Categories
Gaming Microsoft

Microsoft Project Natal To Be Called Wave?

A gaming website has claimed information from an “inside source” that Microsoft’s latest addition to its Xbox 360 peripherals – the much anticipated Project Natal would named ‘Wave‘. The source terms the naming to directly take on a similar product from Sony, named Playstation Move.

This is however a rumor and will need to be taken with skepticism. While ‘Wave‘ does fit the product category, we are not sure about the credibility of the source. So, we would tend to keep this low for the moment.

[via Examiner]

Categories
Gaming Microsoft

Microsoft Natal Price And Launch Revealed

Microsoft’s Project Natal – a controller-free peripheral for Xbox 360 that will let users interact with the console without having to use a game controller is now revealed to launch in the US in October at a price of $149.

According to the sources, Natal shall be bundled along with the Xbox 360 Arcade and will retail at a price of $299. The peripheral will also launch outside US, but the price is noted to be determined later based on several factors including exchange rates.

As it should be evident, the marketed name is not going to be Natal though we are still unsure what it is going to be called. It has been earlier revealed that Sony’s  Natal competitor will be called Playstation Move.

[via Edge Online]

Categories
Gadgets Microsoft

New NetFlix Devices With Microsoft PlayReady DRM To Launch Soon

The Netflix online streaming service for Mac and Windows computers makes use of Microsoft’s PlayReady DRM. Now, this DRM may also be employed on a range of new Netflix enabled devices come summer.

In a media release published yesterday, Microsoft has confirmed the signing of an agreement to this effect. The statement notes that this will bring Microsoft PlayReady technology enabled content to “a wide range of new devices — Internet TVs, Blu-ray disc players, home theater systems, video game consoles and other devices“.

The PlayReady DRM technology was introduced by Microsoft in 2007 to enable content access across a wide range of consumer devices. The technology is not accessible via Apple Devices like the iPhone or iPod.

[via CrunchGear]

Categories
Microsoft Mobile

LG Windows 7 Phone With Chassis 2 Form Factor Shows Up

Do you still remember what “series” in Windows Phone 7 series mean? They are three different form factors that Microsoft’s latest mobile OS is programmed to cater to. One of the three form factors, Chassis 2, referred to Palm Treo like phones with real sliding keyboards plus touch.

One such phone, an LG slider has made an appearance out of nowhere. The photo was supposedly leaked by a French Microsoft employee. Tough to argue with that, or the authenticity of the pictures. But nevertheless, take a look.

LG Windows Phone 7 Slider

[via Tracy and Matt]

Categories
Microsoft Mobile

Microsoft Kin May Get Windows Phone 7 OS Soon

After Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 unveiling got rave reviews, the company disappointed its fans by announcing a feature phone instead of a smartphone. However, it now appears that the platform on the Kin phones may ultimately get merged with Windows Phone 7 which will allow users to download apps and play games.

Greg Sullivan, Senior Product Manager at Microsoft has said,

“Over the longer term, we’ll be merging [Kin and Windows Phone 7] platforms and having downloadable apps.”

This was ratified by another email by Microsoft

“Both Kin and Windows Phone 7 share common OS components, software and services. We will seek to align around a single platform for both products as well as consistent hardware specifications, so we can drive our ecosystem at scale and strength across all products.”

Microsoft Kin has a refreshing form factor and a smartphone OS in the device may go a long way in popularizing the device. Now that the reassurance has been given, it will only be a matter of time before we should get to see it in the device.

[via PhoneScoop]

Categories
Gadgets Microsoft

Live TV On Xbox 360 Coming In 2011

A Canadian website is claiming that Xbox 360 could come with live TV capabilities by 2011. According to a “trusted source“, the website notes that the feature could be much bigger than what European users get with Sky TV. Microsoft is claimed to be repositioning the XBox into a digital TV set top box with PVR capabilities supported by a prominent Canadian network carrier.

You may remember rumors from late last month that a live TV channel could be coming to Xbox. The source claims that this is going to be much bigger than just a solitary TV channel. Instead, the source says this will be “like putting Netflix, Zune Marketplace and Sky TV all in one place.

We have our doubts. But let’s pretend to believe it for now.

[via Game Focus]

Categories
Microsoft Web

Microsoft Office 2011 For Mac To Be Closer To Windows Version

In an effort to improve cross-platform compatibility, Microsoft has revealed that its upcoming 2011 version of Microsoft Office for Mac productivity suite will offer greater feature parity with the Windows version.

The new version shall offer improved support for Exchange and Visual Basic Applications. You may recall that support for VBA was dropped in the 2008 version of Mac Office.

The new tool also brings co-authoring tools to the platform. In a press release, Microsoft has said,

“The new co-authoring tools in Office 2011 give you and your teammates the ability to work on a file from Word, PowerPoint or Excel [via the Office Web App version only] from different locations, brainstorm ideas, and stay on the same page regardless of time, geography or platform. Co-authoring improves the processes of working together, removing the pain and frustration of multiple versions, lost edits, or even trying to set a time for the group to meet. With this new feature you can keep track of your team with the Presence Everywhere feature that gives real-time status updates on who is working on the document directly in the application.”

[via Apple Insider]

Categories
Microsoft Mobile

Microsoft Kin Two : Technical Specifications And Price

Starting next week (May 13), users may starting owning Microsoft’s latest piece of hardware – the Kin Two. Here is a complete list of specifications and pricing details. Don’t be surprised if it appears costlier than what you had thought

Complete Tech Specs And Features
Display : 3.4 inch TFT, HVGA (480×320), Capacitive Touchscreen
Dimensions: 4.25” x 2.5” x .75”;
Weight: 4.7 oz.
Battery: 1390 mAh. 232 hours standby.
Internal Memory : Tegra APX2600, 256MB RAM
Storage : 8GB
Connectivity : 3G 1xEVDO Rev. A (800/1900 MHz), Bluetooth (HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Camera : 8.0MP HDR CMOS Anti-shake, Autofocus, LED Flash, HD (720p) Video

Other Features:
QWERTY Keyboard (Horizontal slide)
Zune-powered Music, TV, Movies, Podcast, FM Radio Experience
Over-the-air streaming and download of tracks with Zune Pass (File Formats Supported: mp3, WMA, AAC, WMV, MPEG4, H.264)
Headset: 3.5mm Audio Jack
Exchange Mail and POP3/IMAP Pull
Accelerometer, GPS

Cost : $99.99 after mail-in rebate with 2 year Verizon contract
Monthly pricing : $39.99 for voice and $29.99 for data

[via Ubergizmo]

Categories
Microsoft Mobile

Microsoft Kin One : Technical Specifications And Price

The complete details regarding Microsoft Kin One have finally been announced. As mentioned yesterday, the new handset from Redmond will come with Verizon starting the 13th of this month.

Complete Tech Specs

Display : 2.6” TFT, QVGA (320×240), Capacitive Touchscreen
Dimensions: 3.25” x 2.5” x .75”;
Weight: 3.9 oz.
Battery: 1240 mAh. 210 hours standby
Memory : Tegra APX2600, 256MB RAM
Physical Keyboard: QWERTY Keyboard (Vertical slide)
Connectivity : 3G 1xEVDO Rev. A, Bluetooth (HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Camera : 5.0MP CMOS Anti-shake, Autofocus, LED Flash, Video

Other features:
Zune-powered Music, TV, Movies, Podcast, FM Radio Experience
Over-the-air streaming and download of tracks with Zune Pass (File Formats Supported: mp3, WMA, AAC, WMV, MPEG4, H.264)
3.5mm Audio Jack
Exchange Mail and POP3/IMAP Pull
4GB Storage
Accelerometer, GPS

Price : $49.99 with mail-in rebate and 2 year Verizon contract
Monthly Pricing : $39.99 for voice and $29.99 for data

Categories
Gadgets Sony

Sony atracTable Computer To Take On Microsoft Surface Computer

Sony is learnt to be in the development of a surface computer similar to Microsoft Surface. According to reports on Pocket Lint, the Japanese major has partnered with Swiss company AtracSys in the manufacture of the device.

A Sony spokesperson has confirmed,

“The Swiss Company Atracsys, specialist of Multi-touch interaction and creator of the 60-inch Multi-Touch tangible atracTable in 2008 has just sold its technology to Sony, which is going to indutrialize a 35-inch atracTable in order to compete against the Microsoft Surface”

The device is expected to launch in June of this year.

[via Pocket Lint]