The Unofficial Microsoft Weblog http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com The Unofficial Microsoft Weblog http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/media/feedlogo.gif The Unofficial Microsoft Weblog http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com en-us Copyright 2008 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Microsoft to bring life to PC games?http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/06/06/microsoft-to-bring-life-to-pc-games/http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/06/06/microsoft-to-bring-life-to-pc-games/http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/06/06/microsoft-to-bring-life-to-pc-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

For a long time now, Microsoft hasn't been focusing on PC games, and even us PC gamers can't blame them. Going from zero to 360 in a few years, not bad at all. Now though, Microsoft is going to begin focusing on PC games again. Many think Microsoft will develop, or have developed a gaming platform for the PC that rivals the ease and simplicity of the XBOX brand. Hopefully this is true. A little birdie told me that Microsoft may even be planning to integrate XBOX and PC based gaming platforms via a service like the wildy popular LIVE. This would certainly give them the advantage over Nintendo and Sony, who don't have anything close to a viable PC link to them systems. In fact, most consoles far thus far kept PC gaming out of their respective portfolios, because PC's have been the enemy. Microsoft knows that there are millions of PC gamers who would love to gank their snoody console-based buddies and prove once and for all what PC gamers have known for ages: the PC is the best gaming platform ever. How can you beat a customizable 101-key controller or the ability to upgrade any part of your gaming system? You obviously can't do that with a console.
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]]>halo 2Halo2microsoftPC gamesPcGameswindowsRyan Carter2006-06-06T21:26:00+00:00Microsoft says "take a break"http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/05/09/microsoft-says-take-a-break/http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/05/09/microsoft-says-take-a-break/http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/05/09/microsoft-says-take-a-break/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft has a relatively unknown site called Pause 2 Play, which advocates taking breaks from work to play some of their online games as a tension release. The site is mostly an aggregation of different time wasters organized by the different properties they hold that have games associated with them, primarily MSN Messenger. There are also links to articles to help you justify understand why it's important to take frequent breaks. As if we needed a reason.
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]]>online gamingOnlineGamingpause 2 playPause2PlayJason Clarke2006-05-09T18:38:00+00:00Why Origami? - Part 2 (Response to Engadget)http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/03/08/why-origami-part-2-response-to-engadget/http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/03/08/why-origami-part-2-response-to-engadget/http://microsoft.weblogsinc.com/2006/03/08/why-origami-part-2-response-to-engadget/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

More reasons why Origami has good potential:

5. Devices such as the OQO are so far very popular, but have mostly lacked the marketing power to get the word out. Many mobile professionals I know personally hate how big and heavy their laptops are, and can't very well watch DVD's or do any work on the plane. Origami could offer a solution to this for those who travel often.

6. Getting through college. Those who can't afford a laptop, or don't want to lug one around, will love Origami as well.

7. If Origami has satellite or GPS of any kind, Microsoft is instantly in the TomTom market for GPS navigation.

8. Developing Nations. Everyone is talking about the elusive $100 PC for emerging markets and educational opportunities in remote locations. Origami may be a good solution to that as well, provided the price is knocked down and runs a tabletized version of Vista starter edition. Satellite capability would also lend itself very well to this. It would simplify the use of a PC for those who have never used one before.

Why buy a portable DVD player, a Sony PSP for gaming, an iPod for music and pictures, a PDA for mobile apps and internet, when you can have it all in one device that will allow you to it all and then some?

My deal-breakers for Origami are:

1. No keyboard or other shall we say "high-speed" input method.
2. No way to dock it or hook up at home to use a bigger display, mouse, so in short, extensibility.
3. Not enough muscle to be the kind of laptop/PDA/portable DVD killer it claims to be.

So to the point, is Origami worth it? You decide. Let me know below. Also a huge shout-out to Engadget, the podcast and site totally rock. Happy 2nd birthday!

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]]>engadgetmicrosoftorigamiUMPCRyan Carter2006-03-08T14:00:00+00:00