Microsoft Debuts Avatar Kinect for Xbox 360

Jan 092011
 

After getting an overwhelming response on the release on Xbox Kinect, Microsoft is here with another exciting feature for Xbox users. Steve Ballmer announced ‘Avatar Kinect’ at CES 2011 during Microsoft’s press briefing.

Microsoft's Ballmer delivers keynote at CES 2011

Steve Ballmer delivers keynote at CES 2011

Avatar Kinect is basically an Xbox 360 feature that allows users to act as their digital avatars on the screen using the Kinect for Xbox. It makes use of Xbox Kinect sensors to read the gestures and even the finer moments of smile and eyebrow. These gestures and motions are then replicated on the screen.

Avatar Kinect In Action (via Engadget)

Avatar Kinect In Action (via Engadget)

The idea is a superb, innovative one, you can hang up with friends on Avatar; join the virtual chatroom with other Kinect users over internet and much more. Microsoft describes the phenomena like this:

With Avatar Kinect, a player can invite up to seven friends to join them in one of 15 imaginative virtual environments to reflect their mood and inspire their conversations or performances. Arrive or leave sessions in style with unique animations like flying in with a jet pack, or snapping fingers to vanish. Players can also add cool animated and visual effects to creatively express their thought.

The Avatar Kinect is expected to be released this Spring, and the good thing is it would be available for free to all Xbox LIVE Gold members. Now that’s great, here is Avatar Kinect’s trailer to let you watch it in action!

Microsoft sold over 8 Million Kinect Sensors

Jan 052011
 

Steve Ballmer at CES just announced  that Microsoft sold 8 Million Kinect Sensors in first two months. Not only that but Microsoft also sold over 50 million XBox units world wide and outsold  PS3 and Wii for past 6 months in the United States. Way to go Microsoft?

avatar kinect

Microsoft also announced at CES today that Kinect will get “Avatar Kinect” which basically lets you use your avatar in motion.  Kinect at this point is a bit buggy when it comes to facial detection but over the time they are planning on fixing all the bugs.

Picture Credit: Engadget

HP Slate 500 Coming to Overshadow iPad

Oct 222010
 

HP is now ready to launch its long-awaited Slate 500 tablet and this will cost $799. The slate is aiming the current business customer base. Already several blogs are buzzing with images and other information of the slate and surprisingly official HP slate page got nothing to offer in this regard.

According to Reuters, the HP Slate 500 comes with full Windows 7 and it is a 1.5 pound tablet. The device is of 8.9-inch multi-touch screen with 64GB of Flash storage. The said price is exactly $100 more than the 64GB iPad’s current price. The resolution of the tablet is reportedly with 1024×600 pixels.

The slate is very well equipped with front and rear cameras and a USB port, comes along with a “digital stylus pen” too. According to Engadget, the slate is powered by a 1.86 GHz Intel Atom Z540 processor and 2GB RAM.

Here, one point should be remembered that HP is emphasizing more on business users through mentioning slate as a perfect match for them unlike Apple iPad. Carlos Hess-Nickels, Director of business notebook marketing, HP said as “ It’s really like a full-function PC, it runs Windows, it will run your office applications, it just so happen to be in a slate form factor”.

On Monday, Apple CEO Steve Jobs told analysts that rival tablet makers were having trouble in matching the iPad’s pricing with comparable specs “Our potential competitors (in tablets) are having a tough time coming close to iPad’s pricing. IPad incorporates everything we’ve learned about building high value products. We create our own A4 chip, software, battery chemistry, enclosure, everything. This results in an incredible product at a great price. The proof will be in the pricing of our competitors’ products, which will offer less for more”.

Steve Jobs words were resulted all the time as true through the Samsung Galaxy Tab price and now HP Slate 500 price.

Slate Vs iPad Comparison below:

Via Appleinsider

E3 2010: Microsoft looks to re-Kinect with gamers via the Xbox 360

Jun 162010
 

You might recall that back in May, Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, announced some significant changes in leadership across several of the company’s divisions. One of these included the company’s Entertainment and Division. While the changes weren’t announced with any real drama, it was apparent to many that Ballmer is trying to find that magic combination of leaders, employees, and ideas that will result in phenomenal successes like rival Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iEverythingElse.

So, fast forward to June. E3 2010 kicks off, making Los Angeles, CA, the temporary gaming center of the universe. We have expected (and seen) big surprises like the Nintendo 3DS, exciting new games, and… Wait. What’s this? Could Microsoft have finally found the magic formula? They call it Kinect. It looks promising, but can it rescue Microsoft from technological mediocrity?

Continue reading »

Windows Phone 7 Series Uncovered at Mobile World Conference

Feb 152010
 

“Today, I’m proud to introduce Windows Phone 7 Series, the next generation of Windows Phones,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft at Mobile World Conference in Barcelona.  Windows Phone 7 Series which are coming out later this year will have more features which let’s people to connect with others. No not only Twitter, Facebook but also via XBox app.

Windows Mobile phone 7

(Credit: UsaToday)

“In a crowded market with phones that look the same and do the same things, I challenged the team to deliver a different kind of mobile experience,” says Ballmer in a company release. “I believe Windows Phone 7 Series marks a turning point…””

WP7 XBox Games

 

See full coverage details from PCMag

Steve Ballmer Signs MacBook Pro

Jan 222010
 

I think this is funny! CEO of Microsoft to sign MacBook Pro! That’s better than watching Mac vs PC Commercial or one of those ATT vs Verizon Commercials!

ballmerr macbook pro

You can also watch video in case you are interested:

original_need a new one

Just imagine what would Steve Jobs do if somebody would have him sign laptop (running Windows 7)? Image source: BusinessInsider