Microsoft announces smaller Xbox One S for $399

Microsoft has officially announced  the thinner, lighter Xbox One S which stands for 'Slim', the device will be sold as a 500GB, 2TB and 3TB variants starting at US $299 and shipping in August.

This new Xbox One improves over its three-year old predecessor with 4k video support, a slimmed down controller and a integrated power supply and can be positioned in vertical orientation. The device will also ship in white and is 40 per cent smaller than the OG Xbox One. Pricing in Canada starts at $399 for the 500 GB version and the device will ship in August with preorders starting soon.

Microsoft buys LinkedIn professional social network for $26 Billion

Microsoft just bought LinkedIn in a bombshell deal for an all-cash transaction valued at $26.2 billion inclusive of LinkedIn's net cash. LinkedIn will retain its distinct brand, culture and independence while Jeff Weiner will remain CEO of LinkedIn, reporting to Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. LinkedIn is the world's largest and most valuable professional network and continues to build a strong and growing business.

Founded in 2002, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network on the Internet with more than 433 million members in over 200 countries and territories. It currently offers free as well as paid membership options that allows people to connect with business contacts as well as seek employment. What does Microsoft, a services and devices company, want with a social network whose growth has been somewhat quastionable of late?

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Facebook: Use Moments or get synced photos deleted

It’s not entirely surprising that Facebook is yet again forcing the hand of its users to use another one of its apps. This time, it’s their photo-sharing app Moments. What’s the consequence if you don’t adopt the app? You’ll lose synced photos you didn’t know you had. You may or may not be aware that Facebook has an option to sync photos from your phone into a private album on the app. But if you don’t install Moments by July 7^th to get them back, then you’ll use them forever. Of course, if those photos are still on your phone, you’ll still have them. Forcing users to download apps seems to be working for Facebook but that doesn’t mean users are happy about it.

Source: The Next Web

EA’s new indie titles publishing program launches with ‘Fe’

EA Originals, the company’s new program to help small, independent, and innovative developing teams launch their games, introduces its first game. Fe, a nature-focused game, means fairy in Swedish and is designed by Zoink from Gothenburg, Sweden.  It’s a polygonal 3D adventure through an enchanted forest that hides many secrets. There's a sort of ethereal and somewhat spooky feel from its trailer. You won’t see any words while playing but the flora and fauna have a way of communicating with you. Zoink’s previous release was a neon-splashed quirky adventure game called Stick it to the Man. This new program has EA funding these small teams while giving one hundred percent of the revenue to the studios themselves. There is no word yet when Fe will be released and on what platforms.

Source: Engadget