August 2013 - Stories

August 30, 2013

Hear the difference – Xbox One will use Skype’s audio codec

One of the things we all have to look forward to with Xbox One is the incredible improvement made to voice chat with the integration of Skype’s audio codec. Not only does the codec have a proven track record of high-quality voice through billions of hours of use through Skype, in Xbox One it also has dedicated audio processing for conversations via Skype and multiplayer party chats.

August 30, 2013

Help prepare kids to go back to school with these Windows 8 apps that work well on Surface RT

Kristen Batch just moved to Seattle from Chicago with her family, and in a post on the Surface Blog she explains how helpful the Surface RT has been in acclimating her two girls to the upcoming academic year in new schools.

August 30, 2013

Skype celebrates Mela, Europe’s largest South Asian festival

If you’re in London on Sunday, you can attend London Mela, Europe’s largest South Asian festival. It’s free, and as Skype’s Big Blog describes it, “has become a major celebration throughout the global South Asian diaspora.”

August 30, 2013

Worried about malicious apps? Here’s some good news from Windows Phone

As Windows Phone Blog Editor Michael Stroh reports, malware hasn’t been much of an issue for Windows Phone customers. That’s because Microsoft takes specific and consistent measures to help guard customers against malware. Find out how.

August 30, 2013

Protect your privacy in the cloud – a guide

There are plenty of ways you can help strengthen your privacy online. The Aug. 30 post in the Security Tips and Talks blog shares tips in the recently released factsheet, “Protecting your Privacy Online.” Take a look at the post and put these practices to work so you can work and play online with peace of mind.

August 30, 2013

Microsoft and ValueAct Capital sign cooperation agreement

August 30, 2013

Players battle for $200,000 grand prize in ‘Halo 4’ global championship finals at PAX Prime 2013

From Friday to Sunday, over 140 of the best “Halo 4” players in the world will converge in Seattle at PAX Prime 2013 and engage in battle for more than $300,000 in cash – including a $200,000 grand prize – at the “Halo 4” Global Championship Finals. Xbox Wire talked to some professional “Halo 4” gamers — Eric “Snip3down” Wrona, Eric “GH057ayame” Hewitt and Sean “Dersky” Swidersky – and posted their thoughts on the tournament.

August 30, 2013

Skype in the Classroom takes a bow during anniversary week

Skype’s education program, Skype in the Classroom, allows children to experience events from around the globe, from the top of Mt. Everest to the bottom of the sea. Skype makes it possible for students in China to practice language skills and share customs with their peers in Chicago, and for NASA scientists to show students firsthand how to prepare a space vehicle for takeoff.

August 30, 2013

Award-winning PC game title ‘Warface’ is coming to Xbox 360

True to its pedigree, “Warface” will feature vivid graphics and gameplay for intense, first-person shooter action, enabling players to engage in competitive and cooperative battles with others around the world.

August 30, 2013

Standing together for greater transparency

To followers of technology issues, there are many days when Microsoft and Google stand apart. But today our two companies stand together. We both remain concerned with the Government’s continued unwillingness to permit us to publish sufficient data relating to Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) orders.