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...

153w ago - At their E3 2010 conference today, along with Kinect Microsoft also revealed a new XBox 360 Slim redesign dubbed XBox 360 S with a propietary 250GB HDD and built-in 802.11n WiFi for $299.99.

This new Xbox 360 Slim Black Edition is 10 to 20 percent smaller than a regular Xbox 360, incapable of RRODing according to JoyStiq and confirms the leaked Italian advertisement in the video below.

It's also equipped with a smaller power supply, a dedicated connector for Microsoft's upcoming Kinect motion control system, and five USB ports.

Currently the XBox 360 Slim is available for pre-order from Play.com with the console hitting retailers in North America today.

XBox 360 Slim details include the following, with teardown pics available HERE:

• Smaller And Quieter
• Integrated CPU/GPU based on 45 nm fabrication process
• Internal...

153w ago - Alongside some videos (below) of it in action, at Microsoft's E3 2010 press conference Project Natal was officially renamed to Kinect, which is slated to launch on November 4, 2010.

Microsoft's Phil Spencer also confirmed that there will be 15 launch titles, and re-confirmed the hands-free motion control system will be compatible with all existing Xbox 360 consoles.

Kinect features motorized tilt function and a multi-array microphone, in addition to the camera and movement sensor... so it will swivel to follow you.

An engineer for Kinect took to the stage at E3 to show how 'natural' the device is. Within his presentation, he showed signing into his Xbox just by waving, and he could navigate the dash via speaking.

VG247.com are also reporting that Kinect is expected to have two versions, with the most expensive costing $189.00.

Finally, according to GameStop.com, Microsoft's Kinect will be priced at $149.99 for those who wish to pre-order the device.

Check out some of the Kinect E3 2010 launch video demos below!

156w ago - Microsoft has confirmed to Kotaku (linked above) that both Robbie Bach, the current head of all things entertainment for Microsoft, and J. Allard one of the top men behind the Xbox and Xbox 360, are leaving Microsoft.

In a memo this morning to Microsoft employees obtained by Kotaku, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that the two were "retiring" from the company.

Ballmer says that after 22 years with Microsoft, Bach, the president, of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, is leaving Microsoft on a high note.

To quote: "This has been a phenomenal year for E&D overall, and with the coming launches of both Windows Phone 7 and "Project Natal," the rest of the year looks stupendous as well." He will remain with Microsoft until the fall.

"At Microsoft, I've been so fortunate to spend more than two decades of my life working with incredible people and doing amazing things like launching Office, Xbox and Xbox Live, the 'Halo' franchise, Windows Phones, Zune and more," Bach said in a prepared statement.

"I'm at the time in my life where I want to dedicate more time to my family and my nonprofit work, including my work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. I have the utmost confidence in Steve, Don and Andy and their ability to see through...

169w ago - When you are installing updates over the next week or so be aware that Microsoft has finally released their anti-piracy update (KB971033) which can cause issues for many Windows 7 users, even those who got their copy of Windows 7 legitimately.

To quote: "For those of you who have a pirated copy of Windows 7 or have bought your computer from Dell, Best Buy or Gateway where Windows 7 was pre-installed you may want to stay away from this update.

While it isn't supposed to make your operating system unusable, it will keep asking you to pay for it and will also make your wallpaper a boring blank solid color.

So before you decide to just install all of your updates when you shut down your computer make sure you check to make sure the file isn't downloaded and ready to install. This is of course if you did not install the operating system yourself or pirated it."