Hasta La Gadget!

Sweetening the deal on its cloud-based Office 365 suite, Microsoft will start bundling a year of Xbox Live Gold with any purchases of Office 365 Home Premium or Office 365 University made before September 28th. You’ll then pick up an Xbox Live code as you sign in during the initial Office setup. Unfortunately, US customers aren’t eligible for this promotion, but the majority of Europe, plus Australia, Canada and parts of Asia are all included. Alongside the recent promise of two free games a month, Microsoft’s made this bundled subscription a pretty tempting proposition.

Update: Turns out that this offer is available in the US after all. Thanks to tipster David for spotting, and sending that in. Details can be found at the More Coverage link.

Filed under: Gaming, Internet, Software, Microsoft

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Via: TNW

Source: Microsoft Office, Microsoft (German)

It’s that time of the year again, and we’re not talking about the long Independence Day weekend. Microsoft has opened up public beta registration for the 2013 Xbox Live update, and this time around you’ll need to log your interest directly through an Xbox 360 console. Xbox owners in Japan will be missing out, although they’ll have the same opportunity “at a later date.” There should be a tile on the dashboard home screen entitled “Xbox Beta Program,” and with limited spots available, we recommend you sign up immediately if you’d like to participate — last year’s spots were filled pretty quickly. There doesn’t appear to be anything exciting included in the beta; Major Nelson cites “updates to improve overall performance” and the option to purchase content with actual money instead of MS points. There may be more details in the beta FAQ when it goes live later today, but if you get into the program and find anything juicy MS neglected to mention, it hopes you’ll honor the NDA which you’ll agree to as part of the registration process.

Filed under: Gaming, Software, Microsoft

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Source: Major Nelson

Redesign notwithstanding, the Xbox 360 is clearly in its twilight years. Wouldn’t it be nice to give the system a retirement gift? Microsoft thinks so, as it just unveiled a stand-alone gold version of its Chrome Series controller. The wireless gamepad shares the same transforming D-pad as past special editions, but ups the flashiness by a factor of ten — and won’t require that you buy a Star Wars-themed console at the same time. Microsoft ships the $55 gold controller worldwide this August, although it will only be available at a handful of stores, including GameStop and the Microsoft Store in the US.

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Microsoft

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Source: Major Nelson

Xbox Live Gold members might have yet another reason not to go outdoors this summer, as Microsoft has just detailed a new TWC TV app for launch in the next few months. Joining the console’s existing HBO Go stream, Time Warner Cable subscribers will be able to watch AMC, BBC World News, Bravo, CNN, Comedy Central, Food Network and more through their Xbox 360, with Kinect controls to switch channels and more with a wave of your arms. The announcement also kindly reminds us that its incoming Xbox One will let users switch between live TV and gaming in an instant — preorders are open now, folks!

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft

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Source: Xbox

You might be able to knock one password off your list, as you now have the option to log in to your Lovefilm account using Amazon credentials. The changeover is part of the online retail giant’s recently announced Login With Amazon initiative, intended to let you use a universal ID for its other websites or those of third party developers. To switch, you’ll need to follow the link at the source and enter both your Lovefilm and Amazon details, and may need to re-enter payment info as well. The company promised that your private data will remain “completely safe,” and said that any rental lists, bookmarks, viewing history and watchlists will stay put. On the off-chance you’re on Lovefilm but don’t have an Amazon account, the company wouldn’t be adverse to your creating one at the same time, in case you fancy physical disc media to go along with the streaming variety. That’s not the only change Lovefilm users may notice however, as the service has rolled out versions of its next generation streaming app — first seen on the PS3 — for the Xbox 360 as well as Sony Bravia TVs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Amazon

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Source: Lovefilm