Here"s Why You Should Be Excited for "Halo 4"

Halo 4 is coming out in less than a month, and Microsoft and 343 Industries were at New York Comic Con last weekend to promote the game launch.

It’s been five years since gamers have seen Master Chief, the quiet hero of the franchise, but he’ll make his grand return in Halo 4 on Xbox 360 on Nov. 6. The game starts a new story arc in the Halo universe, known as the reclaimer saga, and Microsoft tasked its own new studio 343 Industries to take the reigns from Bungie on the new adventure.

Mashable talked with Geoff Keighley, a journalist for Spike TV with two decades of experience reporting on games. Keighley is also the executive producer for Spike’s annual Video Game Awards. He offered his insights into Halo 4‘s development thus far, as well as information on their tie-in promotion with Mountain Dew and Doritos.

Keighley also discussed the new content delivery method for Halo 4 in its Spartan Ops mode, which offers weekly updates on a story that gamers can play solo or cooperatively.

Are you excited for the upcoming release of Halo 4? Let us know in the comments.

Screenshots From ‘Halo 4’

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   War Games: Capture the Flag

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   War Games: Capture the Flag

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Master Chief

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Campaign Mode

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Campaign Mode

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Spartan Ops

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Spartan Ops

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Spartan Ops

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Spartan Ops

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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    Spartan Ops

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    Spartan Ops

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    Spartan Ops

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    Spartan Ops

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    

Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/10/17/halo-4-interview/

Here"s Why You Should Be Excited for "Halo 4"

343 industries, Entertainment, gaming, Halo 4, Microsoft, Trending Small Bottom, xbox 360

Tech Giants Urge Senate to Reform NSA Surveillance Powers

Tech giants, including Google, Facebook and Apple, have sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to reform the NSA surveillance programs.

The letter, sent on Thursday to top members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, implicitly endorses a specific bill, the USA Freedom Act, which would end the NSA program that collects U.S. phone call records.

Tech companies have been asking for permission to be more transparent in the months following the revelations fueled by Edward Snowden, but this time, they’re taking one extra step.

“Our companies believe that government surveillance practices should also be reformed to include substantial enhancements to privacy protections and appropriate oversight and accountability mechanisms for those programs,” the letter states.

The companies, which also include AOL, Microsoft, and Yahoo, “applaud” the sponsors of the USA Freedom Act (.PDF), which would significantly reform the Patriot Act and NSA surveillance powers.

The bipartisan bill, introduced by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), the principal author of the Patriot Act, was introduced on Monday and lauded by civil liberties groups. The American Civil Liberties Union called it “real spying reform.”

Meanwhile, an opposing bill (.PDF), introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) was approved by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. The bill has been introduced to reform the NSA, but it allows the bulk collection of phone records to continue.

For Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a staunch supporter of curtailing NSA surveillance, Feinstein’s bill “would codify overbroad surveillance practices that infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans without making America any safer,” he said in a statement.”

Tech giants seem to have sided with the former, arguably more ambitious, reform bill — now it’s lawmakers’ turn.

ech Giants Letter in Support of NSA Surveillance Reform Bill USA Freedom Act

Image: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Read more: http://mashable.com/2013/10/31/tech-giants-letter-suports-usa-freedom-act/

Tech Giants Urge Senate to Reform NSA Surveillance Powers

AOL, apple, Facebook, google, Microsoft, NSA, politics, privacy, surveillance, U.S., US & World, Yahoo

Microsoft Just Lost its Windows Chief

Microsoft has announced that Windows president Steven Sinofsky is leaving the company, effective immediately.

No reason was given for the sudden resignation, which the company was presenting as a mutual decision. Coming a couple of weeks after the official launch of Windows 8, however, it clearly wasn’t the best timing.

“I am grateful for the many years of work that Steven has contributed to the company,” CEO Steve Ballmer said in a statement. “To continue this success it is imperative that we continue to drive alignment across all Microsoft teams, and have more integrated and rapid development cycles for our offerings.”

Sinofsky, above, who in looks and style bears more than a passing resemblance to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, was formerly one of the most trusted members of Ballmer’s inner circle. When the Microsoft Surface Tablet was unveiled at a press event in June, it was Sinofsky who led the charge (and who was an unfortunate victim of a tech glitch where the tablet crashed, as captured in this video).

Ballmer admitted this weekend that early sales of the Surface tablet were “modest.”

According to AllThingsD, sources inside Microsoft are comparing Sinofsky’s departure to that of Scott Forstall from Apple. Both, apparently, were strong-willed executives who didn’t get on well with their teams.

In Sinofsky’s case, Ballmer’s statement suggests that this was holding back the speed of Windows’ development. Indeed, he’ll be succeeded by not one but two executives: Julie Larson-Green on the engineering side of Windows, and Tami Reller, formerly the division CFO, on the business side.

A former engineer who rose through the ranks of the Office team at Microsoft, Sinofsky has been heading up the Windows division since 2009. He headed up development of both Windows 7 and 8 after the disaster that was Vista.

BONUS: Sinofsky’s Surface Launch

Microsoft Surface Launch

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   Windows Chief Steve Sinofsky

   
   

   
   

   Sinofsky demonstrates just how easy it is to watch video hands-free with the Surface’s kickstand.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   The Lineup

   
   

   
   

   Microsoft Surface comes in a couple different flavors: regular and pro.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Spot Steve Ballmer

   
   

   
   

   The Microsoft CEO is hiding in the audience in this picture.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Ballmer on Stage

   
   

   
   

   The Microsoft chief wraps up the presentation portion of the event.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Behind the scenes

   
   

   
   

   Microsoft Surface employees demonstrate the new tablet.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Want to hold it?

   
   

   
   

   Media were allowed to touch the Surface for a brief moment.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Quality casing

   
   

   
   

   Microsoft custom designed every part of the Surface’s construction to a matter of microns.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   The Touch Cover

   
   

   
   

   Here’s the regular cover with barely raised felt keys and trackpad.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   Under the Cover

   
   

   
   

   Though it looks simple, the slim keyboard cover is made of seven layers.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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    Surface with Cover

    
    

    
    

    Here’s what the blue cover looks like.

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    Pro Cover

    
    

    
    

    This shot gives you a sense of just how thin it is.

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    Surface view

    
    

    
    

    We got to see a lot of this homescreen.

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    Up close …

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    … and PowerPoint.

    
    

    
    

    A preview of the Microsoft Office favorite, 2013 version.

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    Light enough

    
    

    
    

    The Surface balances on one hand.

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    Behind the Barrier

    
    

    
    

    This is as close as the video guys were allowed to get.

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    On a Pedestal

    
    

    
    

    The varieties of Surface Touch Covers on display.

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    Media scrum

    
    

    
    

    Members of the press swarm each demonstration table.

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    


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    Stage show

    
    

    
    

    This set was pretty neat.

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    

Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/11/12/microsoft-windows-chief-quits/

Microsoft Just Lost its Windows Chief

business, Microsoft, Steven Sinofsky, Trending Small Bottom, windows

Microsoft Office 2013 Reaches RTM Status

Microsoft Office 2013 has reached the RTM (Release to Manufacturing) milestone, meaning it is ready to be shipped to manufacturers and business partners.

While that means the Office 2013 is essentially ready for the market, it won’t reach the general public until sometime in the first quarter of 2013.

As far as pricing goes, this is the first version of Office that will be available via subscription. Microsoft unveiled the pricing in Sept. 2012 — $8.33 a month or $99.95 a year.

As far as new features go, the Office 2013 is perhaps the most ambitious version of Office so far, as it takes the popular productivity package in three new directions: touch screens, social and the cloud. Check out an overview of the upcoming changes in the new Office here.

There’s also good news for those who buy the old Office 2010 from October 19th, as they will receive a free copy of Office 2013 when it’s available.

Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/10/12/microsoft-office-2013-rtm/

Microsoft Office 2013 Reaches RTM Status

Apps and Software, Microsoft, Office 2013, tech, Trending Big

Microsoft Mobile: From Pocket PC to Windows Phone 8

Microsoft Mobile UI

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   1. Pocket PC

   
   

   
   

   The granddaddy of Microsoft’s mobile UI, the Pocket PC first appeared in 2000. It was powered by the Windows CE OS. In the early days, there were two different versions of the device — one with a mobile phone and one without.

   
   

   Photo courtesy of Lorenzarius, via Wikimedia Commons

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   2. Windows Mobile

   
   

   
   

   Before there was Windows Phone 7, there was Windows Mobile. Microsoft first used the name for an OS in 2003. It initially powered Pocket PC devices, but eventually expanded to other brands. The final version, Windows Mobile 6.5, appeared in September 2009 — about a year before Windows Phone 7 dropped.

   
   

   Photo courtesy of Joshualam, via Wikimedia Commons

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   3. Microsoft Mobile UI Evolution

   
   

   
   

   Here’s a snapshot of Microsoft’s mobile UIs from 2001 to 2009.

   
   

   Brianreading and Koman90, via Wikimedia

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   4. Windows Phone 7

   
   

   
   

   The first devices running the Windows Phone 7 OS — HTC Surround and Samsung Focus — hit the market in November 2010. Eventually the OS. Eventually Nokia and others released devices running Windows Phone 7.

   
   

   Photo coutesy of Anuj Biyani, via Flickr

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   5. Windows Phone 7.5

   
   

   
   

   With the codename “Mango,” this was the most sizable update to the Windows Phone 7 OS. Microsoft announced the update in May 2011 and began rolling it out later that year, in September. It brought “hundreds of new and improved features” to the OS, according to Microsoft.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   6. Windows Phone 7.8

   
   

   
   

   Since Windows Phone 7 devices will not be eligible to be upgraded to Windows Phone 8, this update will be rolled out to WP and 7.5 devices. The update includes the new WP 8 start screen.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   


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   7. Windows Phone 8

   
   

   
   

   Microsoft revealed the specifications for the Windows Phone 8 in June. In the photo, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Stephen Elop, president and CEO of Nokia, hold up Nokia phones run by the Windows Phone 8 OS.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   

Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/10/29/microsoft-mobile-history/

Microsoft Mobile: From Pocket PC to Windows Phone 8

gallery, history, Microsoft, Mobile, tech, windows, Windows Phone

HSN Jumped the Gun on Sales of Windows 8 PCs

HSN appears to have jumped the gun and offered Windows 8 PCs for sale on its website over the weekend, but the retailer has removed the items.

As of Monday morning, HSN’s site was listing five Win 8 PCs — three from Gateway and one from Acer — ranging from $699.96 to $1,195. However, ZDNet reports that — at Microsoft’s request — the items are now no longer available for shipping until Oct. 26, Microsoft’s official release date.

It’s not clear when the items would have shipped. ZDNet reported that the PCs would ship “immediately,” though The Verge stated that the products wouldn’t have shipped for another month. HSN’s site offered the option of getting the PCs within three to seven business days.

As ZDNet points out, the PCs were loaded with “crapware,” like Office 2010 (a 60-day trial) and Norton Internet Security Suite (also a 60-day trial) as well as other software from Gateway and Acer on their respective machines.

Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/10/08/windows-8-pcs-already-for-sale/

HSN Jumped the Gun on Sales of Windows 8 PCs

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Windows Phone Will Soon Overtake BlackBerry in the U.S.

Through all the problems and bad press Research In Motion has been getting lately, the company often likes to talk about how well its BlackBerry brand is doing overseas. It has to because, according to recent statistics, the picture in America is dismal.

This chart from StatCounter, posted by WMPoweruser, shows the market share of smartphones running BlackBerry OS vs. Windows Phones. It’s actually quite surprising: Projecting the trend of both platforms forward a few months, Windows Phone will actually overtake BlackBerry this year, sometime in November 2012.

That would be an impressive milestone for Windows Phone considering it will be almost exactly two years after its U.S. launch in November 2010 that it leapfrogs one of the smartphone brands that helped define the category. At the time, BlackBerry was at the top of the mobile food chain with 34.3% of the market, StatCounter says, and Windows Mobile (the predecessor to Windows Phone) wasn’t even a blip on the radar.

The crossover may even happen sooner when a new crop of Windows Phones arrives in September — Nokia and Microsoft are expected to unveil the first Windows Phone 8 handsets at an event that month. RIM won’t be launching its long-delayed BlackBerry 10 platform until early 2013.

RIM’s picture around the rest of the world is a little better, but StatCounter still shows falling or nonexistent market share in Europe, Oceania and Asia. It’s still inching up in Africa and South America.

What’s your take on the fall of BlackBerry in the U.S.? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Thumbnail image courtesy of iStockphoto, kgtoh

Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/08/20/windows-phone-vs-blackberry/

Windows Phone Will Soon Overtake BlackBerry in the U.S.

Blackberry, Microsoft, Mobile, Research In Motion, StatCounter, tech, Windows Phone

Microsoft Surface Freezes During Opening Presentation

Time sure travels fast on the Internet. Barely 48 hours after announcing their newest tablet computer product, dubbed Surface, Microsoft has already had an embarrassing Surface moment.

During the official Surface presentation, the tablet froze on the presenter, which is probably the worst thing that could occur at a tech announcement, second to the device literally exploding on stage. 

 

Read more: http://www.viralviralvideos.com/2012/06/20/microsoft-surface-freezes-during-opening-presentation/

Microsoft Surface Freezes During Opening Presentation

awkward, computer, Fail, funny, Microsoft, Nerd., presentation, Speech, surface, tablet, Technology