Microsoft, Apple, and device discontinuity

Microsoft argues that the Surface will save you from having to buy a MacBook and an iPad, but its integrated tablet comes at the price of a disjointed user experience.

A major theme at Microsoft's introduction of Surface Pro 3 was a refinement of a message that the company has been pushing for third-party hybrid portable computers since the release of Windows 8. Why deal with the hassle of deciding between a MacBook and iPad or the expense of buying both when you could have the intimacy of a tablet experience and the productivity of a laptop experience in Surface Pro?

The answer to that rhetorical question is influenced by Apple's history and justified by its philosophy. But it also raises challenges to Apple about working with both a MacBook and iPad.

Let's start with why the MacBook and iPad are separate devices and why they remain so. Steve Jobs once confirmed at an industry conference that Apple had begun work on what would become the iPad before it developed the iPhone. After the iPhone had been released, though, and the company looked toward the tablet, it faced a choice. It could have pursued the path it did by scaling up the iPhone's software or brought forward the legacy of Mac apps with some touch APIs.

One might chalk up the choice it made to a fundamental difference between Apple's and Microsoft's historical business models. Apple makes money from devices, after all, and benefits from customers purchasing two (or three in the case of an iPhone) rather than one. However, the company could have created (and still could create) a Yoga-like hinge and a touch screen on the MacBook Air or made the screen detachable and added a bunch of touch APIs to preserve and carry forward legacy Mac applications. It could have called this the MacBook Touch and charged a high premium for it the way it did for the first Retina MacBook.

Casting aside the debate about the touch-screen ergonomics on a notebook, such a device might not have had to contend with the dual personality of Windows' Modern/desktop dichotomy. Windows apps such as Office and the forthcoming version of Photoshop that was shown at the Surface Pro 3 launch have a degree of touch-enablement. However, they are not touch-optimized. Microsoft essentially concedes it's not enough, which is why it is working on a Modern version of Office for Windows. (Indeed, if an app is not "modern" -- and certainly isn't futuristic -- isn't it by default "dated"?)

In other words, Apple surely considered an approach similar to Microsoft's -- a touch-enabled but backward-compatible Mac versus a touch-optimized iPad would have involved a compromised experience, one that Microsoft is working to improve gradually through its own improvements to Windows and -- more importantly -- by encouraging third parties to develop apps that perhaps one day will provide a virtually completely "Modern" experience.

Instead, Apple drew a line in the sand and said the iPad is where we will break compatibility and focus on a new class of apps. This is similar to how it started over from the very successful Apple II with the Lisa and then Mac with the exception that the company was able to reuse much more of the underlying OS foundation.

But despite it heralding the "post-PC era," Apple will continue to have one foot planted in the PC era, and that's the Mac. As it continues to develop it along with its portable iOS products like the iPad, its customers must content with some friction in working with multiple devices in comparison to one in the Surface. I'll dive into those challenges and some things Apple might do to alleviate them in my next column.

Source:

www.cnet.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 11:01 PM in Apple, device discontinuity, laptop experience, MacBook, Microsoft, Microsoft's introduction, not touch-optimized, separate devices, Surface Pro 3, touch-enablement, Windows 8

Senate passes ‘kill switch’ law for smartphones sold in California

On Thursday, the state Senate approved a bill requiring cellphones sold in California to have “kill switches” that can make them inoperable if stolen.

Charlie Beck, LAPD Chief, and other law enforcement authorities supported Senate Bill 962 as a means to respond to increasing smartphone theft incidents.

In the past, the legislation had failed a Senate vote, but Senator Mark Leno agreed making amendments such as leaving out electronic tablets and delaying the date kill switches will be mandatory in new phones, from January to July 2015. This resulted to Microsoft and Apple dropping their opposition of the said bill. Moreover, five Democrats changed their votes to back the bill.

Charlie Beck, LAPD Chief, and other law enforcement authorities supported Senate Bill 962 as a means to respond to increasing smartphone theft incidents.

In the past, the legislation had failed a Senate vote, but Senator Mark Leno agreed making amendments such as leaving out electronic tablets and delaying the date kill switches will be mandatory in new phones, from January to July 2015. This resulted to Microsoft and Apple dropping their opposition of the said bill. Moreover, five Democrats changed their votes to back the bill.

Source:

www.techsonia.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 3:04 AM in Apple, California, Charlie Beck, electronic tablets, enator Mark Leno, LAPD Chief, Microsoft, new phones, Senate passes, smartphones sold

Amazon joins Microsoft in opposing FCC’s Internet fast lanes

Internet companies including Amazon.com, Google, Netflix and Microsoft in a letter said they oppose a U.S. regulator’s call for allowing companies to pay for fast lanes on the Internet.

Internet companies including Amazon.com, Google, Netflix and Microsoft in a letter said they oppose a U.S. regulator’s call for allowing companies to pay for fast lanes on the Internet.

The companies said the rules may let phone and cable providers “discriminate both technically and financially against Internet companies” and “impose new tolls on them.”

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler has proposed letting service providers such as AT&T and Comcast negotiate deals with content makers for quicker and more reliable delivery of their video and other fare.

Wheeler has said the idea doesn’t abandon the FCC’s Internet fairness policy, commonly known as “net neutrality.” His proposal is set for an initial vote at the FCC on May 15. “This represents a grave threat to the Internet,” the companies said in the letter addressed to Wheeler and the four other FCC commissioners.

The FCC should protect users and Internet companies against blocking of Web traffic, discrimination and paid prioritization, the companies said.

A court in January threw out FCC rules designed to ensure Web traffic is handled fairly, and the agency is seeking new rules. The vote next week will commence a comment period, and Wheeler has said he wants a final decision this year.

Advocacy groups including Public Knowledge and Free Press that have supported rules to prevent Internet-service providers from unfairly blocking or slowing Web traffic said payment arrangements won’t protect Internet users.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who like Wheeler is part of the agency’s Democratic majority, Wednesday called for a delay of the vote “by at least a month.”

“I have real concerns about FCC Chairman Wheeler’s proposal on network neutrality,” Rosenworcel said. The plan has unleashed “a torrent” of reaction and “rushing headlong into a rule making next week fails to respect the public response,” she said.

Companies signing the letter included Amazon; Netflix, the biggest online-video-subscription service; and Microsoft. Also listed as signing were eBay, the top online marketplace; Yahoo, the largest U.S. Web portal; and the Twitter messaging service.

Source:

seattletimes.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 10:40 PM in Amazon joins, content makers, FCC’s Internet fast, Google, Internet companies, Internet fairness policy, Microsoft, Netflix, technically, Web traffic

TIME FOR AN UPGRADE! MICROSOFT STOPS WINDOWS XP SUPPORT, MAKING THE SYSTEM VULNERABLE TO HACKERS

If you’re still using Windows XP, you’re out in the cold. Microsoft has ceased offering support for the outdated software and, according to Microsoft’s research, Windows XP computers are six times more likely to get infected because there will be no more updates to patch holes in the system that can be exploited by hackers.

Granted the operating system is now 12 years old, but this news is leaving many worried about cyberattacks. Microsoft will no longer provide security updates that patch holes in the software so if hackers find bugs in XP, they will be able to exploit them easily. Many are concerned since Windows XP is still widely used on devices that store sensitive data and by computers controlling municipal lights and water.

What’s even more troubling, an estimated 95 percent of bank ATMs operate on XP. “GE Intelligent Platforms, which sells industrial software, discovered 75 percent of its utility customers still use it. Cybersecurity provider Cylance says one of its clients is a major hospital where XP is still on more than 100,000 devices, including computers that hold patient records,” reports CNNMoney.

And according to Greg Rosenberg, a security engineer at Trustwave, point-of-sale systems at about 30 percent of retail stores. Remember Target’s massive security breach? It could happen again.

Those still using the old system are advised to upgrade. Select an operating system that still receives updates from Microsoft, the best option being Windows 8. Microsoft will reportedly continue to support it until 2023.

Microsoft will be adding Windows 8′s missing start button in the next update. The company is also giving away $100 in credits for new PCs.

XP users are already migrating to newer systems. “From early 2013 to 2014, the share of computers using XP dropped from 35 percent to 14 percent, according to cloud security provider Qualys,” reports CNN. That number is expected to drop to 10 percent by the end of April.

Transportation and health care sectors slashed their Windows XP usage a great deal. The Defense, Labor and Home Security departments have been spending millions to upgrade from XP, found a CNNMoney review.

Experts advise even small business owners to invest in an upgrade. “The majority of folks in these industries aren’t technical. They want to serve food, sell widgets and keep doors open,” said Trustwave director Christopher Pogue. “If there are vulnerabilities identified, there’s going to be no defending against it.”

Source:
madamenoire.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 10:10 AM in 12 years old, CNNMoney, computers, cyberattacks, Microsoft, outdated, PCs, software, Windows 8, Windows XP

Windows XP Support Ends; How to Stay Safe with Unpatched OS

The 13-year old Microsoft operating system has finally been laid to rest by its creator, at least in terms of support.

With Microsoft ending support for the Windows XP, users running devices on the operating system will be vulnerable to tons of malware and all other sorts of cyber attacks. The company has since urged Windows XP users to upgrade from the old OS.PC World notes that Microsoft has been doing so for 7 years, when the company has set the April 8, 2014 out-of-support date.

However, not all users have heeded the advice of Microsoft, compromising their businesses and personal data. Tim Rains of the Microsoft Security Blog has dished a short list of risks for users running the unprotected OS, along with some helpful tips to help contain threats.

According to him, small businesses and consumers should limit the websites that Windows XP-powered devices go to or altogether quit using Windows XP to surf the internet. "Surfing the Internet on Windows XP based systems after April 8th, 2014 will become more risky as new exploits for Windows XP are distributed among attackers via exploit kits," he warns.

Users of Windows XP-run devices are also advised to avoid using the system for sending and receiving email, which is another port of entry for cyber attacks. Using the system for email purposes might put consumers at risk for phishing attacks, malicious emails and IMs, says Rains.

Removable drives such as USBs also put out-of-support Windows XP systems at risk. Malware-infected USB drives might get past firewalls and passwords, eventually compromising the entire system.

Businesses are strongly advised to back-up data from possible ransomware infection, notes Rains. According to him, ransomware is a type of attack wherein small businesses and even consumers lose access to important data or systems. Backing-up data will allow for system restoration and possible recovery.

Rains notes that the suggestions are only for partial risk management and to contain possible damage. He adds that the best option is to migrate to a modern operating system like Windows 7 or Windows 8 that have a decade of evolved security mitigations built in and will be supported after April 8, 2014. 

Source:

www.latinospost.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 2:54 AM in damage, Microsoft, PC World, Rains, Security Blog, Support Ends, Unpatched OS, USBs, Windows 7, Windows XP

A Goodbye to Windows XP

We here at Big Shiny Robot would like to give a warm send off to the little operating system that could, Windows XP. As of today (April 8, 2014) Microsoft has ended support for the operating system that kept on chugging. It was the OS that could because it was beloved, even after some fairly large gripes about the changes to the start menu. XP was a fairly stable after some initial service packs and it quickly became the OS of choice for most of the world. It was also the OS that could because of the miserable adoption rate of Windows Vista and the lukewarm embrace of the Windows 8 operating system by businesses.

Windows XP had an incredibly long life cycle as a supported OS by Microsoft mostly due to businesses unwillingness to let it go. Many legacy applications that worked just fine were slow to upgrade or become certified on the Windows 7 platform. Windows 7 is by and large the de facto operating system for companies but that may change with Windows 8.1 and future updates to Windows 8 planned by Microsoft. Although the start menu became larger and included an unwieldy pin list, consumers eventually came around to the XP GUI changes. Microsoft hoped the same would happen with Windows 8 mostly because their research showed that users rarely used the start button in XP any longer. Even with the enhanced search ability of Windows 7, most users still pinned applications to their task bar or accessed applications from shortcuts on their desktop. Microsoft had hoped that creating application launching tiles with live updated data from the applications themselves would win over consumers, but adoption has been slower than they had wanted.

FOR THE USERS STILL ON XP, THE FUTURE HAS MOVED AT AN INCREASINGLY RAPID RATE

Still, Microsoft extended the support for XP to an incredible twelve and a half years hoping people would make the switch to Windows 8.1. Now Microsoft is allowing businesses to purchase OEM copies of Windows 7 and for manufacturers to sell new PC’s with Windows 7 pre-installed. That meant the old OS that kept on chugging up that hill was meant for retirement on the other side. That means no security updates from Microsoft, and that is a harrowing thought for anyone who supports XP or still owns a machine with XP installed on it. Many companies are refusing to update to a newer OS, even with their operations teams pleading the case for upgrades. According to CRN in the UK, the UK government has paid Microsoft nearly £5.5M to extend their support for Windows XP another year.

Others are left in the dust of the digital age and really, can we feel sorry for them? The average expentency of an OS lifetime is 3 years. Apple has updated their OSX operating sytem with large changes on an average of 18 month cycle. Competitive Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Mint OS have made their update cycle even less. With those influences, Microsoft has said they’re committed to making even more frequent updates to Windows. That could mean big things for the future as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has just announced at the Microsoft Build conference that Windows will be free for devices with screens under nine inches. As Microsoft has tried to take a page from Android in having a unified OS on all devices they’ve also committed themselves to a mobile community used to yearly updates to core operating system services and functionality. For the users still on XP, the future has moved at an increasingly rapid rate to the point that their stubbornness or comfort with their system is simply too old to be safe or efficient in the modern “Internet of Things”.

GOODBYE OLD FRIEND, MOST OF US WILL NOT MISS YOU BUT WE THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT TIMES.

All of that doesn’t matter to those that are happy with their computer and Windows XP. They’re left to wonder if they’ll be able to stay secure or if they’ll be forced to update. In the end, if they do decide to change but only ant to upgrade their operating system. What then are the options for anyone unwilling to toast to Windows XP’s retirement? Users could opt for a distribution of Linux that can run on older hardware. While newer versions of the more popular distributions of Linux have actually struggled to keep pace with the speed of Windows 8.1, many distributions such as Puppy Linux or Ubuntu Lite run great on old hardware. Those Linux distributions are continuously updated with security and feature improvements and they’ll run faster on older hardware than Windows XP could ever hope to have run. Others will think it’s time to jump into a new OS so they may as well try Apple.

The truth to that argument though, is that users who have refused to update are going to have to settle for slower or smaller machines such as a 21.5 inch all in one iMac or the underpowered Macbook Air starting at a thousand dollars. To those users who are on a budget, they’ll find the new Apple OS familiar with features similar to Windows XP but with the benefit of the very useful Dock, Launch Pad, Spotlight and Mission Control. The OS though, is feeling a bit aged and the Mavericks refresh last fall didn’t help that situation at all. Other options for those on a budget may be a tablet or a Chrome Book. Users who are more used to being connected will probably opt for anything other than a Chrome Book despite its enhanced system security features.

With most of the Windows XP issue being an issue for those that aren’t tech savvy, many tech users have friends and family who are still using Windows XP. Those users were comfortable and had moved on from Internet Explorer to Chrome or Firefox so their internet traffic is probably safe, but without security support, will those friends and family soon be calling? Having to throw out a beloved old pair of shoes is tough because they fit just right and have seen you through many miles. The same could be said for Windows XP and peoples attachment to it. Everything has it’s time to go though, and April 8, 2014 was Windows XP’s time. Goodbye old friend, most of us will not miss you but we thank you for all the great times.

Image from blog.backupbob.com

Source:

www.bigshinyrobot.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 12:57 AM in Big Shiny, CRN, Goodbye, Microsoft, Robot, shortcuts, UK, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows XP

Apple planning to make Emoji characters more diverse and other news from March 25, 2014

If you take a look at iOS's built-in Emjoi set, you may have noticed that most of the people depicted are Caucasian. Curious as to why this was the case,MTV's Act blog sent an email to Tim Cook asking if Apple had any plans to diversify its Emoji icon lineup.

A few days later, Apple VP of worldwide corporate communications Katie Cotton responded.

Tim forwarded your email to me. We agree with you. Our emoji characters are based on the Unicode standard, which is necessary for them to be displayed properly across many platforms. There needs to be more diversity in the emoji character set, and we have been working closely with the Unicode Consortium in an effort to update the standard.

This of course wouldn't mark the first time Apple took efforts to make its Emoji set more inclusive. With iOS 6, Apple introduced Emojis featuring same-sex couples.

Lastly, note that Apple is a full member of The Unicode Consortium, along with Adobe, IBM, Google, Microsoft and others.

via AppleInsider

Other news from Tuesday afternoon includes:

• The Wall Street Journal has posted its interview with one of the original iPhone engineers, Greg Christie. The interview, which is behind a pay wall, discusses the development of the phone and Steve Jobs' expectations for it.
• The iTunes Movie Trailers app has been updated, and it allows you to add a movie to a favorites list. This will alert you when the move debuts in theaters or is available for sale in the iTunes Store. The release also integrates Rotten Tomatoes reviews and sharing links via AirDrop.
• 9to5Mac noticed a couple more Apple hires, including Bob Kupbens as the head of Online Retail.
• BlackBerry has filed a lawsuit to prevent one of its executives from leaving after he agrees to become Vice President of Core OS for Apple.

Source:

www.tuaw.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 1:39 AM in Adobe, Apple, Apple planning, AppleInsider, Emoji characters, IBM Google, iOS's, Microsoft, MTV's Act blog, Unicode

Xbox One bundle price drops to $399 on Amazon (update: back to $450)

We're not sure if this is a real price drop or a retailer error, but CheapAssGamer.com points out that the Xbox One is currently available on Amazon for $399 -- the same price as a PlayStation 4, but obviously with the Kinect camera and a game packed-in. The Xbox One Standard Edition (with the Forza Motorsport 5 digital code) is currently listed for $450, but adding the discount code XIAMAZON -- first seen last week as retailers cut prices on theTitanfall bundle to $450 -- takes an additional $50 off of the price. Of course, this means you don't get the console's most anticipated game as a part of the deal, but at this price we doubt many will complain. It's earlier than an anticipated and if it's an error (of course, Amazon is starting a videogame Gold Box deal today...) then we don't know how long it will last, but tell us -- if they're the same price which would you choose, an Xbox One or PS4?

Update: It looks like it was an error, as the bundle's price has jumped back to $499, which comes down to $450 with the discount code. It was good while it lasted, but we guess Microsoft isn't quite ready to make that level of sacrifice to catch the PS4 in sales.

Source:

www.engadget.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 1:24 AM in 5 digital code, Amazon, bundle price drops, CheapAssGamer.com, course, jumped back, Microsoft, PS4, videogame, Xbox One

Microsoft And Nokia Now Expect Their Massive $7.2B Deal To Close In April

Nokia has informed the world this evening that it now expects its behemoth deal with Microsoft to close in April of this year, as opposed to the first calendar quarter of the annum, a timeframe that was reiterated earlier this year.

The deal, worth $7.2 billion, has wound through most of the regulatory bodies of the world that an agreement of its scale must. Microsoft published a blog post on the current situation, claiming to be “nearing the final stages of our global regulatory approval process.” Close, no cigar, and so forth.

What is causing the delay? Here’s Nokia: “[T]he transaction is pending approvals from certain antitrust authorities in Asia which are still conducting their reviews.”

The companies failed to reach the mark in time. This will cause analysts to revamp their models, Microsoft to wait to absorb the division, and force Stephen Elop to wait before assuming his post atop Microsoft’s now larger hardware division. Also, Nokia’s big pay day is now a non-first quarter affair.

A blow for both companies, given that slipping into a new quarter wasn’t in their planning, but here they are. Both firms are still publicly that the deal will close.

My theory that the lingering tax issue regarding Nokia’s failure to secure and appeal in India, which has frozen a factory that is supposed to be part of the asset transfer was shot down by Nokia:

Nokia reiterates that ongoing tax proceedings in India have no bearing on the timing of the closing or the material deal terms of the anticipated transaction between Nokia and Microsoft.

Given that, we should see this beast locked down inside the next 30 days.  

Source:

techcrunch.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 1:39 AM in 30 days, calendar, companies, Deal To Close, factory, Massive $7.2B, Microsoft, Nokia, opposed, transaction

Microsoft shores up Hotmail policies after Windows 8 leaks

Will look in accounts, under some circumstances

WEBMAIL SERVICE PROVIDER Microsoft has attempted to clarify the circumstances in which it will look into a Hotmail account and possibly disclose information about its users.

The firm released information about this because it was revealed earlier that a Microsoft employee leaked its software to someone using a Hotmail account, and that Microsoft found out about this by examining his inbox.

Microsoft explained this will happen in some circumstances, and that is just a fact.

In a blog post on Technet, Microsoft deputy general counsel and VP of legal and corporate affairs John Frank said that privacy is important, until something that could be considered worthy of inspection by a court comes along.

"In this case, we took extraordinary actions based on the specific circumstances. We received information that indicated an employee was providing stolen intellectual property, including code relating to our activation process, to a third party who, in turn, had a history of trafficking for profit in this type of material," said Frank.

"In order to protect our customers and the security and integrity of our products, we conducted an investigation over many months with law enforcement agencies in multiple countries. This included the issuance of a court order for the search of a home relating to evidence of the criminal acts involved. The investigation repeatedly identified clear evidence that the third party involved intended to sell Microsoft IP and had done so in the past."

No court was needed in this case because, he said, "Courts do not, however, issue orders authorising someone to search themselves."

"So even when we believe we have probable cause, there's not an applicable court process for an investigation such as this one relating to the information stored on servers located on our own premises," he added. "As part of the investigation, we undertook a limited review of this third party's Microsoft operated accounts."

Frank implied that all of this is fine and dandy and said that it is written in black and white in Microsoft's terms of service. However, he said that he could see how some people might have concerns about the firm's reach. Because of this Microsoft is making some changes.

The first change looks like no change at all. "We will not conduct a search of customer email and other services unless the circumstances would justify a court order, if one were available," said Frank.

The other points are related to due diligence. Microsoft will stick to standards "applicable to obtaining a court order" and will first carry out an inspection of content with legal, as opposed to investigative, personnel. Investigations will only progress if the legal team decides that there is enough evidence to request a court order.

Investigations will be closely guarded, Microsoft said, and the use of any data retrieved from customers' accounts will be limited to the purposes for which it was plundered.

With a nod to openness, Microsoft said it will publish the details of any of these investigations in its transparency report.

"The privacy of our customers is incredibly important to us," added Frank. "That is why we are building on our current practices and adding to them to further strengthen our processes and increase transparency."

Microsoft told The INQUIRER today in a statement, "We take protection of our intellectual property very seriously, including cooperating with law enforcement agencies who are investigating potential criminal actions by our employees or others." µ

News Source: www.theinquirer.net

Posted by Editorial Team on 6:13 AM in blog post, Courts, email, Hotmail policies, Microsoft, Microsoft IP, Microsoft shores, standards, Technet, Windows 8

Another top executive leaves Xbox

Yet another top executive is leaving the Xbox division. This time it’s Marc Whitten, the chief product officer for Xbox and the architect of Microsoft’s Xbox Live service. He’s leaving for Sonos, a company that specialises in digital home audio systems.

Here’s the official press release from Microsoft:

Following the launch of Xbox One, the most successful launch in Xbox history, and the recent launch of “Titanfall,” the most anticipated game of this generation, the Xbox team is sad to share today that Marc Whitten, Chief Product Officer of Xbox, will be leaving the team to become Chief Product Officer of Sonos.

Marc joined the Xbox team in 2000 and delivered three console generations, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Xbox, along with helping to build Xbox Live and making it one of the world’s top online communities with 48 million members in 41 countries. Xbox One is off to the hottest start in Xbox history, Xbox 360 has sold 80 million consoles and the original Xbox sold 25 million units. Many of you have enjoyed his letters to the community over the years and playing with him on Xbox Live.

“I have had the extreme pleasure over the last 14 years to work on the greatest product with the greatest team and for the greatest community,” said Whitten. “Xbox is so special because of the amazing team I’ve had the opportunity to work with and because our fans are the most incredible fans on the planet. It has been the highlight of my career to work on a product so loved. It’s incredibly tough to leave but I am confident the best days are ahead for Xbox fans, in the capable hands of a very talented team.”

Phil Spencer, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Studios, said “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Marc for more than a decade and he has always led Xbox forward with a focus on our fans and delivering a platform that developers and creators can embrace to deliver incredible entertainment. We wish Marc well, while looking forward to the next chapter of Xbox.”

The remainder of the Xbox leadership team will remain intact and Marc’s team will report to Terry Myerson, executive vice president that oversees the teams building the software platform and experiences for Windows, Windows Phone and Xbox.  “I’m thankful for Marc’s leadership on Xbox and the incredible team he’s helped build,” said Terry Myerson, executive vice president of the operating systems group. “I look forward to working with Yusuf, Phil and the rest of the team to find a great replacement.”

“Marc played a pivotal role in building the Xbox business over the last 14 years and has been a great partner for me personally,” said Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President of Strategy and Marketing, “Marc has built a very strong and passionate team that has delivered innovative technology for game and entertainment fans. Our fans will continue to inspire us to do great work on their behalf.”

You can continue to play with Marc on Xbox Live under the gamertag notwen.

Whitten left his own message to Xbox gamers over at Xbox Wire, the official Xbox news source:

I started at Xbox on April 1, 2000, when the console was just a vision of what gaming could be. Over the last fourteen years, I’ve worked with an amazing team of highly passionate people who are driven to make gaming and entertainment the best experience for our Xbox fans. Since then, we’ve shipped over a hundred million consoles with tens of millions of people on Xbox Live. And, we are just getting started.  There are amazing things on the horizon and I am so excited to see where this talented group of men and women will take Xbox.

One of the best parts of Xbox has been its fans. I want to thank you for making Xbox what it is today and what it will be in the future.

Since the beginning, it’s always been about gamers.  In my heart, I am a gamer and Xbox has been my family. While today I am announcing my departure from Microsoft, I have the utmost confidence in this amazing team and our products.

See you on Xbox.

Marc Whitten
Gamertag – Notwen

Even sifting through all the corporate-speak and back-slapping, it’s not possible to tell why, exactly, Whitten is leaving. Sonos must be offering him a huge financial incentive to make the jump to their company, or (and this I find to be much likelier), there’s something going on over at Microsoft that is motivating his sudden departure.

The software giant has, after all, been undergoing quite a reshuffle of late, including Nokia’s old CEO taking the reins of the devices and studios group, the division responsible for overseeing Microsoft’s hardware and entertainment products.

Whitten’s announcement follows another high-profile departure, that of former Xbox head Don Mattrick, who left for Zynga almost immediately after the Xbox One was unveiled at last year’s E3 expo.

Major Nelson better not be next.

Source: www.htxt.co.za

Posted by Editorial Team on 2:49 AM in Entertainment, gaming, leaves Xbox, Microsoft, Microsoft Studios, specialises, Terry Myerson, Whitten, Xbox gamers, Yusuf Mehdi

Apps push Microsoft to let Office go mobile

It might be one of Microsoft Corp.’s biggest squandered opportunities.

Tired of waiting for Office to be optimized for mobile gadgets, more younger companies are turning to cheaper, simpler and touch-friendly apps that can perform word processing and other tasks in the cloud.

Artivest Holdings Inc., a financial-services startup that sells alternative investment products, uses an app called Quip, which combines word processing and messaging, to handle all but the most-sensitive legal and financial files.

“There are no more Microsoft Word documents being circulated. If someone emails me a Word document, I’ll tell them to put it in Quip,” said David Levine, chief investment officer of the New York-based company.

“If I’m walking to and from home, or going to an appointment, I can review or edit on my iPad. Not being tied to my desk, that’s a big pro,” he said.

The speed with which apps such as Quip have been adopted is forcing Microsoft to intensify its efforts to bring the powerful but aging Office software suite to tablets and smartphones, according to people close to the company.

Microsoft already has a full iPhone and iPad version of Office ready for release, the sources said. The only question is when Chief Executive Satya Nadella, who took over in February, will pull the trigger.

Nadella wants to widen Office’s customer base but has to balance that with the flagship Windows franchise, which benefits greatly from tight integration with Office, especially on desktop computers.

“We have some pretty exciting plans,” said John Case, the top Office marketing executive, without giving details. “Certainly, interest in Office on the iPad is extreme. When they (customers) want to do real work, they are going to want to use Office.”

Investors have urged Microsoft for years to adapt Office, its most-profitable product, for mobile devices from Apple Inc. and Google Inc. rather than shackle it to Windows as PC sales decline.

Activist investment firm ValueAct Capital, whose president, Mason Morfit, sits on Microsoft’s board, has more recently voiced misgivings about Office’s continued absence from mobile devices, sources familiar with the firm said.

According to one analyst estimate, Microsoft is missing out on $2.5 billion a year in revenue by keeping Office off the iPad, which has sold almost 200 million units.

“Office is being disenfranchised on the hottest growth platforms,” Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund wrote in a note to clients. “Maybe it is time to focus on Office independent of Windows.”

News Source: www.dispatch.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 1:10 AM in Activist investment, Apps push, Chief Executive, David Levine, iPad, Mason Morfit, Microsoft, mobile gadgets, Office go mobile, Satya Nadella

Sony Takes Another Dig At Microsoft Policies

I think most of us are familiar with this video, where Sony pokes fun at Microsoft’s original and confusing plans about how to share games on the Xbox One versus the act of simply lending a game to your friend on the PS4 before Microsoft reversed most of their initial Xbox One policies.

Microsoft’s attitude towards indie games has been a point of contention as well. To their credit, many indie game developers have praised their “ID@Xbox” program, which is designed to nurture and build an indie library on Xbox One. There is, however, criticism from some about Microsoft’s policy of “launch parity,” which essentially boils down to that indie developers must launch a game on Xbox One the same day they do other platforms. And Gamespot noticed that Sony apparently couldn’t resist taking a shot at this policy:

Now as noted in the article, a Microsoft representative recently told Edge magazine that they will “work with indie developers on a case-by-case basis” in regards to launch plans. However that statement doesn’t really say that they will reconsider that policy.

The question is why do they need to do that at all? Under this policy, virtually nothing released on the PS4 so far (and it has already had a fairly solid number of indie titles released on it) will never see a release on Xbox One. Granted, indie games aren’t AAA games, but consider the dearth of AAA next-gen titles. Yeah there’s Titanfall for Xbox One gamers and Infamous is just around the corner for PS4 owners, but what about after that? We wait two months for Watch Dogs with nothing to play in-between (and that’s assuming Watch Dogs isn’t a disaster, which I’m not sure it won’t be).

Indie games help fill that void quite nicely. Simply put, to date there is a decent amount of indie games on PS4 and very few on Xbox One. This policy really makes no sense and only serves to punish gamers who are craving content on their new console.

News Source: gamesided.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 11:21 AM in ID@Xbox, Indie Games, Microsoft, Microsoft Policies, Policy, PS4, Sony, Video Games, Xbox One

Microsoft: Titanfall 'will play great on Xbox 360'

Gamers not yet ready to jump into the future of gaming, but still interested in Titanfall can rest easy knowing the game "will play great" on Xbox 360. Of course, this is coming from Xbox Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer

Yusuf Mehdi, and not an actual press event where the game was actually shown for the console.

At last night's Titanfall launch celebration for Xbox One and PC, Mehdi took some time to assure gamers that the Xbox 360 version, developed by Bluepoint Games, will be a "first-class experience" despite the system's dated technology. Given the 70-million-or-so Xbox 360 owners out there, I'd hope it's a good experience.

"I think we struck the right balance — it was Respawn, really, and the developer who struck the balance — which is, it will play great on Xbox 360," Mehdi told Polygon. "Believe me, we are thrilled about it. Xbox 360 is in, obviously, all the markets including the top 13 with Xbox One; we're in 48-plus markets for [Xbox 360]. For many markets, that will be the game. So, we've worked together to have that be a first-class experience."

"At the same time, on Xbox One you can get some of those extra features that set it apart, and there will be people who want to do that, and there will be enough encouragement to go — but it will be a great experience on Xbox 360," Mehdi added.

Titanfall was supposed to release on all three platforms at once, but the Xbox 360 version wasdelayed last month until March 25.

News Source: www.gamezone.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 10:34 AM in 48-plus, 70-million, Gamers, Microsoft, PC, platforms, Strategy Officer, Titanfall, Xbox, Xbox 360, Yusuf Mehdi

Titanfall gives Microsoft and Electronic Arts plenty of sales ammo

The Microsoft-exclusive shooter, created by key developers behind Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, is expected to sell 10 million copies worldwide.

FORTUNE -- Titanfall is one of the most anticipated games of 2014. By the end of 2013, the game already had 200,000 pre-orders. That's good news for publisher Electronic Arts (EA) and startup developer Respawn Entertainment. It's also great news for Microsoft (MSFT), which has the exclusive for this sci-fi first-person shooter that will ship across PC, Xbox One, and Xbox 360.

The majority of those pre-orders (approximately 150,000) were for the Xbox One version of the game, which makes Titanfall a killer app as Microsoft tries to keep up with Sony's (SNE) PlayStation 4 in the next-gen hardware battle.

"To have a huge new franchise like Titanfall developed by a team of the most-respected game developers as an exclusive is huge for Microsoft," said Peter Warman, president of research firm Newzoo. "Gamers are expecting Titanfall to showcase the potential of the Xbox One in terms of graphics and the gameplay experience." Warman adds that Titanfall is integrating with Microsoft hardware as well, with limited-edition branded controllers and a variety of game and hardware bundles.

Michael Pachter, video game analyst at Wedbush Securities, says Electronic Arts is leaving some money on the table with the Microsoft exclusive. He forecasts the game will sell 8 to 10 million units worldwide across Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC. But if the game was released cross-platform on Sony consoles, sales would exceed 12 to 15 million units.

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"The spring launch is smart, since it comes right when there is a lull in big game releases, and it's long enough after GTA V [Grand Theft Auto] and long enough before Activision's (ATVI) Destinyand next Call of Duty," said Pachter. "That should help sales. The gaming press, and to some extent, the gaming community, loves Respawn as they recognize these guys made Call of Duty Modern Warfare."

Although Respawn is technically a startup developer, the team that Vince Zampella and Jason West formed includes key members from their previous studio, Infinity Ward. That studio, which was acquired by Activision in 2002, created the Call of Duty Modern Warfare franchise. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the last game developed under the creative direction of West and Zampella, was the most successful Call of Duty ever, with the highest rating by gamers and sales of over 30 million copies worldwide for Activision.

"True game enthusiasts know who Respawn is, and for more casual gamers Infinity Ward were the good guys in the fight with Activision," said Warman, referring to the multiple lawsuits that were filed between Activision and West and Zampella that were settled out of court. (Activision paid current and former Infinity Ward employees a total of $42 million.) "Having people on board that know how to build a world-leading franchise and maintain gamer loyalty is an enormous asset. Respawn sets trends rather than following them."

Titanfall breaks from tradition in the shooter genre by ditching the single-play campaign mode. It focuses solely on multiplayer gameplay. The game also introduces dynamically different gameplay within its near-future battlefields by allowing players to fight as elite assault pilots on the ground with parkour-style wall running and double jumps. Gamers can also get behind the controls of hulking, heavily armored 24-foot-tall titans and plow their way through war zones as team-based members of either the Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation (IMC) or the Militia. The ability to seamlessly jump in and out of these titans introduces new tactics and strategies to the crowded, but lucrative, shooter genre.

"For us it was about not doing something that was similar to what was done before," said Zampella. "In Titanfall the gameplay is more vertical. The pilots are very agile. They can run on walls. They can jump higher. That's mixed with these Titans, which are an extension of you. It's an exoskeleton style."

MORE: Microsoft and Sony are at each other's throats

Critics who've been able to play the game early through press events and the online beta have loved Titanfall. Over the past year, the game has accumulated accolades from around the world to the tune of more than 80 awards. Pachter said Metacritic scores and strong word of mouth could push his sales estimates even higher for the game.

Warman believes there will be some challenges in getting gamers acclimated to the new gameplay elements and establishing a new franchise. The team-based shooting and robot component could scare away some of the core shooter audience. But on the plus side, the team battle component could draw in some of the over 85 million League of Legends fans that Riot Games has attracted to its free-to-play five-on-five PC game.

With Sony eclipsing the 6-million-unit mark sold worldwide first with its PS4, Titanfall is expected to give Microsoft a much-needed hardware sales boost. Zampella said the Xbox One version of the game has given the developers the ability to expand the world.

"We're putting the single-player experience into the multiplayer," said Zampella. "We have dedicated servers, which is something we didn't have on consoles before. All that AI [artificial intelligence] that you see running around is calculated on the server, so now there's no host advantage. It's a better experience for all the players. And it's a more vivid world to explore."

The Titanfall brand is expanding beyond games with licensing deals like a line of K'NEX Titanfall Building Sets, which will launch this June. Gamers can now purchase licensed electronics like Mad Catz TRITTON gaming headsets, R.A.T mice, S.T.R.I.K.E. keyboards, F.R.E.Q. gaming headsets and G.L.I.D.E. gaming surfaces. And that's just the beginning, as long as the game lives up to the very high expectations.

News Source: tech.fortune.cnn.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 9:49 AM in Activision's, Arts, EA, Electronic, Microsoft, MSFT, PC, Sony's, Titanfall, Xbox

Games with Gold 'fundamentally different to PS Plus', says Xbox exec

Microsoft says service will become 'truer to what consumers expect'

A key Xbox executive has moved to outline the "fundamental" differences between Microsoft's Games with Gold service and Sony's PlayStation Plus offering.

Speaking during a Q&A session following his SXSW panel over the weekend, Microsoft Studios corporate vice president Phil Spencer addressed criticism that Games with Gold titles tend to be much older than PlayStation Plus games.

"One of our issues with Games with Gold - not 'issues,' but differences between the other system we get compared to, is the fact that with Games with Gold, you get to keep that game, regardless of whether you continue to subscribe," he said, according to Polygon.

"And the business around Games with Gold, for us, is just fundamentally different from some of the other programs that are out there, which does put a different financial picture on a - you're going to go buy a game that's brand new, the cost of putting that in, just to be kind of blunt about it."

However, Spencer did say he has been working with the Games with Gold team in a bid to improve the service.

"I have been sitting down, monthly now, with that team - some of the earlier months were already programmed - and playing a more active role in picking franchises that show up in Games with Gold, and I think you'll see at least something that feels, at least, more true to what I think Games with Gold should look like with the constraints that are there.

"For us, in the long run, as an industry, giving away content like that is just ... I think there's some steps and some evolution of what Games with Gold or any of the other systems will go through to their full potential. You have things out there that are kind of bigger subscription services, where I get access to a lot of content. Games with Gold is kind of this step in the middle of, 'I get games, and how do I feel about those games.'"

Announced at E3 2013, Games with Gold gives XBLG subscribers two free games to keep each month, with a new title made available on the 1st and 16th of each month.

While it was originally announced as a limited time campaign, Microsoft said last October that Games with Gold would be an "ongoing benefit"with no end date planned.

In November, the platform holder also revealed plans to launch Games with Gold on Xbox One in 2014.

News Source: www.computerandvideogames.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 2:46 AM in 'fundamentally, Games, Microsoft, picking, picture, platform, Polygon, PS Plus, XBLG, Xbox