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Windows 10 is up to 14 million installs already
Microsoft's Yusuf Mehdi is checking in with a Windows 10 status update, revealing that the OS is already on some 14 million devices. He noted that not everyone who reserved an upgrade has gotten it yet, but says the rollout will continue in phases over the next few weeks. While whether or not you can upgrade to Windows 10 may still be in question, we have information to help decide if you should with our FAQ and review. Of course, if you're one of the millions already in the door, you can just let us know how the new experience is working so far.
Xbox One claims the new-gen sales lead for two weeks, time to celebrate
Good news for Xbox One: a combination of lower prices (through a mix of new SKUs, bundles, and "temporary" price cuts), updated software and newly released exclusives like Sunset Overdrive and Halo Master Chief Collection have sales on the upswing. According to VP of Marketing Yusuf Mehdi, based on internal data the Xbox One led "generation 8" sales in the US for the last two weeks, as sales more than tripled once the new $349 price rolled out. Of course, as good as sales seemingly are, Microsoft isn't giving detailed sold-to-customer numbers like the ones we've seen from Sony, only announcing that it will soon hit 10 million Xbox One consoles sold to retailers. For reference, in August Sony claimed it's already put 10 million PS4s in gamer's hands. Ever since the Xbox One was originally announced Microsoft has made a number of changes to its initial approach to win back gamers, but hasn't been able to catch Sony's PS4 yet. So let us know, have you seen enough to consider going Xbox this holiday season?
The Xbox One price drop isn't just to boost sales, says Microsoft
This morning, less than a year after Microsoft unveiled its Xbox One, the game console's price dropped from $500 to $400. How's Microsoft making up for the price difference? By removing Kinect, of course. The camera/microphone peripheral introduced halfway through Xbox 360's life cycle was a standard in every Xbox One sold since launch last November, but no longer. As of this June, a second option will exist on retailer shelves. A less expensive option. And Xbox marketing lead Yusuf Mehdi is all about that option: "We have 80-plus million Xbox 360 users today who want an Xbox One, and many of them tell us, 'For me, it's an affordability issue. I'm gonna get there, it's just a question of time. If you make it more affordable, then I'll upgrade faster.' So this is an opportunity to really make it easier for them to get there at their pace."
Xbox One sales in 2013 top 3 million units across 13 territories
There are approximately 3 million Xbox One owners worldwide as of the end of 2013, according to the latest numbers from Microsoft. That's up another million since mid-December, and accounts for sales in 13 countries. Not too bad, eh? Xbox marketing head Yusuf Mehdi announced the new sales number on Microsoft's Xbox news site, where he wrote, "Since our launch, demand for Xbox One has been strong, selling out throughout the holidays at most retailers worldwide. We are continuing to work hard to deliver additional consoles to retailers as fast as possible."
Xbox One demos distracted driving in Forza 5 with web browsing and live TV (video)
If you can't get enough videos of the Xbox One's fancy new features, Microsoft has another one for you. In the latest footage, Redmond's Yusuf Medhi shows off the next-gen console's multitasking while doing laps around one of Forza Motorsport 5's more dreary tracks. A few quick voice commands is all it takes to bring up Internet Explorer, ESPN and his friends lists' activity feed along the right side of the screen, automatically pausing the game while doing so. It seems to work without skipping a beat, but we're curious to see if it does that in our own living room. Perhaps most importantly, the clip gives us a peek at how badly watching SportsCenter (or other live TV) could affect our virtual driving. If our racing skills are anything like Medhi's, it won't be pretty come November 22nd .
Mattrick's exit from Microsoft reportedly due to impending executive shuffle
So what's next for Microsoft after the sudden departure of former Xbox chief Don Mattrick to lead Zynga? The move is reportedly related to an executive restructuring that will be announced soon, directed by CEO Steve Ballmer as part of a shift in strategy towards devices and services. Bloomberg sources suggest detailed plans of at least one possible version of the future, putting current Windows leader Julie Larson-Green at the head of hardware engineering for the company. That shift would also give Windows Phone corporate VP Terry Myerson more control over the Windows OS across platforms, and Skype president Tony Bates the lead in acquisitions and developer relations. The report claims Mattrick was a contender for the hardware post before he left, while an earlier Fast Company article tied his exit directly to not receiving an expanded role once all the new seats are filled. The Wall Street Journal has its own speculation over who may take over all things Xbox -- Marc Whitten,Yusuf Mehdi and Nancy Whitten are all name dropped -- but if the rumors are true we could find out who is leading this new direction for Microsoft as soon as next week.
