Report: Microsoft’s next Xbox due out by Thanksgiving 2013

A new Bloomberg report claims that Microsoft's next game console will hit shelves in time for the Black Friday 2013 rush but it's still unclear if Microsoft will release its high tech Xbox 720 or the budget priced Xbox TV.

The holiday season is typically reserved by video game companies to tout big sales numbers and roll out major sequels. 2012’s been no different. Nintendo proclaimed this week that it sold 400,000 Wii Us during the week of Black Friday, Sony boasted 525,000 PlayStation 3s sold, and Microsoft reported 750,000 Xbox 360s sold, particularly impressive since the Xbox is celebrating its seventh birthday this November. This is not the Xbox 360’s season, though, as each day a new rumor about the console’s successor circles the Internet. The latest is that the next Xbox, sometimes called Xbox 720 and sometimes Durango, will definitely arrive in time for Christmas 2013.

Bloomberg reported on Friday morning that its sources, who naturally asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that Microsoft is planning to release the next Xbox almost exactly one year after the Wii U, to capitalize on Black Friday and Christmas 2013 sales. The source also said that Microsoft has yet to decide whether it will debut the next Xbox at a trade show like E3 2013 or the Consumer Electronics Show or if it will hold an independent event.

Microsoft famously debuted the Xbox 360 in a television special back in 2005, showing off “target” demos of games like Madden NFL 2006 that didn’t look anything like the games that shipped alongside the console later that year. Since then Microsoft hasn’t shied away from bringing new products to trade events. Kinect debuted as the codenamed “Project Natal” at E3 2009 before re-emerging one year later with its proper name.

Just what Microsoft will announce for release in 2013 is up in the air as there are two successors to the Xbox 360 rumored as of now. The first is an expensive, powerful new gaming machine codenamed Durango that will ship under the simple name Xbox. This console will play Blu-ray discs and run graphically intensive games similar to those seen in tech demos like Star Wars 1313.

That machine will sell alongside a cheaper device called the Xbox TV, a Windows 8-powered set top box that focuses heavily on entertainment apps like Netflix and Microsoft’s own rumored television service as well as video games. There are even suggestions that the Xbox TV will retain the game playing technology in the Xbox 360.

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Microsoft’s Outlook email client reaches 25 million user milestone, launches new features and Android app

Microsoft is celebrating the 25 million active user landmark for its Outlook email client by launching additional features and an Android app.

Today Microsoft announced that Outlook reached its 25 million active user milestone, an achievement worth celebrating especially when Microsoft claims that four out of five Gmail users “would” switch to Outlook. And Microsoft isn’t slowing down: It will introduce a slew of new features for Outlook in the coming weeks.

If you’re familiar with the Bing It On Challenge – sponsored by Microsoft – then its recent findings about Outlook will feel familiar. Results based on a study from a Microsoft hired research firm that gauged the sentiments of Gmail users about Outlook found that users preferred Outlook’s design, filters, and document sharing features. Seeing as how there isn’t an independent study at hand aside from the one commissioned by Microsoft, we’re going to justify our opinion of Outlook based on our hands on with the email client - and ultimately, we were pretty impressed. 

While Outlook has a good thing going with its streamlined interface, unlike the increasingly cluttered and chaotic Gmail, Microsoft plans on adding additional features to Outlook. “We continue to listen to feedback on what enthusiasts want next – including making the switch from Gmail even easier – and build those features,” said David Law, Windows Live product marketing manager, in a blog post. 

Users can archive messages with the click of the “Archive” button and store the messages in any folder on Outlook.

People love keyboard shortcuts. By typing “?” when you’re in your inbox, a window with all (and new) keyboard shortcuts will open up.

More color themes have been added.

 iPhone and Windows Phone users already have their own apps but now Android users will be as lucky. Exchange ActiveSync wasn’t supported natively on the Android OS. But now Microsoft is offering an Outlook Android app, which you can download directly from the Google Play store. The app is free to download and supports the following Android versions: 2.1 – 2.3.3 and 4.0 – 4.1.

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Behind the scenes with Microsoft's Surface Touch Cover

Microsoft has released a behind the scenes sort of video highlighting the Surface's TouchCover keyboard. Microsoft's first venture with a pressure sensative keyboard was back in 2003.  While designers thought is was cool, they didn't feel it was ready for prime time.

The goal was to develop a super thin keyboard that functioned like a laptop keyboard.  Enter the Surface Tablet and a need to have a cover that doubled as a keyboard.

Microsoft has put a lot of thought and work into both the 3mm thin TouchCover and 6mm TypeCover. Those that have gotten their hands on the Surface have been impressed with the keyboard's performance.  We'll soon see if that positive impression carries over to the masses this Friday when the Surface launches.

We are inclined to believe it will.

Source: Surface, Thanks, Flagz, for the tip!

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Microsoft’s Surface reviews start to go out, we round them up

With launch day and general availability of Surface devices set to begin in a few short days the reviews have started to appear. After months of speculation and mountains of questions about price and specs, we’re finally at the end of this saga. Microsoft have dished out Surface devices to the great and the good for some pre-release exclusives.

Surface represents a few key things for Microsoft, firstly it will be the public face of Windows 8, and secondly it is designed to showcase ARM devices and the new WinRT touch interface. From the moment it was announced this was going to be such a critical element for the entire launch of Windows 8. How well it’s received depends on not only the hardware but also the software. Check out our roundup after the break..

Essentially the reviews are broken down in to two distinct parts, the hardware and the software with the wrap up on how well they form a whole, lets see how it breaks down.

The good news here is that the hardware and build quality get some good feedback, here are a few choice quotes from some critics.

“In terms of build quality, it really is top notch, its really one of the most precious things I have held in recent weeks or months” – Dana Wollman – Engadget

“The Surface feels really well made when you’re holding it and I would say the construction is on par with the iPad” Joshua Topolsky – The Verge

Overall, almost everyone seems to agree on one thing, the hardware is top notch with a few reservations here and there about the size or how the kickstand works. These generally seem like minor quibbles and as with all devices much is down to personal taste. Most seem to agree that to use the device with the kick stand and the keyboard it can’t be on your lap, which might disappoint some that were hoping to get more road warrior with this tiny Windows Machine. The Verge found the actual form factor to be a little ungainly in both landscape and not desirable at all in portrait orientations.

The keyboard options too were also generally well received, some being surprised at how well they actually worked. We also see some nice videos of swinging the laptop about on its magnets by holding it by the keyboard. That’s looking pretty solid and will please many.

Battery times on the device are looking very healthy indeed for the Surface, even though they don’t seem to best the iPad we’re seeing 10 hours video playback and 9 hours of internet browsing. Not bad for a device that does a heck of a lot more than other tablets. In one test conducted by Anandtech, the Surface beats out the iPad 3rd gen by a fair margin. Essential stuff for a device that will be doing lots of content consumption.

Windows 8 was always going to be a tricky transition, it's brave and daring. We now have the new WinRT environment with its secure apps and store experience and on the other side we have the traditional desktop which we all know and love (no not as the case may be). Windows RT has these two environments but differs from Intel based designs by lacking the ability to use anything other than the pre-installed Office 2013 applications. There is simply no way to install the vast back catalogue of Windows applications onto the desktop. Lets dive in and see what they thought..

On the new touch screen, WinRT interface:

“The actual interface — the tiled environment — is a joy to use. It's really, really cool. I found myself legitimately delighted by some of its functionality, particularly its multitasking and side-by-side apps concept.” - Joshua Topolsky – The Verge

“Switching between applications is faster on Surface/Windows RT than any competing mobile platform. There’s no double tapping of anything, no pressing and holding, just an edge gesture swipe like you’re flipping through pages of a virtual book.” - Anand Lal Shimpi – Anandtech

To be honest, it’s a mixed bag but on the whole the new touch screen UI is winning out here. Folks are liking the docked apps and being able to quickly swipe between apps. There seems to be genuine pleasure in using this new UI and that is very positive indeed. WinRT is very much a work in progress and we’re going to see many changes are this new concept is fleshed out. In short, looks like Microsoft have given little to the critics to grumble about.

Windows RT comes with Office installed through the old desktop environment, this of course is not meant to be used primarily with touch. As such its going to get used with the kick stand and keyboard, there is some positive traction around this. Office comes pre-loaded, what’s not to like? Some also liked the familiar desktop environment for file management, which really might ease the transition for many users.

This part of the reviews section is going to read in a very familiar way to many of us Windows Phone users. Unless Microsoft has lots of announcement at launch time, there will be a lack of first party WinRT apps for Surface available in the Store. The list is quite long right now, there isn’t a Facebook app or even a Twitter app. All of the reviewers are highlighting this and it’s of little surprise, we have been wondering about app support for some time. Let’s hope MS can tidy this up sooner rather than later.

On the whole reading the reviews it looks to be positive, new UI is getting some kudos and people are liking the hardware and baked in Office. They even seem to like having the good old desktop there for file management when it’s needed. Windows RT Surface is a machine with compromises, how well that works out for people will vary. The Surface Pro machines without the compromises will be available a little later and many will likely need this type of machine more.

We’ll no doubt be sharing our views on the new device and OS soon enough so keep an eye out.

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Microsoft's beefing up security with Windows Phone 8 may make custom ROMs a thing of the past

While there is a lot to look forward to with Windows Phone 8, some of the changes may not be as noticeable but no less important. Windows Phone 8 will have a number of significant changes under the hood to bolster the security of the platform.

Windows Phone 8 will have device encryption throughout the entire device including the OS and its applications. Designed along the same lines as Windows 7 PCs, encryption kicks in as soon as you power up the device. This system, based off of Bitlocker (but adapted for Windows Phone) was something first reported on back in February as an early rumor.

BitLocker is a logical volume encryption system that is present in Windows 7 and will be present in Windows 8.  BitLocker is designed to protect data by providing encryption for entire volumes or drives within a computer to protect the integrity of a trusted boot path.  The main difference between the PC version of encryption and what we will see on Windows Phone 8 is that the encryption keys are not manageable on our Windows Phone as they are on desktops or laptops.

Two exceptions will be present with Windows Phone 8 encryptions. If you live in a location that does not allow the importation of encryption technology the device encryption will be disabled. The other exception is with the SD card due to unknown issues with the performance of swappable SD cards. Keep in mind that the SD card can only be used to store pictures, music and videos, not documents. While what is stored on the SD card may not be encrypted, the data on our Windows Phone will be.

The other big security feature coming to Windows Phone 8 is the SafeBoot Feature. In a nutshell, the SafeBoot Feature makes it very difficult for malware or an component that lacks the correct digital signature to be loaded on your Windows Phone. Each device will get a unique key burned into a chip along with a number of common keys from Microsoft and the OEM. When you power up the Windows Phone the firmware will start a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. The UEFI will only validate and launch elements that have the correct digital signature from Microsoft.

The downside, for some, with the SafeBoot feature is that it will not be possible for custom ROMs to be built because the developers won't have access to the correct digital signatures.

Lastly, the base footprint of the Windows Phone OS has reduced and Microsoft is now requiring all applications to run in the same sandbox as third party Marketplace apps. This will limit the area any compromised app will have access to and add further protection to lower system levels such as the device registry or locked API's.

While it is nice to see Microsoft strive to make our Windows Phone as secure as possible, these efforts also explain the reluctance to offer the Windows Phone 8 upgrade to existing devices. The existing devices lack the keyed chip the new phones will have which could present a weakness in the security system. While existing devices are fairly secure within their own rights, I can understand why Microsoft isn't willing to take the chance.

Source: MobileJaw; Thanks, Mike S., for the tip!

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Microsoft's Windows Phone monthly photo contest winners

Microsoft Windows Phone Monthly Photo Contest - Pet Photos

Microsoft held its first Windows Phone Monthly Photo Contest last month. The first contest them was pet photos and Microsoft received hundreds of photo entries.

After sifting through them all the Windows Team Blog staff picked a handful of entries that stood out for their creativity and execution.  These photos are  highlighted the Blog's website and include the above photo by Max. K which was taken with a HTC Mozart.

There is no word on what the contest theme will be for this month but once we catch wind of it, we'll pass it on. In the meantime, if you're sharing photos via Twitter, use the hashtag #WPPhoto and Microsoft may highlight them on their official handle.

You can find the full selection of pet photos here at the Windows Team Blog website and some of our favorites after the break.

Photo by Adrien Di-Santo and taken with a HTC Titan

Photo by Joey Bowles and taken with a Samsung Focus S

Photo by Ryan Schmidt and taken with a HTC Trophy

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HP unfazed by Microsoft's Surface tablet, have their own Windows 8 plans

HP's charging ahead with their Windows 8 tablet plans, and they're not going to let anyone, least of which OS-supplier and OEM competitor Microsoft hold them back. HP's also not letting the debacle that befell the TouchPad a year ago slow them down. HP's teased the Slate 8 tablet a few times in their new advertising campaign, and they've already said that they're going to go with Intel for their first Windows 8 tablet (and thus doing a Windows 8 tablet). We'd speculated that Microsoft OEMs like HP would be perturbed by Microsoft's entry into the manufacturer space, and while Acer's CEO might be unhappy, it seems HP isn't too upset by the Surface.

Said John Solomon, HP SVP for America sales in the Printing and Personal Systems Group, to CRN:

"I believe Microsoft was basically making a leadership statement and showing what's possible in the tablet space. Our relationship has not changed at all due to Microsoft's announcement. In fact, I applaud it -- I think it's great that they are getting out in front and [showing] what's possible."

This stands in stark contrast to Acer CEO JT Wang, who said Microsoft should "think twice" about their intentions for Surface and how it could affect relations with OEMs like his company. HP for their part is putting on a smiling face, at least for the public. HP has massive reach and scale in the retail space, and so long as Microsoft's pricing for Surface isn't insane, HP shouldn't have many issues selling copies of their Slate 8 tablet, assuming that people want them.

Of course, what we really want is a new webOS tablet, and we have no idea if that's anything HP's interested in doing at this point. And they wouldn't have to worry about competing with Microsoft for the same customers…

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