microsoft

Microsoft has officially unveiled the next version of its popular Xbox video game console. But the new 'Xbox One' is a whole lot more than just a gaming system: instead, it's a powerful machine that should draw the attention of gamers and non-gamers ... alike. First and foremost, the Xbox One features some impressive hardware specifications. It comes with an 8-core processor, 8GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, USB 3.0 ports, and WiFi Direct capabilities. Unlike the Xbox 360, the Xbox One comes equipped with a Blu-ray drive, meaning you can finally watch high-definition movies from a disc. An octacore (8- ... (view more)

A new report suggests that many Windows 8 users aren't using the new operating system's many touch-friendly applications. That finding suggests Microsoft's big gamble with Windows 8 -- building an operating system (OS) with touch screen devices in ... mind -- simply isn't paying off right now. If there's one thing that sets Windows 8 apart from its predecessors -- including Windows 7, Vista, and Windows XP -- it's the focus on touch-friendly applications. The operating system's new user interface (once known as 'Metro') is clearly designed for touch screen laptops and tablet computers. The best ... (view more)

Earlier this year a number of privacy organizations raised alarms about the way Microsoft shared Skype users' private information. Now, a new report suggests that Microsoft itself is closely monitoring messages sent between Skype users. Technology ... blog Ars Technica says it has learned that Microsoft is actively scanning messages containing HTTPS URLS, or URLs associated with secure websites. Microsoft Monitoring, Storing Links Ars writer Dan Goodin says he's also learned that Microsoft is scanning these messages as a form of fraud prevention and that the firm is logging the results for an ... (view more)

Microsoft has issued a warning about a new type of malware that assumes the form of a Google Chrome extension and Firefox add-on. The Trojan horse is reportedly designed to target the Facebook accounts of its victims and, once a machine is ... compromised, performs a number of automated social media tasks, including "liking" certain pages and posting comments. The malware, which was first detected in Brazil, is named 'Trojan:JS/Febipos' and operates by checking to see if the current user is logged into Facebook. If this is the case, the bug attempts to download a configuration file that contains ... (view more)

Microsoft has officially announced the first upgrade to Windows 8 operating system (OS) will be available on June 26, 2013. There will be no charge, so long as you already own the OS. According to a Microsoft blog post, the new software "will be a ... free update to Windows 8 for consumers through the Windows Store." That suggests users may need to manually install the update and that it won't be downloaded and installed automatically. (Source: windows.com ) The June 26 release will be a "public preview," meaning it won't be installed on new computers until later on. Update Known As Windows 8.1 ... (view more)

Microsoft's communications chief has described criticism of Microsoft as "a trend to the extreme." The comments appear to have been made in response to articles in two high-profile publications. Frank Shaw, Microsoft's vice president of corporate ... communications, has written a blog post in which he takes issue with the way people criticize people and products in an online setting. "In this world where everyone is a publisher, there is a trend to the extreme -- where those who want to stand out opt for sensationalism and hyperbole over nuanced analysis," Shaw said. "In this ... (view more)

Microsoft is fixing more than thirty security vulnerabilities with its May 2013 Patch Tuesday security update package. All in all, this Patch Tuesday includes ten security updates, two of which have been marked 'critical'. The most significant of ... Microsoft's fixes addresses a zero-day bug that could allow hackers to exploit a security vulnerability in the firm's Internet Explorer 8 web browser. The flaw has been used by cyber criminals to attack United States government websites and steal information related to government employees. Most recently, the vulnerability was exploited by hackers ... (view more)

Microsoft executive Tami Reller recently took the opportunity to boast that her firm has now sold 100 million licenses of the new Windows 8 operating system (OS). On the surface, it appears impressive that Microsoft has sold so many licenses in just ... a six-month time frame. (Source: windows.com ) However, industry insiders have suggested that many of those licenses aren't being used. According to Patrick Moorhead, lead analyst at Moor Insights ... (view more)

Things just keep getting worse for Microsoft's Windows RT operating system (OS), which is designed specifically for mobile devices like tablet computers. Now, it appears Apple has no plans to construct an iTunes app for the OS. The news won't be a ... big deal for people running Windows 8-based devices, like the Surface Pro tablet. After all, they can simply download iTunes to the desktop. However, for people who own the Surface RT (or anything else running the Windows RT OS), that's impossible. They can only access applications (like iTunes) via Microsoft's own Windows Store. No iTunes in ... (view more)

A report in the Wall Street Journal suggests that Microsoft may be implementing two significant new initiatives when it comes to Windows development: 1) Cheaper licensing costs for manufacturers (and by extension, consumers); and 2) Less emphasis on ... touch screen functionality. The Wall Street Journal says that it has learned from several Asia-based PC industry executives that Microsoft is slowly changing its attitude towards Windows. These PC industry insiders also told the WSJ that Microsoft has been progressively more receptive to feedback on how to improve the Windows user experience. ... (view more)