Touch screens are something that in near 2013 we're pretty used to as a technology and through smartphones we're beginning to take tentative steps into controlling our home, be it through remote access to our PC or through environmental controls. Microsoft however, wants to put that interaction on your wall. …
Read More »Intel/AMD nowhere to be seen as Acer/Asus ramp up tablets
It's not often that a company can say that they made an entire class of products viable, single handedly. IBM did it with the PC, Apple with the tablet and Asus with the netbook. Sometimes the new class is defined by features and functionality (as is the case with the …
Read More »Microsoft running new team for future Kinect experiences
Microsoft is actively hunting for a new software development engineer, to join a team working on future Xbox Kinect experiences and one of the biggest requirements for the position, is a readiness to fail, fast. Forming as part of Microsoft's entertainment division, the accepted applicant will be joining a team of “veterans” …
Read More »Foxconn could be making Microsoft and Amazon smartphones
While it's still considered as a rumour for now, there are reports abound suggesting that Foxconn – yes the same Foxconn that employed children – could be set to manufacture the smartphones of both Microsoft and Amazon in the coming year. Taking this with a pinch of salt, we have …
Read More »You might hate Windows 8, but Microsoft Game Studio doesn’t
While Windows 8 might not be selling well, some might call it a misguided product and we know it isn't all that fast for gaming, not everyone is quite so negative. The new VP of Microsoft Game Studios, Phil Harrison, is planning dedicated development for the new OS. “We are …
Read More »Microsoft planning its own glasses heads up display tech
We know Google isn't the only one working on a glasses based, heads up display, but now we can add one more name to that list, with a published Microsoft patent showing that it too is keen to get in on the emerging scene. However the software giant's offering appears …
Read More »Skype gift cards continue rollout
Despite the security hole that Microsoft was forced to patch in its VOIP software, Skype, just a few days ago, the software giant is continuing to populate retail outfits with physical gift cards, designed to get people using the service to call landlines and mobiles, as well as other Skype …
Read More »Microsoft sending out free anniversary Xbox 360s
The first indication that something was afoot came from Major Nelson himself. Larry Hryb, current head of programming for Microsoft's Xbox Live platform, said in a tweet that the company plans on celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Xbox Live with its users; and already the freebies have begun to …
Read More »Microsoft Surface RT sales off to a ‘modest’ start
The Surface RT tablet from Microsoft launched just over two weeks ago and since getting word that four million Windows 8 upgrades had been sold, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has given some insight into sales of their in-house tablet. In an interview with Le Parisien Ballmer said that sales for …
Read More »Microsoft translation tool is near instantaneous
Microsoft has been working on a translation tool that's designed to work similarly to the human brain, offering near instantaneous translations while preserving the cadence and tone of the speaker. This would be a big leap over currently available translation tools which are often inaccurate, slow and don't relate how …
Read More »Microsoft Surface is not durable
The cover surrounding the touch panel of Microsoft's Surface tablet, appears to be far from durable, as users are reporting that within mere days of receiving their version, it began to split and come away from the frame. The problem is being experienced by multiple users, each of them reporting …
Read More »Microsoft to help UK’s jobless youth
Microsoft has launched a program entitled, “Get On,” that is designed to help get the young and unemployed in Britain into work. If successful, it is thought that it could see as many as 300,000 of those aged between 16 and 24 finish up their education and get into work …
Read More »No Halo 4 on PC
Halo 4 will not be coming to the PC platform, Microsoft has confirmed, stating that it was designed from the ground up as an Xbox 360 title and that's where it would stay. “Halo 4 was designed specifically for Xbox 360, and while we’re always exploring new ways to expand …
Read More »Kinect might keep track of who’s watching movies
Get your copies of 1984 at the ready people, as a patent entitled “Content Distribution Regulation by Viewing User,” that was registered in April 2011, has now been published for the first time and shows Microsoft's Kinect technology being used to make sure only licensed viewers are watching a movie …
Read More »Microsoft offering incentives to game developers for Windows 8 support
In the form of a competition, Microsoft is offering incentives to developers that submit their Windows 8 supporting game for judging. If selected, the titles will receive a professional trailer, developer mentoring and a month's worth of marketing. Those submitted for judging will be graded on originality, audio, visuals and …
Read More »Windows Live Messenger to be retired by year’s end
For about as long as I can remember Windows Live Messenger has been my instant messaging service of choice but it looks like I will soon have to change. After more than a decade Microsoft's long-existing service is set to be retired, but the technology behind it is set to …
Read More »Microsoft working on a smartphone
Microsoft is apparently testing a new Windows smartphone design, though it's one that will be Microsoft branded, not one developed by one of its partners like Nokia, Samsung and HTC. It's not clear yet if the concept will go into full production, but it's at least in the developmental testing …
Read More »Microsoft sold 4 million Windows 8 upgrades, says Ballmer
Current CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer, has announced that over four million Windows 8 upgrades have been sold already. His follow up statement said that the interest in the new operating system had been “stunning.” This announcement was made at Microsoft's Build Developer's conference at the company's main campus in …
Read More »Xbox Smartglass launching tomorrow
While we might have discussed a fair bit here about how the Wii U could potentially open up some interesting new avenues of gaming, thanks to its inclusion of a tablet controller in the standard gaming environment, Microsoft Smartglass for Xbox has even more potential – and it launches tomorrow, …
Read More »How many hours went into testing Windows 8?
While I'm sure many of you will immediately jump to the smart ass answer of “not enough,” the actual figure for the man hours put into testing Windows 8 is quite staggering. The one that came out of Microsoft today during its official launch event for the new operating system, …
Read More »Microsoft issuing bans for Halo 4 pirates
Microsoft has announced that anyone found to have played the early release, pirated edition of Halo 4, will be given a lifetime Xbox Live ban. Some that have already played the game soon found themselves in receipt of an email from Microsoft that charged them with “prerelease title play.” Eurogamer …
Read More »Xbox Music launches tomorrow, 16th October
Microsoft's new music streaming service, Xbox Music, is set to launch tomorrow, 16th October, offering over 30 million tracks to users of the platform – easily topping Spotify's library of 16 million. Despite the larger catalogue of songs however, Xbox Music will operate in much the same way, offering a …
Read More »XBox Music set to launch
Prepare for a revolution. Sit down, strap in and get ready. Microsoft is on the verge of launching an amazing new system that will, wait for it, allow you to listen to the music you want, when you want and where you want. Wow. KitGuru finds a cool, dark room …
Read More »Apple pulls in iPad mini for October announcement
The best football teams in the world not only play their own game, they also mark the opposition off the pitch – preventing them from playing THEIR game. While Apple's initial plan was to push the iPad Mini into stores for 12th December, that date has moved ahead of announcements …
Read More »Xbox Live Gamerscore now earns rewards
Microsoft has implemented rewards for those that reach milestones for their achievement bolstered gamer scores, offering birthday gifts and money back on purchases. The introduction of gameplay achievements oh so many years ago was a big thing. It added a new element to gameplay that people enjoyed. While some games …
Read More »Microsoft: Malware pre-installed on 20 per cent of Chinese PCs
A Microsoft investigation has discovered that malware is being installed by criminals on to brand new machines in China, before they even leave the factory. It also found that in most cases, the PCs were shipping with counterfeit versions of Windows. While some might roll their eyes at this story, …
Read More »Microsoft extends Windows 8 cheap upgrade to Valentines
Whenever a new operating system launches from Microsoft, the company gives those who bought close to the launch date a chance to upgrade to the new operating system for cheap/free. With Windows 8, it looks like that window might shut around Valentine's Day. KitGuru wonders if Windows 8 users will …
Read More »Can Windows 8 tempt hackers, crackers or anyone?
If we're lucky, then each new operating system makes the world a little better for everyone. Microsoft's approach is more of a 2 steps forward, then 3 steps back. One very specific feature in Windows 8 could put off a chunk of the enthusiast market. KitGuru gets a little Doom9 …
Read More »Microsoft gets a new logo
Microsoft made a monumental announcement this morning. No, it's not a revamped Windows 8, no the next Xbox isn't just around the corner. Microsoft has a new logo and it's inspiration is clearly Metro. The design language, not a shortening of another word. This is the first time Microsoft has …
Read More »Microsoft opening new London studio for casual games
Microsoft has announced its plans to open a new games development studio in London, with staff there set to work on future casual games. The company is currently in the process of hiring developers, so if you wanted to get your foot in the door at a Microsoft studio, now might …
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