"The first generation 30GB Zune—which 1.2 million of you already purchased—is getting all the new Zune's features. All. Sure, the new Zune is more of a half step forward than a completely new design. But Microsoft's done something fantastic here by rewarding first gen buyers with cool new stuff that also happens to be free by software upgrade. And talk about spin— Microsoft just took a middling jump in hardware and turned it into a genuinely good move for loyalists (as well as a PR miracle). Are you paying attention Apple?"
As the segment aims for its first full year of profitability.
Microsoft posted unaudited operating income for its first quarter ended September 30 of $165 million in the Entertainment and Devices Division, compared to a loss last year of $142 million.
Microsoft has been reiterating that its Xbox business will be profitable throughout this entire fiscal year, a feat yet to be seen in Microsoft's videogame business.
Strong demand for Halo 3 and Xbox 360 hardware drove the division’s numbers during the quarter, according to Microsoft. In its first day, Halo 3 in the US alone generated $170 million in sales when it launched September 25. First-week sales were $300 million globally, as the Bungie-developed title sold 3.3 million units in the US during its debut month, according to NPD Group.
Revenues for the division were up 91 percent to $1.93 billion.
Overall, Microsoft revenues were up 27 percent year-on-year to $13.8 bil... More »
Have you wondered why the Zune 80 only has 1 color to choose from? Have you wondered if Microsoft is hiding some big secret for launch day? According to our source inside of Microsoft, this information is absolutely top secret. Well, it was until now. Here is the exact leak from our source verbatim:
"...but there is something that Microsoft is holding onto releasing information about until Tuesday. They have been keeping this info very secret, as they want to get the "bang" effect when it is announced.
There is going to be an option from the Zune website called "ZUNE ORIGINALS". People who order their zune from Zune.net, will have the added bonus of being able to customize their zune. This will include color, up to five lines of custom text, and the choice of 25 preset logos that they can have etched into their zune prior to
delivery. There will be no added cost, but it is only available through Zune.Net...
Unlike Sony, Microsoft likes to make updates to its games consoles in big chunks. So while the Japanese company will trickle its PS3 updates out regularly, Microsoft issues two big Xbox 360 updates a year. The so-called 'fall update' is already late, and looks like hitting consoles at some point in early December.
But what's going to be included in it? One of the new features that Microsoft has already confirmed is the so-called 'Family Timer'. This is a tool that enables parents to track how much time their kids have spent playing games.
Xbox 360 'Family Timer'
It'll also empower those parents to limit the amount of time the consoles can be used per day. Once those limits are hit, the password-protected console will shut down. It's the feature all mothers across the world have been waiting for, and every child's worst nightmare.
According to Bach, with more than 13 million Xbox 360 consoles sold worldwide, the company's drive to empower par... More »
Improved Video Library.
Improved visuals and descriptions.
Users can now sort movies and TV Shows in the video library by Title or (Download) Date.
TV shows can now be grouped by Series .
Group video and game trailers .
Art associated with personal video files on a portable device will now be displayed.
Easier to use media areas and improved metadata .
Improved source selection for video, picture, and music libraries, making it easier to switch between console/digital camera, computer, portable device or disc.
New "Suggested Items" link for downloaded movies.
Feature Details:
Media - All
Added more user friendly text for various error related messages
Added Shortcut keys from Remote Control: Pressing Play on a Video/Song/Picture will immediately start playback of that item from the list (pressing Start ... More »
As Microsoft's past year was characterized by launches, the next will be defined by a departure.
But even as Bill Gates leaves his full-time executive role, the company will be grappling with some of the biggest competitive challenges in its history, particularly on the Internet.
Here's our annual look at what to watch at the company in 2008.
GATES LEAVING, SORTA: The Microsoft co-founder is slated to end his day-to-day executive duties at the end of June, but he will remain chairman, and he's expected to continue working on selected projects.
Microsoft has been preparing for Gates' full-time shift to philanthropy since 2005, when the plan was announced, and it has already installed executives Craig Mundie and Ray Ozzie to fill his roles in the business, working with Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer.
"I don't think the departure will be too disruptive -- it's not like it's a complete severing of the relationship," ... More »
The line may already be forming in Las Vegas for the big event Sunday, the last performance of the Bill Gates roadshow before his role as chief visionary ends.
The Microsoft chairman will continue making speeches and drawing crowds at conferences, capitals and campuses around the world.
But there's nothing like the rock-star treatment of his annual opening-night keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
By starting the show with talks on the future of consumer technology, Gates set the forward-looking tone of a bazaar where retailers learn what they'll sell in the coming years.
The speeches are more like Vegas shows than lectures, with elaborate sets, videos and celebrity appearances jazzing up the talk about gadgets and industry trends.
Usually only a few thousand of the 150,000 or so attendees get in, so there's always a huge line snaking through the lobby, grumbling as VIPs and industry leaders are led past the b... More »
You’ve read our Live Blog of Microsoft’s CES Keynote, now here’s the impressions. What a waste of time. No product announcements, no talk of what we can expect over the next year. It was an hour long boast session. “Look what we did”.
I don’t know if the HD-DVD cancellation cut out any announcements or what, but this was pathetic and boring. I’m going to go on record as to say it was the worst keynote from Microsoft ever.
Here’s what happening, in a nutshell. They showed off Windows Live and all it’s components, then bragged about how cool it is. Said how cool Xbox 360 is and how many consoles and Live subscriptions they’ve sold. Talked about how cool Mediaroom and Zune are. Showed off the Zune Social website. Showed off Sync in cars, then Windows Mobile (followed by bragging about how it’s the best). Gates shows one thing that could happen in the future, but it’s very far off and not extremely interesting. Robbie Bach challenges Bill G... More »
The New York Post once again set the industry ablaze, reporting last week that Microsoft is still debating a potential acquisition of Yahoo!, a deal that some analysts believe will help the Xbox business.
In May of last year, Peter Lauria and Zachary Kuowe of the Post reported that “Microsoft has intensified its pursuit of a deal with Yahoo!, asking the company to re-enter formal negotiations.”
With the estimated price tag of the acquisition at $50 billion, such a deal would narrow the gap in overall online ads with Google, as well as provide more content and features for Xbox Live and the Zune Marketplace.
“Aside from cost savings, a deal would also create opportunities to use Yahoo! content on Microsoft devices, such as making music exclusively provided to Yahoo! Music available on Microsoft’s Xbox game console and Zune music player.”
Rick Munarriz of The Motley Fool said that Microsoft needs to “turn a bleeder into a l... More »
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