It looks like Microsoft might be planning on launching a new promotion, it will reportedly be called “Free Play Day with Gold” and will give Xbox Live Gold subscribers 24 hours of access to selected titles. This yet to be officially announced feature should beef up the perceived value of an …
Read More »Microsoft to use Opera browser on feature phones, Asha smartphones
As announced, Microsoft Corp. no longer wants to develop software for its feature phones and entry-level smartphones, however, the company will continue to sell such handsets for a while and therefore needs to keep them competitive. On Thursday Opera Software said that Microsoft had licensed its Opera Mini browser and …
Read More »Windows 9 could be revealed September 30th
New reports are suggesting that we could see Windows 9 revealed at the end of September, the OS is supposedly codenamed ‘Threshold' and will hopefully have a smoother launch than Windows 8, which many PC users still refuse to upgrade to, despite the improvements it brings. This news came from The …
Read More »Steve Ballmer steps down as board member at Microsoft
Steve Ballmer, a former chief executive officer of Microsoft who spent 34 years at the company in total, said that he will step down as a board member of the software giant. This will mark the end of his career at Microsoft and will eliminate any influence that Mr. Ballmer …
Read More »Microsoft may roll-out Windows 9 ‘Threshold’ preview in September
Microsoft Corp. plans to unveil public preview of its next-generation Windows operating system in late September or early October, a media report claims. The commercial version of the OS code-named “Threshold” is expected to debut in spring, 2015. ZDNet reports that those who install the public tech preview of the …
Read More »Microsoft could change Internet Explorer name to bury reputation
It turns out that Microsoft's Internet Explorer engineering team has considered changing the name of its web browser in order to escape its negative reputation. While the name hasn't changed yet, the team admits that it could one day. During a Reddit Q&A session, users asked Engineer, Jonathan Sampson, if Microsoft …
Read More »Intel demos DX12 benefits: boosts performance, cuts-down power consumption
At the Siggraph 2014 conference Intel Corp. demonstrated how the new DirectX 12 application programming interface can speed up rendering performance and improve battery life of mobile devices. The results of the demo were nothing but impressive: the new low-level API not only rather dramatically improves performance, but also allows …
Read More »Xbox One will let you play pirated TV shows, movies
One thing consoles have always been a bit tighter on than PCs, is piracy. That's why I had to get a friend of a friend to modify my PS One back in the 90s so it could play pirated games (only in black and white for some reason), but it …
Read More »Microsoft preps new Xbox One designs, bundles, 1TB version
In an attempt to sell more Xbox One hardware, Microsoft Corp. readies several all-new bundles of the console for this fall. The bundles will include free games, consoles with all-new designs, a console with 1TB hard drive and other bonuses. What is noteworthy is that all new bundles will come without …
Read More »Ex Microsoft manager sentenced to two years for Insider Trading
Former Microsoft Senior Manager, Brian Jorgensen, has been sentenced to two years in prison for taking part in an inside trading scheme that generated $400,000 back in 2012. Jorgensen had tipped his friend, Sean Stokke, about Microsoft's strategic partnership with Barnes & Noble, once the news leaked, the company's stock shot up …
Read More »Microsoft announce Xbox One TV Tuner for Europe
Microsoft has announced that it will begin selling an Xbox One TV Tuner later this year. The console add-on will be coming to the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany, allowing users to watch freeview channels through the One Guide on Microsoft's console. The tuner supports free to air standards …
Read More »Microsoft Windows 9 “Threshold” will add virtual desktops, drop charms
As the launch date of Microsoft Corp.’s Windows 9 code-named “Threshold” approaches, more information about its peculiarities emerge. According to the latest reports, the next-gen Windows will not only return the “Start” menu to PC users, but it will also add support for virtual desktops and will drop the charms …
Read More »Netbooks are back? Lenovo plans to launch $199 – $249 laptops in 2014
In a bid to fight Chromebooks – systems running Google’s Chrome operating system – Microsoft has managed to encourage multiple of its partners to return ultra-low-cost personal computers (ULCPCs) to the market. Lenovo Group, along with a number of other PC makers, reportedly plans to release Windows 8.1-based systems that …
Read More »White Microsoft Xbox One console due later this year
Microsoft Corp. will finally make the white version of Xbox One available to general public later this year, the company said last week. Previously white Xbox One game consoles were only available to the company’s employees. The white version of Xbox One will be available with Sunset Overdrive, the colorful …
Read More »Microsoft sues Samsung over Android-related royalty payments
Microsoft Corp. has sued Samsung Electronics for not paying royalties related to Google Android operating system. Samsung stopped paying Microsoft after the world’s largest developer of software announced its intention to acquire Nokia Corp.’s devices and services division. “We don’t take lightly filing a legal action, especially against a company …
Read More »CD Projekt Red doesn’t think DirectX 12 will help 1080p on Xbox One
Will DirectX 12 help fix Microsoft's lack of 1080p games on the Xbox One? According to the lead engine programmer behind the Witcher 3, Balazs Torok, the updated API will bring some benefits but resolution increases won't be one of them. Speaking with Gaming Bolt, Torok explained that while DirectX 12 …
Read More »Chinese government blocks foreign anti-virus firms
China has continued its general consolidation inward when it comes to the internet and has announced that both Symantec and Kapersky anti-virus are no longer approved vendors. Instead, it's promoting the use of Chinese anti-malware companies, adding five to its list of recommended software providers. The news comes out of …
Read More »Sunset Overdrive could have White Xbox One bundle
Sunset Overdrive is an upcoming Xbox One exclusive, set for release this October, but for its console bundle, it might come with quite a unique looking system. Over at French retailer Micromania, a listing has appeared for the game that suggests it could come with a White Xbox One. This …
Read More »Here’s how much it costs to port an Indie game to Xbox One
Indie developer, Jamie Fristrom of Happion Laboratories, recently ported the game ‘Sixty Second Shooter' to the Xbox One as part of the ID@Xbox program. Fristrom has now published a blog post detailing just how much it cost to port his shoestring budget game over. Fristrom starts off by admitting that he …
Read More »Microsoft commands 94.5% of Windows Phone 8 smartphones market
It is not a secret that Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Phone platform is far from being truly popular. Even though formally it is supported by a dozen of vendors, many have not released anything based on the operating system. As a result, it is not surprising that the most popular Windows …
Read More »Nvidia: Mantle does not bring any tangible benefits
Although many game developers have decided to support AMD’s proprietary Mantle application programming interface (API), whereas Intel Corp. even expressed interest in exploring the API, Nvidia Corp. has been relatively quiet about one of its arch-rival’s key technologies. This does not mean that the company does not have any opinion …
Read More »Electronic Arts unveils $4.99/month subscription offering for Xbox One
Electronic Arts on Tuesday unveiled a new offering for Xbox One gamers. For $4.99 (£2.94, €3.72) a month, or for $29.99 (£17.68, €22.36) a year, subscribers in the U.S. will get access to a collection of EA’s most popular games. Initially the offering only works in the U.S., but eventually …
Read More »LG readies Windows Phone 8.1-based smartphone
Although Microsoft Corp. and LG Electronics announced intention to bring Windows Phone-based smartphones to the market earlier this year, LG has not yet introduced any actual products. According to unofficial information, the South Korean maker of smartphones is working on a mid-range Windows Phone-based handset, which is projected to emerge …
Read More »Microsoft may cease using Lumia brand – report
Although Microsoft Corp. can use Nokia’s trademark and brand-name for ten years, it looks like the company plans to cease using the Nokia name rather shortly from now. Moreover, the company even plans to phase out the Lumia brand as well. DigiTimes reports that Microsoft wants to completely get rid …
Read More »We’re finally going to see the ET landfill documentary
Looks like the Nerd got his movie finished just in time, as the documentary for Atari's downfall that also touches on what happened with that infamous ET landfill site is set for release soon. To whet our appetite, Microsoft has released a trailer for the film, which will ultimately be …
Read More »Bungie opens up the Destiny beta
You don't need to beg for beta codes anymore, Bungie has officially opened up the Destiny Beta to everyone on Xbox One, Xbox 360, Playstation 4 and Playstation 3. You can now head over to the PS Store or Xbox Live marketplace and download the beta and jump right in. …
Read More »China Telecom to sell Xbox One starting from September
China Telecom will exclusively sell Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox One game console in China starting from September. The Xbox One will be the first gaming system to be released in mainland China since the government banned game console sales in 2000. The move may help Microsoft to greatly boost sales of …
Read More »Microsoft Surface sales are down 18% quarter-over-quarter
Sales of Surface tablets in the second quarter of calendar 2014 (Q4 FY2014) were significantly lower compared to the previous quarter, according to Microsoft. At the same time, sales of the company’s professional and media tablets in the fiscal 2014 were considerably higher compared to the Surface revenues a year …
Read More »Microsoft set to unify all three client operating systems
Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday confirmed rumours that it plans to unify all of its operating systems for client personal computers. The move will help the company to cut its costs and offer similar user experience on different types of devices, including personal computers, tablets and smartphones. “We will streamline the …
Read More »Microsoft to cease development of Asha, feature-phones
While Microsoft Corp.’s chief executive officer Satya Nadella outlined a lot of details about the future strategy of the company last week, recently some additional details have emerged. As it appears, the strategy of the company when it concerns smartphones in particular and mobile communications in general is very simple and …
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