Handsets running on the Windows Phone platform have been very popular recently. Helping push sales are their ability to integrate completely with an exchange account, an amazing turn-by-turn navigation app and a beautiful WVGA screen. There are other features aimed at entertainment such as Xbox LIVE compatibility and what they call Live Tiles.
Microsoft's Kinect peripheral for the Xbox 360 - allowing gamers to interact in their environment similarly to the Nintendo Wii - has been an unquestionable and unprecedented success.
All things considered, it's been a pretty solid year for Microsoft. With Xbox 360 + Kinect still selling like hotcakes, allied to Windows 8 being greeted warmly by PC users far and wide, the Redmond-based company's mobile OS has now been acknowledged as the 'Operating System Of The Year'.
Let me start off by saying that voice control is nothing new. Apple didn’t invent the technology. What makes Siri different is how popular it has become. It is not limited to only phone related functions, but can pull valuable information from the web too. For a worthy contender to match its capabilities will take some serious horsepower.
According to those familiar with such matters, Redmond-based Microsoft will be rolling out two variations of its next-gen Xbox – a premium unit for the hardcore gamers, and a more entry-level stripped-down devices containing the bare essentials.
Microsoft Black Friday Deals: Discounts On Xbox 360, Windows PCs, Kinect, Free Windows Phones & More
We're only a few short hours away before the entire United States is gripped by the excitement and downright fear of Black Friday.
Those booting up their Xbox for another fun gaming session will find an update available on Tuesday, December 6. The long awaited revamp of the Xbox LIVE interface will include many new features. A few lucky players were selected to preview the update, but the official launch will now be available to all early next month.
Microsoft has had a pretty successful year selling their popular Xbox 360. In the US, for example, the Xbox system has been the top selling video game console for all of 2011. Adding the Kinect device last year only boosted sells; the device went on to break a Guinness World Record, winning the title for the fastest selling consumer electronic device. Wii Who?
With the Symbian OS having been swiftly eclipsed in the battle of the mobile operating systems, Finnish outfit Nokia is trying to reinvent itself via Microsoft's Windows Phone interface.
The 2.0 iteration of Microsoft's Surface technology, which looks a lot like a table-cum-tablet, is now available to preorder via Samsung's website.

