Latest news with #SarahBond
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Is Windows the Future of Xbox?
Microsoft dropped some new details about its next-generation Xbox, and it sure sounds like the next console will be very similar to a Windows PC. If so, this plan could conceivably lead to Steam on the Xbox. Xbox President Sarah Bond hinted at big changes for the upcoming Xbox in an announcement on YouTube about AMD's involvement in providing the console's chips. It's not surprising that AMD has a role in the next Xbox, as it's provided hardware for Xbox in the past, but Bond managed to pack quite a few revelations into the short announcement video (below). Bond kicked off the announcement by revealing a 'strategic, multi-year partnership with AMD' that will include the next generation Xbox 'in your living room and in your hands.' As she finished that statement, she held her hands the way one would to hold Asus' upcoming ROG Xbox Ally, a Nintendo Switch-shaped portable gaming console running a custom version of Windows. The UI is that of Xbox, but it supports other stores, like Steam. Unfortunately, as Polygon points out, the Xbox Ally only plays Xbox games designed for PC play. Standard Xbox console games get left out. To cap it off, Bond said the goal was to bring gamers 'an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to a single device.' 'That's why we're working closely with the Windows team to ensure that Windows is the number one platform for gaming,' Bond added. As we said, that has Steam written all over it in our eyes. Of course, other game stores will also want to get access to the console, but adding the Steam Store to the Xbox would be a huge win for gamers. It's also worth noting that Bond said the upcoming Xbox hardware would maintain 'compatibility with your existing library of Xbox games.' That statement, perhaps more than any other she made during the video, suggests that Microsoft is determined to be gamer-centric. If the company forced gamers to ditch their game collections…well, Microsoft isn't doing that, so we don't need to imagine the chaos. The next-gen Xbox should arrive sometime in 2027. The launch of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally was expected for 2025, so if that's any indication, we'd say development of the next Xbox is likely on track.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft's Next Xbox Will Run on AMD; Won't Be Tied to One Store
Microsoft (MSFT, Financials) is rethinking the game console again. The company confirmed Tuesday that its next-gen Xbox will feature a custom AMD (AMD, Financials) chip and run on Windows; but this time, it won't be locked to just one device or store. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Sign with MSFT. Xbox chief Sarah Bond said the company is working closely with AMD under a multi-year deal to build silicon for consoles, handhelds and cloud devices; all tied together by Windows. The goal: a gaming experience that works across platforms not one locked inside a walled garden. Microsoft's recent Xbox Ally handhelds with Asus hinted at this direction; they run a full-screen Xbox interface on top of Windows and let users access stores like Steam. The same approach is now being baked into Xbox's core hardware strategy. Backwards compatibility remains part of the plan; Bond said existing Xbox libraries will carry over to the new generation. But don't expect all older games to run on every device handhelds like the Ally may still miss some titles without a PC version. No launch date was announced; but the message is clear Microsoft wants to build an Xbox ecosystem that feels less like a console and more like a service. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft's Next Xbox Will Run on AMD; Won't Be Tied to One Store
Microsoft (MSFT, Financials) is rethinking the game console again. The company confirmed Tuesday that its next-gen Xbox will feature a custom AMD (AMD, Financials) chip and run on Windows; but this time, it won't be locked to just one device or store. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Sign with MSFT. Xbox chief Sarah Bond said the company is working closely with AMD under a multi-year deal to build silicon for consoles, handhelds and cloud devices; all tied together by Windows. The goal: a gaming experience that works across platforms not one locked inside a walled garden. Microsoft's recent Xbox Ally handhelds with Asus hinted at this direction; they run a full-screen Xbox interface on top of Windows and let users access stores like Steam. The same approach is now being baked into Xbox's core hardware strategy. Backwards compatibility remains part of the plan; Bond said existing Xbox libraries will carry over to the new generation. But don't expect all older games to run on every device handhelds like the Ally may still miss some titles without a PC version. No launch date was announced; but the message is clear Microsoft wants to build an Xbox ecosystem that feels less like a console and more like a service. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Gizmodo
Xbox's Best and Only Move Left Is to Become a PC
The next Xbox console will not be 'tied to a single store or device' and will probably be designed around Windows. Your next Xbox device, whether it's a console, handheld, or some other strange, eldritch device with a glowing green 'X', may be a PC in everything but name. Xbox President Sarah Bond told the world this week that it was working on a sequel to the Xbox Series X console. Hell, there is a whole extended 'family' of devices bearing the Xbox name currently in the works. The announcement implied more than just new hardware. Microsoft's whole brand could shift to being more PC-like with a game-themed version of Windows at the helm. If you're anything like me, getting to play my Steam games on a custom console may be enough to make Xbox seem exciting again. As for Microsoft, the move may be the company's hail mary to stay relevant in today's shifting games market. This new selection of hardware will all include processors designed by AMD. That's not surprising, considering the current Xbox Series X and S have a chip based on the company's Zen 2 microarchitecture—equivalent to the PlayStation 5. It implies AMD may make a whole family of chips for Xbox devices, but more likely they will be derivative of the company's current Zen 5 CPUs. AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme is a primary candidate, at least for any device that—in Bond's words—is 'always with you.' Xbox's next generation of consoles is going to be a more open environment than it has been before, at least according to Microsoft. We still have yet to see any new Xbox-branded hardware other than the Asus ROG Xbox Ally. Instead, Bond said Microsoft wants a whole 'family' of Xbox devices that are still compatible with existing Xbox titles. All of them will offer 'an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device.' Wait, what? Does this really imply that we'll be able to use our Steam library on Xbox? Such a move would be a big shift, but one that seems like the company's best bet going forward. Microsoft is planning to make the Xbox experience uniform across all the devices bearing the big 'X' logo. Microsoft already detailed how the new experience on Windows-based handhelds would be gaming-centric. This new version of Windows 11 dials back a whole slew of background tasks that would normally hinder gaming performance and puts the games front and center—all revolving around the Xbox app. If Microsoft wants to make everything continuous, where your Xbox experience is the same from handheld to console to PC, then everything would need to use Windows and allow for all the major third-party game launchers, from Steam to Epic Games Store to GOG. This is a big change from what users are used to on Xbox Series X and Series S. That custom UI was built upon a legacy of console design dating back to the Xbox 360 'Blades' dashboard. Everything was specifically designed to be operated by a controller. The Xbox app, on the other hand, was first designed for mouse and keyboard, then modified to a small degree for thumbsticks and face buttons. It works, but it's not the kind of precise interface you should be able to find on a 7- or 8-inch display. Valve had several years to fine-tune its UI, and SteamOS with its horizontal-based layout is easier to navigate. Microsoft spent the last five years relegating its hardware to a secondary status. In the time since the launch of the Series X, the tech giant has focused on building Game Pass up and positioning itself as the Netflix of video games. Microsoft dropped $69.8 billion (you can't possibly overstate how much money that is) to merge with Activision Blizzard—a strategy that, on paper, seemed to place way too much importance on getting Call of Duty onto its subscription service. Xbox boss Phil Spencer has constantly reiterated the company would focus on getting Game Pass onto other companies' consoles. Over the last few months, Microsoft allowed several once-exclusive titles onto PlayStation 5, including Forza Horizon 5 and upcoming titles like The Outer Worlds 2. Xbox can't rely on software alone. The console maker reportedly hit more than 35 million total subscribers, though data from analyst firm Omdia from 2024 suggested subscription growth has slowed dramatically in recent years. Microsoft hiked Game Pass prices earlier this year, which likely won't help inspire growth. Beyond updated consoles with more storage, Microsoft didn't offer a peep about that cylindrical Xbox Series X pro-level device to compete with the PS5 Pro. Whatever comes next, it won't be pure competition for Sony or Nintendo. It's going to be a software-first vehicle with the game-centric version of Windows in the driver's seat.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Tech Wrap June 18: Xiaomi's Redmi Pad 2, iQOO Z10 Lite, Aorus Master 16
Xiaomi launches Redmi Pad 2. iQOO launches Z10 Lite. Gigabyte launches Aorus Master 16 laptop. Nothing confirms Phone 3 with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. Adobe gets Firefly app for mobile BS Tech New Delhi Xiaomi launches Redmi Pad 2 with 9000mAh battery Xiaomi's sub-brand Redmi has introduced the Redmi Pad 2 in India on June 18, expanding its tablet portfolio. The Android-based tablet is driven by the MediaTek Helio G100-Ultra chipset and features an 11-inch IPS screen with 2.5K resolution and a variable refresh rate reaching up to 90Hz. Alongside the tablet, optional accessories such as the Redmi Smart Pen and a cover for the device are offered separately. Sales for the Redmi Pad 2 are set to commence on June 24. iQOO, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer, has introduced the Z10 Lite 5G smartphone in India. Priced from Rs 9,999, the device incorporates the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor. It has a 6.74-inch LCD panel and is equipped with a 6,000mAh battery. The brand noted that the battery is engineered to maintain up to 80 per cent of its original capacity after 1,500 charge cycles. Gigabyte has released its flagship gaming notebook, the Aorus Master 16, in the Indian market. The device is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 275HX and can be configured with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU. It incorporates sophisticated AI functions, including a virtual assistant branded as 'GiMATE.' The laptop also uses the firm's Windforce Infinity EX thermal system to manage heat efficiently. Nothing, a British tech company, has revealed that its upcoming flagship smartphone, the Nothing Phone 3, will be equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip. The company states that this is the most advanced processor to power a Nothing handset so far. Adobe has introduced its Firefly app for both iOS and Android platforms, allowing users to produce AI-generated videos and images from their mobile devices. Previously available as a web application, Firefly enables users to input text prompts to create or modify media using Adobe's own AI tools as well as models from providers such as OpenAI, Google, Flux, among others. Microsoft has announced a new-generation Xbox console being developed in collaboration with AMD, with an emphasis on cross-platform gaming. In a video shared on Xbox's official YouTube channel, Xbox president Sarah Bond said: 'We've established a strategic, multi-year agreement with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including our next-generation Xbox consoles.' Rockstar Games has rolled out the 'Money Fronts' update for GTA Online. Launched on Tuesday, this update introduces a new money laundering operation centered around the Hands On Car Wash. Described by Rockstar as 'low-profile but cash-intensive,' the update gives players an opportunity to clean illicit funds. It also includes new vehicle options and gameplay improvements. POCO, the Chinese smartphone maker, is set to unveil the POCO F7 in India on June 24. The company has positioned the upcoming model as a performance-driven smartphone aimed at users looking for speed and power without unnecessary extras. It will feature a 7,550mAh battery, promising extended usage. YouTube Music is reportedly introducing a lyrics sharing feature across its Android and iOS apps. A report by 9to5Google indicates that users can now highlight and share up to five lines of song lyrics in a visually styled format. This feature is available to both free and Premium subscribers. It forms part of the latest YouTube Music update aimed at boosting engagement and social interaction. Facebook has revealed plans to share all uploaded videos on the platform as Reels, regardless of their original length or format. A blog post by Meta, Facebook's parent company, mentioned that the current 'Video' tab will soon be renamed 'Reels.' However, the recommendations users receive will continue to include a variety of video types. This change aligns with Meta's strategy to unify video content across its services. Graphic design platform Canva has incorporated Google's new video generation model, Veo 3, into its creative suite. The company announced that users can now create eight-second video clips with audio perfectly synced through Canva AI, its proprietary AI toolset. This functionality is also available through a Canva-owned platform for creative work. Google's Gemini app is expected to introduce a new function that enables users to upload videos directly into chats for analysis. While users currently can upload images and documents for AI-based review, the addition of video support will allow further interactivity. A 9To5Google report suggests users will soon be able to pose questions about the videos after upload, which Gemini will then interpret and answer. Reports suggest OnePlus may end its long-standing collaboration with Swedish camera brand Hasselblad. According to 9To5Google, the next OnePlus flagship device might not carry Hasselblad branding on its camera system, hinting at a likely conclusion to the companies' multi-year partnership. Samsung has revealed plans to release the Galaxy M36 5G smartphone in India shortly. While complete specifications have not yet been shared, the company confirmed that the device will be priced below Rs 20,000. It will also introduce a redesigned appearance with updated colours and finishes. The M36 5G is described as 'extremely lightweight' and will include leading AI features in its category. The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro delivers an impressive performance for its price. It offers high-quality audio, effective ANC, spatial audio support, and extended battery life. While touch controls could be more responsive and ANC transitions smoother, these are minor issues in an otherwise value-packed offering. According to a report by the Financial Times, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has cautioned employees about potential job losses among white-collar roles due to the rising use of AI. This message, conveyed through an internal memo on Tuesday, highlighted the growing presence of AI within Amazon's operations, particularly in logistics. Elon Musk's AI venture, xAI, is reportedly spending $1 billion each month as development expenses exceed revenue, Bloomberg reported, citing insiders. To fund its operations, the company is now seeking to raise $9.3 billion through a mix of debt and equity. Over half of this funding is expected to be used within three months, following substantial earlier expenditures. As India's NEET 2025 medical entrance exam results were released, an AI bot named 'Allie' developed by Allen, a top coaching institute, made headlines. While students across the country faced the high-pressure test, the AI tool also took the challenge, reportedly outperforming a significant number of human test-takers. As the role of generative AI (GenAI) in software development becomes more prominent, it is increasingly impacting the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and the broader Application Development and Maintenance (ADM) segment. Industry analysts suggest that as much as 10–15 per cent of IT services revenue could be at stake due to this evolving technology.
