Tag Archives: Microsoft

Microsoft’s Kin phones back from the grave

November 19, 2010Uncategorizedcell phones, Kin ONEm, Kin TWOm, Microsoft, Microsoft Kin, Verizon, Verizon Wireless, VZ, VZWScott Meisner

Just when you were started to think you’d never hear Microsoft Kin again, the failed smartphone duo found their way back to Verizon. The Kin devices haven’t changed physically since making their way back from the grave; they look the same on the outside and their sub-par specs are still in tact. What has changed is price. The Kin ONEm sells for $19.99 with a new two-year contract ($119.99 without), and it’s bigger brother Kin TWOm costs $49.99 on contract ($219.99 without). Monthly plans start at $39.99 for talk and $9.99 for 25MB of data. Definitely cheaper than what Verizon was offering before Microsoft shelved Kin after only three short months on the market. Don’t expect to see much a future for the Kin platform; reintroducing these phones on Verizon now is Microsoft’s plan to wipe out their warehouses of the device they killed.

[Via Engadget]

EPIC WIN & FAIL for Kinect owners

November 15, 2010Hilarity, Technology, VideoEpic Fail, fail, hack, hackers, injury, Kinect, Kinect for Xbox 360, Microsoft, Microsoft Kinect, video game injuries, Video gamesScott Meisner

Kinect for Xbox 360 released earlier this month. And when new super cool tech such as the motion sensing Kinect hits the mass market, you expect some astute attempts at hacking and laughable attempts at practicing to hit the interwebs at some point. This very post presents you with these videos. Let’s start with the hackers. Visualization researcher Oliver Kreylos has discovered a way to turn the Kinect into a 3D video capture tool. He describes the hack: “By combining the color and the depth image captured by the Microsoft Kinect, one can project the color image back out into space and create a “holographic” representation of the persons or objects that were captured.” Kreylos’ demonstrating is embedded above (left); is your mind blown yet? A man who goes by AlexP managed to hack the Kinect’s built in accelerometer in an interesting way; check out his batch of demos after the break.

And on to the wacky EPIC FAIL videos you’ve been oh-so patiently waiting for. Or maybe you haven’t and you already watched my personal favorite Kinect fail in the video embedded above (right). Salivating for more embarrassing moments like this? You know where to find ’em. Ahem, they’re sitting after the break.

Update (11/17): Hacker Chris Rojas has managed to make the Kinect communicate with an iPad. Click here to see the action.

[Via Engadget, here, here & here, here] Continue reading EPIC WIN & FAIL for Kinect owners →

Microsoft sells 1 million Kinect sensors in 10 days

November 15, 2010News, TechnologyKinect, Kinect for Xbox 360, Microsoft, sales, sales figures, units sold, Video gamesScott Meisner

Today Microsoft is happy to report that it sold one million Kinect for Xbox 360 units worldwide during the product’s first ten days on store shelves. Before the Kinect launched on November 4, Microsoft raised its worldwide sales forecast from 3 million to 5 million sensors sold by year-end; according to today’s official press release (which is posted after the break for your perusal) the company is still on pace to hit that higher mark before 2010 closes. President of the Interactive Entertainment Business Don Mattrick shares his excitement and reiterates what I just told you: “We are appreciative of the response we have seen from consumers that has culminated in sales of more than 1 million units in the first 10 days on the market for Kinect for Xbox 360. This is a great start to the holiday season, and we will continue to work with our retailer partners to keep pace with high demand and deliver against our plan to sell more than 5 million Kinect sensors worldwide by the end of this year.” I know what you’re thinking. How does this compare to the PlayStation Move sales recently reported? Well, it’s hard to say. And that’s because Sony did not post units sold; rather they publicly announced that they shipped over one million units during the product’s first month on sale. We’ll definitely have a better look at head-to-head sales figures when the companies decide to share post-holiday data.

[Via Joystiq] Continue reading Microsoft sells 1 million Kinect sensors in 10 days →

Windows 7 plays nice with Mac whilst engaging in Avatar Blu-ray session

November 13, 2010Technology, Videoad, advertisement, animated, animation, Apple, commercial, MicrosoftScott Meisner

Microsoft has finally got it right with their latest Windows 7 ad. The cutesy animation paired with an Avatar cameo captures an appropriate (albeit bizarre) aesthetic that informs viewers about Windows 7’s Blu-ray playback support in a fun, creative way. Apple, the ball’s in your court.

[Via Gizmodo]

Three U.S. Windows Phone 7 devices available today

November 8, 2010News, Technologycell phones, Microsoft, price, release date, release date & price, Windows Phone 7, WP7Scott Meisner

Of the ten Windows Phone 7 launch devices, three of them are making their way into the States today. AT&T’s got the Samsung Focus and the HTC Surround, and T-Mobile offers the HTC HD7. All three devices cost $199.99 after signing a 2-year contract, or $500 if you decide to opt out of the contract before purchasing. Bet you’re wondering about the other two U.S. WP7 phones, both of which include slideout QWERTY keyboard. AT&T’s LG Quantum is up for preorder now at $199.99, and the Dell Venue Pro is still marked as “coming soon”, though it’s expected to hit stores on 11/17 for $199.99 on contract. As usual, this space will be updated when the official word hits the streets.

Microsoft’s totally revamped, moderntastic mobile OS has finally arrived people! Will you be one of the early adopters to give one of the launch handsets a spin? Brush up with specs and features here.

The Fall 2010 Xbox 360 Dashboard update has arrived

November 1, 2010News, TechnologyMicrosoft, Microsoft Xbox 360, update, Video games, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Dashboard, Xbox 360 Dashboard updateScott Meisner

Today Microsoft rolled out the latest Xbox 360 Dashboard update. It brings with it a whole new look (the UI is much more streamlined and flat), new navigation fonts and sounds, and many more aesthetic changes. But that’s not even the best part. Additionaly the update enables the ESPN hub previewed at E3 , Zune Music, Netflix search, and new family settings and family programming. Last but not least, the update makes your console Kinect ready; the motion camera accessory releases in just 3 days! How do you get the update? Simple. When you turn on your Xbox and attempt to connect to Xbox Live, you will automatically be promted to download and install the update. Note that the update is mandatory if you ever want to connect up to Live again. Hit up Major Nelson’s website to read about the new features in more detail, and power up your Xbox and start exploring.

[Via MajorNelson; image via Engadget]

Office for Mac 2011 available today

October 27, 2010News, TechnologyApple, Mac, Mac OS X, Microsoft, Microsoft Office, office, Office for Mac, Office for Mac 2011, softwareScott Meisner

Office for Mac 2008–be gone! This week Microsoft announced that a refreshed version of its productivity suite is finally available for Mac OS X users. The most significant update? Microsoft has trashed Entourage and replaced it with the real thing–Outlook! That’s right, full Outlook integration the Mac. Oh happy day. In addition, the new Office will play nice with Office Web Apps and other cloud-based applications; also, new co-authoring tools “let users edit the same Word document or PowerPoint presentation simultaneously with other people in different locations who are using Office on a PC or a Mac” and users can “quickly share their presentations with anyone who has browser access by broadcasting their presentation.” Pretty neat, huh? And it doesn’t end there; the new version packs a whole slew of new features–and not to mention welcome aesthetic tweaks. There are two version of Office for Mac 2001 available today: the Home & Student version ($149.99) and the Home & Business version ($179.99). They both pack Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, and I think you can guess which one includes Outlook.

[Via OfficeForMac; Engadget]

Microsoft revamps Games for Windows Marketplace next month

October 27, 2010News, Technologycomputer games, distributed denial of service, facelift, Games for Windows, Games for Windows Marketplace, Microsoft, on-demand gaming, online distribution, PC gaming, relaunch, service, update, Video gamesScott Meisner

Having updated Xbox.com for Xbox 360 gamers, Microsoft is readying a relaunch of their Games for Windows Marketplace online portal for PC gamers. The gaming on-demand online distribution site “will offer PC gamers a robust lineup of games they love, easier navigation and purchase, and recurring specials such as Deal of the Week.” The new streamlined experience promises fewer clicks to purchase and download games and better search functionality. The Marketplace will launch with a portfolio of 100 “top-quality titles” including Fable: The Lost Chapters from Microsoft and Grand Theft Auto III from Rockstar. As long as you’ve got a Windows Live ID (that emcompasses Windows Live, Xbox LIVE, Games for Windows – LIVE and Zune accounts) you will have access to the store and all that it offers. Microsoft Points are accepted as currency. Expect the site to undergo core and aesthetic changes November 15. In a recent interview with Kotaku, Microsoft’s Peter Orullian says that the company is “doubling down” on PC gaming”, so you can expect the revamp of the Marketplace the beginning of a chain of events in the PC gaming realm as far as Microsoft is concerned. Better Windows/Xbox 360/Windows Phone 7 integration? Fingers crossed. PR after the break.

[Via Engadget, here & here] Continue reading Microsoft revamps Games for Windows Marketplace next month →

Kinect TV ads: YOU are the controller.

October 21, 2010Technology, Videoad, advertisement, commercial, Kinect, Kinect for Xbox 360, marketing campaign, Microsoft, Microsoft Xbox 360, Xbox 360Scott Meisner

Here we go! Microsoft has officially begun the marketing blitz for Kinect. At the center of all these commercials is the philosophy that you don’t have to have any previous knowledge of playing video games; you are the controller, so it all comes naturally. Look after the break for two more ads featuring flailing children in large, brightly lit living spaces plus an extended commercial highlighting Xbox Live with Kinect functionality.

[Via Joystiq] Continue reading Kinect TV ads: YOU are the controller. →

Microsoft’s Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie leaves Microsoft

October 19, 2010News, TechnologyChief Software Architect, departure, Microsoft, Microsoft Chief Software Architect, quit, Ray OzzieScott Meisner

In an email to company employees, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie will be leaving the company after an unspecified transition period. Ozzie joined the company in 2005 when Microsoft aquired his Groove Networks. In June 2006 he was named Chief Software Architect, filling the position former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates had occupied before he left the company. Ozzie is well known for his work in the cloud, and in the company letter Ballmer commends him for “position[ing] [Microsoft] well for future success.”

As a company, we’ve accomplished much in the past five years as we look at the cloud and services. Windows Live now serves as a natural web-based services complement to both Windows and Office. SharePoint and Exchange have now decidedly embraced the cloud. And by conceiving, incubating and shepherding Windows Azure, Ray helped ensure we have a tremendously rich platform foundation that will enable app-level innovation across the company and by customers for years to come.

Ozzie’s reason for departure is undisclosed, and Microsoft has no plans to fill the “unique” CSA role. Click the source link to read the letter in full.

[Via Microsoft; Gizmodo]

Xbox.com is getting a facelift, Avatar customization & WP7 support on the way

October 19, 2010News, Technologyfacelift, Microsoft, Microsoft Xbox 360, redesign, Video games, website, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox.comScott Meisner

Xbox’s Major Nelson announced that Xbox.com will be undergoing a “massive facelift” tomorrow evening. Besides the UI overhaul, the redesign promises to include support avatar customization and Windows Phone 7 games support. Straight from the source:

Browser based Avatar editor: Edit your avatar and preview avatar items before purchase
Combined views for messages, friend and game requests
Improved notification of your account subscription
Leverage Family Reports to understand what your family is doing and how they are using LIVE
Play web games with your Xbox LIVE friends on the web or on Windows Phone 7
Marketplace: More powerful search and more intuitive ways to browse and filter

The website will be down for maintenance tomorrow, October 20 at 5PM ET and when it comes back you can expect to explore all these exciting new features. For now, look in the gallery below for a sneek peek.

[Via MajorNelson]

Kinect’s launch portfolio includes 17 new games

October 19, 2010News, TechnologyKinect, Kinect for Xbox 360, Kinect launch titles, launch titles, Microsoft, Microsoft Xbox 360, Video games, Xbox 360Scott Meisner

With the launch of Microsoft’s controller-less motion capture accessory Kinect for Xbox 360 just around the corner (it releases November 4, people!) Xbox’s Major Nelson has spilled the deets surrounding the sizable launch lineup. Of the 17 new Kinect-enabled games, 4 of them come from Microsoft Game Studios and have that Wii-casual edge to them. These include Kinect Sports, Kinect Adventures, Kinect Joy Ride, and Kinectimals. Other notable launch titles includes Sonic Free Riders, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 The Videogame, Harmonix’s Dance Central, and Ubisoft’s Your Shape: Fitness Evolved. Look after the break for the entire “portfolio” of games, including pricing (ranges from $39.99-$49.99) and release dates (all available during launch month).

[Via MajorNelson; Microsoft] Continue reading Kinect’s launch portfolio includes 17 new games →