Soon, Xbox Companion will let you control your console from Windows Phone

We just reported that Microsoft is partnering with Verizon and Comcast (among others) to continue expanding the reaches of its Xbox 360 entertainment suite, but would it be complete without adding compatibility to its mobile empire as well? The Windows Phone Team says nay; it spoke up this morning about an upcoming app called Xbox Companion, which will access the Xbox Live Marketplace and also act as a remote, allowing you to navigate your console or control video playback directly from your handset. You can call it laziness or convenience — or both — but either way, it’s still going to be a clever new addition to the Marketplace. The app’s currently in beta and will be available as a free download “soon.” For a peek, check out the video below at around the one-minute mark.

Continue reading Soon, Xbox Companion will let you control your console from Windows Phone

Soon, Xbox Companion will let you control your console from Windows Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update video leaks, tours Metro in silence




Last month, we sat down with Microsoft for a quick look at the Xbox’s upcoming Dashboard update — it was sleek, searchable, and extremely camera shy. A quick trip to Europe seems to have cured it of its bashful ways, however, and the budding update can now be seen in a slightly blurry piece of French cinema. This leaked video shows a Dashboard with a smidge more polish than the demo we saw in September, and silently plods on without so much as a bleep or bloop. Our mute host briefly peeks at the Xbox Live Marketplace, casually glances at the Bing search page and scrolls leisurely through the new Dash’s very Metro menu. The whole shebang is en français, of course, and the update’s snappy voice-control gimmick is sadly absent. Sure, there’s not a lot of depth here, but if you want a glimpse of what’s coming when the update drops later this Fall, it’s definitely worth a look.

[Thanks, John]

Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update video leaks, tours Metro in silence originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 02:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink IGN  |  sourceivazquez71 (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

Microsoft reportedly adding video from Comcast, Verizon, HBO Go and others to Xbox Live

Microsoft announced new integration with live TV as a part of the Xbox 360’s fall update during E3 earlier this year, but didn’t name any US pay-TV partners at the time. Now, anonymous rumors recently posted on Digiday suggested the folks at Redmond were looking to work with Verizon and Comcast, followed by Bloomberg hearing similar talk from its own “people with knowledge of the situation.” Today’s rumors finger Verizon (which showed off live TV on a variety of devices at CES), Comcast, HBO, Crackle, Bravo, Syfy and UK service Lovefilm as likely partners. Missing from the list is AT&T’s U-verse, which already offers an Xbox 360 tie-in and distributes its IPTV on the Mediaroom platform, just like some of the international partners previously announced. If these services launch it will be interesting to see how the integration works and if it’s VOD like the existing Xfinity TV and Flex View mobile apps, or if providers cross the IPTV bridge with in-home devices like the Televation / AnyPlay box.

Microsoft reportedly adding video from Comcast, Verizon, HBO Go and others to Xbox Live originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq, Technically Philly  |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments

WrapUp: Windows 8 Developer Preview Released, Microsoft’s Synergy-Like App, and More

This article was written on September 19, 2011 by CyberNet.

Welcome to the WrapUp by CyberNet. This is a collection of news stories, downloads, and tips that we have collected over the last few days, but never got around to writing about. Don’t forget to send in your own tips, or just leave a comment on this page if you think you’ve got something we should include.

–News–

Windows 8 xbox liveMicrosoft Demos Xbox Live on Windows 8
If you’ve been clamoring for a new way to hook up to Xbox Live the Windows 8 OS might be just what you need. These videos are from BUILD where Microsoft showed off some of the Xbox Live integration.

Windows 8 startWindows 8 Previewed at BUILD
Microsoft unveiled a lot of things about Windows 8 at BUILD this year, and even released a developer preview that is available for the public to download. This is a quick look at the Windows 8 OS and what it has to offer.

Grid10 tabletFusion Garage Grid10 Tablet Drops to $299 Before Launch
The Fusion Garage Grid10 tablet that is launching on October 1st will now cost just $299, which is $200 less than what was previously reported.

Amazon kindleAmazon Trying to Launch a Netflix for Books
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Amazon is in talks to try and launch a subscription-based service for reading books that is similar to what Netflix does for videos.

–Tips, Tutorials, and Reviews–

Wireless snifferFind Out Who is On your Wireless Network
The Wireless Network Watcher is a portable app that will display all the devices currently connected to your network.

Evernote chrome clippingEvernote for Chrome Now With Better Article Clipping
The new Evernote extension for Chrome lets you quickly adjust the size of the area that gets clipped.

Windows 8 contrastWindows 8 Tips and Tricks
This is a collection of some tips for people trying out Windows 8, and includes ways to quickly launch apps as well as some of the new keyboard shortcuts.

DashexpanderFree Text Expansion for the Mac
DashExpander is a free app for the Mac that will automatically transform text as you’re typing into more meaningful snippets. It’s not as robust as some of the paid apps, but will suffice for someone with basic text expansion needs.

EchofiGet Pandora-Style Listening in Spotify
Echofi is a service that integrates with Spotify to provide an endless stream of music based on an artist you like.

Chrome text insertInsert Pre-Defined Text into Chrome With This Extension
Insert Text is a free Chrome Extension that lets you customize blocks of text that can quickly be inserted into any field on a site.

Mouse without borderseMicrosoft Releases Synergy-Like App
If you use two Windows computers side-by-side the new Mouse Without Borders app from Microsoft will let you control both of those machines using a single keyboard and mouse. This is a software-based solution that doesn’t require any kind of KVM, and is similar to the open source Synergy app that has been around for awhile. It is extremely easy to set up, and works very well.

–Downloads–

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Microsoft shows off Xbox Live on Windows 8 (video)

Yeah, we knew it was possible, but knowing and seeing are two very, very different animals. Just before closing the doors at Build 2011, Microsoft’s Avi Ben-Menahem took the time to briefly showcase what would be possible with Xbox Live and Windows 8. It’s obviously in a very early state, but already we’re seeing signs of cross-platform multiplayer game support, and an (unsurprisingly) Metro-style universe supplanting the existing Games for Windows Live. We get the feeling that Microsoft’s thinking this one through; rather than just shoehorning a gaming element in, things like “cloud saves” and dedicated Music / Video panes will be around to enjoy. Moreover, participation in the Xbox Live development program will purportedly be free, and if Ben-Menahem has his way, this will bring “everything you know and love on Xbox 360 and Xbox Live to Windows.” Bold. Peek the pair of videos just after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft shows off Xbox Live on Windows 8 (video)

Microsoft shows off Xbox Live on Windows 8 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink This is my next  |  sourceGeekWire, WinRumors  | Email this | Comments

Xbox Live functionality confirmed for Windows 8

Microsoft today re-confirmed that it will be bringing Xbox Live functionality to PCs — a move that will come courtesy of the newly showcased Windows 8. The integration — titled, simply enough, Xbox Live on Windows — will bring the service’s gaming, music, movie and TV content to Win 8 devices. The software giant promises to shed more light on the move later in the week, with a Build 2011 session for app developers interested in harnessing the service’s features.

Xbox Live functionality confirmed for Windows 8 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMajor Nelson, Channel9  | Email this | Comments

Xbox Live Fall 2011 Dashboard update preview: Bing search, voice control, and a Metro overhaul

Autumn is fast approaching — and you know what that means: it’s round about time for an Xbox Dashboard update. Sure, we got a peek of Microsoft’s upcoming harvest back at E3, but the good folks from Redmond invited us to take a closer look at what they’re calling the “most significant update to the Dashboard since NXE.” Senior project Manager Terry Ferrell was on-site to walk us through an early engineering beta and show us how an updated Metro UI, Bing search and deeper Kinect integration is going to change the way folks manage their entertainment content.

Continue reading Xbox Live Fall 2011 Dashboard update preview: Bing search, voice control, and a Metro overhaul

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Xbox Live Fall 2011 Dashboard update preview: Bing search, voice control, and a Metro overhaul originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget’s back to school guide 2011: gaming

Welcome to Engadget’s Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we’re here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we’re getting our game on — and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they’re added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back — at the end of the month we’ll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides — and hit up the hub page right here!

Let’s be honest, balancing coursework with recreation is just as important as maintaining a balanced food diet — perhaps even more. After you spend countless hours hitting the books, cramming for tests, and writing papers, you’re just going to need something to turn your brain to mush. Don’t worry, we have just the thing: video games. It doesn’t matter how many midterms you have, we’re sure we can find something to help you slack off. Of course, it’s not going to be easy; you’ll have to wait until next semester (at least) to get your hands on the PlayStation Vita, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have options now. Jump past the break — we can probably help you find something to get you through mid-terms with your sanity intact. Don’t want to shell out cash to have fun this semester? Enter our back to school sweepstakes! Simply leave a comment below for a chance to win, and drop by our giveaway page for more details.

Continue reading Engadget’s back to school guide 2011: gaming

Engadget’s back to school guide 2011: gaming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox 360 to go forever matte as glossy is discontinued, fingerprints look for a new home

Say it ain’t so! Within the next few weeks Microsoft will be phasing out its 250GB Xbox 360’s glossy finish in favor of the murdered-out matte currently found on its 4GB models. Major Nelson recently took to his blog announcing the news amid apparent speculation that the pricier variant would actually be offered in both flavors. If you’re a fan of shiny things — and a lover of fingerprints — Major says you’ll still have time to pick one up as stock is shuffled, and also noted there’ll probably be glossy limited editions in the future. Rest in peace dear glossy friend, our microfiber cloths won’t know what to do with them themselves.

Continue reading Xbox 360 to go forever matte as glossy is discontinued, fingerprints look for a new home

Xbox 360 to go forever matte as glossy is discontinued, fingerprints look for a new home originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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25 percent of Netflix users stream on the Wii, think composite cables are just fine

We all know that streaming Hoarders and other guilty pleasures via the interwebs has taken off over the past few years. No news there. However, what may be surprising is that, despite the ability to stream in HD to a number of other devices (including your computer), a quarter of all Netflix subscribers view Swamp People by way of the Wii. That’s right, 1080p doesn’t matter for these folks, who prefer to live the simple life… and by that we mean life in standard def. Most viewers prefer to watch instantly via PC for both Netflix and Hulu, with a whopping 89 percent of Plus customers taking this route to catch up on The Daily Show. With those looking to ditch the red envelope and, you know, with Mad Men now available, Wii viewers are sure to increase as a new console is just around the corner. Because nothing says 1960s drama like 480p, right?

25 percent of Netflix users stream on the Wii, think composite cables are just fine originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceNielsen  | Email this | Comments