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Microsoft’s CES 2012 keynote won’t deliver ’significant news,’ more of ‘a wrap-up’

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:56:00 +0000

After learning of Microsoft's plans to stop holding CES keynotes following the 2012 edition, the immediate attention turned to this: would it use its last opportunity on the main stage to make a lasting impact? Evidently, that answer is "no." We've confirmed with the company that Steve Ballmer will be "focusing quite a bit on Windows Phone and the its Xbox / entertainment story," while also sharing "momentum from across the company for Windows, Office, Bing, etc." Ultimately, we're told that there "won't be significant news, but more of a wrap up of the strong year the company has had in consumer." We've got a call out for further clarifications (as well as questions on whether or not another BUILD, MIX or some other spinoff event will take the theoretical place of CES), and we'll be sure to update as we learn more.

Update: While Microsoft can't confirm specifics, we're getting the impression that the company's partners will be the ones leading and driving announcements in the CES events to come. And while it wouldn't comment specifically on the future of MIX or BUILD, we're told that "it will continue to invest in those kinds of owned venues going forward."

Update 2: The CEA, also known as the entity that puts CES together, has officially responded to the news. It also affirmed that Microsoft will not reserve the massive Central Hall exhibit space that it has used in past years, but it seems pretty unconcerned about the whole ordeal. The full statement is after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft's CES 2012 keynote won't deliver 'significant news,' more of 'a wrap-up'

Microsoft's CES 2012 keynote won't deliver 'significant news,' more of 'a wrap-up' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia rolls out first update for Lumia 800, offers up new features for web-based 3D Maps on the side (video)

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:29:00 +0000

Nokia is pretty busy at the moment. Alongside clandestine events with T-Mobile, the first update for the Lumia 800 has now begun to roll out. As is the case with most WinPho upgrades, you'll have to plug the polycarbonate slab into Zune to pull down several new performance enhancements and features. These will include charging and audio quality improvements, as well as improved display switching in bright light. Don't panic if you're unable to grab the update immediately; the phone manufacturer told us that it will be gradually rolled out across all of the initial launch countries over the next two weeks.

But Nokia didn't stop there -- it has also added more functionality to its impressive -- and free -- web-based maps. Its 3D Maps, available in 25 cities, have been given new navigation functions, sharing and search options. You'll have to install a browser plugin to get your hit of pop-up cartography, but Google Earth addicts should be suitably impressed. Click the source below to judge for yourself, or hold on after the break for a quick intro video.

Continue reading Nokia rolls out first update for Lumia 800, offers up new features for web-based 3D Maps on the side (video)

Nokia rolls out first update for Lumia 800, offers up new features for web-based 3D Maps on the side (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Mashable | Nokia Maps | Email this | Comments

Xbox 360 Dashboard update review (fall 2011)

admin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:01:00 +0000

Kiss that old "New Xbox Experience" goodbye -- the Xbox Dashboard just went full Metro. Microsoft teased the console's latest overhaul back at E3, promising to "change living room entertainment forever." The following months saw leaks, previews and betas, all leading up to today, the eve of the Xbox 360's Fall Dashboard update. Is the new dash the game-changer it hopes to be? Hit the break, and we'll find out together.

Gallery: Xbox Live 2011 Fall Dashboard update

Continue reading Xbox 360 Dashboard update review (fall 2011)

Xbox 360 Dashboard update review (fall 2011) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Developer teases voice control of Zune, using PC and Windows Phone (video)

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:06:00 +0000

The great thinkers of the world have long known a secret that we're now happy to disclose: it's not necessity that's the mother invention, but rather laziness. Fortunately, expending a great deal of effort on a project -- simply to perform a task effortlessly -- sometimes brings very cool results. A concept app known as ZuneVoice easily passes muster in this realm, which is used to control Zune software on the PC with only a standard microphone and spoken commands. As you can see in the demo video, its creator, keyboardp, is able to play individual songs, issue commands such a "pause" or "next song", and even display full-screen music videos from YouTube. The developer even crafted an app for his Lumia 800 known as PhoneZune, which serves as a remote control for times when he's away from the box. Neither application is yet publicly available, though feedback is welcome. Next, we're told to expect Kinect integration. Perhaps one day, these gems will see the light of day.

Continue reading Developer teases voice control of Zune, using PC and Windows Phone (video)

Developer teases voice control of Zune, using PC and Windows Phone (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge, 1800PocketPC | keyboardp | Email this | Comments

Zune Music Pass comes to the Land Down Under, you’ll soon hear the thunder

admin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:19:00 +0000

Yes, we're talking about Australia. Microsoft's Zune Music Pass is now available from coast to coast for 11.99 AUD (about $12.14) per month or 119.90 AUD (about $121.38) for a full year, with 14-day trials available for a cool 0.00 AUD. You'll have access to 11 million tracks from your Windows Phone, desktop Zune client or the web -- with Xbox 360 support on the way. So let the beer flow, but don't chunder.

Zune Music Pass comes to the Land Down Under, you'll soon hear the thunder originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: best streaming music solution?

admin — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:35:00 +0000

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Katie, who is totally down with the stream. The radio stream. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"Rdio, Spotify, Pandora, Rhapsody -- there are way too many streaming music services out there begging for my money. Which is the one I should spring for? I live in the US, but would love for whatever I choose to work when I travel internationally, if that's possible. Trying to keep it up under $10 per month, and looking for a large library and nice mobile compatibility. Thanks!"

So, streamers -- what's your go-to service? Tried a few of 'em? Let us know which you prefer, and why, down in comments below.

Ask Engadget: best streaming music solution? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft’s Andy Lees shows off Titan, Focus S, and Focus Flash

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:03:00 +0000

Straight out of AsiaD, we've got our first look at Mango's next three handsets: the HTC Titan, the Samsung Focus S (pictured above), and the Samsung Focus Flash. Well, not strictly first -- the Focus S has slipped out into the wild before, and we've already clashed with the Titan and the Radar Lees is showing off, but we're still happy to get a proper look at Sammy's new stars. The Focus siblings both outpace their older brother with matching 1.4GHz processors, but split the difference in screen size, with the Focus S brandishing a larger 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, and the Flash stepping down to a 3.7-inch plus-free Super AMOLED. Cameras? They've got 'em, an 8 megapixel peeper clings to the back of the Focus S, while the Flash retains its predecessor's 5 megapixel cam -- both slabs lay a happy claim to front-facing cameras. Further details are scarce -- we know that the Focus S measures in 8.55 millimeters at its thinnest point and promises "4G" speeds when it lands later this year, but when that might actually be is still a mystery. We'll let you know when we hear something. Check out the galleries below for a better look.

Gallery: Samsung Focus S and HTC Radar shown off by Andy Lees

Gallery: Samsung Focus S and Samsung Focus Flash for AT&T

Microsoft's Andy Lees shows off Titan, Focus S, and Focus Flash originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zune is dead, long live Zune

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:01:00 +0000

Like Zune's own Business Development Manager once said, all consumer electronics products have a lifespan, and today the (not so long) lineage of dedicated Zune hardware expires not with a roar, but with a promise to honor its warranties. Tucked away in the inner chambers of the Zune support site lies a page spelling out Microsoft's final words on the device, "Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy," it says, "we will no longer be producing Zune players." The Zune HD is survived by the Zune music service, which will continue to function with straggling standalone media players, as well as the Windows desktop, Windows Phone and Xbox platforms.

Zune is dead, long live Zune originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update video leaks, tours Metro in silence

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 06:58:00 +0000

Last month, we sat down with Microsoft for a quick look at the Xbox's upcoming Dashboard update -- it was sleek, searchable, and extremely camera shy. A quick trip to Europe seems to have cured it of its bashful ways, however, and the budding update can now be seen in a slightly blurry piece of French cinema. This leaked video shows a Dashboard with a smidge more polish than the demo we saw in September, and silently plods on without so much as a bleep or bloop. Our mute host briefly peeks at the Xbox Live Marketplace, casually glances at the Bing search page and scrolls leisurely through the new Dash's very Metro menu. The whole shebang is en français, of course, and the update's snappy voice-control gimmick is sadly absent. Sure, there's not a lot of depth here, but if you want a glimpse of what's coming when the update drops later this Fall, it's definitely worth a look.

[Thanks, John]

Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update video leaks, tours Metro in silence originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 02:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink IGN | ivazquez71 (YouTube) | Email this | Comments

Microsoft announces new $10 Zune Music Pass, expands service to Canada

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:16:00 +0000

It may not enjoy quite the same level of buzz that the likes of Spotify, Rdio and MOG have been basking in lately, but Microsoft's Zune service is still kicking, and the company's now working to make it a bit more appealing and more widely available. For folks in the US, the big change today is a new $10 per month Zune Music Pass, which is identical to the existing $15 service with the notable exception that you no longer get to keep ten free MP3s each month (that $15 option remains available to existing subscribers, though). Elsewhere, Microsoft has also now finally brought the Zune Marketplace and Zune Pass to Canada -- it opens up on October 3rd, with the Zune Pass running the same $10/month (or $100 for a year of service).

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Microsoft announces new $10 Zune Music Pass, expands service to Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Windows Phone Blog, Zune Insider | Email this | Comments