The Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3 for short,  is the world’s premier trade show for computer and video games and related products. The show is owned by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies, publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet.

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An article from The Verge (citing unamed sources) today announced that Microsoft will be offering a new subscription-based Xbox 360 package. For $99 and a two-year, $15 a month, contract, gamers will get a 4GB Xbox console, Kinect sensor, and a Xbox Live Gold subscription. Customer’s will also be covered under a 2-year warranty, and from what we see, could have access to exclusive streaming content from cable and sports providers.

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Microsoft showed off its internet storage service, SkyDrive at CES 2012.  Microsoft is brings SkyDrive, to iTunes, as well as to the Windows Phone marketplace.  The free app which was launched in December of last year, lets users tap into their web repository to retrieve their personal documents, notes, photos, and videos. SkyDrive is one of a growing list of apps from Microsoft to make their way into the iTunes Store.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of playing the newest game to hit the XBOX 360, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, Abt has a great deal for you.  Right now you can get a great bundle pack that features a new 320GB XBOX 360, the game Call of Duty, Modern Warfare 3, and two specially designed controllers.  The system and controllers are designed to look rugged and war-torn with the game’s logo in the corner.  This is a great gift idea for the holidays for that special someone who loves video games, or, yourself!

FastCompany released a list of the 10 most innovative companies of 2011.  Number one, which should not really be a surprise is Apple.  They have dominated the technological field for the last decade with innovative gadgets as well as excellent upgrades to their already impressive line of technology.

A few other honorable mentions was Samsung in second place for making themselves into a steady source for new technologies, especially 3D TVs and Microsoft coming in 3rd for their World Record Breaking Kinect.

Congratulations to all the companies that made the list.  the full article could be read at The 10 Most Innovative Companies in Consumer Electronics.

The Microsoft Kinect broke the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest selling consumer electronics device.  Over 10 million since its launch, the Kinect has redefined video games.  Using your own body as the controller, the gamer’s hands, feet and head become buttons on an imaginary controller. If your character needs to kick, go and kick, if it needs to jump or punch, do the same!   So, congratulations to Microsoft for having this unique system “jump” ahead the competition.

Get your Microsoft Kinect at Abt!

Microsoft is planning on importing its Kinect technology to their Windows programming.  In an interview with BBC at CES 2011 last weekend, Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer stated that Microsoft “will support that in a formal way in the right time.”  No word on specifically what time, but the technology will be used for easier web and menu navigation.  Full details can be found in Information Week’s article, “Kinect Technology Heading to PCs, TVs.”

It seems as if we are just years away from using the same technology as Tom Cruise did in the movie, “Minority Report.”

Image Courtesy of djtechtools.com

Microsoft recently released their Kinect to rave reviews and excited fans!  In just a few short weeks,  it has become an item that will be a must have for the holidays.  Why? Well, this is the first system that gets people up off the couch to play video games.  Wait, we have heard that one before.  Let me try again.  This is the first system to get people up off the couch to play video games without any controllers.

Yes, that is correct. You can now, bowl, play volleyball, race down rapids, play soccer, and much more on your Xbox360 without any controllers. When the game requires you to kick, just kick.  When you have to jump, jump!  This system is several years in the making, and many of us heard all the hype about this system, but after personally bowling a few frames and watching countless kids play soccer this past weekend, I would say that Kinect is solid and most importantly responsive.  Kinect comes both as a standalone camera system as well as a 4GB bundle, and finally a 250GB Bundle.

Happy Gaming!!

-Chad Taylor

Microsoft Office 2010 came out today. It has been three and a quarter years since the last Microsoft Office Suite has been released. For $149-$499 you can upgrade to Office 2010.

Because Office 2010 is so new, I don’t know much about it yet or have many tech specs on it. As of now, it is rumored to be very similar to Office 2007.

If you recently purchased the previous version of office (March 5, 2010 and September 30, 2010), then you are eligible for an upgrade at no additional cost. To receive your upgrade, go to http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/tech-guarantee/.

Check back for more information on the latest Microsoft Office Suites available at Abt.

-Kelly B.

Windows 7 is coming October 22. With the release date quickly approaching, I checked out some of the features of the new operating system (OS).

Windows 7 was created to make using a computer quicker, easier, and faster. The video tour shows key features of the new OS including a web-like keyword search, quicker access to frequently used websites and programs, and media center enabling your computer to act like a TV or DVR when used in conjunction with a tuner.

In addition to the new features included on Windows 7, users can determine the amount of alerts they receive. One of the chief complaints users had about Windows Vista was the number of alerts they received about various things. Even if the alerts are kept at the default setting, there aren’t as many as before.

Parental controls can now be set for the computer using Windows 7. Parents will now be able to choose what times of day kids will be able to use the internet, monitor internet usage, and with the video game rating system—determine what video games can be played.

-Kelly B.