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Microsoft redesigned the Xbox store ahead of Series X debut
It'll roll out to all users this fall, but some beta testers can try it this week.
'Halo 3' arrives on PC on July 14th
343 Industries is completing another piece of the 'Master Chief Collection' puzzle.
'Grounded' is an ant-sized survival game set in a suburban backyard
If The Outer Worlds has got you excited to play whatever Obsidian Entertainment's cooking up next, you won't have to wait too much longer. Its first-person survival title, Grounded, will arrive on Xbox Game Preview next spring.
Microsoft is selling Amazon Echo speakers in its stores (updated)
Microsoft's deepening relationship with Amazon's Alexa now extends to its stores. WalkingCat and others have noticed that Microsoft is carrying both the new Echo Dot and the regular Echo in its online and retail stores. The company isn't just supporting Alexa, then -- it's encouraging you to buy into Amazon's ecosystem.
Microsoft opens the door to native ARM apps on Windows 10
ARM-based Windows 10 devices have improved in performance, but the software is another story -- without official tools to write native 64-bit ARM apps, it's been difficult to help these machines reach their potential. That shouldn't be an issue after this week. Microsoft has released Visual Studio 15.9, which gives developers the tools they need to craft native ARM64 apps. They can submit those apps to the Microsoft Store, too, although they can also release ARM apps elsewhere (or bundle them into releases for other chip architectures) if they'd prefer.
Microsoft vows to improve Windows app store with gamers in mind
Many PC gamers shy away from the Microsoft Store (aka Windows Store), and for good reasons: it frequently doesn't support overlays and other commonly used features, and it's buggy compared to a platform like Steam. Thankfully, Microsoft might just feel their pain. In a talk at X018, Xbox lead Phil Spencer said he had "heard the feedback" about the store and vowed to make it "tailored to the gamers that we know want to see the best" from the company. He didn't outline what those changes were, but he promised to take a "bigger leadership role" on the store.
Microsoft Mixer will offer more ways to fund game streamers
Microsoft is making it easier to stream on Mixer for a living. The service has outlined plans for multiple ways to reward streamers, starting with Direct Purchases. If a Mixer Partner is playing a game (including DLC), you can buy that content directly from the stream, which gives them "a percentage" of the game price. The option will initially focus on games in Microsoft's online store, but that's not necessarily a bad thing when it means you can buy an Xbox One title knowing a favorite channel will get a cut. The feature is in testing now but should be available "soon."
iTunes isn't coming to the Windows Store this year after all
iTunes for Windows users are going to be disappointed. Despite the promises of both Apple and Microsoft to bring the popular music and app software to the Microsoft Store this year, it appears as if we'll all have to wait a little longer.
Windows 10's store app may start selling hardware
When Windows 10's app portal was renamed the Microsoft Store not long ago, it led to people scratching their heads: why change the name of a portal that revolves so heavily around apps? Because it might not revolve exclusively around software, apparently. Frequent code diver Walking Cat has discovered a hidden "Shop Surface" section of the Microsoft Store app that, as you might guess, includes Surface PCs and their accessories. You could shop for a Surface Pro without ever firing up a web browser.
Microsoft will open its first UK store in London's Oxford Circus
After years of rumours and speculation, Microsoft might finally be ready to open its first retail store in the UK. Retail Week reports that the company is in advanced talks with The Crown Estate (the commercial business that controls land and holdings belonging to the royal family) to move into 255-259 Regent Street in London's lucrative Oxford Circus shopping district. Update: Microsoft has now confirmed Retail Week's report. Details are scarce, but the company will definitely open its first UK store in Regent Street in the near future.
At last, you can get Microsoft Office from the Windows Store
The excellent Surface Laptop is now available in stores, and Microsoft Office is now in the Windows Store for the first time. This is a necessary step in Microsoft's plan for laptop domination, as the Surface Laptop is the first computer that runs Windows 10S -- a custom version of Windows that can only run and install apps from Microsoft's official software storefront. Of course, Microsoft's web versions of the Office apps are pretty robust at this point (and they'll work with the Surface Laptop), but some users won't be happy without a desktop app for offline access, among other features.
Xbox One is $50 less through Christmas Eve
Microsoft is following Sony's lead and temporarily dropping the price on the Xbox One for the holiday season. Now through Christmas Eve you can save $50 on all One and One S bundles, which could make grabbing another game or a spare controller a little bit easier on the wallet. Hell, even if you aren't looking for a game console specifically, the Xbox One S makes for an incredibly solid UHD Blu-ray player. A post on Xbox Wire says that the deals are available at places like Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Microsoft Stores and Walmart's website, so maybe call ahead before you sally forth debit card in hand.
Microsoft will continue to support Bitcoin in the Windows Store
Over the weekend, people noticed that Microsoft's Windows 10 Store FAQ had been updated, and claimed Bitcoin is no longer a supported payment method. Now, the company tells Softpedia that this update was "inaccurate information" and that users can still use it to add money to their Microsoft account, and then purchase content in the Windows and Xbox stores. All's well that ends well, right?
Microsoft no longer takes Bitcoins in its Windows app store (update)
Microsoft's grand experiment in accepting Bitcoins as payment hasn't panned out, it seems. The company has quietly updated its FAQ to reveal that it no longer accepts the digital currency in the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 devices. You can use an existing balance to buy your apps, but you can't supply more Bitcoins or get a refund. Like it or not, you'll have to use conventional money from now on.
Take a tour of Microsoft's new Fifth Avenue flagship store
Microsoft's first flagship retail store is opening its doors tomorrow in New York City, located on Fifth Avenue and 53rd Street, just a few blocks from Apple's iconic cube store. This isn't your typical Microsoft store: It spans five floors in a grand building, and it'll sport a glass facade that offers a direct view inside. You definitely won't miss it while walking down the street. Upon entering the store, it's not hard to feel a sense of deja vu from Apple's retail style. There's plenty of hardware spread out for you to fondle on fashionable tables, including Surface Pro 4s, Surface Books, new Lumia phones and a slew of other hardware from Windows PC makers. And there are several "Answer Desks" located throughout the store, which will offer assistance with any piece of Windows hardware, no matter where you bought it. Check out our walkthrough after the break.
Microsoft's flagship store in NYC opens October 26th
The Big Apple's very own flagship Microsoft store is opening soon. Today, the Windows maker announced that its massive five-story, 22,269 square foot retail space in the heart of New York City will open October 26th. This new shopping outlet, which has been in development for nearly a year, is located at 677 Fifth Avenue -- a few blocks away from Apple's iconic "Cube" store. In addition to NYC, Microsoft says it'll also be inaugurating another flagship store in Sydney, Australia, but that won't be until November 12th. Of course, if you happen to pay a visit to either, you can expect a grand showcase of all-things-Microsoft, including Windows 10 devices, the Xbox One and whole lot more.
LG's lightweight Gram laptops arrive in the US
LG's laptops are a common sight around the world, but you wouldn't know it in the US when the company hasn't officially brought its portables to the country. Well, that's about to change: the Korean tech giant has announced that it will sell 13- and 14-inch versions of its ultralight Gram laptops in the US through both Amazon and Microsoft Stores. They're still running 5th-generation Core processors, but they're otherwise no slouches -- they earn their name through an extremely light 980g (2.16lbs) body that makes many smaller laptops seem portly by comparison. You'll also get a respectable 1080p display and perks like HDMI video output and a microSD card slot.
VAIO returns: coming to a Microsoft Store near you this October
When Sony announced that it was spinning off its PC business, many mourned the passing of the premium -- but not quite best-selling -- VAIO series. The company was reborn in Japan, focusing on far less PC models (only two at the start), and a Made In Japan ethic that stretched from design to manufacturing. Now the company says it plans to start selling its newest machines outside of its homeland. VAIO's Z Canvas PC will be available both online and some Microsoft stores across the US starting this October. Prices will start at $2,200, depending on specification options. In an interview with the WSJ, the new CEO Yoshimi Ota added that the company plans to sell a slimmer laptop with cellular capability-- a feature that occasionally appears in niche laptop models.
Nokia's stores are turning into Microsoft resellers
It's been a long time coming, but some of the last vestiges of Nokia's phone business are going away. Microsoft has started converting Nokia's stores and service centers into "Microsoft Resellers" (catchy, we know), complete with the colorful branding that you'd expect from a regular Microsoft store. It won't have the sheer variety of hardware, so you shouldn't expect to pick up a laptop while you're getting your phone fixed. However, the transition is still a big deal if you live outside of North America -- this may be the first time you'll visit a Microsoft shop, and your first chance at trying certain devices. As sad as it may be to see Nokia's name disappear from street corners, this is good news if you feel like you've been missing out on Microsoft's latest tech.
Want a free year of Office 365? Bring your iPad to a Microsoft Store
If you're enamored with Office for iPad but don't want to fork over $70-plus per year for the necessary Office 365 subscription, you'll want to make a beeline to your local Microsoft Store this weekend. Microsoft has launched a promo that will offer a free year of Office 365 to the first 50 people who bring an iPad to a given retail location from March 28th through March 30th. You'll undoubtedly have to hustle if you want to take advantage of the deal, but the trek could be worthwhile if you like the idea of giving Office an extra-long trial run.
