Microsoft is closing Games for Windows Live on August 22nd

Microsoft is closing its Games for Windows Live marketplace on August 22nd. In a note on the Xbox support site, Microsoft says that the Points system and PC Marketplace will be closed, meaning that Games for Windows Live users can no longer be able to buy games. The PC client will not be affected immediately, so previously purchased games and content will still be available for consumers.

Windows 8.1 will be shipping with Skype pre-installed

Windows 8.1 will be shipping with Sky pre-installed. Anyone who doesn't have it already installed will get the instant messenger with their upgrade to 8.1. The move could lead to higher Skype usage on Windows 8 due to that the program comes with the operating system.

Windows 8.1 to launch on October 18, Day earlier on Windows Store

Microsoft continues to work on Windows 8.1, and the company has announced that the update will be available on October 18th. The free update will be listed in the Windows Store for existing Windows 8 users at 8AM ET on October 17, with boxed copies, new hardware, and a full retail release on October 18th. The final copy of Windows 8.1, the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) in the coming weeks.

 

Asus Abandons Windows RT, Changes to Full Windows

Windows RT manufacturers are dropping like flies. Asus has told The Wall Street Journal that it will no longer be making Windows RT tablets with ARM chips, due to a large loss on its devices last quarter. Instead of using Windows RT and ARM, Asus will instead be building full windows 8 devices with Intel chips. Asus isn't the only company to leave the platform, Samsung, Toshiba, HTC, and Nokia have left the platform as well. Acer and Dell are the only main manufacturers remaining that use Windows RT.

Even though Microsoft had a $900 million write off on the flagship Surface RT, the company is reportedly producing another tablet with a Nvidia chip.

What A Wild Day For Microsoft: Recap of Recent News

SURFACE RT FIASCO

Everyone was thinking that the Surface line of tablets was going to pull Microsoft out of its slum. Unfortunately, consumers weren't worrying about the corporation as they were browsing on their iPads or checking email on their Galaxy Note. Sales were so low Microsoft was forced to cut the price of the Surface RT by $150, down to $349. But, the company still wasn't done screwing up. Yesterday, Microsoft wrote off $900 million onto its unsold inventory. This almost billion dollar payment just puts another nail in Microsoft's coffin. Still, the company has the nerve to continually post ads on its social channels to try and make the Surface more attractive. But, it's just too late; customers are too attached to their walled gardens, be it Android or iOS. The Windows 8 operating system and tablets arrived too late in the game. Apple's iPad was out for a full 20 months prior to Microsoft releasing its own line of tablets. That allowed consumers to get nice and cozy in the Apple walled garden as Microsoft sat on its deteriorating market share worrying about its enterprise technology.

STOCK CRISIS

Today, investors ransacked Microsoft's stock price. After starting off generally well, starting at 10:20am, investors began hitting  the kill button. The stock fell by $4.04, the equivalent of 11.40%. Today's plummet is the worst for the company since 2000. Microsoft is worth $32 billion less since the Surface RT announcement. “We know we have to do better and this is one reason we made the strategic and organizational changes last week,” Microsoft chief financial officer Amy Hood said today during its Q4 earnings conference call. “We are confident we are moving in the right direction.”

Windows 8 Start Button Has Returned: On A Mouse

The Windows team has never had it easy since Apple came around. As a result of major user backlash, Microsoft put the Start Button back into Windows 8. But, you have to buy a mouse to use it.

The Sculpt Comfort Mouse has a blue strip on the left-hand side. Swiping up on the strip cycles through apps; swiping down reveals the Metro app task switcher. Pressing the button will take you to the Start screen. The mouse connects to your PC using Bluetooth. It will cost $39.95 when it goes on sale in June.

The Sculpt Mobile Mouse has a simple Start button next to its wheel that will open the Start menu in Windows 7 or the Start screen in Windows 8. The Sculpt Mobile is a wireless USB mouse, and it will cost $29.95 when it goes on sale this month.

I'm not sure whether this will satisfy the quells of Windows 8 rebellers. This will certainly be something to watch.

 

Xbox One's Pre Ordering Notification

How much? When? Where? What if I don't even want one? The impending Xbox One's pre-order notification sign up form is now live. Reminder: This is not a sign up to pre-order the Xbox. This is a way to be notified of when pre-orders are being opened up. Enjoy!