Both Sony and Microsoft announced more details about their future consoles at this weeks E3 expo. One aspect which has got people talking is the different approaches that Microsoft and Sony have taken to used games.
With the PS4 title's on disc can be passed to another person, and played on their PS4, as shown in the Sony instructional video below! This video mocks Microsoft's proposed DRM (digital rights management) system which is thought to inhibit sharing of titles, even those purchased on disc...
The Xbox One may allow you to share the game with up to ten family members, reports n4g.com. But details are unclear to say the least. The DRM restrictions on the Xbox One include having to connect your Xbox One to the internet so it can communicate with the Xbox Live servers at least once every 24 hours, otherwise your games will not play! Historically there have been instances where Xbox Live has been down for days.
There are some Xbox 360 games, including Codemasters F1 2012, which separate the multiplayer license from the disc, meaning if the disc is leant or sold that the new owner has to download a licence from Xbox Live in order to play the online multiplayer feature. I'm not a fan of this policy (who would be?) and am not thrilled that Xbox One will be even more restricted.
Does the Xbox One DRM concern you? Will it sway you towards the cheaper and less restricted PS4? And since the Xbox One is not backwards compatible with Xbox 360 then Xbox 360 customers may be tempted to switch to PS4? Feel free to discuss in the comments section below!
Showing posts with label Microsoft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Microsoft. Show all posts
Thursday, 13 June 2013
Saturday, 8 June 2013
Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 - Unboxing
Join me live on YouTube as I unbox the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500, and give you my first impressions.
The mouse features BlueTrack technology so it glows blue from the bottom rather the familiar red. It combines optical and laser technologies. Its a great little mouse, a perfect companion for your laptop.
More information from Microsoft: Click Here
More information from Microsoft: Click Here
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Skype and Windows Messenger
Microsoft's aquisition of Skype in October 2011 meant that Microsoft have been running two services along side each other which largely do the same thing: Skype and Messenger. Looking forward to April 2013 they will be merging these services into one brand, Skype. Skype have become a household name for video calling over the internet in much the same way that people refer to vacuum cleaners as a Hoover.
This was achieved by offering free video calling through an easy to use app which is available on multiple platforms. A Mac user can call a Windows user and then the Windows user can phone another friend who's out and about with their smartphone.
Microsoft are encouraging you to merge your contacts into one Skype service. They are emailing customers with the following:
All of your existing Messenger contacts are in a separate list and you can instant message them from within Skype itself. By linking your Facebook account too you can use Skype to contact Facebook friends using Facebook Messenger. Facebook is also cross-platform so they can be in a web browser on the Facebook website or using the various Facebook Messenger apps for iPhone, Android etc.
This was achieved by offering free video calling through an easy to use app which is available on multiple platforms. A Mac user can call a Windows user and then the Windows user can phone another friend who's out and about with their smartphone.
Microsoft are encouraging you to merge your contacts into one Skype service. They are emailing customers with the following:
Having tried out the merging process I can report that it was surprisingly easy. Just download the latest version of Skype for your operating system. Log in using your Microsoft (MSN) account. Choose 'I already have a Skype account' and sign in with that account. Click 'Merge Accounts' and you are done.
Starting April 8th, we will begin upgrading customers from Messenger to Skype. The process will take a few weeks to complete. April 8th is the first day you may be required to upgrade. This is a bit later than the March 15th date we previously mentioned to some of you as we wanted to give you more time to make the transition.
All of your existing Messenger contacts are in a separate list and you can instant message them from within Skype itself. By linking your Facebook account too you can use Skype to contact Facebook friends using Facebook Messenger. Facebook is also cross-platform so they can be in a web browser on the Facebook website or using the various Facebook Messenger apps for iPhone, Android etc.
With the new version of Skype comes a slightly darker shade of blue for the logo which is simplified to reduce the 3D effect which it previously had. The simple bold logo fits more with Microsofts branding in Windows 8 and it's services such as Outlook.com.
Thursday, 8 November 2012
App of the Day - Xbox SmartGlass
Microsoft are keen to promote the Xbox 360 as a one stop shop device for all your media needs, as well as it's core use as a games console. Over the last year we have seen on demand TV services added, Netflix support and a refreshed Zune store for downloading films to your device. The Xbox 360 interface has recently had a slight refresh, bringing it inline with the Windows 8 Metro menu system. The previous incarnation of the Xbox UI was so similar, they where probably using it as a way of introducing the live tiles interface we see in Windows 8 and Windows Phone. For Microsoft's next trick: Xbox SmartGlass.
Microsoft's new phone/tablet app: Xbox SmartGlass is compatible with almost all devices (Windows 8, Windows Phone, iOS & Android 4+) so what you have you can probably get connected. And theres no real set up to do, as everything is linked to your Microsoft (typically hotmail) account. This app replaces "My Xbox Live" on iOS.
The new apps as the remote control function of the My Xbox Live app, but much improved. No need to tap arrow keys anymore, just swipe left to go left, and tap anyway to press A. This makes using the remote much more intuitive. X, Y & B have all move to the extremities of the screen so you can actually use it whilst looking at the TV, and not your phone/tablet. This is an experience much more like using an Xbox controller, as you don't need to keeping looking down.
Once you have a game or film running on the Xbox the SmartGlass app displays additional information. A synopsis of the movie, or the map when you are playing Forza Horizon. Even an onscreen keyboard for browsing the internet with IE9 for Xbox 360, and especially handing when using your Xbox to update Facebook, send a tweet or chat using Windows Live Messenger.
For more information check out: xbox.com/smartglass
Monday, 5 November 2012
Microsoft Surface Performance
Chris Pirillo over at Lockergnome.com has filmed the key areas of performance on the new Microsoft Surface tablet running Windows RT. Windows RT is a version of Windows 8 which comes preloaded on devices which use ARM processors instead of the Intel-compatible processors found in laptops/desktops and even high end tablets. Windows RT is a slightly less capable OS to balance hardware power with what the software demands.
The Surface is a flagship product from Microsoft as they launch Windows 8. Many users will not read into the variants of Windows 8 vs RT so a laggy UI and any hanging will translate to slow sales for Windows 8 upgrades if Microsoft aren't careful.
The Surface is a flagship product from Microsoft as they launch Windows 8. Many users will not read into the variants of Windows 8 vs RT so a laggy UI and any hanging will translate to slow sales for Windows 8 upgrades if Microsoft aren't careful.
Saturday, 27 October 2012
Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
With the release of Halo 4 only a week away it's time to build the anticipation! Check out these live action Halo videos on YouTube. There are 4 parts and they have been conveniently wrapped into a playlist for you below. You'll need to set aside a bit of time to watch all four parts, to fit in how epic the Halo series is this playlist is over an hour long. Check it out today!
More information about Halo 4 and Forward Unto Dawn: click here.
More information about Halo 4 and Forward Unto Dawn: click here.
Monday, 9 July 2012
on{X}
Microsoft has created an Android app (yeah, an Android app, not Windows Phone 7). This app and the companion website can be used for automation and programming of your Android device. Once you have the app installed and you log into the website, which is achieved using Facebook authentication, you can start to create Rules for your device.
To get you started their are some Recipes for basic Rules which you can apply to your phone. These are logical processes based on input data from the state of your phone/tablet. For example:
To fully use this app to your own design you need to use some code. But if you aren't a coder and don't feel the need to learn there are loads of prebuilt recipes from the community for you to try.
For more details and to start creating your own Rules head to www.onx.ms. If you have any suggestions of rules feel free to leave a comment below or on the Facebook Page.
To get you started their are some Recipes for basic Rules which you can apply to your phone. These are logical processes based on input data from the state of your phone/tablet. For example:
- Text my wife: "I'm on my way" when I leave work.
- Launch the Calendar when I arrive at work.
- Text my wife "my phone's battery is dying" when my phone's battery goes below 15%
To fully use this app to your own design you need to use some code. But if you aren't a coder and don't feel the need to learn there are loads of prebuilt recipes from the community for you to try.
For more details and to start creating your own Rules head to www.onx.ms. If you have any suggestions of rules feel free to leave a comment below or on the Facebook Page.
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Control your Xbox from My Xbox Live App
The My Xbox Live App was reviewed on Web Warp Blog last year, but Microsoft have added a new feature in the current version of the free iOS app - Xbox Control.
Exclusively from the iOS app users can remotely control their Xbox over the internet. In practice this enables you to launch apps such as Netflix or BBC iPlayer from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch and choose to watch a movie/TV programme, without having to use your Xbox controller. When you are in these Xbox Live Applications you can navigate through the on screen menus in the normal fashion because the app displays virtual Xbox controller buttons for you, as shown in the screen capture below.
This is similar to Apple's Remote App for Apple TV but it's missing one vital feature. When you go to search for content on an Apple TV using the the Remote app the iOS on screen keyboard appears for quick and easy searching. Trying a Bing search using the My Xbox Live app and you still have to navigate using the left, right and A buttons. Not really making best use of the iPhone's capabilities, and almost rendering the app little more than just a really neat way to launch a game (assuming the right disk is in the Xbox).
My Xbox Live is now also available for Android devices via Google Play, but doesn't include the ability to control the Xbox remotely - yet.
Exclusively from the iOS app users can remotely control their Xbox over the internet. In practice this enables you to launch apps such as Netflix or BBC iPlayer from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch and choose to watch a movie/TV programme, without having to use your Xbox controller. When you are in these Xbox Live Applications you can navigate through the on screen menus in the normal fashion because the app displays virtual Xbox controller buttons for you, as shown in the screen capture below.
This is similar to Apple's Remote App for Apple TV but it's missing one vital feature. When you go to search for content on an Apple TV using the the Remote app the iOS on screen keyboard appears for quick and easy searching. Trying a Bing search using the My Xbox Live app and you still have to navigate using the left, right and A buttons. Not really making best use of the iPhone's capabilities, and almost rendering the app little more than just a really neat way to launch a game (assuming the right disk is in the Xbox).
My Xbox Live is now also available for Android devices via Google Play, but doesn't include the ability to control the Xbox remotely - yet.
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Friday, 22 June 2012
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft have unveiled their new tablet computer called Surface. This tablet will run the latest version of windows, called Window's 8, which has been optimised to run on tablets as well as desktops and laptops. Windows 8 tablet's will also be manufactured by other companies including Dell.
Keen readers of Web Warp Blog will remember that in 2009 there were two article's featuring Microsoft Surface (click here to remind yourself), but this is a brand new tablet? It seems Microsoft felt that Surface name was not too well known for it's touch computing table's, called Surface, and reused the name. The technology behind the tablet is the same as for a table, just on a smaller scale. The surface table also featured a completely new UI where as the tablet will be running Windows 8.
So whats the spec like? Well at the launch there were no details on pricing, CPU speed etc. all we know is that the largest capacity disk space will be 128 GB solid state. One interesting feature is a cover which contains a keyboard, this should help laptop users adapt to a tablet. They will also come in an array of funky colours too.
For more info see the Microsoft Surface website.
Keen readers of Web Warp Blog will remember that in 2009 there were two article's featuring Microsoft Surface (click here to remind yourself), but this is a brand new tablet? It seems Microsoft felt that Surface name was not too well known for it's touch computing table's, called Surface, and reused the name. The technology behind the tablet is the same as for a table, just on a smaller scale. The surface table also featured a completely new UI where as the tablet will be running Windows 8.
So whats the spec like? Well at the launch there were no details on pricing, CPU speed etc. all we know is that the largest capacity disk space will be 128 GB solid state. One interesting feature is a cover which contains a keyboard, this should help laptop users adapt to a tablet. They will also come in an array of funky colours too.
For more info see the Microsoft Surface website.
Thursday, 3 May 2012
450 New Fonts for Google Docs
Google Doc's is fast becoming the best online word processing service with its continual evolution and improvements. The latest offerings to the Google Doc's user is 60 new templates for documents and a raft of 450 new fonts.
The online web browser began with only small number of standard fonts, which did little to rival the customisation and fonts on desktop applications such as Microsoft Word, Open Office and Apple's Pages. But with latest changes, including Google Drive integration, Google Doc's is in prime position to be a valuable rival to the office staple: the word processor.
Other advantages include the ease of collaboration. Not only can you share access to other Google users, but they can edit the document live, in real time while you are still in the document. No waiting to email each other different versions. The collaboration works great in a team situation too, there is even a text chat box right within the document editing user interface.
All this comes from a website, through your web browser. No cost, no software download, just online collaboration through the browser. It's compatible with almost any computer with an Internet connection too.
Does Microsoft Office Live, the Microsoft online office suite, stand a chance? The advantage is limited to the user familiarity with the desktop application. But they may have shot themselves in the foot because many users still aren't over keen on the ribbon UI.
To try Google Docs head to http://docs.google.com
Let us know what you think of Google Doc's by commenting below!
The online web browser began with only small number of standard fonts, which did little to rival the customisation and fonts on desktop applications such as Microsoft Word, Open Office and Apple's Pages. But with latest changes, including Google Drive integration, Google Doc's is in prime position to be a valuable rival to the office staple: the word processor.
Other advantages include the ease of collaboration. Not only can you share access to other Google users, but they can edit the document live, in real time while you are still in the document. No waiting to email each other different versions. The collaboration works great in a team situation too, there is even a text chat box right within the document editing user interface.
All this comes from a website, through your web browser. No cost, no software download, just online collaboration through the browser. It's compatible with almost any computer with an Internet connection too.
Does Microsoft Office Live, the Microsoft online office suite, stand a chance? The advantage is limited to the user familiarity with the desktop application. But they may have shot themselves in the foot because many users still aren't over keen on the ribbon UI.
To try Google Docs head to http://docs.google.com
Let us know what you think of Google Doc's by commenting below!
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Halo 4 - More News
[UPDATE: Halo 4's release date is 6/11/12]
With Halo 4 still at least 6 months from it's release date of Holiday 2012 you wouldn't expect too much information about the game, but here's a quick round of what we know so far.
Halo 4 will be the first game in a new trilogy, set in the aftermath of Halo 3. It is rumoured to feature a new foe that will justify a new story line. You will be playing as the Master Chief himself and the game will feature that hugely popular multiplayer mode. There will also be a new multiplayer mode called Spartan-Ops, similar to Call of Duty's Spec-Ops, co-operative missions. These will be independent of the campaign story.
Halo 4 sports a new soundtrack composed by Neil Davidge. The games makers, 343 Industries, insist that they will keep Halo 4 true to the Halo series, but make it better in every way. New weapons, re-imagined old weapons and even a new ability, will all make for new and exciting game play for hardcore Halo fans and newbie's alike.
Feel free to comment below, and share your excitment for Halo 4! Web Warp Blog will keep you up to date with all the latest news, you can follow on Twitter, Facebook and Google+, so you never miss a post.
More information on the Halo 4 official site.
Here's the teaser trailer, which was featured on the blog back in June last year.
Video from IGN's Halo 4 YouTube Channel
With Halo 4 still at least 6 months from it's release date of Holiday 2012 you wouldn't expect too much information about the game, but here's a quick round of what we know so far.
Halo 4 will be the first game in a new trilogy, set in the aftermath of Halo 3. It is rumoured to feature a new foe that will justify a new story line. You will be playing as the Master Chief himself and the game will feature that hugely popular multiplayer mode. There will also be a new multiplayer mode called Spartan-Ops, similar to Call of Duty's Spec-Ops, co-operative missions. These will be independent of the campaign story.
Halo 4 sports a new soundtrack composed by Neil Davidge. The games makers, 343 Industries, insist that they will keep Halo 4 true to the Halo series, but make it better in every way. New weapons, re-imagined old weapons and even a new ability, will all make for new and exciting game play for hardcore Halo fans and newbie's alike.
Feel free to comment below, and share your excitment for Halo 4! Web Warp Blog will keep you up to date with all the latest news, you can follow on Twitter, Facebook and Google+, so you never miss a post.
More information on the Halo 4 official site.
Here's the teaser trailer, which was featured on the blog back in June last year.
Video from IGN's Halo 4 YouTube Channel
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Kinect for Windows
Microsoft's Xbox 360 accessory Kinect comes to Windows PC's.
Kinect is an array of sensors which allow you to interact with technology in a completely new and intuitive way. There is no ergonomically designed controller... there is only you! Kinect works by using a variety of cameras, both visual and infrared to detect your position in 3D. The software can identify and track your joints/skeleton to allow for a 'virtual' you to carry out movements in an Xbox 360 game. Kinect is also a microphone and can accept data input as spoken word.
In May 2012 version 1.5 will bring greater power to the Kinect software. This will enable skeletal tracking of seated people and great language support, as reported by Engadget. The update will also include "Kinect Studio" to give developers more tools to develop applications for use with the kinect sensor.
Microsoft have removed the limitation of using the Kinect sensor on an Xbox 360 games console and allowing it's use for Windows PC's. This technology is really powerful when applied to all sorts of applications. Microsoft highlight on their webpage, Kinect for Windows Features, applications such as in stroke patients recovery, interacting with presentations in schools and interacting with computers in "minority report" stlye.
For more information see Microsofts Kinect for Windows page.
Do you use Kinect for Windows? We would love to hear from you about your experiences. Feel free to comment below or contact Web Warp Blog using Facebook or Twitter.
Kinect is an array of sensors which allow you to interact with technology in a completely new and intuitive way. There is no ergonomically designed controller... there is only you! Kinect works by using a variety of cameras, both visual and infrared to detect your position in 3D. The software can identify and track your joints/skeleton to allow for a 'virtual' you to carry out movements in an Xbox 360 game. Kinect is also a microphone and can accept data input as spoken word.
In May 2012 version 1.5 will bring greater power to the Kinect software. This will enable skeletal tracking of seated people and great language support, as reported by Engadget. The update will also include "Kinect Studio" to give developers more tools to develop applications for use with the kinect sensor.
Microsoft have removed the limitation of using the Kinect sensor on an Xbox 360 games console and allowing it's use for Windows PC's. This technology is really powerful when applied to all sorts of applications. Microsoft highlight on their webpage, Kinect for Windows Features, applications such as in stroke patients recovery, interacting with presentations in schools and interacting with computers in "minority report" stlye.
For more information see Microsofts Kinect for Windows page.
Do you use Kinect for Windows? We would love to hear from you about your experiences. Feel free to comment below or contact Web Warp Blog using Facebook or Twitter.
Thursday, 8 December 2011
My Xbox Live App
Microsoft have launched a mobile app as a companion to the latest Xbox live software update which launched yesterday. The new app, called "My Xbox Live", features social contacts, achievements and your avatar. The app is free and available for iOS and Windows Phone 7 users. The app is optimised for the iPad too. Details from Microsoft.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Windows Store Preview
Microsoft have demonstrated their new Windows Store which will be included in Windows 8 Beta which is due for release next February. They claim it will have a greater reach than iOS and Android devices put together. The Windows Store follows features the Metro stlye which is finding it's way into all Microsoft's products. For more information about developing for Microsoft's Windows Store see the below video.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
App of the Day - Bungie Mobile - iOS
Bungie are the video game developers responsible for bringing the epic Halo franchise to the Xbox and Xbox 360. Their latest offering, Halo Reach, is arguably one of the games on the Xbox 360.
Bungie's website Bungie.net offers players a huge amount of extra data about game, all the stats you could ever want to know. Now you can access some of these stats on the go, along with Halo Reach challenges, Bungie news and even a free all star nameplate. Sign in required on Bungie's site, you can use your Xbox live windows live passport for instant access to your stats and player info.This app is free but available for iOS only at the moment. A quick loading, well-made app.
Rating 4/5
Price - Free
Developer - Bungie
Bungie's website Bungie.net offers players a huge amount of extra data about game, all the stats you could ever want to know. Now you can access some of these stats on the go, along with Halo Reach challenges, Bungie news and even a free all star nameplate. Sign in required on Bungie's site, you can use your Xbox live windows live passport for instant access to your stats and player info.This app is free but available for iOS only at the moment. A quick loading, well-made app.
Rating 4/5
Price - Free
Developer - Bungie
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Xbox 360 Facelift
It's a couple of months now since the launch of the new xbox 360 hardware featuring a shiny slimline body and Kinect ready port. Now they have updated the on-screen look too. The new system is a compulsory download from the 1st November 2010 and brings the required settings and compatibility for the new Kinect system which will be in stores before Christmas.
The new look is based on the NXE which replaced the old Dashboard system in November 2008. The xbox website has also undergone a refresh, and is much quicker too. Check it out at www.xbox.com.
Kinect, xbox's controller free gaming experience hits the shops in the USA on 4/11/2010. For more details: Xbox 360 Kinect
The new look is based on the NXE which replaced the old Dashboard system in November 2008. The xbox website has also undergone a refresh, and is much quicker too. Check it out at www.xbox.com.
Kinect, xbox's controller free gaming experience hits the shops in the USA on 4/11/2010. For more details: Xbox 360 Kinect
Monday, 6 September 2010
Microsoft Announce Internet Explorer 9
Microsoft have announced the release date of Internet Explorer 9: 15th September 2010. Internet Explorer 8 continues to hold a large market share of users (who on the whole care little about web browsers and tend to stick to the Windows default) and Microsoft want to build on this with the release of IE9. They claim it will bring a richer and more immersive webbrowsing experience on their countdown page Beauty of the Web. IE9 will include support for HTML 5, although it would appear that Internet Explorer is playing catchup compared to the other major web browsers.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
iPhone running Windows 95
Jailbroken iPhones with access to Cydia can actually install and run Windows 95! This technological feat is shown in many YouTube videos but many of them could be VNC's? This one looks genuine with Windows 95 running in both the iPhone Simulator on a MacBook and an iPhone.
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
NEW XBOX EXPERIENCE
The New Xbox Experience (NXE) has arrived! I've downloaded it through Xbox Live (which was quick and painless) and am immediately impressed. As previewed on the Xbox website the NXE is a slick and stylish update of Xbox 360 user interface (UI). The improved UI features avatars (similar to the Nintendo Wii avatar's) and improved usability. The 'spotlight' channel (that used to be a slow news feed) is fast (if not instant) to load with new and upcoming content. The general Xbox options such as music playing and settings are now much easy to access through the revised Xbox Guide button, which means almost anything can be done in game/in movie/etc. There are several new features that include 'Party' which lets you private chat with up to 7 other Xbox friends at once and the burn disc feature which can speed up loading times and reduce disk noise.
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