sky

Microsoft to partner with Sky on Xbox One deal? Nope.

Microsoft's strategy for its Xbox One console might rely on help from broadcasters, according to a new report.

Microsoft has been in talks with satellite TV broadcaster Sky in the U.K. to bring its Xbox One to the company's customers, MCVUK reported on Thursday, citing people who claim to have knowledge of the deal. It's possible that the Xbox One will be a companion set-top box that sits atop Sky's service, those sources said. The Xbox One could be sold at a heavily reduced cost, according to the site's sources.

However, a Sky representative … Read more

Sky's Android apps, Twitter account hacked

British satellite broadcaster Sky is the latest media company to fall victim to the Syrian Electronic Army.

Sky's Android apps and Twitter account have been hacked by the Syrian Electronic Army. A Sky spokesperson also told CNET UK that a tweet from the Sky Help Team advising people to uninstall their Android apps is not from the company.

The Sky Help Team's Twitter account has been compromised, and the tweet that states customers should uninstall their apps is not guidance from Sky. We are currently investigating the situation. We will provide a further update when we have more … Read more

Review: Gaze at the stars with Stellarium for Mac

Stargazing is an amazing hobby, but the weather isn't always perfect for it. With Stellarium for Mac, users can now explore the galaxy anywhere, anytime.

The installation of Stellarium for Mac takes no time at all as it requires a simple drag and drop into the Applications folder. Once you launch the app, you will be greeted with a night sky full of stars, which looks really amazing. If you want to see more stars you can simply zoom in. The application reminded us of the Night Sky feature from Google Earth. One of the advantages of this app … Read more

Google Sky Map for Android 1.6.4 Review

Amateur stargazers rejoice! Google's state-of-the-art mapping service has taken pictures of the entire night sky for you to view on your smartphone or tablet. Google Sky Map is an awesome learning tool for anyone who wants to learn about constellations, stars, or any of the wonders that are hiding in our night sky.

To make the most of this app, you'll need to let it access your phone's GPS. It plots your data on a map so it can transmit the exact view of the stars you'll see when you hold your phone or tablet skywards. … Read more

Apple stops blocking Microsoft's Skydrive app for iOS

Microsoft released an update of its SkyDrive for iOS app today, indicating that Apple is no longer blocking the app's updates from the App Store.

Until today, Microsoft hadn't updated its cloud storage service app since June 1. This was reportedly due to a dispute between Microsoft and Apple over fees. The app's 3.0 version includes support for iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini, and the ability to download full resolution photos to an iPhone or iPad.

In December, a report surfaced that Microsoft allegedly didn't want to pay Apple a 30 percent fee for … Read more

Forecast.io is a beautiful weather app for any Web device

Earlier this week Forecast.io was announced by the same team behind the iOS weather app Dark Sky. The app would provide alerts based on the immediate weather forecast, allowing you to get inside just moments before the weather would get nasty. With the launch of Forecast.io, the team is able to get the same type of forecasting into the hands of more users since it's a Web based app.

To use the app simply visit Forecast.io using your browser. You can then create a Web shortcut and save it to your mobile device, or a bookmark … Read more

Hotmail, Outlook, SkyDrive hit by service disruptions

A handful of Microsoft Web services have been inaccessible for hours this afternoon, including Hotmail and Outlook.

Frustrated users of the e-mail services and cloud storage service SkyDrive complain about the services' hours-long inaccessibility.

#hotmail its my own fault for not leaving you a long time ago, but man its miserable not being able to get your email

— Michael Fish (@MFishFinancial) March 13, 2013

Come on #hotmail I want to check my emails! You've been down for AGES!

— Catriona MacIntyre (@catmac6) March 13, 2013

Error, #Hotmail is down. Click the link "check latest status update" The update? &… Read more

Is that an Oreo in the sky or are you just using Nokia's Lumia?

Fresh off winning the Super Bowl, or at least the social media advertising wars during the NFL's championship, Oreo is now setting out to conquer the stars in the skies.

The cookie giant has teamed up with Nokia to release a stargazing app for Lumia Windows phones that could result in the heavens above being filled with virtual Oreos.

Called Oreo Skies, the app was designed to let users write messages and tag them to actual stars -- or at least to constellations.

It works like this. First, users can point their Lumia at the skies and pick a … Read more

Microsoft to further integrate Yammer with Office this summer

Buried in a press release on Yammer momentum are a couple of new details about Microsoft's plans for integrating Yammer with SkyDrive Pro and Office Web Apps by summer 2013.

From the February 20 press release:

"SkyDrive Pro was previewed at the recent SharePoint Conference, and Yammer is implementing it as the underlying platform for file storage. In addition, Yammer is enhancing the ability to preview and edit files directly within Yammer feeds using Office Web Apps. The combination of these capabilities will dramatically enhance a user's ability to create, collaborate, share, and discover content within Yammer. … Read more

Windows Live Mesh users must switch by Wednesday

Still using Windows Live Mesh? You won't be much longer.

Come Wednesday, the online storage and syncing service will draw its final breath, leaving Mesh users without a home. So, where can you go if you're currently using Mesh to back up, store, and synchronize your files?

A variety of online storage sites are available. Microsoft's SkyDrive is one obvious choice since it already offers some, but not all, of the features of Live Mesh.

How do you switch from Live Mesh to SkyDrive? And what are the potential pitfalls? Let's go through the process.

First, … Read more