Microsoft

Microsoft unfathomably removes voice message feature from remastered Skype for iPhone

If you've updated to Microsoft's five times faster Skype 5.0 for iPhone featuring a Windows Phone style interface revamp, you can no longer use the software's free voice message feature.

And rubbing salt into the wound further, a Skype community manager advised folks who need the feature to use another mobile platform.

Not only is this a huge blunder, the removal of voice messaging is inconveniencing customers with a dedicated Skype Out number...

Microsoft announces 15 GB free OneDrive storage, lower prices on monthly storage

Microsoft on Monday announced that it is bolstering its OneDrive storage plans for both free and paid users. OneDrive will now include 15 GB of free storage, more than double the previous 7 GB limit, and all versions of Office 365 will come with 1 TB of storage. Microsoft previously rolled out 1 TB of cloud storage for business customers in April.

The Redmond-based company also announced that it is taking over 70% off the cost of its monthly subscription storage options, dropping its 100 GB tier to $1.99 per month (previously $7.49) and 200 GB tier to $3.99 (previously $11.49). The aggressive new pricing tiers makes OneDrive a much more competitive offering alongside iCloud, Google Drive and Dropbox…

Microsoft mulls porting Cortana assistant to iOS

Microsoft has wont to arrive late to parties: following Siri's introduction nearly three years ago, Redmond in April of this year has finally gotten around to unveiling a personal assistant of its own, Cortana, at the Build Developer Conference in San Francisco.

Originally conceived as a Windows Phone 8.1 exclusive, the Windows giant is now reportedly considering bringing the virtual assistant to rival platforms, namely to iOS and Android.

Let me get this straight. Beats updates Android app. Microsoft launches Office for iPad before even releasing a touch-optimized version for Windows 8 tablet. Apple reportedly mulling iTunes for Android...

What a difference a few years make, eh?

Skype 5.0 for iPhone is back in the App Store

The wait is over as Skype 5.0 for iPhone has finally started to roll out to international App Stores this morning. Microsoft previewed the remastered Skype for iPhone with a brand new design earlier this week and unleashed the updated software upon the App Store the following day.

But something was amiss as Skype 5.0 went live in the Canadian App Store only, with some international users briefly spotting the update before it disappeared quickly.

As of this morning, the VoIP application appeared to propagate through the App Stores around the world so go ahead, update your copy of Skype and let us know how you like its new Windows Phone-style swipable interface...

Xbox One SmartGlass app is now your universal remote for TV and cable boxes

Microsoft's Xbox One companion app, SmartGlass, has been bumped to version 2.5 earlier today, bringing out a handful of new features that improve your living room experience and interactions with the console itself.

Most importantly, the app now features a remote control functionality similar to Apple's free Remote software. But as Microsoft's console lets you hook up a cable or satellite box to it, you can now basically channel surf from across the room using your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

The update is now live in the App Store and I have a full list of features for your right after the break...

Forbes details Microsoft’s rumored iOS-compatible smartwatch

After taking on both Apple's iPad tablet and the ultra-portable MacBook Air notebook with the recently announced Surface Pro 3, the Windows giant Microsoft appears ready to challenge Cupertino on wearables.

Yes, I know Apple has yet to reveal its cards concerning the long-rumored iWatch project, but an exclusive report by Forbes has it that Microsoft is betting heavily on a smartwatch of its own.

In line with the software giant's One Microsoft mantra and its renewed commitment to make its software and services available under every major platform, the gadget will reportedly sync with the iPhone and iPad, as well as with Android and Windows Phone devices...

Microsoft demos real-time voice translation feature for Skype

Last night at Recode's inaugural Code Conference, Microsoft announced a new real-time voice translation feature for its Skype VoIP service. The company says it's currently in beta form, but it plans to eventually roll it out to all devices.

The goal of the feature is to allow users to hold a conversation with someone speaking a foreign language, with Skype providing near-instant voice translations for both parties. And judging by the initial demonstration, it works fairly well...

Microsoft announces Surface Pro 3 to take on MacBook Air with thinner, lighter build

Microsoft has announced the Surface Pro 3 at a media event in New York City on Tuesday, setting its sights on not only Apple's iPad, but the MacBook Air as well.

The Surface Pro 3 busts past the 10.1-inch norm to a 12-inch display with a 2160 x 1440 resolution. It's not a 16:9 aspect ratio, but rather a more comfortable 3:2 aspect ratio with a HD screen - a first for Microsoft's Surface line. But the thinness and lightness is where Microsoft is hoping to sell you. 

Microsoft’s Nokia Lumia 630 ad shows how to do a smartphone switch with a football

Microsoft-owned Nokia earlier this week announced its first Windows Phone 8.1 handset, the Lumia 630, with sales starting in Asia this week, followed by Europe and the United States.

In promoting the low-to-mid-range smartphone, Microsoft and Nokia put together a commercial sporting Finnish goalkeeper and Trick Shot master Lassi Hurskainen who shows how to do a smartphone switch with a football.

And some of the handsets flying out of people's hands seemingly resemble a certain iconic smartphone from a certain California company. Have a look at the video included after the break and meet us in comments...

Microsoft announces Office for iPad has surpassed 27 million downloads

Microsoft announced today that downloads for its newly-released Office for iPad suite have surpassed another major milestone. The company's Julia White told a crowd at its TechEd conference in Houston this morning that the software has been download over 27 million times, more than double the figure shared a month ago...

Microsoft schedules Surface press event to unveil iPad mini competitor

Microsoft has sent invitations to members of the media for an event on May 20 where it's expected to unveil a smaller version of the Surface tablet.

The Surface branding and "join us for a small gathering" tagline hint smaller hardware will be the main attraction at the event. The tablet is expected to be called the Surface Mini, and could help fill a gap in Microsoft's tablet line-up to help it go after both the iPad Air and iPad mini after more than a year of sluggish tablet sales.

Microsoft Research demos mechanical keyboard that can interpret motion gestures

Microsoft's research and development arm has shown off a novel mechanical keyboard prototype which incorporates elements of natural user interaction such as touch and low-effort motion gestures. The goal is to enhance user interfaces on desktop by allowing for smooth transitions between text entry and gestures.

The system uses an array of proximity sensors embedded in the keyboard itself and is coupled to a software that uses the motion signature technique which utilizes pairs of motion history images and a random forest classifier to robustly recognize a large set of motion gestures.

It works like magic and we have an impressive video right after the break to prove it...