Xbox One anticipated developments from March

A software update that fixes a number of bugs should be deployed on the Xbox One in March. Microsoft's new console could also be offered in white version without Blu-ray.

Released last November and ensuring satisfactory early career with nearly 4 million copies sold at the end of 2013, the new Xbox One from Microsoft  should be improved from March. This would begin with a major software update improves the Dashboard and fixing a number of bugs in the Xbox Live. it also facilitates the use of the social functions of the console.

 

Xbox One white version

In any case the assertion the Verge, which states that also,  Microsoft provides, at the same time, out to employees working on the console a white version of the Xbox One, at the same time it would launch the game Sunset Overdrive. The ability to also launch a cheaper version, free Blu-ray player, would also be considered.

Then, in April, Xbox One would open new markets such as Japan, South Korea, Russia, Argentina and the Scandinavian countries. From October, are China and European countries such as Poland, Hungary, Greece, Portugal and Turkey would be entitled, accompanied including India, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Then in November, we would expect the output of a 1TB of the Xbox One and the made available of public white version of the console.

Microsoft Is Working On ... A Brassiere Connected

Do not laugh: the underwear on which the U.S. firm would work a dimension medical and educational.

After glasses, watches and socks for baby, here brassiere connected. Microsoft researchers presented the progress of their work (PDF document, Ed) during a conference on "affective computing".

Microsoft  brassiere connected

A discipline that aims lde develop systems and devices with the capacity to recognize, synthesize and model human emotions, says Mashable website on 4 December 2013. This smart brassiere is 

supposed to monitor different physical parameters of the user with sensors, to determine his mood. The latter are able to collect heart rate, the conductivity of the skin, well as its movements.

These data are then bred with information provided in advance about when the person behavior has had overnutrition due to stress. when a critical threshold is reached, the undergarment sends a 

signal to the smartphone user to report the risk of over-feeding. (It is mostly women who suffer from emotional bulimia and a brassiere is a good way to measure their heart rate,) says Mary Czerwinski, research director at Microsoft to Discovery News. 

If the tests showed that the brassiere provided 75% of the states of stress, there is still a crucial area for improvement: women participating in the study were indeed remove and reload the brassiere every three to four hours.

Researchers have also attempted to create a similar system in a men's underwear, but this dress is too far from the heart to measure the pace and provide reliable information. «The next challenge, 

they write in the report of experimentation, is to create a comfortable system, whose battery will last longer and will be used by both women and men. »

Remains whether receiving a message alert on a smartphone actually prevent a stressed person to throw on a chocolate bar!

Microsoft confirms the stop of Messenger in March 15, encourages the migration to Skype

March 15 is a date to surround on your calendar if you are one of those who use Windows Live Messenger to communicate with your contacts, Microsoft confirmed coming from total shutdown of services in an email sent to more than 100 million users.

Messenger should as well close its doors on March 15, and on a final basis, and find the cemetery a set of messaging services launched there over 10 years. Microsoft hopes to fully exploit the Skype network that the company purchased in May 2011 for about $ 8.5 billion. Until 15 March, the instant messaging services should be maintained properly, but it is impossible to connect thereafter. despite everything if users have not provided their backs, a message inviting them to switch their accounts to service Skype to join the ranks of the service already widely backbone.

On his side Skype is expected to import contact lists related to Messenger account, permitted by a simple failover Messenger accounts to accounts More generic Microsoft made ​​some time ago already. The meeting of the two communities under a single platform will allow Microsoft to focus more easily on the quality of services and proves logical since much of confessed users use on both networks simultaneously. So now you know what you have to do if you use Messenger without being familiar with Skype so far.

Xbox Live Migration Tool Microsoft confirmed by region

Microsoft will finally allow users to use Xbox Live online service in different areas, meaning for example that a subscriber can connect European American and Japanese service, The migration tool will arrive this month.

For Xbox 360 owners, it is possible to install a single Xbox Live account linked to their territory, which can be quite inconvenient to access certain content such as playable demos available only on service American or Japanese. More problematic, players changing domicile (from Europe to the USA for example), could not change much territory on their behalf. To overcome this concern, Microsoft has developed a manual change region, according to the requests by subscribers XBL. The American publisher has confirmed that automatic solution is about to be deployed.

The site Neowin.net received confirmation from the Redmond, on the introduction of an online tool for transferring Xbox Live account, order to change the territory itself. This account includes the migration Gamertag, Achievements, Microsoft Points, and the Gold subscription period. Some services are not provided used, such as those dedicated to video on demand (VOD) requiring American connection. The migration tool is currently being tested with German user. The early returns are positive, highlighting a simple and efficient handling. Note that the operation can not be performed once every three months. The final version of the solution will be deployed around mid-January 2013.

Windows Blue, the successor of Windows 8 would arrive already middle of 2013

For the future, Microsoft would release a new Windows year inorder to better adapt to the general public. This raises the issue of companies that will not lock onto this pace.

The rumor of a new version of Windows is accurate. In August, we talked about Blue Windows, but very few details on this software then circulated. The subject was revived by our colleague The Verge that, based on "multiple sources" confirmed that Microsoft is working well on a successor to Windows 8, codenamed Windows Blue with a launch date scheduled for middle of 2013 ...! Is only one year after Windows 8.

Windows Blue is an updated form of revolution, Windows Blue is the code name for the next major update that Microsoft could launch in mid-2013. She will launch a major strategic change with the transition to a cycle of annual updates at low cost.

And it will not simply an intermediate version, but a major update, with "changes at the interface and the entire platform." Amazing is not it? Not so much.

Apparently, Microsoft would accelerate the development cycle and to propose, in the future, a new Windows every year, as is the case for operating systems for mobiles and tablets from Apple and Google.

Barely a month after the launch of Windows 8, we already hear about the next major update. It is not surprising to learn that Microsoft is already working on the sequel, The Verge reveals that it is much more than a simple update. It bears the code name "Windows Blue" and should introduce a common approach for Windows Phone and Windows with an annual cycle of updates, as already Apple "Mac OS X" and "iOS", and Google Android.

Pricing review would largely down to promote adoption. According to The Verge, Windows Blue could even be free!

The new Windows will be accompanied by a new development kit and new "apps" will necessarily be compatible Windows Blue, otherwise they will not be accepted in the Windows Store online store.

Very low prices for this update or free

The first "Blue update" for Windows 8 is scheduled for mid-2013, the menu changes to the user interface, maybe scalable tiles on Windows Phone 8 as well as new colors and options customization. To ensure broad adoption of this update, Microsoft has decided to offer a very low price or perhaps free. Once Windows Blue will be released the software development kit (SDK) will also be updated and Microsoft will no longer accept new applications Windows 8, and to push developers to switch without waiting for the new version. To install the update, customers will have an original version of Windows 8. If a pirated copy is detected, the default applications and the Windows Store will cease to function.

To separation pro / general public?

With an annual release versions of Windows, Microsoft tries to stick more to the tastes of the public, always eager for news. In contrast, this new strategy - if true - could pose a problem for businesses, as some think market analysts. In fact, services can not be a deployment of Windows every year. Their migration cycles are at least three years. Moreover, since Microsoft has merged its professional and consumer platforms, companies are always offset consumers.« Windows 8 comes out, but in business, current deployment projects focus on Windows 7,» said Thierry and Petit, Director Dell Europe. How to solve this dilemma? Perhaps separating again the consumer and professional platforms ...

 

Xbox 720, Microsoft signed a bomb up to six times more powerful?

2012 is here, the CES is over, but not missed any information, and this is good beginning on the first IGN by boosting the crazy rumor of xbox 720.

First, the date, rather then a period: October or November 2013! It was around this time that we can find the console in all retail stores. So good that leaves Microsoft almost two years to finalize his console, this is plausible and we at Last-gen one believes them.

Then with regard to the second rumor. The graphics engine of the Xbox 720 would not 2x more powerful than the current version but six times more powerful!! How can it be possible there? Well simply embeds a GPU Radeon HD 6000 series, close to 6670. This graphics card is currently available at around $ 100. In addition to all this power, the graphics card will offer a full 1080p compatibility (hopefully anyway!), 3D support, with the support of Direct X11, but especially the multi screens we already talked about.

This extra size will therefore allow the console to earn a return six times higher than the Xbox 360, but 20% higher than the next Nintendo consolethe, the Wii U.

So as usual we are left to wait for more information from Microsoft at E3 ...

More information on  Xbox 720

Microsoft celebrates death of IE6

 

Microsoft could not be happier to see the back of IE6 Microsoft has celebrated the imminent demise of version 6 of its Internet Explorer browser by baking a cake.

The software giant held the light-hearted celebration as it revealed that the program was used by less than 1% of US internet surfers.

It is keen to kill off the old version of the browser and persuade users to move to IE8 or 9.

Meanwhile rival Google has been forced into an embarrassing climbdown on the promotion of its Chrome browser.

Chrome climbdown

It has downgraded Chrome in its search listings after the discovery that a marketing campaign paid bloggers to promote a video about it.

The search giant has distanced itself from the campaign, blaming third-party marketing firm Essence Digital.

The issue was discovered by Aaron Wall, who wrote in his SEO Book blog, how he found that a search for "This post is sponsored by Google" threw up more than 400 pages written as part of a marketing campaign.

Search expert Danny Sullivan said the revelation was "jaw-dropping".

"Google, the company that has been fighting against paid links and 'thin' content seems to be behind a campaign that's generating both on behalf of its Chrome browser. File this under 'what were they thinking?'" he wrote on his SearchEngine blog.

Google told the BBC that it had never commissioned Essence Digital to approach bloggers and place sponsored links.

In its own statement, Essence Digital said: "Google never approved a sponsored-post campaign. They only agreed to buy online video ads. Google have consistently avoided paid postings to promote their products, because in their view these kind of promotions are not transparent or in the best interests of users.

"We apologise to Google who clearly didn't authorise this."

Celebration

Over at Microsoft headquarters, the mood was more upbeat.

"Time to pop open the champagne because based on the latest data from Net Applications, IE6 usages in the US has now officially dropped below 1%," blogged Roger Capriotti, Microsoft's director of Internet Explorer marketing.

"We hope this means more developers and IT pros can consider IE6 a 'low priority' at this point and stop spending their time having to support such an outdated browser," he added.

In dropping below 1% of usage, the United States joins Austria, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway, which have already seen usage fall to very low levels.

In the UK, IE6 usage remains at about 1.4%, although some countries have far higher usage levels. In China, for example, it remains at about 25%.

Richard Edwards, a principal analyst at research firm Ovum, is unsurprised Microsoft is glad to see the back of IE6.

"I think it was rated one of the worst software products of all time by one tech magazine at the time of its release," he said.

The browser was plagued by security issues which has its own knock-on effect, he thinks.

"In many ways, corporate computer networks have been locked down since partly because of the vulnerabilities found in IE6," said Mr Edwards.

Mobile battleground

Industry watchers have predicted that despite Google's current marketing woes, Chrome could overtake IE as the leading global browser in 2012.

Many had previously said that Mozilla's Firefox would be the most likely candidate to end Microsoft's dominance.

According to data from measurement firm StatCounter, Chrome increased its market share from 15.6% in January 2011 to 27% by the end of the year. At the same time, Microsoft dropped from 46% to 38.6%. Firefox also fell, from 30.6% at the beginning of 2011 to 25.7% by December.

Mr Edwards is more cautious.

"As long as Windows dominates, IE9 will remain the number one browser," he said.

He added that the browser wars were moving to mobile.

"That will be the next battleground. That's where Microsoft has to focus because that is its Achilles heel. Its mobile browser is some way off those for Android and iOS devices," he said.

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Microsoft take UK retailer Comet to task over claims of producing and selling 94,000 bootlegged Windows CDs

UK-based electrical retailer Comet have incurred the wrath of the big ‘M’ over in Redmond, Washington.

Microsoft are presently taking legal action against Comet following allegations of the production and sale of bootlegged copies of both Windows XP and Windows Vista recovery CDs.

Microsoft Corp. today began proceedings against Comet Group PLC for allegedly creating more than 94,000 recovery CDs which were then sold onto customers who had purchased Windows-loaded PCs and laptops in their retail stores.

Microsoft’s David Finn, associate general counsel of Worldwide Anti-Piracy and Anti-Counterfeiting, stated that “Comet’s actions were unfair to customers. We expect better from retailers of Microsoft products — and our customers deserve better, too.”

Comet on the other hand argue that they were doing their customers a service, creating and distributing the disks as in recent years, manufacturers have done away with providing bundled recovery CDs with new computers in favor of creating special partitions on hard drives, so users may create a disk in their own time if they so wish.

Comet’s official statement is as follows: “Comet firmly believes that it acted in the very best interests of its customers. It believes its customers had been adversely affected by the decision to stop supplying recovery disks with each new Microsoft Operating System-based computer. Accordingly, Comet is satisfied that it has a good defense to the claim and will defend its position vigorously.”

The ‘dodgy’ disks were apparently produced at a factory in the English county of Hampshire and then distributed to Comet’s 250 retail stores. The company are currently in the process of changing hands, being sold by French parent retail company Kesa Electricals PLC to London-based investment capital firm OpCapita LLP. As such, a costly legal battle is the last thing the company would want, given their current delicate financial situation.

So who do you think are in the wrong? Comet for producing and profiting from software originally created by Microsoft, or Microsoft for berating a company trying to provide a service that they know many of their consumers will appreciate. Leave us your comments below.

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