Xbox

Microsoft packed the three hours of Wednesday’s Build 2014 event with announcements for Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1 and even the Xbox platform. Although all of Microsoft’s platforms have news of their own, the biggest focus was on the mobile one: Windows Phone 8.1. The software update starts rolling out to consumers in the next Continue Reading →

At its Build 2014 conference on Wednesday, Microsoft announced universal Windows apps, which work across PCs, phones, tablets and even the Xbox One. In other words, the Windows runtime in Windows 8.1 Update 1 will be available to Windows Phone developers. This is a huge announcement for developers looking to build apps on Windows. David Continue Reading →

Microsoft on Tuesday updated its Xbox Video service and Xbox SmartGlass app. At the same time, the company detailed what’s coming in the next Xbox One update, including bringing TV elements to more global markets and a new option for using OneGuide on multiple devices. First up, after you rent or buy a movie, Xbox Continue Reading →

On Monday morning, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella announced that Scott Guthrie is now the executive vice president of its Cloud and Enterprise group, Phil Spencer will run its Xbox work, and that, when the Nokia acquisition closes, former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop will pick up the title of executive vice president of the Devices group. Continue Reading →

Titanfall is great. Like really, really great. It’s the Xbox One’s best game and the most fun I’ve had with any next-gen game. I can’t say whether it’s worth a $450-$500 investment (if you don’t own an Xbox One), but it’s certainly the most convincing argument to jump into the new generation of video game Continue Reading →

In the midst of the deafening buzz for the Oculus Rift, this year’s GDC is loaded with companies hinting at their own virtual reality or augmented reality solutions. Microsoft is not among them, but the company may be working on its own 3D head-mounted display internally, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. Continue Reading →

Microsoft’s launch of the Xbox One has had a rocky start — DRM 180 anyone? — and now Chief Product Officer Marc Whitten is leaving the company. Whitten will become the Chief Product Officer at wireless speaker company Sonos, continuing an executive reshuffling that started with former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and also saw former Continue Reading →

Finally! Friend notifications will be returning to Xbox One as part of its next system update, with new features now being rolled out to participants of Microsoft’s update preview program. Notifications, which pop-up when a friend signs in to Xbox Live and starts a game, was a feature of the Xbox 360 but did not Continue Reading →

Now is the absolute worst time for Xbox Live to be down. Tuesday marked the debut of Titanfall, the game that could make or break the Xbox One game console. It’s a masterpiece of mechanical manslaughter, and Microsoft pulled out all the stops for its release, delivering new system updates, new peripherals and even a Continue Reading →

This is a very big week for the Xbox One. We’re four months into the new console generation, which means two things: It’s too early to tell who’s “winning,” but … … we still have a good idea of what’s going on. I’ve been meaning to re-visit the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 since I Continue Reading →