Paul “Hungry Bear” Vasquez, also known as the double rainbow guy, was recently hired by Microsoft to be in their latest Live Photo Gallery commercial, capturing none other than a double rainbow. Continue reading for the videos.
Microsoft explained the collaboration in a blog post: “We hooked up with Bear to learn more about him & show him how to capture a full on double rainbow with Windows Live Photo Gallery using our panorama stitch feature. It’s so intense!”
[via HuffingtonPost]
Microsoft has unveiled a new and improved Xbox 360 controller, which will be priced at $65 (Play & Charge Kit included) when it’s released on November 9th. Featuring an updated D-pad that’s “a disc in the normal configuration, but a quick twist raises the crossbars about a quarter-inch, making it eminently more usable.” Video after the break. Click here for more pictures.
The analog sticks have also been tweaked to be slightly more concave, and — wonder of wonders — the ABXY buttons are now translucent monochrome instead of colored.
[via Engadget]
Researcher Mark Micire at the UMass-Lowell Robotics Lab developed a custom interface that enables utilizes Microsoft Surface technology for commanding and controlling robots. In the first video, you’ll see him use “Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio to simulate his soldiers and environment.” Continue reading for the videos.
The researchers use multitouch to send the robots scurrying around to execute commands, but also to pan and zoom a map of where they’re operating, create virtual subcontrollers, and display text and video data, all within the same interface.
Amazon has the Microsoft Arc Mouse for just $29.79 shipped, originally priced at $49.99. When “expanded, it’s a sturdy and comfortable full-sized mouse; folded, it fits perfectly into your bag.” Product page. Video overview after the jump.
Designed for comfort, the Arc Mouse folds to 60% of its fully expanded size, with the folding motion controlling turning the mouse on and off.
[via Amazon]
The Microsoft online store in Germany has leaked photos of the Arc Touch mouse, which “features touch-scrolling, a battery indicator, the ability to track on most any surface, and a 2.4GHz nano transceiver.” Expect to shell out $69.99 for the device, when it’s released. Click here for more pictures.
[via Engadget]
When referring to Microsoft online, people usually think of Hotmail or Bing, but did you know that the company holds more than 10,000 patents? Or, that it’s company tradition to celebrate special events with M&M’s? If not, continue reading for those Microsoft facts and more.
[via ReadWriteWeb]
Microsoft’s high-tech Adaptive Keyboard prototype, which will be given to UIST Student Innovation Contest entrants, “consists of a large touchscreen display on top that ‘extends’ to the keys below.” Videos after the break.
No, it’s not the mystery device that Microsoft has been teasing as of late, but we have a feeling that plenty of folks will be wishing that the company’s so-called “Adaptive Keyboard” was it.
[via Engadget]
Microsoft introduced its own version of Google Street View at SIGGRAPH 2010 in Los Angeles: Street Slide. Put simply, Street Slide “combines the best aspects of the immersive nature of bubbles with the overview provided by multi-perspective strip panoramas.” Continue reading for a video demonstration.
Zoom out of your panoramic bubble and the street is presented as a dynamic, multi-perspective “strip” giving you an instant visual summary of the surroundings — similar to viewing the entire street from a distance.
[via Engadget]
Microsoft announced a new 4GB Xbox 360 ($199) and a Kinect bundle ($299) that will come with the sensor itself ($149.99 standalone) as well as a free game, Kinect Adventures. The former hits stores on August 3rd, while the Kinect and bundle goes on sale this holiday season. Video after the break. Click here for more pictures.
Microsoft’s just announced that a shiny new Xbox 360 Arcade replacement — with 4GB internal flash memory, a matte finish, and built-in 802.11n WiFi — will be shipping August 3rd for $199.99.
[via Engadget]
Can the successor to Windows Mobile 6.5 live up to its hype? In a nutshell, “Microsoft could have an exceptionally solid version-one product in Windows Phone 7 — especially when coupled with the company’s fierce outreach to developers.” Video after the break. Click here for more pictures.
Of course, that’s a big “if” — the clock is ticking on Windows Phone 7, and the industry has already proven that it won’t wait around for companies to play catch-up.
[via Engadget]