Windows Azure storage suffered a disruption across regions which affected some Xbox Live and other services Thursday afternoon.…
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Microsoft has “hundreds of ideas” for Xbox-exclusive TV shows
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-18/microsoft-to-develop-more-tv-programs-as-it-readies-xbox-one.html Microsoft (S MSFT) wants to make a lot more exclusive programming for Xbox Live: The company’s Los Angeles-based production team is…
Read MoreRedbox Instant app arrives on Xbox Live
Microsoft's Xbox 360 is getting yet another video service with the launch of a Redbox Instant app. This marks the first time Redbox Instant is available on a game console.…
Read MoreMicrosoft plans to launch its own interactive TV shows before the end of the year
Microsoft's Los Angeles studios is working on interactive TV content for the Xbox Live platform. First shows are set to launch before the end of the year.…
Read MoreWhy many are unlikely to switch to Windows Phone or BlackBerry 10
Current Windows Phone 8 and upcoming BlackBerry 10 handsets look great, but will people switch? Not likely, and even first-time smartphone owners may balk. It's a perfect example of old phrase, "timing is everything" as most smartphone innovation has already taken place.…
Read MoreConsumers ignore new Microsoft policy, sue company over Xbox Live
Microsoft (s msft) this year joined a growing number of companies that forbid users from filing class action lawsuits. The new policy, however, has failed to stop at least one disgruntled Xbox user.…
Read MoreMicrosoft turns iPhones into Xbox remotes, adds Android client
Microsoft released an an updated iOS version of My Xbox Live that turns the iPhone into a remote control for an Xbox 360, while Android owners get their first version of Microsoft's app. Microsoft 's new Smart Glass service will be on non-Microsoft platforms too.…
Read MoreDoes it matter that Windows Phone has 100k apps now?
Microsoft unlocked an new achievement this month, surpassing 100,000 apps for its Windows Phone mobile platform. But there are several reasons why this number isn't equating into sales of Windows Phones. There's a still a key question Microsoft hasn't answered about its mobile platform.…
Read MoreVerizon’s live iPad streaming, LG TV app coming later this year?
Verizon is working to increase the number of connected devices that can be used to access its live and on-demand streaming channels, with plans to finally bring its live iPad app -- and possibly an app for LG TVs -- to market later in 2012.…
Read MoreHow Samsung plans to out-Kinect Microsoft
Samsung is putting some effort behind its smart TV lineup, with plans to add new functionality for consumers to interact with their TV screens. Its next-gen smart TVs will include voice, gesture and facial recognition features that will enable even smarter TV applications.…
Read More2012 prediction: The slow death of coax begins
A couple of new videos from Verizon show that wireless technology will eventually replace coaxial cable for video distribution within the home. That'll mean more TV content available on more devices, as well as huge potential cost savings for pay TV operators.…
Read MoreMicrosoft debuts official Xbox LIVE client for iOS devices
Microsoft may have launched its companion app for Xbox consoles on Windows Phone 7 devices exclusively, but it isn't leaving iOS users completely out in the cold. The official My Xbox LIVE app, which works on both iPhone and iPad, is in the App Store now.…
Read MoreXbox Live is the first big step to true video convergence
The new Xbox Live update launching tomorrow is the start of a rollout of lots of new content partners on the platform. But the big innovation will be allowing them to be navigated from a unified search mechanism powered by Microsoft's Bing.…
Read MoreWindows Phone is an Xbox 360 video remote control
On Tuesday, Microsoft is launching a new app for Windows Phone handsets to help Xbox 360 owners navigate their game console. The timing is in conjunction with the company's living room push to bring more music and video content to the Xbox 360 console.…
Read MoreVerizon’s Xbox Live rollout lacks broadcast content
Verizon is taking a big step toward making its FiOS TV service available through connected devices, with the launch of a new app for Microsoft's Xbox Live next month. But the new app will be missing a lot of the most popular networks and shows.…
Read MoreWhy Microsoft bought VideoSurf for $70 million
Microsoft has acquired video search specialist VideoSurf, reportedly paying upwards of $70 million for the Silicon Valley startup. The software giant plans to integrate the VideoSurf technology into its Xbox Live platform, providing more granular data about what's happening on-screen.…
Read MoreSony proposes over-the-top TV service
Sony could be the latest company to try taking on the cable industry with an over-the-top video service. The CE manufacturer is in talks with media companies about launching a TV-like service that would be delivered to its PlayStation 3 game console and other connected devices.…
Read MoreNo HBO Go for Roku users on Comcast or DirecTV
Roku scored a huge coup with its release of the HBO Go app. But not everyone who subscribes to the network will have access to it. In fact, the two biggest pay TV operators in the U.S., Comcast and DirecTV, have decided not to support it.…
Read MoreA voice-controlled future is finally upon us
Science fiction writers and futurists have long imagined a world in which we control everyday devices with our voice. That future seems a little bit closer to reality with the news that Apple's Siri voice control technology will likely power its long-rumored iTV device.…
Read MoreMicrosoft readies Silverlight for Xbox Live update
Microsoft is targeting a Black Friday release of its Xbox Live update, which will add apps from the likes of Comcast, Verizon and HBO. But the code that those apps will run on, which is a modified version of Silverlight, is still being finalized.…
Read MoreMicrosoft Shifts Strategies To Expand Xbox Live TV, Go Global
After years of effort and speculation, Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) has pieced together nearly 40 broadcast services from around the world to boos……
Read MoreMicrosoft’s cable play: Verizon, Comcast, HBO and more
Microsoft unveiled partners that will be part of a major expansion of content available through the next update of its Xbox Live service, and it's a pretty impressive list. In addition to Comcast and Verizon, Xbox will also add content from networks like HBO and Epix.…
Read MorePay TV’s future and the battle for Input 1
Pay TV operators are increasingly enabling viewers to browse, navigate and watch their programming on third-party devices like connected TVs and game consoles. But when they do that, are they ceding control to CE manufacturers? And who ends up really owning the consumer relationship?…
Read MoreIt’s no game: Microsoft improving Xbox Live on phones
Microsoft continues to push its game service on Windows Phone 7 as a key differentiator from other platforms. In addition to the Mango improvements hitting Microsoft phones soon, the Xbox Live experience is gaining four new functions, including Parental Controls and in-game add-ons available for purchase.…
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