Microsoft


Dolby Vision launches on Xbox games consoles

Microsoft has started rolling out Dolby Vision on its latest generation of games consoles.  Available now to members of Microsoft’s Insider programme – a tester scheme where users can sign up to be guinea pigs for new features before they are widely rolled out – the update will make the Xbox Series X and S […]

Microsoft buys esports platform Smash.gg

Microsoft has announced the acquisition of esports tournament platform Smash.gg. The platform organises online and live gaming competitions and has raised millions in funding since its 2015 launch. It started as a community-led organisation tool for Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. series but has since evolved into a more broad portal for esports. In a statement, […]

Xbox app for smart TVs ‘in the next 12 months’

Microsoft will introduce an Xbox app for smart TVs within the next year, Xbox boss Phil Spencer has said. In an interview with The Verge, Spencer said that “I think you’re going to see that in the next 12 months,” when asked about the potential of an Xbox app for TVs, adding that “I don’t […]

Xbox launch contributes to record traffic for ISPs in the UK

A number of UK ISPs saw record amounts of internet traffic on November 10 as Microsoft rolled out its latest generation of games consoles.  Virgin Media said that it experienced the highest amount of data consumption on record, with 108 Petabytes of data consumed. This, the operator said, translated to a total of more than […]

Microsoft to offer free Disney+ trial to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers

Microsoft has announced that subscribers to its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offering will receive a month’s free subscription to Disney+. Game Pass Ultimate is not a cloud streaming service similar to Google Stadia and Amazon Luna. Instead, gamers are able to access a catalogue of more than 400 titles for a flat monthly fee. Microsoft […]

HBO Max, Apple TV, Netflix and other streaming apps confirmed for Xbox Series launch

A week ahead of their launch, Microsoft has confirmed the streaming apps that will be available on its new generation of Xbox consoles.  The company will release its Xbox Series X and Series S consoles on November 10, and announced the list of supported streamers in a blog post. The company confirmed that the big […]

Xbox streaming stick on the horizon?

While Microsoft is on the eve of launching its next-generation Xbox games consoles, that hasn’t stopped the company from teasing additional Xbox-branded products for the TV for release in the not-so-distant future. Speaking to Stratechery, Microsoft head of gaming and Xbox Phil Spencer said that the company could launch a TV stick primarily for the […]

Microsoft out of TikTok running as ByteDance rejects offer

Microsoft has ended its pursuit of TikTok’s US business after Chinese parent company ByteDance rejected its bid. ByteDance is facing a race against time to find a new home for its social media network’s US operations following a promised ban from president Trump. The administration has ordered ByteDance to “divest its ownership” amid concerns over […]

Walmart says it is partnering with Microsoft for TikTok bid

Walmart is partnering with Microsoft on a bid for TikTok’s US operations, the retail giant has said. In a statement to CNBC, the Walton family-controlled Walmart confirmed the move, with spokesman Randy Hargrove saying: “We believe a potential relationship with TikTok US in partnership with Microsoft could add this key functionality and provide Walmart with […]

Twitter reportedly emerges as potential TikTok suitor

Twitter has reportedly held talks with Chinese tech firm ByteDance to buy the US business of social media app TikTok. A number of US firms are circling the app, with president Donald Trump threatening to ban the service should it fail to find a domestic buyer before September 21. The president said that the rapidly […]