Articles

54

E3 2013: Microsoft Xbox Meet and Greet

Today is the first “official” day of E3, but yesterday Microsoft, Sony, Ubisoft and EA had their big press conferences where they announced games for this year and next. It also happened to be the same day that Xbox’s Major Nelson and company put on an Xbox meet up at the local Microsoft Store in the Westfield Century City mall.

I decided to check it out while Dan was busy in New York City watching the world premiere of the Man of Steel. Pictures of the Xbox meet up after the break!

More →
1
loading...
17
loading...
9
loading...
0
loading...

Yesterday’s E3 2013 press conferences gave us lots of juicy console news and game announcements, but our gaming readers who don’t play consoles didn’t get much to chew on from the conferences. Hey, we haven’t forgotten you guys (or me since I love gaming on my phone). We squeezed in a few meetings yesterday and came away with…

Exclusive first footage of N.O.V.A. 3 in action! That’s right, we played Gameloft’s sci-fi First-Person Shooter for Windows Phone 8 and lived to tell the tale. I actually had a little more time to play than usual, and so we can show you lots of highlights of the first level. Head past the break for the video and more details!

More →
2
loading...
15
loading...
25
loading...
0
loading...

Last night in the heart of New York City, Nokia co-sponsored the world-premiere of Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel”. We, along with the usual Manhattan glitterati, we lucky enough to attend the red-carpet gala on a rain-soaked Monday.

Yeah, this job has its privileges sometimes, we’ll admit it.

Nokia is one of many companies that have a sponsorship deal with the movie, though they are cited as the largest global partner. Such deals are used to off-set the high costs of the film, associated with production and later promotion of the summer hit, and it helps to have someone else help pick up the bill. In exchange, those companies can have their products featured in the film—sometimes subtle, other times not.

More →
5
loading...
25
loading...
34
loading...
0
loading...

Indigo is a voice controlled personal assistant for your Windows Phone 8 device. The app was recently updated to version 1.0.38.0 which gives the app the ability to launch the app from the Windows Button.

Now according to the change log you should be able to execute some predefined inputs by pressing the Windows Button but the best we could do is simply launch the app itself. Every time I said "Indigo + [your question/request], a Bing search was launched.  Granted my Southern accent could be getting in the way but it feels as a little more fine tuning is needed.

More →
6
loading...
28
loading...
21
loading...
0
loading...

UPDATE: Apologies, but the beta for 6Sec is a private beta, not a public one. That was a screw up on the part of this here writer. Sorry about that.

Last week we gave you a little peek at Rudy Huyn's unofficial Vine (www.vine.co) client app for Windows Phone 8. That app, 6Sec, is now available for download in PRIVATE beta form in the Windows Phone Store for you to evaluate.

More →
4
loading...
21
loading...
36
loading...
0
loading...

It has only been a handful of days since Swapchat, an unofficial Snapchat client for Windows Phone, was released into the wild but the developer has published an update that addresses numerous issues consumers have been experiencing. Swapchat 1.2 also enables users to draw on photos and unblock friends (just in case you both happen kiss and make up).

More →
2
loading...
19
loading...
14
loading...
0
loading...

We gave you a sneak peek last week of Simple Calendar version 2.0, featuring a swanky new Modern UI inspired Live Tiles and easy to read calendar system. While version 1.2 had been sitting on the Store we promised we’d update you when that major revamp went through and sure enough, it’s live now.

Version 2.0 brings with it a bunch of new changes, including another new Live Tile that we didn’t show you the last time: Gob. That’s in addition to Frodo, which we used in the hands on video. Gob has a background which matches your theme (dark or light) and dare we say it’s our favorite.

More →
6
loading...
30
loading...
45
loading...
0
loading...

We can argue about DRM, privacy issues, hardware differences, specs sheets and more till we go blue in the face. But there’s one thing that triumphs all when it comes to launching a new console – games. Below are games you’ll be enjoying on the Xbox One (and a few for 360!). Videos, pictures, and more after the break.

More →
3
loading...
29
loading...
30
loading...
0
loading...

Okay - the Xbox One isn’t actually watching us shower, but Microsoft doesn’t want us to go even a few minutes without seeing an ad for their latest console. Our Editor-At-Large, Simon Sage, tweeted this picture after getting back to his Los Angles hotel room.

The advertisement states: “Drive fast. Defend Rome. Skype on your TV. All in one. – Xbox One” The first two statements are references to Xbox One exclusive games including Forza Motorsport 5 and Crytek’s RYSE. The third statement is reference to the console’s new ability to make Skype calls via Kinect in full screen or snap mode, while playing a game.

More →
2
loading...
15
loading...
22
loading...
0
loading...

After attending Microsoft’s knock-out Media briefing this morning, Sam Sabri and I enjoyed a quick lunch at Freebird’s with a Windows Phone developer. Then we were off to EA’s E3 2013 Press Conference at the Shrine Auditorium. Now that the conference has wrapped, we follow up with a summary of the conference and the games EA announced – all of them for Xbox One!

The EA press conference was bookended by Peter Moore, the company’s chief operating officer. Moore previously worked for Microsoft on the Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles from 2003-2007. Many consider him one of several talented people who were instrumental for the 360’s success. He left in 2007 to head EA Sports but eventually ascended to his current position overseeing multiple EA gaming divisions.

More →
3
loading...
22
loading...
28
loading...
0
loading...

With the Xbox media briefing the 2013 E3 conference is in full swing. This morning we saw Microsoft reveal its launch lineup for the Xbox One, new features coming to Xbox Live, and more. Full recap after the break.

More →
4
loading...
21
loading...
23
loading...
0
loading...

It was just last month when Navitel released a mapping app for Windows Phone 7.x devices with promises to release a Windows Phone 8 version in the near future. Today Navitel held true to their word and released the Windows Phone 8 version of their app.  In a manner of speaking that is.

Now before you get excited, the release is very limited in what maps are available and it's only a thirty day trial. After the thirty days you'll have to pony up and pay as much as 50 Euros for Navitel's service.

More →
2
loading...
23
loading...
20
loading...
0
loading...

What's an effective way to advertise and promote Windows Phone? To highlight awards and praise its leading flagship handset receives, of course. This is exactly what Microsoft has done with its latest advertisement. The company has highlighted quotes from various media sources that have reviewed the Nokia Lumia 920, including Engadget and CNET.

More →
6
loading...
57
loading...
49
loading...
0
loading...

We're still yet to receive an official app from Vine (www.vine.co), but that hasn't stopped resident Windows Phone developers from crafting intuitive third-party solutions. We took a quick sneak peek at Viner by Philippe Maes the last week and the app is now available on the store for everyone with a Windows Phone 8 handset to download and enjoy.

More →
2
loading...
37
loading...
19
loading...
0
loading...

With all the E3 news about Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox One game console, we can easily forget about the current generation machine. Today the company announced that a new smaller and sleeker version of the console will be available.

More →
4
loading...
18
loading...
15
loading...
0
loading...

Microsoft Germany has uploaded the above video on its YouTube channel, showing off the upcoming Lumia 925. The latest flagship from Nokia has just been released in the German market and will be heading to other markets in the coming months, but it's good to see advertising already kicking off.

More →
4
loading...
19
loading...
20
loading...
0
loading...

Today has been an exciting day for both video gamers at E3 and Apple fans at WWDC. Despite what you may think, I actually followed Apple’s event just as closely as Microsoft’s press releases on the Xbox One.

As I sat on our sister site, iMore.com, and watched the WWDC Live blog I realized that I absolutely loved the updates to iOS7. Apple decided to go for a “flat” design and get rid of faux textures for a completely modern approach. As I watched on and became more excited I realized something; flat design, no faux textures, and Bing integration – this was Windows Phone.

More →
140
loading...
8526
loading...
1268
loading...
0
loading...

Plants vs. Zombies is coming to the Xbox One and Xbox 360, but not as you currently know it. PopCap is taking the IP into the third-person action realm, which will introduce the player to new and more action packed gameplay. Announced today at E3, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare will task players with taking control of multiple types of plants and taking out zombies of all sizes.

More →
3
loading...
56
loading...
19
loading...
0
loading...

MapQuest is no secret to mapping things out and has thrown it's name on to the Windows Phone Store shelves. The Windows Phone 8 app has voice-guided navigation, real-time traffic conditions, the ability to hunt down restaurants, and a lot more.

I can remember when MapQuest was the go-to website for looking up addresses and the MapQuest Windows Phone app makes a rather nice first impression.

More →
5
loading...
19
loading...
20
loading...
0
loading...

Apple has today unveiled that Siri in iOS 7 will be using Bing as its programmed search engine. The friendly voice-controlled assistant will be able to control more elements and functions of the iPhone, but we're pleased to see Apple choose Microsoft over Google for searching and interacting with the Interwebz. As well as Bing, Siri will make full use of services including Wikipedia and Twitter.

More →
40
loading...
1102
loading...
359
loading...
0
loading...

So we know that the Xbox One is headed to retailers in November and o celebrate the launch, Microsoft is also introducing a limited-edition commemorative bundle to fans who reserve the system at major retailers.

The bundle will be available in limited quantities for $499.99. Reserving the limited edition bundle will guarantee that you’ll be able to get your hands on the new system on day one. Each commemorative bundle will include an Xbox One system that comes in premium black packaging with a limited edition Xbox One Day One wireless controller, as well as a unique commemorative Day One Achievement.

More →
3
loading...
55
loading...
39
loading...
0
loading...

Advertising network AdDuplex has released data for the month of June and while little has changed, there are positive signs throughout the report. Namely, the Lumia 520 continues to grow in numbers as more consumers opt for the cheap (but cheerful) Windows Phone and version 8 of the OS has finally taken over its predecessor. Sitting comfortably? Jolly good. Let's have a gander at the numbers.

More →
4
loading...
23
loading...
17
loading...
0
loading...

According to a pre-show interview with Rare, the Xbox One will be hitting store shelves in November. This is great news, and sensible timing, right before the holidays and all. Rare will be bringing back Killer Instinct, exclusive to Xbox. 

More →
2
loading...
43
loading...
40
loading...
0
loading...

Microsoft has released a new version of its Mac OS Windows Phone synchronisation client. We've covered the tool many times in the past and version 3.0.2 is a slight bump from what was previously released. The company did publish a major upgrade back in November. All that's new in 3.0.2 are optimisations and bug fixes. 

More →
4
loading...
16
loading...
24
loading...
0
loading...

Event starts at 9:30am PT/12:30pm ET. Watch the live stream on Xbox.com, your Xbox 360, SpikeTV or Windows Phone 8 device with the Event Viewer app here!

More →
1
loading...
12
loading...
26
loading...
0
loading...

Pages