Forza 5 Adds Big Data, Cloud Computing and Rumble-Triggers
Hands-on with Forza 5 on Xbox One at E3.
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Tag: Microsoft
Field Is Set for Microsoft Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals
Microsoft announced the field today for its 11th annual Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals, which will be held in July in St. Petersburg, Russia. The competition includes of 86 teams made up of more than 300 students from 69 countries. The teams are tasked with designing projects built on Microsoft technology that fall into one of three categories: innovation, games, and world citizenship.
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13 Disappointing Things About XBox One… And 3 Things That Should Give You Hope
The XBox One was revealed Tuesday. It was a fairly disappointing announcement. Here are the low points and a few high points.
Continue ReadingKinect Sesame Street TV Scaffolds Parent-Child Learning on Xbox
We visit Soho Studios to talk to the team behind perhaps the most pre-school friendly game ever: Kinect Sesame Street TV.
Continue ReadingA Week With Nothing but the Surface Pro
To truly test the capabilities of Microsoft’s newest tablet, the Surface Pro, I decided to embark on a little experiment. For one week, I used nothing but my 128GB Surface Pro with Type Cover to accomplish all of my work. How well did it manage at the hands of a “power user?”
Continue ReadingHalo 4 Matures Into a Family Feast
FGTV interviews Frank O’Connor to discover what Halo 4 has to offer to families and how the franchise is starting to capitalize on these assets. We discover a fresh new approach to the surrounding fiction and a more bite sized …
Continue ReadingErgo, Ouch: The Pain of Technology Designed Without People in Mind
After years of typing, it came out of nowhere: an aching, stabbing, tingling pain in my arms and hands. My primary complaint was a throbbing ache followed by pinpricks of fiery pain on my fingers, like someone putting out cigarettes on my skin. I couldn’t work with my hands in any capacity, and I couldn’t sleep. Nothing seemed to work to alleviate the pain. Not ibuprofen, not acetaminophen, not painkillers. I had carpal tunnel.
Continue ReadingWindows 8 for $39.99 — Are You In?
This week, Microsoft announced that most Windows users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for only $39.99. For anyone that doesn’t usually buy upgrades, that is a significant cost break compared to what it usually costs (around $50 to $100). Now, before you jump on that deal, consider the following…
Continue ReadingWomen in Technology: Get With the Picture
As a woman in technology, I hear a lot about the lack of women in the field. While I was in college I noticed that I was usually the only female in the class. My teachers treated me the same and the guys never cared. After I graduated and I started attending events like Microsoft’s annual Tech Ed, I realized just how much of a minority we are. The thing that keeps catching my attention, though, is how much of an issue people want to make out of it.
Continue ReadingXbox SmartGlass Is Next-Generation Universal Remote
SmartGlass promises to turn any smart phone or tablet computer into a touch screen controller for the Xbox 360. This not only makes finding and selecting media easier, and complements the 360’s controller, motion and voice control options, but adds …
Continue ReadingKinect Sports 2 Basketball Highlights Microsoft’s $1M Donation to Right to Play
A new Kinect Sports 2 Basketball activity was unveiled today as part of Microsoft’s $1M sponsorship of the Right to Play charity. The sponsorship will provide funds and technology for the charity’s 2012 program. Right to Play is a worldwide …
Continue ReadingFamily Fun Playing the Xbox 360 Special Edition 4GB Kinect Family Bundle
On February 29, Microsoft began shipping out their limited edition Xbox 360 bundle. This package of joy includes an Xbox 360 4GB console that is glossy white in color, a Kinect sensor of matching color, a white Xbox 360 wireless …
Continue ReadingThreepio, R2 and Calculator Watches
Once upon a time I dreamed of owning a watch that would not only tell time, but have multiple alarms and a calculator that had more functions than I could hope to understand. I remember when calculator watches first appeared and I remember the first kid in school that showed up with one after Christmas. […]
Continue ReadingGeekDad Father and Son Interview, Part II: O’Connor, Ayoub, and Holmes on Making Halo Anniversary
This is Part II of the interviews my son (John Luke) and I conducted at 343 Industries with Frank O’Connor, Franchise Development Director; Dan Ayoub, Executive Producer of Publishing; and Josh Holmes, Studio Creative Director and Creative Director, Halo 4. …
Continue ReadingGeekDad Father and Son Interview, Part 1: O’Connor, Ayoub, and Holmes on Making Halo Anniversary
My son John Luke and I had the opportunity to visit with the main dudes who have taken over the development and care of the Halo franchise at 343 Industries. Fair warning, though — the studio head honcha is Bonnie …
Continue ReadingSurface – The Table-Sized Tablet from Microsoft
Technology is always seeming to want to make things smaller and smaller. Just look at computers, once they were the size of a room and now you can carry one in your pocket thanks to smart phones. But now there is a product that is going the opposite way and supersizing something that usually can […]
Continue ReadingA Father-Son Trip to 343, The Maker of Halo
Father and son Halo fans get to visit 343 Industries (the current Halo developer), and relive a decade of FPS family fun.
Continue ReadingDisneyland Adventures Is Kinect’s Toy Story
A new game makes the Disneyland park an open world you can fly through, and the Kinect a must-have family-gaming accessory.
Continue ReadingHappy Birthday, Bill Gates!
William Henry Gates, III was born on October 28, 1955 in Seattle, Washington. Like him or loathe him, Mr. Gates possesses all of the qualifications needed for birthday well-wishes on this blog: He is a Dad (a father of three) …
Continue ReadingHappy Birthday, Windows XP
October 22nd marked the 10th birthday of Microsoft XP and the operating system is spending the special occasion by slipping quietly into retirement. As the first major change in Microsoft’s operating system platforms, it was not well perceived in the …
Continue ReadingKinect for Kids
My daughter and I recently attended an event called Kinect for Kids, where we scarfed down mini-burgers and tried out the latest batch of XBox Kinect games for kids. For the longest time XBox ignored the little kid market, but now they’re poised to take a bite out of Nintendo’s market share. We only […]
Continue ReadingCookie Monster Makes a PSA about Parental Controls for Game Consoles
Cookie Monster isn’t just googly-eyed, fuzzy, blue, and a lover of his namesake food item. He’s also a responsible, upstanding citizen who recorded a public service announcement (PSA) with Microsoft, to make sure people are aware of what would happen …
Continue ReadingKinect’s Second Wave Is Already Arriving
While hunting through the release lists for my Hot 3DS Christmas Games, I stumbled upon quite a few interesting Kinect games. These titles are being called Kinect’s second wave because they each extend the use of the controller in some …
Continue ReadingE3′s Top 7 Family Kinect Games
Now the E3 dust has settled I’ve had some time to pick through the remains and see what was most exciting from a family gaming perspective. First off I thought I’d look at the Kinect games that really stood out …
Continue ReadingE3 For Families: Microsoft Announces Family-Friendly Fare
Now the dust is starting to settle on the big announcements from E3, I’ve started to pick my way through the marketing spin and actual reality — and found there still remains plenty to be excited about for family gamers. …
Continue ReadingMy Daughter Out-Geeked Me!
My kids seem to get into music that’s much too old for them. I do keep an eye on the lyrics, but largely I don’t mind as long as it’s getting them singing along and dancing. One downside is that …
Continue Reading30 Things We Want to See at E3
One of the biggest problems with events like E3 is the sheer volume of information available. If all the headlines are to be believed there are enough video-gaming exclusives over the week to last the rest of the year. Of …
Continue ReadingKinect Has More in Store for Families
Now the excitement of the Kinect launch is fading (and we gear up for the 3DS’s arrival) you’d be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss was about. After a bit of research though I’m pleased to report that there …
Continue ReadingDance Contests Boost Kids’ Confidence
My kids have really got into dancing the last couple of years. The oldest now has weekly Street Jazz dance lessons and another of them is looking to start Break Dancing lessons. It’s been really good to see the confidence …
Continue ReadingInterview: A Chat with Major Nelson, the Nicest Guy on Xbox Live or Larry Hryb to the Rest of Us
There has been a lot of negative press about video games, and frankly, irresponsible, unfounded claims made about video games and children in the media. More than ever before, we need a balanced perspective about gaming from one of the …
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