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Latest Gear Live Videos
Microsoft working on Xbox Surface, a 7-inch gaming tablet
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Microsoft, Rumors, Video Games,
Among the smaller tablets of the world like the iPad mini, Kindle Fire HD, and Nexus 7, Microsoft's platform is nowhere to be found. Sure, the company just launched Surface a couple of weeks ago, it's first first-party tablet device, and it has the Surface Pro on the way too…but what about the smaller form factor? Well, it turns out that Microsoft is working on it's very own 7-inch tablet, the previously-uncovered Xbox Surface.
Click to continue reading Microsoft working on Xbox Surface, a 7-inch gaming tablet
Read More 
| The Verge
Gallery: Microsoft working on Xbox Surface, a 7-inch gaming tablet
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2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Halo 4 Limited Edition
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Video Games, Men, Teens, Under $100, Under $250, Under $500,
Halo 4 launched today, and is downright amazing. If there's a gamer in your life who didn't already pick this one up, do them a favor and grab them a copy of this Limited Edition version, because this one is good enough to make it into our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide. What sets the Halo 4 Limited Edition apart from the standard version? Well, a lot. Read on, but just remember that these are going to go fast. We don't expect to see the Limited Edition version in stock for more than a few more days:
- Spartan-IV “Recruit” In-Game Armor
- Spartan-IV “Prime” In-Game Armor Skin
- Assault Rifle “Prime” In-Game Weapon Skin
- “Prime” In-Game Emblem
- Xbox LIVE Avatar “Recruit” Armor
- Cryo-Tube Xbox LIVE Avatar Prop
Click to continue reading 2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Halo 4 Limited Edition
Read More | Halo 4 Limited Edition
Gallery: 2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Halo 4 Limited Edition
Live from Microsoft’s Build 2012 keynote!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Features, Microsoft, Software,
We are live, front and center, in one of the largest tents ever contructed getting ready for Microsoft to kick off Build 2012, it's annual developer conference. It's been a big week for Microsoft, what with the launch of Windows Phone 8, its Surface tablet, and of course, Windows 8. The last piece of the puzzle is making sure developers are on board with all the new stuff, and Build is where Microsoft will push that message. Things get kicked off in just a bit, so keep it locked here on Gear Live for live coverage of the Day One Keynote!
Click to continue reading Live from Microsoft’s Build 2012 keynote!
Gallery: Live from Microsoft’s Build 2012 keynote!
Kid’s Corner brings guest account sandbox to Windows Phone 8
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Microsoft, Software,
Parents--how many times have you handed your smartphone to your little one, only to find apps moved around, deleted emails, and text message gobbledygook sent to your boss? Windows Phone 8 is set to eliminate these fears with the introduction of Kid's Corner. From the lock screen, rather than swiping up, you swipe to the right to enter the Kid's Corner interface. This area only allows guest users to access the specific apps, games, music, and videos on your phone that you allow. Quite honestly, we are left scratching our heads wondering why something this smart has yet to appear on iOS or Android.
Gallery: Kid’s Corner brings guest account sandbox to Windows Phone 8
Windows Phone 8 users will get 1 year of commercial-free Pandora One
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Microsoft, Music,
Microsoft is touting a bunch of the new apps that will be coming to Windows Phone 8, and one it's really excited about is Pandora. You're in for a little bit of a wait for the app, as it won't appear for Windows Phone 8 users until early 2013, but when it does, it will offer ad-free listening for the first year. That's basically free 12-month subscription to Pandora One from Microsoft for users of its new smartphones. Pretty nice.
Gallery: Windows Phone 8 users will get 1 year of commercial-free Pandora One
Windows Phone 8 lock screen customizable with Live Apps
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Microsoft, Software,
Microsoft is introducing a new lock screen on Windows Phone 8 that can be customized thanks to the Live App infrastructure. What does this mean for you? Well, your lock screen just became a lot more useful, as you can have it display things like recent photos, sports scores, Facebook updates from close friends, and more. Not the most groundbreaking feature in the world, but it's another way that Windows Phone 8 allows you to customize your phone in a personal way, bringing real-time updates to the first screen you see when your turn on your phone.
Gallery: Windows Phone 8 lock screen customizable with Live Apps
Why there is no 16GB Microsoft Surface option
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Microsoft, Storage,
When Microsoft announced Surface pre-orders, many consumers were puzzled by the lack of a 16GB option for the tablet. We got a lot of emails from readers wondering what was up, and it looks like we've got our answer. The Surface starts at 32GB of storage, and as it turns out, the user is left with 20GB of usable storage space on that model. That means that Windows RT and the pre-installed Office RT apps use up 12GB of space. In other words, if there were a 16GB model, the user would be left with just 4GB of space for their own documents, apps, and anything else. That would just make for a bad user experience, so Microsoft decided to start with 32GB of storage so that Surface users would still have a substantial amount of free space to use as they see fit. By comparison, a 32GB iPad leaves the user with about 31GB of free space, since iOS and built-in apps take up just 1GB of storage.
Have you pre-ordered a Surface tablet? Let us know in the comments!
Read More | Reddit
Gallery: Why there is no 16GB Microsoft Surface option
Surface tablet shipping times slip to 3 weeks without Touch Cover
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Microsoft, PC / Laptop,
Looks like the Surface with Windows RT has slipped to a 3 week shipping time for those who want to order one without one of the black Touch Cover accessories. The 32 GB tablet will now be delivered by November 8 for those who took their time to decide if they really wanted one or not. Pre-orders for the 32 GB and 64 GB models with black Touch Cover are still on track to be delivered on October 26th. If you were hoping to get a Microsoft Surface tablet on launch day without a Touch Cover, then it looks like you're gonna have to head to your local Microsoft Store or Best Buy.
Gallery: Surface tablet shipping times slip to 3 weeks without Touch Cover
Microsoft Surface RT starts at $499, Touch Cover sold separately
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Handhelds, Microsoft,
Microsoft's Surface RT tablet is set to go on sale in just 10 days, and the company is finally ready to reveal price details and tech specs. It's official: Surface RT will sell for $499 for the 32 GB model, $599 for 32 GB with black Touch Cover, and $699 for 64 GB with black touch cover. Pre-orders begin today at 9:00am PT.
What about all those colorful Touch Covers that the company showed off at the Surface unveiling? Those will be sold separately for $120 each. If you prefer the Type Cover, which features mechanical keys, you're looking at $130. Many were speculating that Microsoft would bring Surface to market at an incredibly low $199, but obviously, that extremem measure of cost-cutting just isn't possible. Wanna pre-order one now? Head on over to the Surface page to do so.
Read More | Microsoft
Gallery: Microsoft Surface RT starts at $499, Touch Cover sold separately
You can now pre-order Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 PCs
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hot Deals, Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Software,
Microsoft has just announced that, starting today, you can now pre-order Windows 8 Pro. The normal price for the disc is $199.99, but during the upgrade promotion period, the package will cost $69.99, a $120 savings. Upgrade pricing will be in effect through January 31, 2013. It's nice, but it's still a far cry from the $20 OS X Mountain Lion. If you want to get in on the upgrade pricing, head over to Amazon--you'll receive it on October 26th, the same day it is released publicly. If you'd rather to go a brick-and-mortar location, you'll also find similar offers at the Microsoft Store, Best Buy, Office Depot, and more.
In addition, you can now pre-order Windows 8 PCs from companies like Acer, HP, Sony, Samsung, and others.
Read More | Windows 8 Pro
