Three things you need to know about Xbox One’s Smart Match

July 30, 2013

Back in May we told Xbox fans about a next-generation matchmaking system for gamers called Smart Match. Since then, the Xbox team has gotten lots of questions about it. Here's a short breakdown of the top three things you need to know about Smart Match.

Shopping for a laptop? Read one person’s account of a month running the Toshiba KIRAbook

July 30, 2013

Over the last month, Leigha Anderson of the Windows team took the Toshiba KIRAbook for an extended test drive that included a ton o’ meetings, a weeklong trip to Taipei for Computex and a visit to her sister’s college graduation.

How to build Windows Phone apps: Tips from a pro

July 30, 2013

Whether you’re a novice or a veteran, you’ll probably gain something from “Windows Phone app building tools you might not know about” – a post from Andrew Byrne of the Windows Phone Developer Content team.

Developers: Update to Visual Studio 2012 tools for Git now available

July 30, 2013

The Visual Studio Tools for Git is an extension for Team Explorer that provides source control integration for Git. This extension enables integration with any local Git repository, and it provides tools to work with third-party hosted Git repositories.

New enterprise preview lets companies kick the tires on Windows 8.1

July 30, 2013

Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview is now available for download so customers can start testing the operating system in their environments. Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview builds on the Window 8.1 Preview, adding premium features designed to address the mobility, security, management and virtualization needs of today’s companies.

SkyDrive.com creates the most beautiful and powerful way to view, share and search your photos

July 30, 2013

SkyDrive.com has become an even better place to store your most precious digital memories – with support for more file types, new editing features, more ways to share with anyone and added controls for what you’ve shared.

‘On the Whiteboard’ shows how making 3D objects is as easy as printing a Word doc

July 30, 2013

While 3D printing isn’t mainstream – yet – it’s only a matter of time before it is, with the potential to crank out increasingly complex creations as easily as printing a Word document. In fact, customers can buy a 3D printer at Microsoft retail stores this fall and at Staples for $1,299.

Latest Microsoft Security Response Center report now available

July 29, 2013

The report, which is released once per year by the MSRC, gives our customers insight into the progress of various security initiatives to foster deeper industry collaboration, increase community-based defenses and better protect consumers and businesses who use Microsoft products.

Deadmau5 wears Microsoft

July 29, 2013

Why was EDM legend Deadmau5 sporting a Microsoft-themed version of his trademark mask last week? Read this post on NEXT at Microsoft to find out.

‘Monopoly,’ ‘Phototastic,’ and ‘Radiant’ on sale in Windows Phone Store

July 29, 2013

It’s Red Stripe Deals time at the Windows Phone Store, when you can buy apps, indie games and Xbox titles for at least 50 percent off the usual price.

See why one successful mother/entrepreneur is glad she’s got a Surface at her side

July 29, 2013

Her day starts with feeding breakfast to three kids, and of course they all want something different. Then each has their own schedule and activities, homework deadlines and what not. Oh and by the way, mom has a business to run. Thank goodness she’s got a Surface.

Behind the scenes of Crytek’s ‘Ryse: Son of Rome’

July 29, 2013

Game studio Crytek is bringing next-generation performance capture to Xbox One with “Ryse: Son of Rome,” an Xbox One launch exclusive. Watch the video above to get behind the scenes of the making of the game.

How to build high performance server appliances with Windows Server 2012 R2 for Embedded Systems

July 29, 2013

If you’re looking at running Windows Server 2012 R2 for Embedded Systems – let’s say you’re an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or an OEM’s enterprise customer – there’s a good chance you’re interested in its virtualization, networking and automation, and how to take advantage of the performance features of each. That’s the focus of a new blog post by Partha Srinivasan.

With ‘Dead Rising 3,’ survive the zombie apocalypse – your way

July 26, 2013

Whatever your plan is for surviving the zombie apocalypse, “Dead Rising 3” lets you live out your own personal zombie-survival story. Capcom has created a massive, persistent world to explore, countless zombies to kill (or run away from, if that’s how you roll) and a number of vehicles and tools to help you destroy or escape the undead. How you survive and fight is completely up to you.

Smartphone shutterbugs: Hipstamatic OGGL is now on Windows Phone 8

July 26, 2013

If your smartphone is your main camera, Hipstamatic Oggl is a must-have app that gives snap-happy photographers five pre-set pairs of lenses and films, as well as easy ways to edit and share the special moments you capture.

Skype goes to gym class and gets kids dancing

July 26, 2013

A lot of students feel left out or bored in physical education classes, and one P.E. teacher is doing something about it. Jon Tait, assistant head teacher at Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham (U.K.), has pioneered using Skype to challenge his students in new ways — both academically and physically.

(Don’t) Meet the Ronvix: an evolved Trojan breed emerges

July 26, 2013

Microsoft’s Malware Protection Center today reports the discovery a new breed of the bootkit Ronvix. This Trojan makes changes to your computer so that it downloads and runs other malware every time it starts.

Partners: Be sure to check out Oct. 20 readiness event for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013

July 26, 2013

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 – formerly codenamed “Orion” – is coming, and we want our partners to be as prepared for its arrival as possible. To that end, the Dynamics CRM team will hold a partner readiness event for “Orion” at the Partner Connections Event on Oct. 20.

‘Sad Hipster’ filter? Nokia Imaging SDK opens up the cookie jar for Windows Phone developers

July 26, 2013

The Nokia Imaging SDK provides 52 easy-to-use mobile imaging filters, including standard filters like grayscale, cartoon and auto-levels, as well as filters to crop, rotate, add custom frames and combine multiple images. The kit makes it a breeze for developers to take their apps to a new level by applying some really cool filters, for example, “Sad Hipster,” “Car Show,” or even “80s Pop Music” effects.

Fasten your seat belts: Gavin Gear pushes the 12K PC gaming boundary at 1.5 billion pixels per second

July 26, 2013

Think you’re running the ultimate gaming setup? Read Gavin Gear’s account of an amazing set of experiences he recently had pushing the boundaries of 4K multi-monitor gaming with several Sharp PN-K321 4K Ultra HD displays he had on loan.

The Nokia Lumia 1020 with its groundbreaking 41-megapixel camera is now available on AT&T

July 26, 2013

The Nokia Lumia 1020 – already receiving impressive reviews due to its 41-megapixel camera – is now available at AT&T;’s online and retail stores.

Xbox One to support self-publishing

July 25, 2013

Big news: You (and you and you, too) will be able to create games and experiences for Xbox One and Xbox Live. So says Marc Whitten, chief product officer of Xbox.

Royal revelers flock to Skype

July 25, 2013

The arrival of little George Alexander Louis (otherwise known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge) made headlines all over the world, but it also inspired many royal revelers to take to Skype. Skype reported a king-sized 55 percent increase in global Skype-to-Skype minutes yesterday over the same Monday last year.

Tellum gives tidbits about upcoming Xbox original content

July 25, 2013

Fortune spoke to Nancy Tellem, the president of Microsoft’s Xbox Entertainment Studios, about some of the upcoming original programming exclusively for Xbox Live.

Public-private partnerships prove essential to fighting cybercrime

July 25, 2013

On Wednesday in Washington, D.C., Microsoft’s Assistant General Counsel Richard Domingues Boscovich participated in a discussion exploring how public-private partnerships can play an important role in fighting cybercrime. In a blog post today Boscovich goes into detail about how Microsoft has teamed up with various public-sector agencies and organizations in an effort to stymie botnets.

Preview the new Fresh Paint app for Windows 8.1

July 25, 2013

If you’re running the Windows 8.1 Preview, you can get a first look at the new version of Fresh Paint, the popular app that lets anyone create digital art masterpieces that look like real paintings.

Proximity APIs = cool apps. How to use them to develop smokin’ apps for Windows Phone

July 25, 2013

Proximity APIs are a great way to multiply your apps’ cool factor. In his post on the Windows Phone Developer blog, Windows Phone Program Manager Peter Torr walks you through the different Proximity API scenarios and how to implement them.

Microsoft report reveals software vulnerability trends and impact of mitigations

July 25, 2013

Trustworthy Computing today released the report, “Software Vulnerability Exploitation Trends,” which looks at the long-term impact of security mitigations that Microsoft has implemented to address software vulnerabilities.

Finnish software firm Comptel saves time and money with switch to Microsoft Dynamics AX

July 25, 2013

One of the main advantages of adopting Dynamics AX as a service is that Comptel was able to avoid the long implementation process typically associated with major ERP software system deployments.

Leverage Windows Azure Mobile Services in Visual Studio 2013

July 25, 2013

The Visual Studio team has made it very easy for developers to build connected Windows Store apps with a new set of tools in Visual Studio 2013.

Hey students! Buy a PC and we’ll give one away to someone in need

July 25, 2013

How would you like to help a low-income student get a decent computer to take to college? Back on June 4, Microsoft launched Windows Chip-In as a crowdsourcing program to help students and parents purchase a new Windows PC or tablet for school. Today, the program goes a step further by introducing the Buy One, Give One program.

Meet these ‘Awesome’ not-so-superheroes first on Xbox

July 25, 2013

The first episode of Hulu’s new original series “The Awesomes” is now free on Xbox (before launching anywhere else, including Hulu). Anyone with an Xbox 360 and an Internet connection will find “The Awesomes” right on their Xbox Live dashboard, and they can click-and-watch at any time.

Today Show app comes to Windows Phone

July 25, 2013

You can now stay in the loop all day long on the latest stories and videos from one of America’s most popular morning shows. The free Today app for Windows phone gives you at-a-glance access to new content via its Live Tile, lets you save stuff for later and can even read stories to you – perfect for while you’re driving or at the gym.

App of the Week: Fresh Paint arrives on Windows Phone

July 25, 2013

Fresh Paint is already one of the top apps in the Windows Store, and it’s now available in an all-new version for Windows Phone 8. The app makes it easy for anyone to create and share digital art masterpieces using a well-stocked studio of virtual “art supplies.”

Get ‘em now: Windows Azure July updates are here

July 25, 2013

On Wednesday, Microsoft released a great bunch of updates to Windows Azure. Though some are still in preview, all are available now and will help you build even better cloud solutions.

Share Web pages with your network using the Yammer Browser Extension

July 25, 2013

After noticing how many customers shared external links for discussion amongst their workplace networks, the folks at Yammer took action and built a new feature to make it easier to share and talk about these Web pages.

IE11 Developer Preview for Windows 7 and updated modern.IE resources now available

July 25, 2013

The Internet Explorer team wants to help developers spend more time innovating and less time testing. With that in mind, along with today’s release of the Internet Explorer 11 Developer Preview for Windows 7, the team also updated modern.IE – a set of tools and resources that make developing for the web (and IE) just a little bit easier.