying.

According to ITnews, Spenceley also called TPG "anti-competitive" and TPG's move to block the merger as "disgusting".

The meeting for Amcom shareholders to approve the deal was initially scheduled for 6 May, according to the AFR.

But after TPG's purchase of Amcom shares last week, Amcom reportedly delayed the vote until 18 May.

"The Amcom board considers the adjournment of the scheme meeting is in the best interests of Amcom shareholders and is necessary to allow Amcom shareholders sufficient time to consider the announcement made by TPG on 30 April 2015," CRN quoted Amcom as saying.

Microsoft to bring iOS, Android apps to Windows 10

Microsoft is attempting to make it easier for iOS and Android app developers to bring their apps to Windows 10, introducing new developer kits to help developers transition code to the upcoming operating system.

The company announced the news at its Build developer conference, as reported by Computerworld.

There will be four new software development toolkits to help developers bring their code for iOS, Android, the web, .NET and Win32 to the Windows Store, according to CW.

Microsoft's VP of operating systems, Terry Myerson, reportedly gave the example of Adobe's Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements apps, which Adobe will bring to the Windows Store using the new toolkit for Win32 apps.

"Our goal is to make Windows 10 the most attractive development platform ever," CW quoted Myerson as saying.

The Register has more information on the move, including details of an extra layer of security on the Windows Store for Win32 and .NET apps.

"We've learned from AppV, our enterprise application virtualisation technology, and we've adopted it for the Windows Store," El Reg quoted Myerson as saying. "So now, Win32 and .NET applications come down from the Windows Store and they run in an isolated way from the rest of the system, so we can deliver on that promise to end users to deliver a great end-user experience."

Telstra's new CFO

Telstra's own Warwick Bray - group managing director (GMD) Products at the company - has become the telco's new chief financial officer, after Andrew Penn vacated the CFO role to become CEO.

Both Bray and Penn took their new positions on 1 May.

"Warwick has decades of knowledge in and around telecommunications and technology and significant financial experience proven by his business results in Telstra and other companies," Penn said.

Bray holds a BSc (Hons) and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Melbourne. He joined Telstra in 2009 as head of corporate strategy, becoming head of mobiles in 2010.

Bray occupied the position of GMD Products since 2013, where he was responsible for business activities related to mobiles, cable, ADSL, PSTN, NBN and Wi-Fi.

"It is important that we continue striving for excellence in core products and services for our customers in Australia and overseas, particularly our world-class mobile network, while investing to drive growth for our future. I'm also enthusiastic about continuing Telstra's efforts to improve customer advocacy," Bray said.

The company's GMD Consumer, Karsten Wildberger, will assume responsibility for the GMD Products role while the company looks for a permanent replacement for Bray