Android, iPhone, Phones - WEBESTIGATE

Google+ for Android updates, notifications get synced

Milosh — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:09:51 +0000

The big news today for Google+ is that the service is getting some notable improvements to its notifications system, the biggest of which is syncing across all devices. With this improvement, when you read or dismiss a notification on one device, the same action will be reflected across all of your devices, so you won’t be bothered with repeat clicks and swipes.

Other updates include a new bell icon for notifications and an updated notifications tray, which separates new items from previously read items. According to Google’s Vic Gundotra, the notifications improvements will be rolling out gradually starting with Android, then making their way to the Web and iOS. So, stay tuned.

What we do get today, though, is an updated Android app. Furthering the company’s effort to create a more consistent experience across its apps, Google+ for Android today got an updated menu design. In addition, the app today got new features, including and option to delete photos from the Photos view, and the ability to see reshares when you tap a post.

The post Google+ for Android updates, notifications get synced appeared first on Android, iPhone, Phones - WEBESTIGATE.

Microsoft, like Samsung, will open stores inside Best Buys

Milosh — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:56:21 +0000

Microsoft will expand its retail reach by opening hundreds of stores inside Best Buy locations across the U.S.

The Redmond, Wash., tech giant announced the new partnership with the electronics retailer Thursday, saying the Windows Store will give Microsoft more ways to showcase its devices to customers.

Earlier this year rival Samsung teamed up wth Best Buy to open 1,400 Samsung Experience Shops.

Although Microsoft will be opening fewer stores — 500 in the U.S. and 100 in Canada — than Samsung, the Windows Store will be much bigger than Samsung shops, which vary in size but are no bigger than 460 square feet. Microsoft’s stores will be at least 1,500 square feet and as large as 2,200 square feet, according to the company.

“Unlike a lot of store-within-a-store concepts, this will actually be a department-level takeover within Best Buy stores,” Chris Capossela, Microsoft’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement.

In total, Microsoft and Best Buy will add 1,200 employees to staff the new stores.

Microsoft said each store would feature tables showcasing the latest PCs and laptops as well as the company’s Surface tablet. The back wall of the stores will be used for software and accessories, and there will also be an “ecosystem section” that will show Windows devices used in real-life scenarios.

The company already operates 68 standalone Microsoft Stores across North America. Capossela said the new Windows Stores will give the company another opportunity to reach customers.

“We ultimately feel this is another great channel to offer a superior experience for the millions of customers who rely on Best Buy to purchase their PCs,” he said.

The post Microsoft, like Samsung, will open stores inside Best Buys appeared first on Android, iPhone, Phones - WEBESTIGATE.

Microsoft Clarifies Xbox One Used Game Policy

Milosh — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:16:12 +0000

Microsoft on Thursday laid out the licensing framework for new and used games on its upcoming Xbox One console.

In a post on its Xbox news site, the software giant laid out its “platform policies and capabilities for game licensing,” which include the right of purchasers of physical discs to resell them through retailers without being charged a platform fee.

The relevant passage, which should go some way towards satisfying gamers who have been worried about Microsoft’s heretofore murky stance on the sale and transfer of used games for the Xbox One:

“Trade-in and resell your disc-based games: Today, some gamers choose to sell their old disc-based games back for cash and credit. We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games.”

But Microsoft also said that game publishers themselves would be able to disallow reselling of their games if they so choose, noting:

“In our role as a game publisher, Microsoft Studios will enable you to give your games to friends or trade in your Xbox One games at participating retailers. Third-party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers. Microsoft does not receive any compensation as part of this. In addition, third-party publishers can enable you to give games to friends. Loaning or renting games won’t be available at launch, but we are exploring the possibilities with our partners.”

Xbox One owners will also be able to give games they’ve purchased to friends and share their own access to games they’ve purchased with others, Microsoft said. As the company previously revealed, games for the Xbox One will be made available both in physical disc form and as downloadable files accessible through Microsoft’s Xbox Live store.

Both physical and digital copies of purchased games will be automatically stored for Xbox One users, both locally on the console itself and in the cloud, Microsoft said.

Gamers will be able to acquire physical or digital copies of new games on the day of their release. Microsoft note that some consumers will opt for physical discs as “a great way to install games quickly,” an acknowledgement, perhaps, that the time it takes to download digital copies of games may be quite lengthy.

Naturally, any games installed on an Xbox One will be playable by anyone given access to the console by its owner. But Xbox One owners will also be able to access any games they own on any other Xbox One they log onto, Microsoft said.

What’s more, Xbox One owners will be able to give that same console-neutral full game library to up to ten family members. Microsoft said this service won’t be disrupted if family members are playing shared games concurrently on different consoles.

Microsoft also reserved the right to change up its licensing policy at any time, saying:

“As we move into this new generation of games and entertainment, from time to time, Microsoft may change its policies, terms, products and services to reflect modifications and improvements to our services, feedback from customers and our business partners or changes in our business priorities and business models or for other reasons. We may also cease to offer certain services or products for similar reasons.”

The post Microsoft Clarifies Xbox One Used Game Policy appeared first on Android, iPhone, Phones - WEBESTIGATE.

Apple to offer trade-in service for iPhones

Milosh — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:36:16 +0000

Apple is reportedly partnering with an outside company to offer a new trade-in service for iPhones at its retail stores, a program that remains unannounced.

Citing sources, Bloomberg says Apple is working with Brightstar, a Miami-based company that manages trade-ins and logistical efforts for other companies.

The rumored program would let consumers bring in their used iPhones for a discount on newer models, and potentially for credit on other items in Apple’s stores.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Such a program would not be a first for the company. Apple already offers a recycling arrangement that gives users either an Apple gift card, or — in the case of iPods and iPhones — a 10 percent discount on a future purchase. The company’s current partnership (which began in late 2011) is with PowerOn, a company that’s offered users up to $345 for top-of-the-line iPhones. It’s not yet clear how this newer service would differ.

The post Apple to offer trade-in service for iPhones appeared first on Android, iPhone, Phones - WEBESTIGATE.

Microsoft confirms always on Xbox One requirements

Milosh — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:32:01 +0000

GAMES CONSOLE SHIFTER Microsoft has revealed the terms and conditions that will bind its Xbox One users to the company through their consoles and the internet.

The firm’s upcoming console has been a source of controversy, mostly about how often it has to be turned on and call home and what you can do withgames that you don’t like or have finished.

The bad news is that the bad news is true. Microsoft will insist that Xbox One consoles must connect to the internet every day.

It has claimed that this will be easy, and added that all Xbox One users will have broadband connections. Microsoft said that this will help the cloud console keep a handle on games, game savers and gamers.

“While a persistent connection is not required, Xbox One is designed to verify if system, application or game updates are needed and to see if you have acquired new games, or resold, traded in, or given your game to a friend. Games that are designed to take advantage of the cloud may require a connection,” it said.

“With Xbox One you can game offline for up to 24 hours on your primary console, or one hour if you are logged on to a separate console accessing your library. Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection, but you can still watch live TV and enjoy Blu-ray and DVD movies.”

The firm has also clarified what can happen with pre-owned games. Here the suggestion has been that a charge of over £30 will be involved if you wanted to shift a title, but Microsoft said that this is not the case. However, games can be traded only once, at “participating retailers”.

“We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games,” it said.

“Xbox One is designed so game publishers can enable you to give your disc-based games to your friends. There are no fees charged as part of these transfers. There are two requirements: you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once.

The post Microsoft confirms always on Xbox One requirements appeared first on Android, iPhone, Phones - WEBESTIGATE.