Consumer software and hardware

Microsoft's Windows Phone 7.8 update slated for early 2013

Windows Phone 7.8 -- the update for Windows Phone 7.x that adds tile multisizing support -- is going to roll out to "as many devices as possible" by early 2013.

That's the latest timing I had heard from some of my contacts, and is now officially acknowledged by the Softies, as noted in a November 28 Windows Phone blog post.

The post, authored by Windows Phone chief Terry Myerson, noted that Windows Phone 7.8 is starting to roll out now on new, lower-priced phones in many countries around the world.

But it's … Read more

Windows 8 off to an awkward start, Nomura says

The Windows 8 debut is off to an "awkward" start, Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund says, and that doesn't bode well for Microsoft's financial results.

Microsoft last month launched the newest version of its operating system, which incorporates more tablet-like features such as touch capabilities. The company is making a big bet with the new OS, counting on the software to help fend off competition from the iPad and other mobile devices. But there have been worries that Windows 8 demand is sluggish, with consumers instead opting for tablets.

Sherlund noted that PC vendors have been slow … Read more

Xbox update fixes SmartGlass and Xbox Music issues

Xbox 360 owners will be greeted with an update from Microsoft the next time they fire up their consoles.

Released earlier today, the system update fixes a few issues, including an incorrect playlist name displayed when using Xbox SmartGlass, an error with Xbox Video closed-captioning, and a bug with Xbox Music that affected some users.

Upon powering up your Xbox 360, the following message pops up:

A system update is available from Xbox Live. If you decline, you won't be able to connect to Xbox Live until you take the update. Visit www.xbox.com/update for more info. … Read more

Microsoft may open retail stores in U.K. next year, says report

Microsoft may be opening its first European retail shops in the U.K. next year.

The folks in Redmond have been talking to property landlords in the U.K., a person familiar with the talks told the Financial Times. Microsoft reportedly expressed confidence that it will open the first outlets next year, the source said. But a final decision will be based on the performance of its U.S. stores.

This latest tidbit follows a report this past June from The Verge, saying that Microsoft would open a U.K. store next March. The company officially incorporated itself in the … Read more

A Black Friday tale of two stores: Apple vs. Microsoft

The Apple store in the Mall of America in Minneapolis had a better Black Friday than a Microsoft outlet across the hall.

On Black Friday, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster camped outside of the Apple Store in the Mall of America to analyze foot traffic and product purchases. He also stationed a team outside the Microsoft Store across the way to see how things went for the software giant. During the two hours he and his team evaluated the stores, Microsoft's outlet had 47 percent less traffic than Apple's.

Munster provided his findings to Fortune, which was first … Read more

Microsoft starts Black Friday sale a day early

Microsoft is starting its Black Friday sale early this year by making most of its deals available on Thursday morning, according to a teaser on its site.

The company starts deals for its software and hardware at 12 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, except for its Surface tablet-related deal. That sale is reserved for Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Consumers who purchase a Surface bundle can save $50 on a second Touch or Type cover. The deal starts on Friday, ends on Sunday, and is limited to five per customer.

Other deals, like saving up to $… Read more

Microsoft probes Windows Phone 8 reboot weirdness

Windows Phone 8 devices just started hitting the market, but a number of users are reporting spontaneous reboots and email-sync issues with various devices on different carriers.

I had not had any issues with my loaner HTC 8X Windows Phone 8 on AT&T, which I've been testing since October 29 -- until yesterday, that is. This morning, my email accounts, as well as my Microsoft Account, were stuck in an endless loop of continually trying to sync. This was not happening on my Windows Phone 7 device (an HTC Trophy on Verizon). My Windows Phone 8 device … Read more

Xbox 720 to offer Kinect 2.0 and Blu-ray drive, says Xbox World

Microsoft's Xbox 720 will unveil a new version of Kinect, a Blu-ray drive, and an A/V port for watching and recording broadcast TV, at least according to details leaked by Xbox World.

Promising "next-gen secrets inside," the latest issue of the U.K.-based magazine dug up several reported specs on Microsoft's next console.

First off, the Xbox 720 will introduce Kinect 2.0.

Microsoft has been as publicly mum about the next version of Kinect as it has about all details concerning the new Xbox. But a company document leaked in June touted a … Read more

Design guru Nielsen: Windows 8 UI 'smothers usability'

User interface design guru Jakob Nielsen is none too pleased with what he's found in Windows 8, which he calls a "misguided" product.

Nielsen, who has spent much of his career analyzing all kinds of user interfaces, including most notably Flash software for Web animation, says that the new Windows 8 user interface "smothers usability with big colorful tiles while hiding needed features."

To arrive at that conclusion, Nielsen brought in 12 "experienced PC users" to try out Windows on both PCs and Surface RT tablets. In that study, Nielsen found that the … Read more

Microsoft serves up 60-day trial version of Office 2013

People who want to take Office 2013 for a spin can download a 60-day evaluation edition.

The version available is the full Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2013 suite, which includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Lync. The software contains all the features in the paid edition, so you won't miss out on anything.

You will need a Microsoft account in order to access the download page, but otherwise there are no strings attached.

Here's how you can grab the free trial version:

Head over to the Office Professional Plus 2013 download page on TechNet. Click … Read more