Microsoft has recently outlined its intention to push the Xbox + Kinect combo to as broad an audience as possible with its recently-introduced subscription package, and now rumor has it that a dashboard update will offer a cross-application exercise tracking implementation of some description.
Last week, we told you of Microsoft's plan to release its Xbox 360 console bundled with a Kinect sensor for $99, with a paying subscription model charging $14.99 a month and offering users Xbox LIVE Gold Membership for the duration of the 24 month contract.
If you are a fan of console gaming and happen to prefer to stay on the Xbox side of the spectrum rather than Sony's PlayStation, then be prepared to benefit from a little bit of excitement. According to IGN, Microsoft's next-generation gaming console is currently being assembled behind closed doors in a United States-based factory.
According to sources close to The Verge, Microsoft is geared up to release a $99 Xbox + Kinect console package next week, which will charge a monthly subscription fee and include Xbox Live access, as well as additional extras.
For Skype fans, and more specifically those who lean towards the Windows Phone side of the mobile world, it seems as if the official Skype app has been hanging over our heads for quite some time now. Skype for Windows Phone was first released as a public beta at the end of February this year.
The tech world was stunned last year when Microsoft shelled out a jaw-dropping $8.5 billion to acquire VoIP telecommunications outfit Skype. While the move itself was a logical one for business expansion, the price shocked many, who couldn't see why the Redmond-based outfit had parted with so much money for a company which wasn't making much of its own.
In concluding their E3 2011 keynote, Microsoft reaffirmed fans that the Halo franchise wasn't dead and showed off a short teaser of Halo 4. Master Chief, the Halo series' protagonist was ordered to wake up and he navigated around some sort of destroyed space station. It was announced that the game will be released by the 2012 holiday season, and Microsoft has just confirmed earlier rumors that Halo 4 will be released on November 6th. And to commemorate the newest title in the infamous Halo franchise, the game will be featured tonight on Conan.
Following much rumor and speculation, Microsoft has just announced the final Windows 8 SKUs, as well as reaffirm that Windows 8 is the official, final name of the upcoming OS. Prior to clicking on the link to the announcement post on the Windows Team Blog, I was slightly nervous; Microsoft is notorious among the tech community for their unnecessarily complicated product branding. Expecting the worst, I was actually quite delighted to see that Microsoft… actually simplified the number of editions in Windows 8!
Samsung's Taiwanese branch has confirmed that it will begin retailing Windows Phone 8 smartphones as soon as October. Responding to the questions of reporters, Samsung Taiwan has noted that it would not be introducing Windows Phone 7 (Mango) in Taiwan, instead looking towards the introduction of Windows Phone 8 (Apollo) handsets this October.
With the Xbox 360 now in its seventh year on the market, the ardent gamers are getting increasingly excited about the prospect of its successor, and the rumor mill has been fairly rampant over the past 6 months or so, covering just about every eventuality possible.
