Games

New Angry Birds for Windows Phone Free Until May 15

Sat, 04 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

A classic touch-based game is reissued on Windows Phone with 100 new levels

If you’re the only Windows Phone user on earth who doesn’t have Angry Birds yet, now’s the time to jump: A new version of the original game is available for free until May 15. Actually, you may want to snag this even if you already have Angry Birds, as this version comes with an additional 100 new levels.

Microsoft's Billion-Dollar Businesses, Past and Future

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:36:00 +0000

People like to compare Microsoft and Apple, but the truth is, they couldn't be more different. Microsoft's businesses are more diverse than Apple's and are of course far more business oriented. A quick examination of Microsoft's billion-dollar businesses shows where the company makes all its money today. How that will change in the coming years?

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Here Comes the Next Xbox

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:38:00 +0000

Microsoft on Wednesday confirmed that the next Xbox video game console, codenamed Durango, will be revealed to the public at a special event at its Redmond campus on May 21. That event will kick off a multi-event unveiling which will continue through June, and then the release of the device, which is expected in early November.

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Microsoft Confirms It Will Reveal the Next Xbox on May 21

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:39:00 +0000

Not so much an "I told you so" as it is a nice confirmation

Microsoft confirmed my exclusive report that it will reveal the next Xbox in a special event on May 21. The firm originally intended to reveal this eagerly anticipated device today, on April 24, but pushed back the schedule to better respond to Sony’s recent PlayStation 4 announcement.

Sleeping with the Enemy: Xbox SmartGlass for Kindle Fire HD

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:52:00 +0000

Microsoft pushes its second screen appearance to another non-Microsoft platform

Users of Amazon’s best-selling Kindle Fire HD tablets can now download free versions of Xbox SmartGlass optimized for those devices. The availability of this app follows the release of Xbox SmartGlass apps for Android and iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch).

Roku: 5 Million Devices, and What This Says About the Living Room

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:55:00 +0000

The market for living room technology is surprisingly small

I’ve made the case that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 sales over many years do not constitute a particularly large market, especially when compared to those for PCs, tablets, or smart phones. But this week, Roku announced that it has now sold 5 million of its living room set-top boxes. What does this say about the state of this market?

Xbox v.Next and Always On(line)

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:39:00 +0000

Outrage real and imagined in the wake of an Xbox v.Next revelation

Microsoft has taken the unusual step of apologizing for public statements made by an employee about a feature of the next Xbox, a product that has yet to be announced. But let’s be clear: Microsoft is only apologizing for the way the message—“deal with it”—was delivered. I suspect it won’t be changing how the next Xbox works one bit.

New Games for Windows 8, Including the Harvest

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:50:00 +0000

One of the most important cross-platform titles is finally coming to Windows 8/RT

At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco this week, Microsoft announced a slate of new games arriving on Windows 8/RT immediately and in the near future, including some staples like Bejeweled and a new version of Temple Run. If you’ve been unimpressed by the selection of games on Microsoft’s new mobile platform so far, things are about to get a lot better.

Windows Phone 8 App Pick: Temple Run

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:32:00 +0000

Windows Phone 8 finally gets one of the most addictive mobile games ever made

The first game in my series of Windows Phone 8 app picks, Temple Run is immediately familiar. After all, it was released on the iPhone fully 18 months ago. But don’t let its late arrival on Windows Phone bother you too much: There’s a reason why Temple Run is such a big deal. It’s a great mobile game experience.

Xbox Does Not Infringe on Motorola Patents, ITC Rules

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 13:48:00 +0000

An International Trade Commission judge on Friday issued a preliminary decision in a patent battle involving Motorola Mobility, now part of Google, and Microsoft. According to administrative law judge David P. Shaw, Microsoft’s Xbox video game console does not infringe on a Motorola patent. And he recommends that the ITC dismiss the case.

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