tech:

taffy

Microsoft Unveils Xbox One, Redesigned Kinect

Microsoft_XboxOneMicrosoft unveiled the latest videogame console from the Xbox stable, the Xbox One, on Tuesday. Xbox One comes with advanced motion and voice-control systems, along with new television functions, packed in an eight-core, x86 processor device with more than 5 billion transistors.  

Don Mattrick (President, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft): Our unique, modern architecture brings simplicity to the living room and, for the first time ever, the ability to instantly switch across your games and entertainment. 

Xbox One is voice-activated, and can be turned on with a voice command, to a customized Home dashboard. Users can navigate and watch live TV from their cable, telco or satellite set-top boxes through your Xbox One, says Microsoft.  

Xbox One also lets users toggle between multiplayer battles, movies, a Skype call, or live TV. Sports enthusiasts can track their fantasy team on TV real time.

 Xbox One uses the cloud and games can be installed in segments, so gameplay can start  even as updates are downloading in the background. Users can also create and access their gaming profile from any Xbox One console. 

The  Xbox One console is shaped in the 16:9 aspect ratio and employs a horizontal orientation optimized for its Blu-ray disc player. It is molded in a deep black color and includes a beveled edge. The redesigned, 1080p Kinect is more precise, more responsive and more intuitive now, according to Microsoft. It works in nearly any lighting condition, recognizes precise motion control from a slight wrist rotation, and distinguishes your voice even in a noisy room. The Xbox controller has been refreshed with more than 40 technical and design innovations, including updated directional pad, thumb stick and ergonomic fit.

Xbox One will launch in markets around the world later this year. Microsoft did not say how much the videogame console will cost. The Xbox 360 hit the shelves at $299, when it was launched in 2005.

[Image courtesy: Microsoft]

Just in

Apple sued in a landmark iPhone monopoly lawsuit — CNN

The US Justice Department and more than a dozen states filed a blockbuster antitrust lawsuit against Apple on Thursday, accusing the giant company of illegally monopolizing the smartphone market, writes Brian Fung, Hannah Rabinowitz and Evan Perez.

Google is bringing satellite messaging to Android 15 — The Verge

Google’s second developer preview for Android 15 has arrived, bringing long-awaited support for satellite connectivity alongside several improvements to contactless payments, multi-language recognition, volume consistency, and interaction with PDFs via apps, writes Jess Weatherbed. 

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman is paid more than the heads of Meta, Pinterest, and Snap — combined — QZ

Reddit co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman has been blasted by Redditors and in media reports over his recently-revealed, super-sized pay package of $193 million in 2023, writes Laura Bratton. 

British AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman joins Microsoft — BBC

Microsoft has announced British Artificial Intelligence pioneer Mustafa Suleyman will lead its newly-formed division, Microsoft AI, according to the BBC report. 

UnitedHealth Group has paid more than $2 billion to providers following cyberattack — CNBC

UnitedHealth Group said Monday that it’s paid out more than $2 billion to help health-care providers who have been affected by the cyberattack on subsidiary Change Healthcare, writes Ashley Capoot.