4w ago - Today Microsoft spokesman Major Nelson has confirmed plans to officially reveal the next-generation XBox video gaming console at an event to be hosted on May 21st, 2013.

Below are the details, to quote: On Tuesday May 21st, we’ll mark the beginning of a new generation of games, TV and entertainment. On that day, we’ll be holding a special press event on the Xbox campus and we invite you to join us via the live global stream that will be available on Xbox LIVE and Xbox.com. If you are in the US or Canada, you can also watch the broadcast on Spike TV.

On that day, we’ll share our vision for Xbox, and give you a real taste of the future. Then, 19-days later at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, we’ll continue the conversation and showcase our full lineup of blockbuster games.

We are thrilled to pull back the curtain and reveal what we’ve been working on.

A New Generation Revealed
Xbox Campus, Redmond WA
Tuesday, May 21st at 1p ET/10a PT/17:00 GMT (timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=%23XboxReveal&iso=20130521T10&p1=234&ah=1)

Follow me on Twitter where I’ll share updates leading up to the event.

Update: According to Paul...

103w ago - Today Microsoft has unveiled the upcoming Windows 8 Operating System at the D9 conference where a preview of the new OS was demonstrated.

The UI has changed considerably now being similar to Windows Phone 7's Metro UI, and those interested can check out the video below alongside the official Microsoft press release.

Press Release: REDMOND, Wash. - June 1, 2011 - Today, at the D9 Conference, we demonstrated the next generation of Windows, internally code-named "Windows 8," for the first time. Windows 8 is a reimagining of Windows, from the chip to the interface. A Windows 8-based PC is really a new kind of device, one that scales from touch-only small screens through to large screens, with or without a keyboard and mouse.





The demo showed some of the ways we've reimagined the interface for a new generation of touch-centric hardware. Fast, fluid and dynamic, the experience has been transformed while keeping the power, flexibility and connectivity of Windows intact.

Here are a few aspects of the new interface we showed today:

• Fast launching of apps from a tile-based Start screen,...

113w ago - Today Shantanu Goel has shared a video and details on how to get Microsoft Kinect working with the PS3 alongside the Kinect-PS3 source code for other PlayStation 3 developers to examine.

Download: Kinect-PS3 Source Code GIT

To quote: This post describes my first attempt at making Kinect work with a PS3. Microsoft’s new XBOX 360 accessory, kinect has made a powerful entry into the market, becoming the fastest selling gadget of all time. Looks like their “You are the controller” tagline is working. Of course, Sony’s “similar” accessory Move is selling well too but is far behind kinect adoption probably because nothing beats the lure of making something work with just “The Force”

Now, of course, kinect doesn’t work with PS3 obviously but then if we can’t break the rules, we can at least bend them a little towards our way. I’ve created a mashup that allows you to use kinect as an input controller for the PS3.

Please note that this is pre-alpha quality software currently. I haven’t updated to a lot of recent code for the below libraries and also haven’t done most of the performance/feature improvements yet. The axis performance specially needs...

148w ago - Today Microsoft has officially announced the Kinect pricing, which comes bundled with Kinect Adventures, alongside the Xbox 360 Slim Arcade console.

Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg has confirmed that Kinect will indeed be the long-rumored $150 price when it is released this November.

The budget edition of the new version of the Xbox 360 will be released on August 3 for $199.99 and come with some differences beyond the storage space size.

Microsoft is also offering a bundle that includes a new Xbox 360 "S" Arcade and Kinect with Kinect Adventures for $299 that comes with 4GB of storage space.

Those that pre-order the bundle will also receive the following, to quote:

• Two exclusive levels of Rallyball--"Chomper" and "Twisters"--where you challenge multiple waves of spinning and chomping Rallyball patterns!
• One exclusive level of Reflex Ridge, "Champion," where you dodge obstacles, collect pins and race against time.
• An exclusive Kinect Adventures Helicopter prop for your avatar.

Kinect Adventures will come with 20 mini-games and support up to two players at a time. 15 other games will launch with Kinect on November 4.

The new Arcade will also have a matte black finish as opposed to the glossy black finish that...

150w ago - This weekend Paul Thurrott at WinSuperSite.com reports that the first Windows 8 details have been leaked by Microsoft's PC maker partners.

Below is a brief rundown the new Windows 8 details, with more details linked above for those interested.

App Store

Think iPhone App store or Android Marketplace but with a Microsoft twist. Rumored to be named Windows Store. I'm curious if this is cross platform with Windows Phone 7, and maybe 360 support?

Internet Explorer 9

Included with Windows 7 will be Microsoft's next generation browser. After looking thru the new tech demos for IE 9 I admit I'm not really excited for this. It still feels like they are playing catch up with Firefox and Chrome.

A leaked release date of August 2010 was seen. However browsers are personal, try the demo here.

Windows Live Wave 5

The only real details are it will ship with Windows 8. The Windows Live Wave 4 beta is available now, SYNC is a big improvement. Try it here.

Windows 8 Release Date

Currently Microsoft is aiming for...