Category: microsoft (Page 6 of 8)

      Bouncing Around the Web

      June 10, 2009 /

      In case you missed it, here’s what’s Bouncing Around the Web:

      Microsoft BingBing has more market share than Yahoo? You have to be freaking kidding me. Yahoo has been around for ages, has name recognition, and what I thought was a strong base of users. Apparently none of that matters when Microsoft starts advertising its new search engine. Do you think the execs at yahoo are kicking themselves for not accepting the $44.6 billion dollar bid back in 2008? You bet your ass they are.

      Via: The Gadget Blog

      VW lovers and mini-van enthusiasts rejoice! The VW Routan is going to come with built in Wi-Fi. With a starting price of $29 per month, I imagine it will be an easy sell. Of course, this is just the start of things to come. Everything is going to be its own Wi-Fi hot spot in the future. But for now, having kids just to buy a Routan will not only keep Brooke Shields happy, but also the gadgeteers in the family.

      Via: ubergizmo

      I don’t even know what to say about the new Reebok Vector O Bat. First, is this thing street legal? Because if you ask any young pitcher what’s missing in baseball, I’m sure his first reaction would be to have the baseball coming even faster at his head when it comes off the bat. My prediction? Pain.

      Via: OhGizmo

      Computers, microsoft, News

      Can Natal Support 5 years of “Maxed Out” Development?

      June 9, 2009 /

      In a recent interview with Official Xbox Magazine, Electronic Arts Senior VP Patrick Soderlund said his company has “maxed out the 360.” As a major developer for the 360 platform, EA hitting the development ceiling could be an issue, particularly considering Microsoft’s 10-year plan for the 360.

      The news isn’t all bad for Microsoft. Soderlund said he’s been very impressed with the 360, but that he would have a headache if he were running Sony. It’s unclear exactly what that means, though he’s probably referring to developer support for both platforms. Plenty of folks have mentioned the ass-chapping support coming from Sony. Soderlund told OXM that EA has yet to max out the PS3.

      If the 360 is already getting maxed by developers, what’s in store for the next 5 years? Obviously we have Natal to look forward to in 2010, but can motion control keep the console alive into 2015? Obviously Natal has the potential to win a non-gaming consumer base, but what about the Halo demographic? What of the competitive gamers? Will they be looking at the same graphics 5 years from now? If so, is that all bad?

      Several genres have relied heavily on graphical improvements to keep people interested (FPS comes immediately to mind). Graphical stasis could give developers a chance to focus more energy on gameplay, which is a great thing for gamers in any genre.

      Gaming, microsoft

      Nintendo Rejected New Technologies From Microsoft And Sony

      June 6, 2009 /

      Satoru Iwata.According to a Financial Times report this week, Nintendo toyed with technologies similar to Project Natal and the Sony wand announced at E3 and rejected them, citing better results from Nintendo’s own accelerometers. Nintendo apparently made experimental games using hardware rigs that were similar to those from Sony and Microsoft.

      Financial Times says this is Nintendo’s way of throwing the gauntlet at the feet of it’s two competitors. I say it’s more like a schoolyard insult from a company that sees its highly successful strategy adapted to fit the more hardcore consoles. Nintendo has sold some 50 million units worldwide, compared to 30 million 360s and just 23 million PS3s. As Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata, says, “Companies whose people said that motion-sensing wouldn’t work are now proposing motion sensors.” Will they be able to top the Wii?

      Despite what FT says, Mr. Iwata seems nervous, and a little confused “Until they say when they’re releasing it, how much it costs and what software it comes with, we won’t know whether that is the route we should have taken.” So Nintendo rejected the technologies because the Wii had a better solution, but it’s still potentially a route Nintendo should have taken? Sounds like Nintendo dumped a hot girl, found out about her incredible new boyfriend and stands waiting for the wedding vows to make an objection.

      Source: Financial Times

      Gaming, microsoft

      Microsoft Confirms Xbox 360’s 10-Year Life Cycle

      June 5, 2009 /

      I’ve had a hunch, ever since Sony announced the 10-year life cycle for the PS3, that the Xbox 360 would take the same route. After all, who wants to launch a console months or years in front of a competitor, giving them plenty of time to get their hands on your stuff and gain some serious advantage.

      While talking to Venturebeat, Microsoft VP in charge of strategy and business for interactive entertainment, Shane Kim, has confirmed the 10-year plan as official policy. This is no surprise whatsoever coming on the heels of the Project Natal announcement, but it’s nice to hear you won’t have to give up on the big investment you’ve likely already made into your console.

      Kim also took to the interview like a victor in battle, claiming Microsoft “won” E3 with their keynote address. “We had a lot of content for a normal E3 briefing. But Project Natal doesn’t come along every year, and it is very difficult to match,” Kim said. True, and with Sony’s new wand device, Microsoft is sitting just where Nintendo was before E3, the the pioneer trying to get more people playing games, instead of getting gamers to play more games.

      Kim said Natal is a mid-cycle release for the 360, so we’ll have at least another 5 years to see how Sony and Nintendo plan to answer.

      Source: Venturebeat

      Gaming, microsoft

      Sony Says You Still Need Buttons

      June 3, 2009 /

      The Sony Wand.Hot on the heels of Microsoft’s Project Natal announcement, Sony entered the motion capture battle with their very own…Wiimote? In fact, yes, and from the looks of their demonstration, it’s a pretty slick little device.

      The presentation wasn’t groundbreaking, and reused a lot of the “motion is the future of gaming” hype, but Sony did highlight the main difference between their wand and Project Natal: buttons. In a shot across Microsoft’s prow, Sony said, “buttons are needed for some experiences.” They followed up by showing off the motion capture games we all expect: tennis, swordplay, baseball, and painting. Control looked pretty solid, and offers some benefits (like the ability to grab) over Natal (along with the aforementioned buttons), like the ability to control your game when you’re outside Natal’s viewing area.

      According to CEO Jack Tretton, Sony’s version of the Wiimote, which seems to still be nameless, will be available in Spring of 2010. I’m surprised it’s so late. Though the tech seemed solid, and the level of control impressive, releasing it so late gives plenty of time for people to get entrenched with a Wii Motion Plus. And though it is hard to imagine a game without buttons, it was also hard to imagine a game without analog sticks, or a traditional two hand controller, and look at the device Sony’s announcing – a deviation from those conventional forms of control.

      Can Sony win the future of motion control, or will they just be a Wii with excellent graphics?

      Image: Electronista

      Gaming, microsoft

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