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Microsoft has released a preview showing how the next version of Windows Phone 7, 7.8, will visually look. As you might recall, when the company showed off Windows Phone 8, it also announced that there would be no upgrade path for any Windows Phone 7 devices. However, they also let us know that those users would be able to upgrade to Windows Phone 7.8 in order to get the most obvious and visual feature--the new Windows Phone home screen. Once upgraded to 7.8, users will be able to resize all of their tiles as easily as Windows Phone 8 users can, and in the video above Microsoft's Ben Rudolph walks us through the experience.

Gallery: Watch this: Hands-on with the new Windows Phone 7.8 home screen


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Microsoft Surface event video

Yesterday we told you all about the big announcements Microsoft made--the Microsoft Surface tablet was unveiled, along with the intriguing Touch Cover and Type Cover accessories. There was even an odd Surface intro video they teased us with. Now, you can watch the entire Surface event in its entirety after the jump.

Click to continue reading Watch this: Microsoft Surface tablet unveiling event

Gallery: Watch this: Microsoft Surface tablet unveiling event


Microsoft Surface White

Now that Microsoft has revealed its plan to do battle in the tablet market, Microsoft Surface (as well as its super-cool accessories, the Touch Cover and Type Cover,) we thought you'd appreciate a look at the teaser video that Microsoft put together to unveil the product. Check it out after the break.

Click to continue reading Microsoft Surface video introduction

Gallery: Microsoft Surface video introduction


Type Cover Microsoft Surface

The Touch Cover is a futuristic multitouch keyboard accessory for the Microsoft Surface tablet that brings a thin profile and a measure of protection, but for those of you who'd prefer a tried and true tactile keyboard with real trackpad buttons, you'll wanna get a look at the Type Cover. Since the Touch Cover is a capacitive touch keyboard without any moving keys, it's the slimmer of the two, measuring in at 3mm thin compared to the Type Cover's 5mm thickness.

Gallery: Type Cover gives Microsoft Surface a tactile keyboard


Microsoft Surface Touch Cover

The first accessory announced for the new Microsoft Surface tablet today is the Touch Cover. A seemingly brilliant take on the tablet cover accessory, the Touch Cover serves as both a protective cover for Surface, as well as a full multitouch keyboard. You just open up the Surface kickstand, and the Touch Cover lays flat (3mm thin) and even registers typing faster than any other keyboard currently on the market, according to Microsoft. You get a full keyboard and touchpad. If that isn't your jam, you can opt for the Surface Type Cover instead.

Gallery: Touch Cover for Microsoft Surface tablet sports multitouch keyboard


Xbox Surface leak

Microsoft is set to take the stage in just a few hours to make a major product announcement. Rumors have been running rampant that the company will finally reveal its own tablet. Over the weekend, a document surfaced that goes into detail on a product called Xbox Surface. Xbox Surface is purportedly a 7-inch multi-touch tablet that runs at 720p with WI-Fi, Bluetooth, SD card slot, and up to 7 hours of battery life.

The Xbox Surface would interface with a "stationary computing device" as well, allowing you to stream content from a device that's more powerful than the tablet itself. While utilizing the Xbox brand for a new consumer device seems to make sense, always remember that documents like this one are easily faked. We'll know later today, and of course, will keep you updated.

Read More | CNET

Gallery: Microsoft to unveil Xbox Surface tablet today?


Windows Phone 8 leak

What you see above are purported leaked images of Windows Phone 8, Apollo. Microsoft is set to unveil Windows Phone 8 to the world at next week's Windows Phone Summit on June 20th. What the images above show is built-in Skype integration (Microsoft purchased Skype months ago,) a data usage function that shows how much of your monthly data cap you have left along with the number of days left in your billing cycle, and the camera app with the new lenses feature. We can't say for sure that these are authentic, but they certainly appear that way. We'll know for sure next week!

Read More | Nokia Innovation

Gallery: Leaked Windows Phone 8 images surface


bing voice search

Earlier this week during the Microsoft E3 Media Briefing, the next version of Bing voice search for Xbox 360 was shown off. We were able to see searches performed in both English and Spanish in order to find video content to watch.  You are able to use your voice to search for genres (like comedies, horror, etc.) as well as for specific titles. Bing will then search across all video services, showing you the results that it finds in a grid. So if you look for Rango, it'll show you that you can rent it, but also that you can watch it for free as part of your Netflix subscription. Bing search will also allow you to search for YouTube content as well. This will all come as part of the fall 2012 dashboard update, supporting six languages in the US, and hitting dozens of other countries as well.

Gallery: Enhanced Bing voice search for Xbox to debut this fall


Xbox Music

We knew Microsoft was planing to do away with the Zune brand, and today the company revealed its new music service during its E3 Media Breifing. Xbox Music will soon be released for the Xbox 360, Windows Phone, and Windows 8. During the presentation, we were able to see that the service takes on the Metro UI, staying consistent with the Xbox 360, Windows Phone, and Windows branding. Expect over 30 million tracks to be available at launch, with the Smart DJ feature that was popular with Zune users to stick around. Microsoft also mentioned that Xbox Music will give you access to your music collection from "any screen," but we don't know if that means we should expect iOS and Android apps like they'll be released for Xbox SmartGlass, or if it just means that you'll be able to access your music from a web browser, similar to Zune. Xbox Music is set to launch later this year.

Click to continue reading Xbox Music replaces Zune, brings 30 million tracks to Xbox 360, Windows 8, Windows Phone

Gallery: Xbox Music replaces Zune, brings 30 million tracks to Xbox 360, Windows 8, Windows Phone


Xbox 360 SmartGlass

That Xbox SmartGlass rumor that we posted at the eleventh-hour has turned out to be true. During the Microsoft E3 Media Briefing this morning, the company gave all the details of the ambitious Xbox SmartGlass feature. SmartGlass is an app that will be available on Windows 8, smartphones, and tablets that will allow the user to view and use content that is tied to the game or video you're currently enjoying. SmartGlass is meant to be used as a second screen, and a great example was given using Game of Thrones. While watching the show on HBO Go on the Xbox 360, you can use the SmartGlass app to view an interactive map that shows where the action in each scene is taking place, offering content and more informational metadata about the show.

Click to continue reading Xbox SmartGlass app to bring dual-screen entertainment to Xbox 360, mobile devices

Gallery: Xbox SmartGlass app to bring dual-screen entertainment to Xbox 360, mobile devices


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