Showing posts with label Xbox 360. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Xbox 360. Show all posts
Xbox One: Entertainment First, Gaming Second. A Replacement to TV?
Microsoft may have been the last of the major console makers to announce their next generation system but they certainly didn’t disappoint - that is, depending on whom you ask. Leading up to the reveal, many believed Microsoft would position the next generation system as a device designed to be as much of an entertainment hub as a gaming system.
After watching the Xbox One unveiling, however, we are inclined to believe that most got it wrong. Given the One’s heavy focus on live television, it’s easy to envision how Microsoft may have figured out a way to transform the Xbox from a gaming console that also handles media into a home entertainment hub that just happens to play video games.
The Xbox One is now positioned to become a huge mainstream success if Microsoft plays their cards right and even more so if they can get broadcast executives on board with their vision. There’s still a lot of unknowns, but let’s take a closer look at the facts thus far.
The Xbox One includes HDMI in and out which will be used as a passthrough for your cable or satellite set-top box. That’s huge in and of itself because it means Xbox One users can circumvent the dismal programming guides found on traditional set-top boxes. Instead, users will have access to OneGuide.
With OneGuide, users can navigate through programming using voice and gesture commands via Kinect 2.0 which will come standard with every Xbox One. These new input methods are designed to do away with traditional remote controls. What’s more, OneGuide contains fresh features that let users see what’s trending and tune in immediately or even track fantasy sports stats while watching live television as part of an exclusive deal with the NFL.
It wasn’t until 30 minutes into the hour long event that Microsoft finally got around to discuss games – something that’s extremely telling in. It’s understandable, however, as Microsoft needed to save some content to show off at E3 next month.
One of the bigger questions in the overall picture has to do with how devices like the Xbox One will affect the way television programming is broadcast over the long haul. Tech companies have been trying for years to get broadcast behemoths to change their ways and there’s been a good bit of progress. We’re now able to stream pre-recorded movies and television shows from the likes of Amazon, Hulu and Netflix, purchase similar content from iTunes and even stream select channels live to mobile devices.
But it’s not enough. Technology is simply outpacing the traditional broadcast model. Could the Xbox One be the catalyst for change that we have all been hoping for?
People want to be able to watch content when they want, where they want, and from any device they want. Like sports and the latest episode of your favorite sitcom - not some television show that aired more than a week ago. Many consumers wouldn’t have a problem paying for the convenience.
Other tech giants are well aware of this trend, and one in particular, Apple has been long rumored to be taking on television. Reports of Apple courting broadcast executives are well-documented. True enough, a television set that could perform such tasks was something Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said he had finally cracked just before his death.
The Xbox 360 wasn’t designed to be a media powerhouse but it managed to perform those tasks exceedingly well late in its life. Just over a year ago it was noted that the console was used more for watching TV shows, movies and listening to music than playing video games online. With those kind of usage statistics it’s no surprise that Microsoft would build the One from the ground-up to be a media device first. Just imagine what the One and the PlayStation 4 could really do with live streaming television.
There’s little doubt that the Xbox One will be a commercial success just like the Xbox 360 and the original Xbox before it. The media-minded system will appeal to people that aren’t necessarily diehard console gamers – a category of consumer that is much more lucrative than the limited scope of hardcore gamers. We simply hope that Microsoft's new media device and others like it can bring about more rapid change with regards to the television industry.
Leave your reviews about XBOX revolution in comments.
Microsoft Xbox One - One Size that Fits All Your Entertainment
It's been a long time since Microsoft released a new gaming console, but it isn't surprising that a new console was needed to match the needs of gamers and to bring a perfect rival to Sony's PlayStation and Nitendo's Wii consoles
"Microsoft unveiled the new console, called Xbox One. Featuring an all in one entertainment system that completely fills up anyone's living room desires"
Microsoft has unveiled the new Xbox, and it's called Xbox One. It's Microsoft's first new console in more than seven years. Yes, we've had many expectations for this console, especially since Sony and Nintendo have already taken their first steps in the next-gen landscape. Here's what you need to know that was announced at Microsoft's event in Redmond, Washington.
The Xbox One
The original Xbox debuted in the fall of 2005, which feels like a million years ago.. even if it's only seven and a half. It's high time for a new console, even if some tech pundits are questioning the value of gaming hardware platforms in the current age.
Design
The Xbox One is large, sleek, and black, and looks like a piece of AV equipment. The controller and Kinect unit are redesigned, too: the Kinect and Xbox One, in particular, sport sharp-angled, glossy-black boxy looks. As a set, the Xbox One really does feel like some elaborate piece of home theater gear...and considering its mission to knit entertainment together into a modern all-in-one package, that's clearly intentional. It also looks awfully big, compared with current-gen consoles and how they've slimmed down.
The name "Xbox One" suggests a reboot, a fresh start. Maybe from this day forward, Microsoft's connected living-room PC strategies will spring from the Xbox One. Or, it'll just a be a very good gaming console.
Home entertainment
Microsoft promises that this is a better-connected way of linking TV, games, and entertainment in one unit -- something the Xbox 360 already does, but will do more via commands like "Xbox, on." As was said during the initial presser, you're "going to have a relationship with your TV." The elevator pitch: take on a living room that has become "too complex," and make a system that knits games, TV, and entertainment.
So, how will that happen?
There are universal gestures such as grab-and-pan and swipe up; watching live TV will involve maximizing and minimizing the screen in a top corner. Live TV will be part of the Xbox One experience, via HDMI-in. Yes, cable TV looks like part of the package.
But we haven't seen, other than some picture-in-picture overlays, how exactly TV is piped in and more deeply interacted with...and who the partners are. Comcast was mentioned, but what other companies will contribute to letting the Xbox One hook in and become a true TV accessory? That was the challenge that daunted Google TV and the Wii U. Right now, it doesn't look like the Xbox One replaces your cable box or your DVR, even though it's large enough to be both.
The Xbox One does knit together new voice commands to do some PC-like stuff: you can order movie tickets, for instance, engage in Skype, or pull up fantasy sports stats while watching a game. The conversational, Siri-meets-Google Now-like voice commands hopefully will have clear menu representation on the console, as otherwise it could get confusing.
"It's an all-in-one entertainment console" is a pitch we've heard before, dating back to the PlayStation 3 and before that -- really, going back all the way to the 3DO. It hasn't always worked, but the Xbox One is better positioned because the Xbox 360's already pretty successful at being an excellent streaming-video device.
(Credit: Microsoft)
Specs
Under the hood, details so far include an eight-core processor and graphics made by AMD, 8GB of RAM, Blu-ray, USB 3.0, HDMI in/out, and a 500GB hard drive. Besides all of this, Microsoft is promising a new operating system fusing Xbox and Windows.
Xbox One architecture has "three operating systems in one": Xbox, a kernel of Windows (perhaps like Windows RT), and a multitasking interface. The idea seems to be that this console will be a multitasker at heart. Check out a head-to-head comparison with the PlayStation 4 specs known so far, however, and you can see that the distance between Sony and Microsoft, in terms of hardware, will be shorter than ever.
The Xbox One's Kinect.
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A new Kinect comes with the Xbox One, complete with improved accuracy. It has a 1080p camera, Skype connectivity, and understanding of rotational movement in a structure like a skeleton. Microsoft even claims the new Kinect can read your heartbeat. It can also recognize your controller, not just your hands -- suggesting uses that sound a little like the ones for PlayStation Move's wand.
The Xbox One controller
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New controller
The Xbox controller's gotten a revamp with an integrated battery, improved ergonomics, a better D-pad, and improved response triggers. It looks similar but has gotten a bunch of gamer-oriented tweaks.
SmartGlass
The tablet-based SmartGlass experience will center on Xbox One, and will work as before with a variety of phones and tablets. Baked-in Wi-Fi Direct on the Xbox One will allow Bluetooth-like direct communication between external devices, which could come in handy for other future peripherals, too. Second screens will be a major method of interacting with the Xbox One, but details were scarce at the Xbox event -- how will it be better than, and more profound than, SmartGlass as it currently exists?Xbox Live
Built on the existing service and usernames, the new Xbox Live promises 300,000 servers for Xbox One, a whopping number. Matchmaking services will work while you're doing other tasks like watching movies or Web browsing, and bigger, more quickly connecting matches are promised, too. Microsoft has discussed some cloud services on the Xbox One that seem promising: user-based cloud game saves, uploaded game recording, and even the potential for cloud-processing-enhanced games. How that will play out isn't clear.Games
Microsoft plans eight new franchises for the Xbox One in the first year, a hopeful sign for a platform that's become too sequel-dependent. Of course, Forza 5 was shown off, but a new game called Quantum Break from the developers of Alan Wake looks like the sort of game we're more used to seeing from PlayStation, with a big-studio design and cinematic feel. But there is some bad news: like the PlayStation 4, the Xbox One isn't backward-compatible with Xbox 360 games.TV on Xbox
"Xbox is going to be the next water cooler." That was said during the event to suggest the Xbox One's role as a social-TV platform. To that end, it sounds like Microsoft is developing TV shows and original programming for the Xbox One, making a greater leap into Netflix-like original programming. Steven Spielberg announced a new TV series based on Halo, and the NFL demonstrated some level of interaction with fantasy stats and Skyping with NFL broadcasts.Availability
The Xbox One will be available "later this year," so that means 2013 after all. Price and a specific date will have to wait...after all, E3 is just weeks away. In short, there are still several things about the Xbox One we don't know...and would like to.Early Availability notification signups:
Microsoft is also accepting early notification signups for the availability of Xbox One.Now its time to know what you all think. You can leave a review over the poll (till its open) and also give us review over the new Xbox One in comments
Will Xbox One match the Entertainment needs of its audience?
Zune Desktop features changed once again, App Marketplace not in sight
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If you've launched your Zune Desktop lately, you've probably seen the pop-up message alerting you that features have changed. When you re-launch Zune you will find that there is no longer a Zune HD marketplace listing.
The only options available under the Zune Desktop Marketplace listing are Picks, Music, Videos and Podcasts. The option to view Apps, both Zune and the resurgent Windows Phone 7 apps, have vanished. We know that Microsoft is in the process of renovating the Zune services over to Xbox Music and this change could be part of that process.
While the Zune Desktop is still used for music, video play and syncing with your Windows Phone, Microsoft shifted the app marketplace for Windows Phone to the web Marketplace back in May. Citing that more used the web option more, Microsoft shut down the Zune avenue.
For those of you who want the desktop Marketplace back, you can re-enable with a registry editor and 30 seconds of your time:
- Open registry editor, go to HCU\Software\Microsoft\Zune
- Create a key with the name "FeaturesOverride"
- Inside this key create a DWORD value with the name "Apps" Set "1" to created value
- Close registry editor, start Zune and if it works
Not sure what the next feature change will be with the Zune Desktop. Maybe change the change the "Marketplace" listing to "Xbox Music"?
Welcome, The New Microsoft
Microsoft has revealed it is changing its logo for the first time in 25 years.
The new logo now features four coloured squares and a more simplified font without the italics or joined up "O" and "S".
"It's been 25 years since we updated the Microsoft logo. Now is the perfect time for a change. Learn more at http://aka.ms/logo," says Microsoft with the accompanying video.
On the company's official blog Microsoft goes into more detail:
"It’s been 25 years since we’ve updated the Microsoft logo and now is the perfect time for a change. This is an incredibly exciting year for Microsoft as we prepare to release new versions of nearly all of our products. From Windows 8 to Windows Phone 8 to Xbox services to the next version of Office, you will see a common look and feel across these products providing a familiar and seamless experience on PCs, phones, tablets and TVs. This wave of new releases is not only a reimagining of our most popular products, but also represents a new era for Microsoft, so our logo should evolve to visually accentuate this new beginning."
For typographers and corporate brand dudes keen to know more, the logo has two components.
"The logotype and the symbol. For the logotype, we are using the Segoe font which is the same font we use in our products as well as our marketing communications. The symbol is important in a world of digital motion. The symbol’s squares of color are intended to express the company’s diverse portfolio of products."
Oh and video below shows the new logos of the products from Microsoft.
Microsoft’s “Metro” UI Is Now Just “Windows 8”
Microsoft is ditching the "Metro" name for its live tiles UI in Windows 8 and Windows Phone. And it was a bit of a mystery what it was going to be called. Answer's in: Just plain ol' "Windows 8."
It feels a bit like a missed opportunity for Microsoft to brand its whole ecosystem—especially in a way that isn't wholly confusing. "The Windows 8 interface on Xbox" is more complicated than just Metro on Xbox. Or whatever else Microsoft wanted to call it that isn't just "Windows." In fairness, that's what Microsoft had been doing with Metro, before the name fell into litigation, but it's just strange to go completely away from that strategy and fold everything under the Windows 8 umbrella.
Microsoft Opens iOS Window for Xbox Live Fans
News & Article Microsoft has brought an Xbox Live app to iOS devices. The app allows players to communicate on the Xbox Live network and manage their profiles. "The iPad and iPhone platform is significantly larger than the Windows [Phone] platform, and this is really about going after the largest installed base to reach more users," said Collins Stewart's Kevin Buttigieg.
Xbox gamers can access their Xbox Live accounts from their iPhones and iPads now that Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) launched the My Xbox Live app for iOS.
Access to Xbox Live has been available on Microsoft's Windows Phone platform since it launched more than a year ago, but this is the first time Microsoft is offering the app on a competing system, although third-party apps have allowed at least partial capability before.
After downloading the free app, users can edit their 3D avatars, chat and send messages to other Live users, update and edit features such as the user profile or friends list, and receive videos, tips and news about Xbox games.
The app is formatted for both the iPhone and the iPad.
Offering Choices
While the app doesn't offer all the access that a Windows phone does -- My Xbox Live is an app, whereas the Xbox hub on the Windows 7 is an integrated part of the phone -- it still shows Microsoft's willingness and desire to spread the product to as many venues as possible.
"Microsoft has always been about giving consumers choices. They didn't want to do what Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) did with their phone and say 'Here's your one phone and boom, you're done.' Here, they figured that gamers might use the Live feature on the phone and go home and want a bigger experience on a console or PC, and that's where Microsoft is going to try to play into as many points in the consumer experience, on different platforms," Robert Breza, analyst at RBC Capital Markets told MacNewsWorld.For Microsoft to get into those different platforms, it requires collaborating with even the toughest of competitors.
"Obviously the iPad and iPhone platform is significantly larger than the Windows [Phone] platform, and this is really about going after the largest installed base to reach more users," Kevin Buttigieg, analyst at Collins Stewart, told MacNewsWorld.
Even if that large base isn't using the Windows 7 phone or a different Microsoft device to access those games, the company is still displaying some influence.
"Microsoft's long-term, clearly stated goal is to dominate every element of your life, from phone to TV to PC, and really make a seamless experience across those. From a gamer's experience, this creates a seamless experience since they're not always going to be sitting in front of a TV, so Microsoft is reaching for that seamlessness, even if it's on another system," said Breza.
Microsoft didn't respond to requests for more comments in time for publication.
Riding the Xbox Train
"Xbox Live has been a tremendous success for Microsoft, and it's been financially designed to expand across that installed base, both on their phone as well as a number of others of internally generated technologies. In the future, I'd expect those individual components to become more tightly integrated with one another rather than other platforms," said Buttigieg.
It may not be the direction Microsoft expected it would head when it launched Xbox in 2001, but it's become an important part of the company's financial success. When fiscal first quarter earnings were reported in October, the entertainment division had seen a 9 percent growth since the previous year and took in US$1.96 billion, mostly revenue from the Xbox 360.
"The market has evolved in ways they probably didn't anticipate at the time, but certainly Xbox has become a successful console and they're using it for a launching pad for additional services," said Buttigieg.
Microsoft Xbox 360 Slim (250GB)
Gaming & Gadgets Microsoft kick-started the "next-generation" of gaming on November 22, 2005, when the company released the Xbox 360, beating both Nintendo and Sony to market. Since then, the console has sold roughly 40 million units worldwide and has brought some innovative ideas to the gaming industry in the form of Xbox Live, the online marketplace, and gamer achievements.
The console is not without its shortcomings, though. Most notably, the infamous "red ring of death" controversy has plagued the system since its launch. The defect can be traced to the system's inability to properly dissipate heat, which in turn renders some of the vital innards unusable. Though Microsoft has remained quiet about an exact fail rate percentage, some analysts have that number as high as 40 percent, with recent reports hovering around a one in four odds of failing within the first two years of ownership. Other complaints vary from lack of built-in Wi-Fi to denying users the ability to replace the hard drive like the PlayStation 3 offers.
At E3 2010, Microsoft unveiled an Xbox 360 redesigned from the ground up. Officially referred to as the "S" console--or Slim, as we've come to call it--the latest iteration packs a 250GB hard drive, built-in Wi-Fi, and a new design that's about 17 percent smaller than the previous models.The new Xbox 360 certainly addresses most of the concerns we've had with the versions before it, but we don't think it warrants a purchase if you already own an Xbox 360 in working order with an HDMI-out port and a hard drive.
In this review we'll look at what's new in the Xbox 360 Slim, so for those who are interested in a look at the complete Xbox 360 experience, we recommend reading our reviews of the consoles prior.
The new Xbox 360 Slim is about 17 percent smaller than its predecessor.
Design
The new Xbox 360 ditches the matte-plastic encasing seen on the white and Elite versions and instead opts for the now-infamous fingerprint magnet glossy black finish that covers so many gadgets of today. The console measures in at 2.9 inches tall by 10.6 inches wide by 10.4 inches deep and weighs a bit over 6 pounds, making it noticeably smaller than its big brother.
There are far fewer buttons on the new Xbox 360; most notably absent are the disc tray and power buttons from the previous consoles. Instead, both are now touch-sensitive; a small notch above the disc tray opens it, and the unit can be turned on simply by touching the circular silver power area. Also, a tone is played from inside the console whenever either of the two touch areas is engaged.
The silver power circle also represents the number of controllers connected and will rotate depending on how the console is oriented (either horizontally or vertically). Past 360 owners will associate this area with the "red ring of death" error message, but Microsoft has removed red LEDs from the console, so now any malfunction will be represented with a series of green lights.
To the right of the power circle is a spring-loaded door hiding two USB ports. Next to it is the controller sync button, which also doubles as the system's infrared (IR) port. Though there seemed to be some discussion as to whether this made it difficult for commands to be given to the Xbox 360, our tests with a Harmony remote show no sign of such issues.
For those hoping to ditch the enormous "power brick" that tethered the console to a power source, you're half in luck. The proprietary connection is definitely smaller, but there is still a power box you must deal with. Though it's about half the size of the original, we're much more comfortable downgrading the "brick" to a "block."
One drawback of the newly designed console is incompatibility with older Xbox 360 faceplates. We can't say that this customizable feature was one of the console's strong points, but nevertheless, no faceplates will work with the new Xbox 360.
Features
As mentioned above, the Xbox 360 Slim aims to correct some of the annoyances and complaints current Xbox 360 owners have voiced. The new console comes packed with a 250GB hard drive, built-in Wi-Fi that supports up to 802.11n, five USB ports, and one additional slot devoted to Microsoft Kinect.
The rear of the new Xbox 360 also looks a bit different compared with the original. Now onboard is a devoted digital optical audio-out port that can be used in conjunction with an HDMI, component, or composite video connection.
The good: Sleeker design; 17 percent smaller; much quieter operation; better cooling; touch-sensitive power and disc tray; 250GB hard drive; built-in Wi-Fi; five USB ports; dedicated Kinect port; onboard optical digital audio.
The bad: The hard drive is still proprietary; controller on D-pad remains unchanged; cumbersome power block; renders existing faceplates useless; no cables for HD gaming out of the box.
The bottom line: Though the new Xbox 360 certainly addresses most of the concerns we've had with the versions before it, we don't think it warrants a purchase if you already own an Xbox 360 in working order with an HDMI-out port and a hard drive.
Next-generation Xbox concept tries to imagine the future of Xbox
Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox has been the subject of a large amount of rumors recently.
Speculation over Microsoft’s plans for the Xbox 360 include suggestions the software giant may team up with TV manufacturers for inbuilt Kinect TVs. Microsoft is also reportedly working on a new Xbox 360 model due in late 2012. Amongst the rumors, one designer has opted to create his own vision of the next-generation Xbox. Joseph Dumary, a designer at Yanko Design, has created a new Xbox concept that ditches the optical drive and controllers.
“The 100% digital Xbox Prestige uses the foundations of the previous 360 Kinect to form this completely controller-less gaming console that’s even smaller than the Xbox Slim,” explains Yanko Design. Pocket-Lint notes that the design follows rumors that Microsoft will launch a non-optical drive model of its Xbox to focus on digital content. One part of the concept is named “KinectIN” and includes two cameras built into the console. For more images, see Yanko Design.
Microsoft is currently on the verge of delivering a massive overhaul to its dashboard software to provide nearly 40 different live TV stations. Microsoft is also preparing to make new Kinect for Windows hardware available in early 2012. The optimized hardware includes components for PC scenarios. Microsoft is planning to shorten the USB cable to ensure reliability across a range of computers. The company will also include a small dongle to help ease coexistence with other USB devices. The new firmware updates for the Kinect will enable the depth camera to see objects as close as 50 centimetres in front of the device without losing any precision. Microsoft calls this “Near Mode” and the company hopes it will enable a whole new class of “up close” apps that have not been made available previously.
Microsoft employees reveal they’re working on next-generation Xbox
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| XBOX 360 Slim |
Several Microsoft workers have revealed they are working on the next Xbox console.
The employees mentioned their work on a number of resume pages on the LinkedIn social networking site. Gematsu reports that Microsoft employee and interactive creative director/designer Jeff Faulkner is acting as the “Xbox Nex Gen Creative Director,” according to his LinkedIn profile. Jonathan Harris is working as the “Senior Creative Director for Xbox,” currently assigned to “designing the next generation of entertainment.” Patrick Corrigan is “providing groundwork an integration for branding elements for next-gen Xbox on all forms of media. Ranging from print to UI across future releases of the Xbox platform.” The final employee is Joe Langevin, an “Xbox Hardware Intern at Microsoft,” who notes he is working on “high speed data buses to prevent electromagnetic interference in next-gen devices.”
Microsoft is known to be working on preparing a new Xbox console. The software giant has managed to keep the Xbox 360, released in November 2005, up-to-date through a number of software tweaks and hardware refreshes. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 gaming console dominated U.S. sales charts last year and continues to do well throughout 2011. Microsoft revealed at CES in January that the company has sold over 50 million Xbox 360 consoles worldwide since launch. Microsoft also has 30 million active Xbox LIVE members and has sold 10 million Kinect sensors since the device debuted in November.
Microsoft’s Xbox Console Architecture team has also been hiring for a number of positions on the next-generation Xbox team. The job listings, revealed earlier this year, confirm that Microsoft was in the early stages of pre-production for the next-generation Xbox at the start of the year. Rumors suggest Microsoft may be planning to unveil its next-generation Xbox at E3, 2012. The company is reportedly working with Crytek for a TimeSplitters 4 release.
Microsoft celebrates a year of Kinect by demonstrating its effects
Microsoft originally introduced Kinect on November 4 last year. Kinect was initially available for the Xbox 360 but thanks to a range of “Kinect hacks”, Microsoft announced an official way to develop with Kinect for PC. The company had plans for this all along but was forced to bring them forward after a large number of hobbyists and researchers began to use the device in various scenarios. “Almost immediately following the launch of Kinect, hobbyists and academics from around the world embraced Kinect possibilities in ways that surprised and delighted,” explained Microsoft’s corporate communications chief, Frank Shaw, in a blog post on Monday. “As we watched these stories unfold, the term “The Kinect Effect” emerged in hallway conversations at Microsoft as a way to describe the amazing and creative ways Kinect was being used.”
Microsoft is using the “Kinect Effect” terminology as a way to demonstrate the profound effect of the device and how it will change computing in the future. The software giant has witnessed hundreds of unique stories and YouTube videos of how Kinect was helping daily activities and improving the way people work. “We saw Kinect being used by therapists and physicians as part of a rehabilitation program for stroke victims, as a skill-building technique for children with autism, and as an application for hospitals in Spain enabling surgeons to scroll through medical images in the operating room with gestures so they could avoid the need to rescrub,” said Shaw.
Kinect hackers have shown off Minority Report style multitouch control and the Kinect running on Mac OS X. Videos also emerged of device owners fully controlling Windows 7 and interactive prototype puppets. Some hackers even managed to get Angry Birds working with Kinect. Microsoft is now promising that the future will include Kinect in a big way. The company will open up its software development kit (SDK) to commercial businesses next year. “We recognize the intense commercial interest in harnessing the capabilities of Kinect, and are working with a wide range of companies and developers to create a great set of tools and APIs,” explained Shaw. Microsoft is working with over 200 companies to help them create unique applications across 25 industries.
Watch the video below for the “Kinect Effect” and check out Microsoft’s Kinect Effect site for more demonstrations.
Microsoft merging Zune and Xbox account preferences
Microsoft revealed this week that it has combined account preferences for Zune and Xbox.
The software giant sent an email to Zune and Xbox customers informing them that they would no longer receive separate marketing communications about Zune and Xbox. Both newsletters and marketing materials have been merged together. The move comes just days after Microsoft killed and revived its Zune HD devices a few times. Microsoft originally removed all references to its Zune players from the company’s site on Monday. Microsoft Zune team member Michael Yaeger then revealed that the Zune player removals were a mistake and that the device had returned to Microsoft’s support pages.
A new support article published on Tuesday made it clear that the company had killed off its Zune players. Microsoft’s Zune support team then claimed that the support page was added in error. “We are still supporting the Zune HD hardware. No official info has been released stating hardware is being discontinued,”said a tweet from the company’s official Zune support team. The original support article claimed that the company is focusing on Windows Phone:
“We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today. And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices. Customer service has been, and will remain a top priority for us.”
The merge of account preferences could be nothing more than logistics but the company has long been rumored to be killing off the Zune brand. Zune software is part of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 software and the company recently confirmed that it is working to port existing Zune HD applications to Windows Phone. Despite the near death of the Zune HD, Microsoft was forced to confirm it is not “killing” any Zune services after it was revealed that the company may rebrand Zune into Windows Live services.
Microsoft removes references to Zune HD “by mistake”
Microsoft updated its Zune pages on Monday to remove references to its Zune HD device.
The software giant removed all traces of the Zune HD device on its Zune Music Pass pages on Monday. Microsoft urges consumers to use the following devices for Zune Music Pass:
On your PCHowever, Microsoft Zune team member Michael Yaeger revealed that the Zune HD device removals were a mistake. “Zune HD product page is still on Zune.net – publishing mishap when we pushed out the CA work,” wrote Yaeger in a Twitter message on Monday.
With a Zune Music Pass, you’ll be amazed as you discover, stream, and download more and more music on your PC.
On your Windows Phone
A Zune Music Pass is the ultimate access to entertainment. Get unlimited music and take it with you on your Windows Phone.
On your Xbox 360
A Zune Music Pass makes the entertainment experience extraordinary on your Xbox 360 with unlimited music streaming.
The move follows the death of Microsoft’s Zune originals devices earlier this year. The company urged consumers to purchase a Windows Phone 7 device for the Zune experience. “See how Windows Phone isn’t just a phone,it’s also a great Zune music and video player!”, said the final part of Microsoft’s message confirming the axe. A learn more button at the bottom of the page pushed users to Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 site.
Microsoft recently confirmed that it is working to port Zune HD applications to Windows Phone. Former Zune senior business development manager Dave McLauchlan revealed the company’s plans in a recent Zune Insider podcast. Zune has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. Microsoft was forced to confirm it is not “killing” any Zune services after it was revealed that the company plans to rebrand Zune into Windows Live shortly.
Silverlight to power apps on the new Xbox 360 dashboard update
We’ve confirmed that the apps expected to be added with the next major update to Xbox Live will be based on Silverlight — at least to a point. The framework they’re being built on is codenamed “Lakeview”, which is essentially a prettied up version of Silverlight with new features like Xbox Kinect’s voice recognition and gesture control. Surprisingly enough, partners are not using Microsoft’s Smooth Streaming for video delivery, but have chosen to use H.264-encoded video with Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) instead.
According to the article, Microsoft is still updating its “Lakeview” framework leading up to the Xbox 360 dashboard update release, getting it to become a much more mature platform. It is said that the goal of the “Lakeview” framework is to enable other third-party developers to use the framework to build their own apps for the Xbox 360 console.
Source from Gigaom also revealed that Microsoft is targeting a Black Friday (November 25) release for the new Xbox 360 dashboard update. This date is somewhat close to previous rumors about a potential release on November 15. Either way, it seems like the new dashboard is coming to Xbox 360 owners in a little bit more than a month or so.
- Silverlight To Power Apps On The New Xbox 360 Dashboard Update | Via LIVESIDE
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