Microsoft is preparing to ship its Windows Phone 8.1 update with two significant changes: a notification center and a Siri like personal assistant. Sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans have revealed to that the company is currently beta testing copies of Windows Phone 8.1 internally, with plans to fully detail its features at BUILD 2014 in April. A highly requested notification center feature will be added to the software, and we’re told it’s enabled by swiping down from the...

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Celebrate the Countdown to 2014 with of deals on games, add-ons, avatars and more from the Xbox Game Store. Sign in […]

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With just a few days remaining before the holidays, I wanted to reach out to remind the developer community of the new Windows Store and Windows Phone Store opportunities available this holiday season. Now is the time to finish the apps youve been working on, or update those you already have in the Store. For me, a great holiday season has to start with a lineup of remarkable devices. This season is especially strong with a large selection of smartphones, tablets, and PCs from our device maker...

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We understand that Microsoft is removing the physical button requirement in an effort to lower costs for device manufacturers. Although it’s largely targeted at lowering costs, the removal of physical buttons could allow Android device makers to use almost identical hardware to produce Windows Phone handsets. Microsoft has been attempting to convince manufacturers to load Windows Phone software on their Android devices, and the company is even considering axing Windows Phone license fees...

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Heres the only thing thats completely clear: The search for a Microsoft CEO has become a bit of a circus over the last few weeks. First, Ford CEO Alan Mulally seemed to be a shoe in, issuing a series of cunning non denial denials about his intent. But that was blown up when the chairman of the car company said the high profile executive was there to stay — at least through 2014 — while Mulally did his fantastic Cheshire Cat routine. Then, at the end of last week, Ford said that it...

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Retiring Microsoft Office President Kurt DelBene is going to be heading up the revamp of the troubled HealthCare.gov site. Politico reported the news on December 17. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed it shortly thereafter, as did Microsoft itself. Microsoft announced in July 2013 that DelBene, a 20 year Microsoft veteran, would be retiring as Microsoft reorganized itself along more device services focused lines. DelBene last day at Microsoft was yesterday, December 16, a...

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The Surface Mini will be able to recognize the face of the user, as well as hand movements, which would be used to trigger certain actions. According to the Chinese report, the gesture support will work better than Samsungs Air Gesture feature thats available on the Galaxy Note 3. A special accessory, the Leap Motion Controller, already offers gesture based interactions to PC an Mac users. A launch date for the Surface Mini is not available at this time, but the tablet may be launched in spring...

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While there are plenty of critics whove lambasted Ballmer for being slow to respond to changing industry dynamics of being a follower instead of a leader Nadella said he felt Ballmer struck a better balance than for what he credited, in terms of cadence and priorities. Ballmer is perhaps one of the most grounded people I run across in this place around what our current realities are, Nadella told me during a sit down interview in Building 34 in Redmond at the end of November, when I talked with...

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