Windows 8 is coming and it features more and better Xbox integration than we've yet seen in an operating system from the company -- but it looks like Microsoft has something even bigger up its sleeve. We've just seen a presentation indicating the company will launch something called Smart Glass next week, a so-called "companion application" that will act much like AirPlay for the Xbox 360. Using the app, users will be able to play video and other media on tablets and phones and, more interestingly, push that content right to their consoles for playback on the big(ger) screen. But, it gets better: this app is said to be available for tablets and phones running Windows, Windows Phone, Android and iOS. Yes, it'll be about as multiplatform as it gets, and if this presentation proves to be legitimate, we'll be learning a lot more next week when E3 gets underway.

Microsoft Smart Glass coming at E3, AirPlay-style streaming from iOS, Android and Windows Phone? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Most Xbox 360 bundles focus on shiny colors over extra features. We'll take them any day, but we prefer functional pack-ins like that in the just-unveiled 250GB Racing Bundle. On top of Microsoft's higher-end console, you'll find a copy of Forza Motorsport 4 to build your racing chops and a Wireless Speed Wheel to give a slightly more faithful driving experience. The effect won't match that of a Motion Simulation TL1, but at $299, you'll have money left over to buy a real car when the Xbox bundle arrives in mid-June -- and only a slight premium over the usual 250GB console's $249 price tag.

Xbox 360 250GB Racing Bundle totes Forza and a wheel, driving talent extra originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For all intents and purposes, the original Xbox, with its NVIDIA GPU, 8-10GB hard disk and custom Pentium III processor was a high-end PC for its time -- albeit, one that connected to a television. What Microsoft didn't realize back then, though, was that when you put that kind of hardware in the hands of hackers and enthusiasts, it's only a matter of time before people start doing more than just playing Halo. Fast forward to 2003, the year the Xbox Media Center was born. Nowadays, it's simply referred to as XBMC, since it runs on more than just your Xbox. In brief, XBMC is an open-source software solution that enables a plethora of media streaming capabilities on all sorts of devices. What once was limited to the original Xbox, can now be put to use on everything from a bare-bones Linux desktop to an Apple TV. In this how-to, we'll show you how to build a simple XBMC setup using XBMCbuntu. Catch us after the break for the full step-by-step.

Continue reading How-To: XBMC 11 the XBMCbuntu way

How-To: XBMC 11 the XBMCbuntu way originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Kudo Tsunoda: 'Waiting for the next big thing isn't about waiting for the Kinect 2' originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Students. PCs. Free Xbox 360. The Redmond team's at it yet again. Similar to last year's deal, Microsoft's hooking students up with a 4GB Xbox 360 if they drop some cash on one of its Windows machines. It's simple: shell out over $699 on a PC, or $599 if you're in Canada, and you'll be walking out with a shiny new console free of charge -- naturally, you'll have to do so at participating shops such as Best Buy, Fry's, Newegg, Staples, The Source and, of course, Microsoft's own stores. The promo is set to kick off here in the States on May 20th, while those living in the True North can take advantage of it starting today. And before you ask -- yes, you will need to show your scholar credentials to get in on the bargain.

Microsoft encourages students to buy a PC, gives them a free Xbox 360 in return originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You can never have enough apps, right? With that in mind, Microsoft's rolling out a couple of new applications to Xbox 360s in the US and Canada. For starters, those of you living Stateside will now have access to Manga Entertainment and MUZU.TV (also available in the True North); the first of which allows you to watch free video content from its catalog, while the latter has around 40,000 music videos ready for your viewing pleasure. In addition to the aforementioned apps, the Australia-only FOXTEL application has been updated with support for Redmond's Kinect, allowing Oz folks to control it with hand gestures or by voice. We've already seen the new apps pop up on our Xbox, so you should be seeing them hit your console any time now.

Microsoft rolling out new apps to Xbox 360, including MUZU.TV and Manga in the US originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Feels like it was only yesterday that the MLB.tv app was landing on Xbox consoles in North America, and starting today, the application will be available to more baseball lovers around the globe. As Major Nelson notes (again), the Major League Baseball service is now live in Brazil, France, Germany, India, Italy, South Africa, Spain and the UK, among a few other nations. Naturally, if you're hoping to catch any ball games via MLB's Premium goods, you'll have to shell out a subscription fee along with having a fancy Xbox Live Gold account. In other 360 news, CinemaNow has made the switch from being a locker-only application to now offering TV show and movie rentals to folks in the US. You can check out what other countries made the MLB.tv cut at the Major Nelson site, link is down below.

MLB.tv Premium for Xbox 360 now live in 18 more countries, CinemaNow adds rentals in the US originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Biometrics and laptop security go together like business meetings and boardrooms, but this Microsoft patent hints that gaming could be the next frontier for fingerprint recognition. The claims for "personalization using a hand-pressure signature" detail a product that may look like your standard 360 controller, but it features sensors to detect a user's identity. It seems that, based on each gamer's unique hand pressure patterns, the controller can determine who is holding the device at any given moment and deliver personalized content based on that user's gaming profile. Whatever Microsoft's mystery controller may be, E3 is just a few weeks away, so perhaps we'll learn more then.

Microsoft patent details pressure-sensitive Xbox controller for storing players' profiles originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Whoa, Nelly! As rumored, Microsoft is indeed shattering the home console pricing paradigm by trying something that US wireless carriers have been doing for years. As of now, the official Microsoft Store is hosting up a coupon that'll enable prospective Xbox buyers to snag a 4GB console bundle for just $99 (a $200 savings versus the outright unit)... so long as you agree to pay $14.99 per month for two solid years. That monthly fee -- which amounts to some $360 over the 24 month term -- gets you on the Xbox Live network with a Gold subscription, but remember, Microsoft's maintaining the ability to "terminate this offer at any time." Looking to score one yourself? Hit the source link and visit that "Find a store" icon; hopefully there's a B&M Microsoft Store near your neck of the woods.

Update: In case you're curious, yes, early termination fees will apply if you cut out of your two-year deal early. It's a prorated affair, with users asked to pay less the longer they maintain the contract. Those who part ways after only a month will have to pay $250, while those who cancel with just a month remaining will owe $12. All told, someone buying this and keeping true to the contract terms will pay $459 for the bundle and Live access, whereas those buying outright could snag it for $420 (or less, if scouring the web for cheaper Live subscriptions). The full ETF schedule is shown after the break.

Update II: Joystiq has confirmed that, for now, this is simply a pilot program. These machines will be sold only through the 16 US-based Microsoft Stores, and we can only assume the marketing and finance folks at the company will be watching reception like hawks.

Continue reading Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold subscription required

Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold subscription required originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Similar to last year's airing of Microsoft's E3 keynote, Spike TV's once again offering gamers who won't be making the trip to Los Angeles a quick way to enjoy a little bit of the show. The famed Major Nelson revealed the news that Spike TV will be showing the entire 90-minute Xbox: Entertainment Evolved event live on its network, which takes place on June 4th at 12:30PM Eastern time -- of course, we'll be there covering it. Unlike in 2011, though, now you'll also be able to check out whatever Redmond has in store for us as it airs on TV straight from your console via Xbox Live. Sadly, we know that won't be some new Xbox hardware...

Continue reading Spike TV airing Microsoft's 'Xbox: Entertainment Evolved' from E3, also coming to Xbox Live

Spike TV airing Microsoft's 'Xbox: Entertainment Evolved' from E3, also coming to Xbox Live originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft has long been pushing to get the Xbox 360 into as many living rooms as possible, and it looks like it could now be about to attempt a new tactic to further expand its reach. According to The Verge's sources, the company will launch a new bundle next week that will include both a 4GB Xbox 360 console and a Kinect sensor for just $99 -- the only catch being that you'll also have to sign a two-year contract at a rate of $15 a month. That will give you access to the Xbox Live Gold service, and potentially some additional streaming content, as well as a two-year warranty (there's also naturally an early termination fee for those that break the contract). From the sound of things, though, the new offering could be getting something of a soft launch -- the only outlet mentioned for the bundle so far is the rather limited number of Microsoft Stores in the US.

Microsoft reportedly launching subsidized Xbox 360 bundle next week for $99 with a two-year subscription originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If the Queen's Jubilee and 2012 Olympics pride have overcome your sense of subtlety, Microsoft has a special game console for you. The Celebration Pack Xbox 360 is a plain-jane 4GB Kinect bundle underneath, but it slathers the console, the wireless gamepad and the Kinect sensor in a tattered Union Jack to remind everyone you're not from Canada. Gamers also get copies of Kinect Adventures and Kinect Sports to help them train for the 500-meter relay. Showing your patriotism with an Xbox will cost you £250 ($406) when the console is ready on May 25, while Microsoft will gladly sell you a just-as-British Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 for £30 ($49).

Celebration Pack Xbox 360 drapes itself in Union Jack, sings Rule Britannia originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 17:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Forget everything your mother told you about playing ball in the house, Majesco thinks it's a terrific idea. NBA Baller Beats takes a rhythmic music game-like approach to the game of roundball, incorporating a real live basketball as a controller for the Xbox 360 title, as part of its full-body tracking Kinect action. And in case you're having trouble motivating off the couch, the gamemakers have brought the likes of Kanye, Run DMC, The Gorillaz and Common to help get you to your feet. Just make sure you remove that priceless antique vase from the living room before you do. At present, all we've got is a teaser trailer, which you can check out after the break. More info is coming at E3.

Continue reading NBA Baller Beats for Xbox 360 encourages you to play ball in the house

NBA Baller Beats for Xbox 360 encourages you to play ball in the house originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We are stardust. We are golden. And we've got to get ourselves back to the Xbox. According to some anonymous-type sources over at The Verge, Microsoft is set to continue its shift away from Zuneland into the world of Woodstock -- that's reportedly the codename of a new Spotify-like service set to make its debut at this year's E3. According to the reports, the tiny yellow bird of a service will work across platforms (think Windows 8, iOS, Android and, of course, the Xbox, amongst others), thanks, at least in part, to browser-based functionality. The service is said to be set to launch later in the year, around the same as some key MS operating systems.

Report: Microsoft revealing Xbox 'Woodstock' music service at E3 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Skype recruiting Xbox developers for 'next generation services' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Competitive gamers are always looking for a way to sharpen their edge, but few solutions provide leverage like the N-Control Avenger, a controller attachment known for rigging gamepads with actual levers. This quirky clamshell impressed us last year with its customizable trigger pulleys and finger flickable appendages -- allowing us to command the controller's face buttons without taking our thumbs off of its analog sticks. Today the outfit silently unveiled the Avenger Elite, a familiar looking successor that promises to offer more of the same, albeit better.

Company founder David Kotkin explained that the new unit features higher quality materials, a more sensitive hair-trigger system and a new "spring against spring" button depression to give its button levers some extra oomph. The new unit's arms are also stronger, says Kotkin, and shouldn't have to be adjusted between sessions. The Elite sells for the same steep $50 as the original unit, although N-Control is offering a discount on Ghost Recon: Future Soldier when bundled with the plastic peripheral, $75 nets you both. Kotkin was kind enough to send us a few shots of the unit ahead of its May 5th Update: May 12th launch date, check them out in the gallery below, or click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: N-Control Avenger Elite

Continue reading N-Control's Avenger goes Elite, keeps classic good looks

N-Control's Avenger goes Elite, keeps classic good looks originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 05:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft has announced its earnings for the third quarter of its fiscal year this afternoon, and it's reporting some record numbers that beat expectations: a six percent increase year-over-year to $17.41 billion in revenue and a 12 percent increase to $6.37 billion in operating income. Breaking things down by division, that includes $4.57 billion in revenue from Server & Tools, $5.81 billion from the Business Division (which includes Office), $4.62 billion from Windows and Windows Live, and $707 million from Online Services -- all increases from between four to 14 percent. The one division seeing a big drop is Entertainment & Devices, which dipped a hefty 16 percent year-over-year to $1.62 billion in revenue -- something Microsoft blames on a "soft gaming console market," though it is happy to note that the Xbox 360 remains the top console in the US for the 15th consecutive month. Notably absent is any mention of Windows Phone, though perhaps we'll hear more about it on the company's earnings call in just under an hour.

Update: Microsoft didn't exactly have a ton of new info to share on the Windows Phone front on its earnings call, noting only that it remains pleased with its Nokia partnership and the launch of the Lumia 900 on AT&T, and that it is "working to bring Windows Phone to more people."

Continue reading Microsoft announces Q3 2012 earnings: $17.41 billion in revenue, $6.37 billion income

Microsoft announces Q3 2012 earnings: $17.41 billion in revenue, $6.37 billion income originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sure, we've seen plenty of dancing games harness the Wii and Kinect's unique motion capture systems, but the Wiipop prototype takes things to another level, combining the technology of both with some pro-level dance moves. The game utilizes the Kinect's 3D camera and up to eight body-mounted Wiimotes, letting players improvise freestyle dance moves in a SingStar-like game, matching body pops to beats in a song. The game's not quite ready for primetime, but when it is, Christian "Mio" Loclair sees its potential beyond simple gameplay. The title could, perhaps, be used to help design choreographed productions or to generate and trigger visual effects for live performance. In the meantime, pop and lock into the video after the break.

Continue reading Wiipop incorporates Kinect camera and several Wiimotes into a veritable electric boogaloo

Wiipop incorporates Kinect camera and several Wiimotes into a veritable electric boogaloo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings let loose a mini rant on Facebook Sunday, setting his sites squarely on Comcast and its data accounting practices. Highlighting one of the arguments for net neutrality, Hastings pointed out that viewing streaming videos using the Comcast Xfinity app on his Xbox doesn't count against his monthly cap, but other services do. "If I watch last night's SNL episode on my Xbox through the Hulu app, it eats up about one gigabyte of my cap, but if I watch that same episode through the Xfinity Xbox app, it doesn't use up my cap at all." It's slightly odd that different rules would apply to the same device using the same connection to stream the same content from different sources -- and exactly the sort of preferential and self-promoting behavior that net neutrality advocates are afraid will become the norm in an unregulated market. Of course, Hastings is also irate because his own company would love the same preferential treatment, but hasn't been able to close any deals. For the full rant hit up the source link.

Reed Hastings takes Comcast to task for skirting net neutrality originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Skyrim gets Kinect integration on Xbox, over 200 voice commands in tow (video)

Skyrim gets Kinect integration on Xbox, over 200 voice commands in tow (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Comcast access to the HBO Go app on Xbox 360 is live originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix for Xbox 360 updates with better contrast and episode navigation originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft discounts Xbox Live for Windows Phone games for Easter, offers iOS / Android prices originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sometimes, those Modern Warfare sessions really take their toll. Now, there is a way to measure the emotional rollercoaster you're subjecting yourself to when you login for those regular gaming stints. Dale Lane decided to hook up the webcam above his main TV to grab a shot of his face every 15 seconds. This then wings its way to the Face.com API, which calculates all sorts of information about the image and sends it back to Dale, who uses a Python script to cook it into these graphs. This one measures his early evening session playing Blur on Xbox Live. Yeah, red means angry.

Webcam programmed to capture your face while playing Xbox: gauges your excitement, graphs ennui originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Scientists train Kinect to follow your tongue wagging

Scientists train Kinect to follow your tongue wagging originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft unwittingly created quite the hacking cottage industry when it first introduced Kinect. Though it took awhile for the company to come to grips with the amazing inventions enabled by its sensor bar, Redmond eventually released Kinect for Windows. Now, the Kinect Accelerator program is here to take Kinect development even further. Kinect Accelerator is a three-month long incubator of sorts for folks with Kinect-basted start-ups. It works by providing the chosen ones with mentors from Microsoft Research, Microsoft Studios, Kinect for Windows and the Xbox team to provide support and knowledge to refine and improve their Kinect apps. Additionally, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs will be available to give advice help the teams craft business plans to help them become profitable.

We had the opportunity to chat with Craig Eisler -- who heads up the Kinect for Windows team and is heavily involved with Kinect Accelerator -- about this new venture. Eisler told us that Microsoft's been planning the program since last summer after witnessing all the Kinect innovations that have been percolating organically. So, the Accelerator gives Microsoft the opportunity to find some of the best ideas and speed up their development. Microsoft wound up receiving almost 500 applicants to the program, and winnowing it down to a final 11 was no easy task -- the final 50 ideas were apparently all quite good, and the initial plan was to only take ten into the program.

The 11 who made the cut hail from across the globe (US, Canada, Argentina, France, and Germany), and will receive $20,000 and office space, plus Kinect hardware and development software to get their ideas off the ground. Unfortunately, we couldn't get Eisler to tell us exactly what each team is working on, but he did say they'll benefit the medical, retail, fashion, and even farm industries when all is said and done. Specifics about the inventions will come later, once the mentors have worked their magic and the apps are closer to their final forms, so stay tuned. You can learn more about the Kinect Accelerator and the chosen teams at the source link below and PR after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft kicks off Kinect Accelerator program to take 11 Kinect-centric start-ups to the next level

Microsoft kicks off Kinect Accelerator program to take 11 Kinect-centric start-ups to the next level originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

There's no console to match, but Xbox 360 owners who prefer things a little shinier than your run-of-the-mill controller will soon have a trio of new options to consider courtesy of Microsoft. It's just announced three new Chrome Series special edition controllers that will be available in "mid-May" for $54.99 apiece. Those come in your choice of blue, red or silver, and each feature the so-called "transforming" D-pad along with everything else you'd expect from a wireless Xbox 360 controller. Check out the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Xbox 360 Chrome Series controllers

Microsoft announces special edition Chrome Series Xbox 360 controllers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Xbox 360 apps now live for Comcast Xfinity TV, HBO Go and MLB.tv

Xbox 360 apps now live for Comcast Xfinity TV, HBO Go and MLB.tv originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading MLB.tv lands on Xbox 360, gets cozy alongside ESPN and UFC

MLB.tv lands on Xbox 360, gets cozy alongside ESPN and UFC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Xbox 360 Comcast, HBO and MLB.tv apps arrive today on consoles used more for video than games originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Xbox 360's Comcast Xfinity TV app in beta testing, won't count against data caps when it launches originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Minecraft heads to the Xbox 360 on May 9th, do not adjust your TV sets

Minecraft heads to the Xbox 360 on May 9th, do not adjust your TV sets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Dragon's Lair landing on XBLA with Kinect support, lets you act out your princess-saving fantasies

Dragon's Lair landing on XBLA with Kinect support, lets you act out your princess-saving fantasies originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 22:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft patent application gives us hope for head-mounted successor to Virtual Boy originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft says there will be 'no talk of new Xbox hardware at E3 or anytime soon' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading HBO GO teases vocal controls via Kinect, coming soon to Xbox 360 (video)

HBO GO teases vocal controls via Kinect, coming soon to Xbox 360 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Former Sony exec Phil Harrison takes over for Peter Molyneux at Microsoft (update: confirmed)

Former Sony exec Phil Harrison takes over for Peter Molyneux at Microsoft (update: confirmed) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Vevo app brings ad-supported music videos streaming to the Xbox 360

Vevo app brings ad-supported music videos streaming to the Xbox 360 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading The best Kinect to come: Microsoft's Xbox 360 spring showcase

The best Kinect to come: Microsoft's Xbox 360 spring showcase originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading 'Connect Pritect to Protect Kinect:' for all your tinfoil helmet needs

'Connect Pritect to Protect Kinect:' for all your tinfoil helmet needs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.