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This is an entry from our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. Check it out for suggestions on what to buy your loved, liked, and hated ones this holiday season!

Nokia Lumia 1520

We're not leaving Windows Phone out in the cold this year, what with the addition of the Nokia Lumia 1520 to our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. View more of everything you love on the big 6-inch HD 1080p display, featuring a super-sensitive touchscreen so you can type with your fingernails or while wearing gloves. Built-in Microsoft Office means you can view and edit your docs on the go. Plus download your favorite apps from the Windows store. Features a powerful 3,400 mAh battery that ensures your work and play time lasts longer.

You can pick up the Philips Hue Connected Bulb Starter Pack now from Amazon for $49.99.

Read More | Nokia Lumia 1520

Gallery: 2013 Holiday Gift Guide: Nokia Lumia 1520


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This is an entry from our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. Check it out for suggestions on what to buy your loved, liked, and hated ones this holiday season!

Xbox One

Don't let the looks of the Microsoft Xbox One, the next entry in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide fool you--it may like more like a modern DVR than traditional game console, but that's by design. It's packing an 8-core processor and upgraded Kinect sensor which makes it more than just a game console--it's also your living room's entertainment hub. They're hard to find, but if you look hard enough, you can get one. Look even harder, and you can get one of the elusive white Xbox One "I Made This" models!

You can pick up the Microsoft Xbox One now from Amazon for $499--but hurry, they'll likely sell out before the end of the day.

Read More | Xbox One

Gallery: 2013 Holiday Gift Guide: Microsoft Xbox One


Xbox One 0x8027025a error

A few Xbox One early adopters have been writing in to ask for help with error 0x8027025a, and we're here to help. In case you haven't seen it, the full error reads:

Please try again: For some reason TV took too long to start (0x8027025a)

This occurs when the Xbox One has an issue with the television feed coming through the HDMI In port. It's fairly frustrating, because the term "0x8027025a" really doesn't mean anything to anyone, maybe save for some random Microsoft programmer in Redmond. The Xbox One offers no help in what you might be able to do to fix it either. If you see error 0x8027025a crop up when you try to watch television through your Xbox One, you need to do a hard reset. Fortunately, it's fairly simple:

  1. On the physical Xbox One unit, press and hold your finger on the capacitive power button
  2. Keep holding it until the Xbox One powers off
  3. Once it is fully off (the light turns off and stays off for a few moments,) tap the button again to power the Xbox One back on

This should fix the error, and you should be able to watch television again. The reason that turning the Xbox One off from the controller, or tapping the power button (rather than holding it down) doesn't work, is because those two methods put the Xbox One to sleep in most cases. In this low-power state, settings and your session are saved in order to quickly being you back in to what you were doing. The problem is that the low-power setting simply doesn't clear of the TV error, and a hard reset is the only thing that'll work.

If you find that this doesn't work, or if you find an alternative fix, feel free to leave a comment!

Of course, if you're looking to get one, you can pick up an Xbox One now on Amazon.

Gallery: How to fix Xbox One “Please try again: For some reason TV took too long to start (0x8027025a)” error


Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard

Now that I've been using the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard for over a week, my search for the ultimate keyboard might be finally over. It might be one of the strangest looking keyboards Microsoft has ever put out.

The Sculpt combines the curved ergonomic structure the company has been making for almost 20 years with a raised wrist area and a completely empty middle. Couple that with something Microsoft has barely done with their keyboards—laptop-style, easy-to-press scissor key set that's way less stressful on the fingers than anything previous--and you've got a keyboard that's vying for the title of "best keyboard they've ever made."

Click to continue reading Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop review

Gallery: Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop review


Nokia Lumia 1020

Nokia has just slashed the price of the Lumia 1020 by $100, bringing the price of the Windows Phone with the crazy camera down to $199. We've been reviewing the Lumia 1020, and the camera app features are definitely impressive. If Windows Phone is your jam, you may want to consider it. For a limited time, the Microsoft Store will even throw in the $79 Lumia 1020 Camera Grip for free with purchase!

Read More | The Microsoft Store

Gallery: Nokia drops price of 41-megapixel Lumia 1020 Windows Phone to $199 on contract


Grand theft auto v free xbox points

If you're a gamer, chances are, you can't wait for the arrival of Grand Theft Auto V. The release is just under two weeks away, and there's a great deal being run by the Microsoft Store right now that will hook you up with $20 in Xbox Marketplace credit when you pre-order GTA V for Xbox 360. All you need to do it head on over the GTA V Microsoft Store page and buy the game. Oh, and, bonus! Free next day shipping if you use promo code freeshipesc2012-over during checkout.

Read More | GTA V + $20 Microsoft Points Credit

Gallery: Get $20 in Xbox LIVE points with Grand Theft Auto V pre-order


Xbox One day one

The final piece of the Xbox One launch puzzle was solved yesterday when Microsoft confirmed that the console will launch on November 22nd. For those who don't have amazing an amazing memory, this is the same day that the Xbox 360 launched eight years ago. As previously announced, the Xbox One will cost $499, and will include the console, a controller, wired mono headset, and the new Kinect sensor.

If you haven't yet locked in your Xbox One console and you want to make sure you have one on November 22, you can pre-order on Amazon or The Microsoft Store now--just make sure you hurry!

Gallery: Xbox One launches November 22 for $499, last chance for day-one pre-orders!


Xbox One Controllers

Microsoft just revealed an interesting tidbit about its upcoming Xbox One console: it can support up to either controllers at once. The Xbox One controller has a 30-foot range, and the console can recognize up to eight players at a time. Of course, developers will need to code the functionality into their games for up to eight players, but hey--at least now we aren't relegated to the typical four-player games anymore with the new Xbox. Interestingly, today Sony confirmed that the Playstation 4 will support up to 4 controllers at once.

If you haven't yet locked in your Xbox One console, you can pre-order on Amazon or The Microsoft Store now--or, if you're an Xbox employee, you get an exclusive white Xbox One for free!

Gallery: The Xbox One supports up to eight controllers at a time


White Xbox One

Wanna get your hands on an exclusive white Xbox One console? Well, if you're a full-time Microsoft Xbox One employee as of July 12, 2013, and still working at Microsoft when Xbox One launches, you get one for free! Along with the specially inscribed white console (which reads "I MADE THIS") you get a white controller, and the regular (black) Kinect sensor. Additionally, a year of Xbox Live is thrown in, as well as an exclusive achievement as well, all delivered on launch day. Not a bad perk for helping create the next generation of gaming. In the meantime, we'll let you know if we spot any white Playstation 4 consoles pop up for Sony employees.

If you haven't yet locked in your Xbox One console, you can pre-order on Amazon or The Microsoft Store now!

Gallery: Microsoft to gift Xbox employees with exclusive white Xbox One console


iPad vs Surface

Microsoft's 900 million write off on the Surface RT hasn't prevented them from continuing its advertising campaign efforts by bashing Apple's iPad and propping thier device as the the better alternative. Microsoft recently slashed the price of the Surface RT by $150 in hopes of getting them off store shelves and into customer's hands. The Surface tablet has been suffering from poor sales as it dove into the highly competitive tablet computer arena. The question is will these continued commitment efforts work? Check out the video ad. Does Microsoft make its case?

Click to continue reading Microsoft doubles down on anti-iPad ad campaign amidst major Surface RT failure [Video]

Gallery: Microsoft doubles down on anti-iPad ad campaign amidst major Surface RT failure [Video]


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