By DustinPosted onDecember 9, 2011

Microsoft is putting a lot of faith into the success of the Kinect accessory for the Xbox 360. Reports are saying that Microsoft is requiring support of the motion and voice sensing device for all future Xbox 360 applications. It does not require that it actually have to use the Kinect as a sensor or controller, but it needs to support it (either voice, gestures or both). I wish Sega would have supported their add on devices on their hardware back in the day!

Microsoft is putting in a lot of time and effort into making the Kinect and the Xbox 360 a success. Given that they have released the SDK and plans for a PC version, and the mandatory support for 360 titles show that they are in it for the long term. Perhaps the successor to the Xbox 360 will have an integrated next generation Kinect sensor built in. Time will tell.

By DustinPosted onDecember 9, 2011

It’s that festive time of year. Why not dress your Windows 7 machine up with some beautiful Christmas themes.

1. Snowflakes and Frost Theme

Add the delicate symmetry of snowflakes and the ice-blue tracery of frost to your desktop. Download this free Windows 7 theme, and allow these exquisite snowflake and frost images to lead you into the chilly beauty of winter.

2. Snow Angels Theme

Snowflakes fall as delicately as angel wings in this free wintry Windows 7 theme.

 

3. Decorating the Trees Theme

Bringing a note of holiday cheer to forest and garden, these festive ornaments brighten trees’ winter robes of snow and ice. Download this free Windows 7 theme to decorate your desktop for the season.

4. Holiday Lights Theme

Brighten up your desktop with sparkling images of holiday celebration and winter wonder in this free Windows 7 theme.

There are also a lot more themes to choose from, these are just a few of the holiday themes available. For other holidays (new year, Chinese new year, wintertime, etc.), there are links in there as well. Enjoy the holidays!

By DustinPosted onDecember 8, 2011

Microsoft is doing something right, and a Wired journalist sides with them and says that Apple is doing it wrong. What is this world coming to?! Yes, Microsoft is going full speed with the media content provider using the Xbox 360 as the platform. They are making media, TV, movies, Netflix, Hulu, etc. all a major selling point of owning an Xbox.

The best approach we’ve seen to this problem, and the best approach we’re likely to see for some time, has been Microsoft’s efforts with Xbox 360. I want to explain why I think Microsoft is beating and will continue to beat Apple in this space. Then I want to outline what Apple would need to do differently in order to beat back Microsoft, Sony, Google and all other contenders if it wants to conquer the living room.

By DustinPosted onDecember 8, 2011

To squash all the rumors, Bill Gates will not be returning to Microsoft as CEO. Although the return of the mighty CEO would be a great move, it just isn’t in the cards. I would like to see a shift in power at Microsoft, perhaps getting a technical fellow in the lead seat (Head of Windows Steven Sinofsky would do well) instead of the salesman Steve Ballmer (don’t get me wrong, he’s a great salesman and leader, just not what Microsoft needs right now).

So, Bill will continue to save the world, while leaving Microsoft as a part time gig.

But there’s no truth to that, according to Larry Cohen, Gates’s chief of staff, who I just chatted with by phone.

By DustinPosted onDecember 7, 2011

The Xbox 360 has gone through some changes the past couple days, including a new dash board update. They have also created a new Xbox 360 Companion app for the Windows Phone 7 that allows you to control your Xbox through your phone. Not too shabby for us WP7 owners. Now, for less control but still some great features for your Xbox Live account, and for you Apple iPhone users, Microsoft has released a new app for you.

So far, there are mixed reviews on the new dashboard update. As for the mobile apps, I’ve yet to hear any opinions one way or the other. I’ll be giving both a try this evening.

By DustinPosted onDecember 7, 2011

According to All Things Digital, Windows 8 beta 1 will be released in late February 2012. The beta will include the new Windows App Store, along with other features that are not known at this time. There have been a few leaks, but until the beta status is secured, the feature set is open to changes.

Store will debut with a beta of Windows 8 in late February 2012. Free apps only at first. App submissions will be by invite only, it says.

“We want great apps, and we want great apps in our store,” Leblond said, wrapping up the event.

By DustinPosted onDecember 7, 2011

I’ve been saying the same thing for years. Bill Gates is a nerd and he ran his company like a nerd. Steve Jobs was a marketing guy, and he ran his company that way. Apple was founded by Jobs marketing genius and Wozniak’s technical genius (that’s an understatement right there).

Right now, in my opinion, Microsoft’s current CEO Steve Ballmer isn’t a nerd and is a salesman. I think a new leader for Microsoft would need to come from within Microsoft, but not from the marketing department – it needs to come from the engineering department (head of Windows Steven Sinofsky would be a good choice). Sell the product, not the company. The whole saying “If you build it, they will come” comes to mind. Microsoft is more focused on delivering to the shareholders while leaving the consumers with scraps. They need to turn that around and focus on the consumer, give them a kick ass operating system and Office suite. It will sell very well and profits will go up helping the share price.

The interview with Nathan Myhrvold tells of some inside thinking of a Microsoft CTO. Jobs’ critique of Bill Gates being an unimaginative and a non-inventor goes in the trash. I always thought Steve Jobs was more of a scam artist than anything (and his past proves so) – and never understood his knocks on Bill Gates. As I’ve said before – Bill was a nerd.

By DustinPosted onDecember 6, 2011

Microsoft’s Larry Hyrb, otherwise known as Major Nelson, has tweeted “The timing for Xbox 360 dashboard update has been slightly delayed. I’ll have a status update later today.”. The new  update mimics the Metro style user interface that is present in the Windows Phone 7 platform and the upcoming Windows 8 operating system. I’ll update this post later in the day when more information becomes available from Microsoft.

By DustinPosted onDecember 5, 2011

I’ve been testing this thing out for a while now, and it is very cool. Yea, it’s like Windows Phone and Windows 8, and it takes a little bit of getting used to because of the change, but once you get the hang of it, it is a lot easier and faster to get where you want. It also provides you with more information without having to go in and out of applications.

It makes the whole Xbox experience seamless and more polished. At times, it felt like different things were just pasted over the top of other things. Now, with the new Metro style interface, it seems like it is all one seamless application. Well done, Microsoft.

Beyond entertainment, you’ll find a number of features designed to make your Xbox experience more personal, social and effortless. The dashboard has an entirely new look and feel and a completely reimagined interface that makes your entertainment accessible through simple voice commands. Now, using voice search with Bing on Xbox, you can find and play the programming you want across multiple entertainment providers without having to search for a remote control. In the mood for ‘The Office?’ Just say “Xbox, Bing, ‘The Office,’” and Xbox will display all episodes available from various entertainment apps across the console.

By DustinPosted onDecember 5, 2011

I met Nate Oliver online quite a while ago through the Microsoft MVP site, and in the few years that I’ve known him, he was a very smart, down to earth, enthusiastic and kind person. I was sad to hear that Nate passed away recently. I did not get the chance to meet him personally, but his online persona was extremely friendly and helping. My condolences go out to his family and friends. You will be missed, Nate. A very sad day in the Microsoft community.