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Microsoft execs discuss Xbox One [Video]

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Xbox Live, Xbox One,

Microsoft execs discuss Xbox One

Earlier this morning Microsoft revealed the Xbox One, the follow-up to its 8-year-old Xbox 360. After the jump, we've got a video where Microsoft Xbox executives discuss the new Xbox One console and what they believe makes it the best home console on the market. Check out the video, and let us know if you agree.

Click to continue reading Microsoft execs discuss Xbox One [Video]


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The Xbox One controller features 40 new improvements

Xbox One camera

Aside from revealing the Xbox One, Microsoft has also updated Xbox 360 controller for the new Xbox One, bringing over 40 optimizations to the input device. Features mentioned include dynamic impulse triggers that support feedback, and a new D-pad design that, we bet, will do away with many of the complaints. The controller is also recognized by Kinect, with the example given that you might lift your controller, and in-game, you'd be raising a shield.

Check out the Microsoft Xbox One reveal video.


Microsoft announces the Xbox One

Xbox One

At today's #XboxReveal event, Microsoft announced the Xbox One. Don Mattrick took the stage and said that Xbox One is a truly "all-in-one" box that is "simple, instant, and complete." From the looks of the device, it sports a dual-toned black color scheme with a slot-loading (goodbye, tray!) Blu-ray drive. We also get the standard Xbox power button with the ring of light surrounding it. 

When looking at the Xbox One hardware, it looks akin to an older set-top box. It's pretty wide and pretty tall, likely because of all the high-end guts on the inside. Speaking of specs, the Xbox One has 8GB RAM (up from 512MB in the Xbox 360,) an octo-core processor, and ships with a 500GB hard drive. A Blu-ray drive is included as mentioned, along with USB 3.0 and 802.11n Wi-Fi (no 802.11ac for a console that will likely be around for 5-8 years?)

Click to continue reading Microsoft announces the Xbox One


Watch This Live: Microsoft reveals the new Xbox One

Microsoft Xbox reveal #XboxReveal

Microsoft is set to reveal the new Xbox One this morning, with the event kicking off at 10:00am PDT / 1:00pm EDT/ We've got the video for you below after the break--just hit play when it's time!

Click to continue reading Watch This Live: Microsoft reveals the new Xbox One


Watch this: Bill Gates gets emotional reminiscing about his last talk with Steve Jobs

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Microsoft, Videos,

Bill Gates reminisces Steve Jobs

Microsoft co-founder, former CEO and current Chairman, Bill Gates, described his last conversation with the late Steve Jobs (among other topics) during an interview with Charlie Rose on 60 minutes. Watch the video after the break:

Click to continue reading Watch this: Bill Gates gets emotional reminiscing about his last talk with Steve Jobs

Read More | 60 Minutes

Nokia Lumia 928 outed in Vanity Fair

Nokia Lumia 928 low light pureview

We've been keeping tabs on the Nokia Lumia 928 for a while, but it has never been confirmed in any official capacity until today. The Lumia 928 quietly made an appearance in a two-page advertisment spread in Vanity Fair, as well as on a simple page on the Nokia Web site. It appears that the 928 is focusing on the camera:

Nokia exclusive PureView technology, with Optical Image Stabilization and high-end Carl Zeiss optics let you capture and share amazing blur-free photos and videos, even in low light conditions.

As expected, Verizon Wireless will be the carrier for the Lumia 928. Expect a nice, official unveiling to take place a week from today, on May 14th. We aren't expecting the internals to be too different from the Nokia Lumia 920.


Bill Gates thinks iPad owners are frustrated without keyboard, Office

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Handhelds, PC / Laptop, Videos,

Bill Gates Disses iPad

Former Microsoft CEO, current mosquito-wrangler and public donator of his vast wealth, Bill Gates, was talking on CNBC about how he feels iPad users are frustrated about not having a physical keyboard and the lack of Microsoft Office. Curious among many where he is getting his data. Bill didn't waste any time proposing the Microsoft Surface tablet, which has Microsoft Office, as a better alternative, despite sales indicating the contrary. Perhaps, it might behoove Microsoft to go to its roots and start selling software instead of trying to sell an ecosystem. After all, we're in the 'Post PC-era' as coined by the late Steve Jobs. On the other hand, Bill is saying tablets are growing in popularity, and that, eventually, they'll be hard to distinguish between them and PCs. Catch the video after the break.

"With Windows 8, Microsoft is trying to gain share in what has been dominated by the iPad type device. A lot of those users are frustrated. They can't type. They can't create documents. They don't have Office there. So we're providing them something with the benefits they've seen that have made that a big category but without giving up what they expect in a PC." - Bill Gates

Click to continue reading Bill Gates thinks iPad owners are frustrated without keyboard, Office


Next Xbox: November launch, $499, $299 with subscription, Blu-ray

Xbox Revealed

Windows super-fan Paul Thurrott, who has a good track record for internal Microsoft rumors, is sharing information that he has heard as it pertains to the launch window and pricing of the new Xbox (which we are assuming will be called Xbox Reveal or Infinity, but is codenamed Durango.) First, the next Xbox will launch in early November 2013, and will cost $499 out of the gate. Alternatively, you'll be able to pay $299 for the console if you also pay a $10 monthly subscription fee.

If this is true, then we imagine that this is where all of the hoopla over an "always-on" console is coming from. If you choose to go the subscription route, then your Xbox will likely need to be connected to the Internet in order to make sure the subscription is active. Piggybacking on that thought, maybe if you stop paying (or if you can't get the Xbox online,) then the Xbox will simply not let you play games until you are paid up or reconnect it to Xbox Live.

Other information shared include that the new console will ship with a Blu-ray drive, and will run on a modified version of Windows 8. We will have all the news as it happens when Microsoft unveils the next Xbox on May 21.

Read More | Windows IT Pro

Microsoft will reveal the next Xbox on May 21

Xbox Reveal May 21

Microsoft has announced that it will reveal the next Xbox on May 21st at an event to take place at the Xbox campus in Redmond. Gamers have been patiently waiting for an announcement from Microsoft on the next Xbox (codenamed Durango,) especially after Sony announced the Playstation 4 at an event in February. The company says that the event will "mark the beginning of a new generation of games, TV, and entertainment." Aside from inviting select press to be on hand, the event will also be broadcast as it happens on Xbox LIVE for all to see. It'll also be broadcast on SPike TV for those who are in the US or Canada.

Don't expect all the info on the next Xbox to be revealed on the 21st, though. Microsoft says that they'll wait about three weeks before announcing the full line-up of games, which it'll do at E3. There's a lot riding on the next Xbox, which follows up the current generations most successful console, the Xbox 360.

Read More | Major Nelson

Bloomberg: Nokia Lumia 928 coming to Verizon next month

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft, Rumors,

Nokia Lumia 928

It looks like Verizon Wireless is set to finally offer the Nokia Lumia 928, giving Verizon a flagship Windows Phone 8 device, starting next month. While no formal announcements have been made, two people familiar with the details have confirmed it. Since flagship Lumia smartphones in the US have typically been AT&T exclusives, it'll be interesting to see what the Verizon effect will have on sales. The Lumia 928 will have an aluminum enclosure rather than the polycarbonate Lumias that we're used to, with a 4.5-inch display, 8-megapixel camera, and wireless charging capabilities.


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