Microsoft

E3 2012 sees Microsoft in a unique position among the console companies. While Sony may make game consoles, televisions, and laptops, only Microsoft owns both a console ecosystem and major PC operating system. And with Windows 8 only months away, now may be the perfect time to finally draw a solid line connecting the two. But based on what we've seen at the Microsoft E3 press conference, this may not be the year for that.

SmartGlass, the new multi-screen/multi-platform app from Microsoft, is a good start. While SmartGlass will be available on many types of tablets and phones, … Read more

Editor's note: This live blog has concluded. Click on the module below to replay the blog or read our summary posts: "Madden NFL 13 gets 'better with Kinect,' launches Aug. 28"; "Microsoft plans to bring over 35 more content providers to Xbox"; "Microsoft unveils Xbox Music"; "Microsoft unveils Smart Glass, a multiscreen entertainment platform"; "Kinect-enhanced IT coming to Xbox," and "Xbox throws down gauntlet to Apple TV (and Wii U) at E3."

You've read the speculation. There's nothing left to do now but wait to … Read more

Microsoft has brought its Internet Explorer browser to another location.

According to the software company at its E3 keynote speech today, Internet Explorer will deliver "for the first time, a fast, fluid, Web experience in the living room." With help from Kinect, users will be able to have full voice control over the browser on the Xbox 360.

To add a bit more flavor (and control) to the browser, Microsoft has also integrated its Smart Glass platform into Internet Explorer, allowing users to scroll around the page, click links, and pinch and zoom from their smartphone or tablet.… Read more

Microsoft has shown off a new multiscreen entertainment platform called SmartGlass.

Unveiled today at Microsoft's keynote speech at the E3 gaming expo, the platform allows users to play video and other media from their mobile devices on their big-screen television, thanks to the Xbox 360. In addition, it acts as a mobile companion to enhance gameplay.

Microsoft's announcement today confirms an earlier report claiming that Microsoft was planning to launch an AirPlay competitor.

According to Microsoft, the new SmartGlass will work on Windows, Windows Phone, and the Xbox 360. In addition, it will support Android and iOS. The … Read more

Microsoft has dramatically expanded the sports and entertainment offerings available via its Xbox 360.

At its E3 keynote today, the company said that it plans to add 35 more content providers to the Xbox, including Nickelodeon, Machinima, and others. That, Microsoft says, will complement the more than 200 million movies, television shows, and videos it has added to Xbox Live in the last year.

The big draw, however, might be the addition of more sports content. According to Microsoft, it will soon offer full access to ESPN programming across many of its channels, including ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, and … Read more

Microsoft is rumored to be ready to unveil a new app this week at the E3 game conference for the Xbox 360 that will allow users to play video and other media on tablets and phones.

The AirPlay-like companion application -- dubbed "Smart Glass" -- will also allow users to beam content back to their game consoles for viewing on larger screens, according to an Engadget report. The app is also expected to be made available for tablets and phones running on Windows, Windows Phone, Android, and iOS.

Seemingly adding credence to this report is another Engadget report … Read more

It's a rite of passage for every tech trade show.

Apple, the 800-pound gorilla of the industry, never has an official presence at shows like CTIA (mobile), CES (consumer electronics), and Computex (PCs). But if you read between the lines of the press conferences and press releases, every company at those shows is implicitly talking about -- and reacting to -- the latest Apple gadgets, new or anticipated.

And now, as we approach the annual E3 trade show, the focus naturally turns to Apple's role in the video game industry.

During E3 2011, we made an obvious observation … Read more

The collection of games and gear on display at E3 2011 was among the best we'd ever seen. The Nintendo Wii U and PlayStation Vita offered hot new hardware, while games such as Skyrim and BioShock Infinite made for an especially strong software lineup.

One year later, the things we called out as the best of E3 2011 fall into a couple of categories.

Some made their expected release dates (and several were huge hits); some are making yet another appearance this year, either as originally planned or because of delays; and some have seemingly vanished from the radar, and it may be some time before we see them again.

We've taken our top 20 favorites from last year and given each a succinct report card or update, and we'll be taking bets on which ones will slip further and show up at E3 2013 as well. … Read more

Next week the CNET team hits Los Angeles for E3 2012 in search of the best the show has to offer. We've gotten the early word that consoles won't be the focus this time around (aside from the Wii U), so it'll be the software's time to shine.

Even so, major blockbusters like BioShock Infinite and Metal Gear Rising won't be at the show, so which titles are we most looking forward to getting our hands on? Click through our slideshow to find out.