Microsoft Vancouver Becomes Black Tusk Studios

Microsoft Vancouver has officially changed its name to Black Tusk Studios. An article in The Vancouver Sun talks to Black Tusk’s studio manager, Mike Crump, who says that the developer is working on a triple-A title that he wants to be “the next Halo.” The Sun article says that Black Tusk’s game is for the Xbox 360. Time will tell if this studio can craft the “next Halo”.

Post by Jerome Weiswasser

Facebook and Twitter Apps removed From Xbox 360 Dashboard

Microsoft has removed the Facebook and Twitter apps from the Xbox 360 dashboard following the latest update that occurred this week. Sources say that Microsoft did so to encourage the use of the new Internet Explorer app. If users already have those apps downloaded, they can still access them, but new users will not be able to.

 

 

Post By Jerome Weiswasser

Xbox 360 to be Banned in the US?

Xbox manufacturer Microsoft has rejected a settlement offer from Motorola in an ongoing patent dispute between the two hardware giants. Had Microsoft accepted, the settlement would have resolved a long-running court case that affects the future of both Android phones and Xbox 360s in the United States.

The dispute started when Motorolla sued Microsoft due to 4 patent infringements. A judge agreed upon 4 out of 5 accused infringements. A decision against Microsoft could lead to  the Xbox 360 system to be banned from reaching the U.S., due to the fact that Xbox 360s are made in china. This has already happened in Germany, which makes this a very possible scenario.

Neither side has been able to compromise with the other. Due to this, the sales of the Xbox 360 would be banned, which would deeply hurt the company.

Post by Jerome Weiswasser

Microsoft Unveils Windows 8 Tablet: Surface

Microsoft has just announced their new Windows 8 tablet called “Surface”. It will come in two different versions the Windows RT version and Windows 8 Pro. The tablet will be 9.3mm for the RT and 13.5 mm for the Pro. Both will have 10.6″ ClearType HD displays. The case has a permanent scratch and wear resistant surface. The specs page says 32/64GB for the RT version, 64/128GB for the Pro.

There is no layer between cover glass and screen, only .7mm between screen and glass. This is the closest distance of any tablet on the market today. The Pro version uses an Intel Core i5, is thicker and heavier then the RT version. The RT version will be under 1.5 pounds (676 grams) and the PRO version will be around 2 pounds (903 grams). The latest iPad is 662 grams and 9.4mm