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'Gears of War: Ultimate Edition' and 'Killer Instinct' will come to PC
Microsoft hasn't offered a whole lot of affection to PC gamers in recent years, but it's making some reparations for that today: the company's Phil Spencer has revealed at the PC Gaming Show that both Gears of War: Ultimate Edition and the 2013 version of Killer Instinct will come to Windows 10. He didn't have much to say about when these ports will show up, or whether or not they'll have any new tricks up their sleeves. However, Iron Galaxy Studios' Dave Lang has confirmed Spencer's hint that KI will have Fable Legends-style cross-platform play that lets you brawl with your Xbox One-toting friends.
You can now stream Xbox One games to Win 10 PCs
Microsoft announced that, starting today, Xbox One users running Windows 10 and who are members of the preview program will be able to try the company's new Game Streaming feature. It does exactly what it sounds like, allowing users to stream their console games to a remote computer. In fact, the feature actually mirrors the full console so you can also access the home screen and apps however you won't be able to stream movies, music or other protected content. What you will have access to is virtually every Xbox One title -- save for the ones that require a Kinect or other specialized hardware. Check here for everything happening at E3 2015!
Rare's next game is 'Sea of Thieves' for Xbox One and Windows 10
Rare isn't just banking on 30 years of nostalgia; it has a brand-new franchise on the way called Sea of Thieves. Announced today for Xbox One and Windows 10, it's looking like the pirate sim we didn't get from Assassin's Creed. Rare described the game as its most ambitious effort ever, as the player dives in first-person to a shared adventure. As one would expect from Rare, it's all very stylized and cartoony, which you can get a good look at via the trailer (embedded after the break.) There's no word yet on a release date, but we'll be looking for it on the show floor and you can sign up for more updates on the official website.
Oculus teams up with Xbox for game streaming, controller
Gamers picking up the first consumer Oculus Rift virtual reality headset will notice a very familiar controller scheme -- the company just announced it will ship with an Xbox One wireless controller and adapter packed in. Although it doesn't support plugging into game consoles directly, Oculus and Microsoft announced that the headset will support the new Xbox-to-Windows game streaming in a VR environment. Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to include plans for full VR games like the PS4 and Project Morpheus, as what we saw during the presentation amounted to a virtual living room setup watching the game on a big screen.
Skype ditches its Windows 8 app on July 7th (update)
If you need any further proof that Microsoft is backing away from touch-centric interfaces in Windows 10, you just got it. The Skype team has revealed that it's planning to ditch the "modern" Windows (read: Windows 8-only) version of its messaging app on PCs as of July 7th. After that, the next update to the app will kick you over to the desktop release. Skype says that it's "simplifying" its experience around a single program that you can use with both a touchscreen and a mouse and keyboard. That's certainly true, although it's also an acknowledgment that people prefer the desktop app more -- it's easier to navigate without scrolling, and there are more features (such as screen sharing) that might convince you to stay. This shift won't affect Windows RT or the Skype features woven into Windows 10, but there's no doubt that the conventional desktop software is the big star going forward.
Use your Xbox One gamepad wirelessly with your PC this fall
Microsoft didn't have just a 1TB Xbox One in store today. The company has also revealed that a wireless PC adapter for the Xbox One's controller will be available this fall, both by itself ($25) or bundled with a gamepad ($80). The add-on will give you that familiar, console-like input on any Windows 10 device with a spare USB port, including stereo audio and voice chat. That's a while to wait just to get that Xbox One feel on your computer without plugging in a cable. However, the adapter could make all the difference if you're using a laptop or tablet and want to get rid of as many cords as possible.
Catch up on ASUS' busy week at Computex
Computex? More like ASUStex, amirite? Like last year, the Taiwan-based company used the 2015 show as its personal product launchpad, revealing selfie phones, smartwatches, tablets, hybrid laptops, all-in-ones, tiny projectors, 4K monitors and a transforming PC case, for crying out loud. If you're interested in any of those things, but don't fancy a long search, fear not; we've got a gallery of everything Jonney Shih's outfit revealed at the show. The only category where it was outshone was wearables, thanks to a genuinely bizarre product from archrival Acer.
Dell's latest thin-bezel laptop fronts a wave of new Windows 10 devices
After Microsoft recapped all of the major themes from the Build conference at its Computex keynote today, it tried another tactic to promote Windows 10: showing off sexy new devices. Microsoft Corporate Vice President Nick Parker revealed for the first time a 15-inch version of Dell's XPS with its nearly bezel-less screen; an all-in-one from Acer; a convertible Toshiba notebook; and a mysterious HP tablet. Unfortunately, HP whisked away that new tablet before we could take any photos, but it appeared to work with some sort of keyboard cover. Details on practically all of these devices are nil for now, but we've gotten in touch with all of the respective companies for more. (Update: HP isn't even willing to talk about that new tablet yet.) For now, ogle at the pics.
Windows 10 launches on July 29th, here's how to get in line
Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 is coming on July 29th, and you don't even need to get out of your chair to get a spot in the upgrade line. Take a gander at your Notification Area in the Taskbar and you should find a Windows icon that, when clicked, reveals a shiny new Windows 10 upgrade panel. It's currently being rolled out to select users, since plenty of you have emailed in screenshots, but we've yet to see it ourselves. As before, users will have a year to climb onto the Free Windows 10 bandwagon, but once they do, they'll get free security upgrades for the life of the device.
Dolby Digital Plus surround sound plugs into Microsoft's Edge
Windows 10 won't have Media Center included but this week Microsoft revealed that it will have support for surround sound in some new ways, and it could make Netflix streaming even better. Beyond supporting Dolby Digital Plus in the Windows 10 OS -- similar to Windows 8 -- its Edge browser (formerly known as Project Spartan) will be the first one with built-in support for the surround sound audio codec. Microsoft and Dolby are explaining to developers how they can not only create 5.1 audio mixes for content, but also include the code to make it fall back to stereo on other we browsers.
Microsoft unveils Cortana voice assistant for Android and iPhone
Yes, it's official: Microsoft is bringing Windows' Cortana voice assistant to Android and iPhone. Both platforms will get a dedicated app that, much like you see on Windows Phone today, will let you dictate reminders, track flights and otherwise keep your life organized. Cortana's Notebook, which remembers what you like, will also sync across all your platforms. This won't be a one-for-one recreation of what you get right now, though -- since Microsoft can't tap directly into the operating system like it can on Windows devices, you won't get hands-free activation through "hey Cortana" or options to launch apps or settings. Still, it'll be worth seeing what this Halo-inspired helper can do when it reaches Android in late June, and iPhones sometime later this year -- and we'd add that it's not the only treat Microsoft has in store for your smartphone, either.
Windows 10 beta on Xbox One coming 'post-summer'
Want a taste of Windows 10 on your Xbox One? It's coming sooner than you might've thought. Xbox boss Phil Spencer tweeted today that a beta of the program that ties your console in with your desktop computer is coming "post-summer." Exactly what features it'll entail or a concrete timeframe (game streaming from Xbox to desktop, the Xbox Game DVR and Xbox Live) are anyone's guess at this point. That'll almost positively change come next month's Electronics Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, though.
Pirated Windows 10 installations will rock a desktop watermark
You dirty Windows pirates will have to live with a constant reminder of your crimes come Windows 10. Pirated versions of the new operating system will be stuck with a desktop watermark reminding users of their non-genuine status, Microsoft EVP of operating systems Terry Myerson said in a blog post today. The announcement comes after Myerson confused the tech world a few months ago by declaring that pirated versions of Windows could partake in Microsoft's free upgrade offer for Windows 10. It turns out that's not exactly true: The company later said that non-genuine installations would have to go through the Windows Store to upgrade to Windows 10, which was a strong hint that it would make pirates pay. Myerson notes today that Microsoft and its partners will offer "very attractive" genuine upgrade options for pirates.
Candy Crush Saga to jeopardize productivity of Windows 10 users
Know what game's coming to all versions of Windows 10 aside from the usual ones like Solitaire and Minesweeper? Candy Crush. Yes, the same sugar-filled time-sink that's already taken over a lot of people's souls through iOS, Android and Windows Phone. The game's coming later this year, presumably around the same time the new OS arrives. It will even come pre-installed with the platform for anyone who upgrades for a limited time following its launch. According to Microsoft, the game will feature cross-play options for Android and iOS devices, ensuring that you can't escape from its sticky, sweet grasp wherever you go.
Windows 10 phone preview tests out universal Office, Xbox apps
Microsoft's latest preview version of Windows 10 for phones is here and whether you prefer work or play -- or non-Lumia Windows phones -- it has something new to offer. This is the first one ready to test out the new Universal Office apps (Word, Excel, Powerpoint and OneNote) that are built to run across PCs, phones and tablets alike. Control them via touch, pen, keyboard -- whatever you have they're ready to do business. This access arrives because build 10080 is also the first with a beta version of the new Windows Store. It's a universal app too (notice a theme here?) with a new look, but there are some known issues and the old Store app is still there in case you need to fall back on it. Microsoft announced that it would bring carrier billing for all with the new app and while that's still on the way, it's not enabled yet.
Microsoft is reportedly making high-end Windows phones again
One of the biggest gripes among Windows phone devotees is a lack of high-powered devices as of late. How are you supposed to be a hardcore fan when most of the lineup is downright basic? At last, though, Microsoft appears to be catering to that need for speed. Both Unleash the Phones and The Verge understand that the Redmond crew is working on two range-topping Windows 10 phones, nicknamed Cityman and Talkman in a nod to Nokia's early handsets. They'd both be powerhouses with Quad HD screens, 3GB of RAM, 20-megapixel rear cameras, 5-megapixel front shooters and 32GB of expandable storage. It'd really boil down to your preference of screen size. The Talkman would be the mid-size model with a 5.2-inch display and a six-core processor (likely the LG G4's Snapdragon 808), while the Cityman would up the ante with a 5.7-inch screen and an eight-core (possibly Snapdragon 810) chip.
Microsoft: Media Center Edition won't make it into Windows 10
Rumors Microsoft would dump its Media Center feature have plagued the project for years -- in 2007 we worried if it still had a future, after it was largely pushed aside in Windows Vista -- and the company confirmed to ZDNet this week that with the launch of Windows 10, it's actually happening. While Media Center came to Windows 8 as an add-on and unchanged from previous versions, apparently "infinitesimal" usage statistics are the reason Microsoft is finally pulling the plug. Nearly ten years ago, the launch of the Xbox 360 suggested Media Center Edition had a bright future and a place in the living room. While the console went on to sell millions, HTPCs became an ignored and restricted niche for Microsoft, a missed opportunity after its hyped 2004 launch with Bill Gates and Queen Latifah.
Build 2015: With Windows 10, Microsoft is no longer a follower
Referencing former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's infamous "developers!" chant is practically a cliché nowadays, but it felt like the silent refrain throughout the company's entire Build conference this week. In the run-up to Windows 10, Microsoft wants developers. It needs developers. And it will do whatever it takes to get them -- even going so far as to allow devs to recompile their Android and iOS apps without much fuss. None of this seemed possible from Microsoft years ago, when simply owning the dominant desktop platform was enough. But now with mobile devices and the cloud in play, Microsoft needs to evolve. And by doing so, it's also making Windows 10 a far more exciting upgrade than Windows 8 ever hoped to be.
Microsoft snaps up the technology behind the Surface Pro 3's pen
In love with the Surface pen? You're not the only one. Microsoft confirmed on its Surface blog this morning that it acquired the pen-sensing technology that helps power the Surface Pro 3 from the company that created it, Israeli tech outfit N-trig. If you're the type who pays attention to Israeli business newspapers, this whole thing might not come as a shock - Calcalist reported earlier this year that Microsoft was eyeing N-trig for a full-on acquisition that would see the company's 190 employees folded into the Microsoft mothership at some point. That's not the case anymore, though: We've been able to confirm the folks in Redmond just bought the technology, and not the whole company.
Xbox One to Windows 10 streaming feels just like console gaming
With the release of Windows 10, Sony won't be the only company to offer game streaming from its consoles. Today we finally got our hands on Windows 10's Xbox One game streaming feature, which lets you bring your entire Xbox gaming experience to any PC running the new OS. And even in its early state, it looks like it will satisfy even the most demanding gamers. Microsoft made a risky bet by demoing the feature with Sunset Overdrive, a fast-paced game where you'd notice the slightest hint of slowdown. And as you can see in the video below, it's virtually indistinguishable from the native Xbox One experience while running on a Surface Pro 3.
