Tag: Microsoft
Friend afflicted with the Red Ring of Death disease? Buy 'em a condolence card on Etsy
Gary has been busy skiving, err, sorry, scouring Etsy for homemade goodies over at Xboxer, and uncovered this condolence card for unfortunate souls plagued with the Red Ring of Death virus. You’d think once the situation got this bad, where people started making bloody cards expressing their sorrow over the 360s breaking down, Microsoft would wake up and realise something might indeed be wrong with the machines they’re shipping.
But noooo. Owners are still reporting their Xbox 360s are facing the same problems since launch, and Microsoft are still taking an age to send the refurbished RRoD machines out in replacement. It…
Microsoft's Steve Ballmer likens relationship with Bill Gates to that of husband and wife. Awww!
Here’s a free tip to Microsoft: hang on to Steve Ballmer for as long as humanely possible, and after then, cyrogenically freeze him for future prosperity. You could not ever hope for as much free PR as he has given you over the years.
The latest reason to adore Microsoft’s Chief Executive comes from an interview he gave the Daily Telegraph, where he gave…
Mac OS X Leopard coming Friday 26th October, 6pm. Read it and weep, Vista lovers
Cutting it a little fine, and in the knowledge that Microsoft worshippers will use the fact that Apple delayed it by four months thanks to iPhone deadlines against it, Apple has finally announced the official date for the launch of…
Google working on mobile phone OS to rival Microsoft
After months of speculation, it seems that we finally know what Google's phone plans are. They won't be making a physical mobile phone, but instead creating a Linux-based operating system and software which could theoretically work on a large number…
Opinion: Does Nokia move pave way for car that drives itself?
I’ve wanted a car that drives itself ever since I first watched Knightrider. What child of the 1980s didn’t grow up hoping that by the time they turned 17 a real-life version of K.I.T.T. would be on the market. Well, this weekend I turn 30 and that hope is still not a reality some 13 years later…
Opinion: Why isn't Apple letting us share music too?
Stuart Dredge writes…
I’m genuinely excited about Microsoft’s plans for the Zune Social community, allowing Zune owners to subscribe to each other’s dynamic playlists, and embed their latest listening in their blog or social networking profile.
It’s certainly more interesting than the Zune-to-Zune Wi-Fi track sharing that debuted in the first Zune, anyway. Zune Social would actually make me buy a Zune, if Microsoft was selling it officially over here in the UK. Note to Bill: sort this out soon, please.
With the caveat that I’m not a Jobs-hating Microsoft fanboy (or, indeed, a Gates-stomping Apple nut), Zune Social has made me wonder why Apple hasn’t done more in the area of music sharing – or at least communities around the music stored in our iPods and iTunes applications.
Microsoft's new Zune models: everything you need to know
It might’ve been the most poorly-kept secret in the consumer tech industry, but that didn’t stop Microsoft from giving its new Zune models the big reveal last night, as well as introducing new features for its Zune Marketplace store and debuting a new online community called Zune Social.
ZuneFest: Zune Social offers new way to share, while Zune Marketplace goes DRM-free
Besides launching new Zune models, Microsoft has also given its Zune Marketplace music store some new features, and introduced a new online community called Zune Social.
The latter is really interesting. It lets people create a ‘Zune Card’ that automatically updates to track what they’re listening to on their Zune – recently played tracks and all-time favourites. The schtick is that other Zune owners can then listen to their friends’ Zune Cards and buy the tracks.
ZuneFest: Microsoft unveils 80GB Zune 2
Also on the menu at Microsoft’s Zune launch today was a new top-end 80GB Zune, with a 3.2-inch screen and sleek black styling. It’s going to cost $249.99 in the US, although sadly there’s still no details on when MS will bring its players to Europe. Bah.
Anyway, the 80GB Zune includes the new Zune Pad touch-sensitive navigation button (NOT a scrollwheel, obviously), and features a revamped user interface and the ability to customise the display with your own wallpaper picture.
ZuneFest: Microsoft 's 4GB/8GB Zune takes on the iPod Nano
Phew, at last some hard fact rather than mere rumour. Microsoft has unveiled various new Zune models and related services / accessories, so I’m going to deal with them one by one. Starting with the new 4GB and 8GB Flash-based Zunes.
They’re available in pink, green, black and red flavours, and will sell for $199.99 in the US. Think of them as a direct rival for the iPod Nano, complete with a whizzy Zune Pad touch-sensitive navigation button.
