REDMOND, Wash. — June 19, 2013 — Microsoft Corp. today announced patent licensing agreements with automotive technology companies Audiovox, Continental, Harman and LG Automotive for the use of its Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT) file system.

The advanced capabilities of Microsoft’s exFAT technology allow automotive technology companies to meet increasing consumer demand for connected cars that let drivers and passengers transport media between all their favorite devices — even their automobiles. exFAT is the modern file system of choice due to its ability to facilitate large files for audiovisual media and enable seamless data portability between electronic devices. According to a report from Accenture, the in-vehicle infotainment and telematics global market is predicted to exceed $80 billion by 2014. exFAT supports the high-capacity SDXC memory card standard, which is increasingly used for music, pictures, videos and maps for navigation systems and USB-based storage devices.

“The exchange of intellectual property makes it possible for companies to bring great ideas to market quickly, and keep pace with customer demand,” said David Kaefer, general manager of intellectual property licensing, Microsoft. “We believe collaborative licensing brings the best value to consumers.”

Tuxera, the leading interoperable file systems provider, works with the automotive industry to implement and support exFAT technology across a range of in-vehicle products that require highly-reliable file system solutions. The company understands the importance of increased in-vehicle entertainment in today’s automotive market.

“Connectivity is a critical component of in-car infotainment, and exFAT technology is the glue that makes it possible,” said Viet-Anh Le, Tuxera’s automotive business manager. “Licensing exFAT ensures consumers will experience the best possible interoperability with next-generation infotainment solutions.”

Microsoft previously announced a similar exFAT licensing agreement with BMW, as well as with companies in a variety of other industries including Aspen Avionics, Panasonic Corp., Research In Motion, SANYO Electric Company Ltd., Sony Corp. and Canon Inc.

Microsoft’s commitment to intellectual property collaboration

Microsoft offers flexible intellectual property (IP) licensing programs that give companies access to many of the foundational technologies in its products, allowing those companies to build devices, applications and services that work seamlessly with one another.

Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered into more than 1,100 licensing agreements and continues to develop programs that make it possible for customers, partners and competitors to access its IP portfolio. More information about Microsoft’s IP licensing program is available at http://www.microsoft.com/iplicensing, and information related to Microsoft’s exFAT licensing program is available at http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/en/us/intellectualproperty/iplicensing/programs/exfatfilesystem.aspx.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash. — June 13 , 201 3 — Microsoft Corp. and Best Buy Co. Inc. today announced a strategic partnership to create the Windows Store only at Best Buy. The comprehensive store-within-a-store will be in 500 Best Buy locations across the United States and in more than 100 Best Buy and Future Shop locations in Canada.

Windows store only at Best Buy June 12, 2013 Microsoft and Best Buy announce The Windows Store only at Best Buy. Coming to 600 Best Buy stores in North America this summer.

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Ranging in size from 1,500 square feet to 2,200 square feet, the Windows Store will be the premier destination for consumers to see, try, compare and purchase a range of products and accessories, including Windows-based tablets and PCs, Windows Phones, Microsoft Office, Xbox, and more. Each store will feature an innovation space highlighting a variety of Windows scenarios across devices; a showcase section with the latest Windows-based PC form factors such as ultrabooks, convertibles, detachables and all-in-ones — including portable devices; and a standalone area featuring Microsoft Surface.

“The Windows Store offers a large-scale, hands-on customer experience that will show customers how Windows and Microsoft devices and services can make it easier for them to work and play,” said Tami Reller, chief marketing officer and chief financial officer of the Windows Division at Microsoft. “We’re pleased to partner with Best Buy in bringing the latest technologies to consumers at scale in a unique environment where they can explore how Microsoft products fit together across entertainment, travel, music and other scenarios.”

In addition to the dedicated Microsoft specialists already working across Best Buy locations, the alliance will add more than 1,200 Best Buy Microsoft-trained sales associates to create an engaging customer experience at scale.

Windows Store only at Best Buy – back wall June 12, 2013 The Windows Store only at Best Buy features a wide array of software and accessories, including Windows 8 apps, Office, Skype, Xbox music and games. (Photos/Craig Lassig for Windows)

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“Best Buy’s chief goal is to serve our customers as only we can, whether they come to us online or in stores. The Windows Store creates the kind of retail destination we all want to shop in, combining great selection, the latest technology, the best service and the lowest prices,” said Jason Bonfig, vice president of computing for Best Buy. “What our customers will see in these 600 stores is something totally new and fully in line with our determination to transform Best Buy.”

The two companies also will mirror the in-store experience online at http://www.bestbuy.com/windowsstore, which will provide updates on store locations, promotions and other information, including joint marketing efforts throughout the year. Windows Store only at Best Buy will roll out from late June through September. More information is available at http://www.bestbuy.com/windowsstore.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash. — June 11, 2013 — A study released today reveals that, in addition to time and cost savings, small and midsize businesses (SMBs) in the U.S. that use a cloud service gain significant security, privacy and reliability advantages compared with companies that have not adopted the cloud. The study, commissioned by Microsoft Corp., shows that perceptions of the cloud held by nonusers directly contrast with the real experiences of cloud adopters.

“There’s a big gap between perception and reality when it comes to the cloud. SMBs that have adopted cloud services found security, privacy and reliability advantages to an extent they didn’t expect,” said Adrienne Hall, general manager, Trustworthy Computing, Microsoft. “The real silver lining in cloud computing is that it enables companies not only to invest more time and money into growing their business, but to better secure their data and to do so with greater degrees of service reliability as well.”

The Microsoft study, which did not qualify participants by product, service or vendor, asked SMBs that have not adopted the cloud what was holding them back:

• Sixty percent cited concerns around data security.

• Forty-five percent worried that using the cloud would result in a lack of control over their data.

• Forty-two percent doubted the reliability of the cloud.

In stark contrast, the study found that the experiences of SMBs that use cloud services contradict these concerns:

• Ninety-four percent have gained security benefits they did not have with their former on-premises technology, such as up-to-date systems, up-to-date antivirus and spam email management.

• Sixty-two percent have seen increased levels of privacy protection.

• Seventy-five percent have experienced improved service availability.

Seventy percent of SMBs in the study said that adopting a cloud service meant they could invest money and time savings into areas such as product development and innovation, demand creation, and expansion into new markets. Half of SMBs have pursued new opportunities because of the time they saved managing security.

An example of a business that has realized the security and compliance benefits of the cloud is DHCU Community Credit Union, a nonprofit financial cooperative. To meet the compliance requirements and security expectations of a financial institution, the organization recently moved to Microsoft Office 365.

Since its transition, DHCU Community Credit Union has experienced improved security and increased productivity, while enabling the organization to maintain its tradition of delivering excellent customer service.

“In the financial services industry, security and compliance are a critical table stake. Microsoft Office 365 gives us peace of mind that these things are being handled, and handled well. So much so that we’ve been able to reposition resources to reinvest in our business,” said Matt McCombs, president and chief operating officer, DHCU Community Credit Union. “Quite simply, the move to the cloud saved us money and freed up time to help us focus on what matters most — serving our members.”

In conjunction with the study, Microsoft has released an updated version of the Cloud Security Readiness Tool (CSRT). Based on the Cloud Security Alliance’s Cloud Controls Matrix, the CSRT is no-cost, interactive and easy to use. It enables organizations to assess the current state of the security of their IT environment and compare it to what they could expect if they used a cloud service. The updated release extends the range of industry standards covered by the tool to include European Network and Information Security Agency Information Assurance Framework (ENISA IAF) and British Standards Institution (BSI).

“Organizations are keen to understand how cloud adoption would compare with their existing on-premises policies, procedures and compliance, and that can be a complex task,” said John Howie, chief operating officer, Cloud Security Alliance. “In the Cloud Security Alliance, industry leaders have collaborated to develop best practice security guidance. Microsoft’s Cloud Security Readiness Tool builds on these efforts as it gives organizations a way to more easily evaluate cloud services against critical areas, as well as against compliance with key industry standards like ENISA IAF and BSI.”

About the study

The vendor-agnostic study, commissioned by Microsoft and conducted by independent research company comScore Inc., polled companies with between 25 and 499 PCs in France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. Cloud users were defined as companies using a subscription model service for data storage, email or calendar, online productivity, customer relationship management, database service, application hosting or management to manage and help secure computers, for enterprise resource planning, and/or compute capacity to run application code.

More information can be found at the Microsoft Security Newsroom: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/presskits/security.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

June 09, 2013 Alongside the spectacular lineup of titles for its highly anticipated next Xbox entertainment system, Xbox One, at E3 Microsoft unveiled a fresh and exciting new design for Xbox 360.

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LOS ANGELES — June 10, 2013 — Microsoft Corp. today at E3 offered everyone who has yet to own an Xbox 360 or wants to update their existing console an irresistible new reason to jump in. Alongside the spectacular lineup of titles for its highly anticipated next Xbox entertainment system, Xbox One, Microsoft unveiled a fresh and exciting new design for Xbox 360. Shipping today retailers across the U.S., U.K., Canada, Ireland and Australia, the new Xbox 360 will continue to roll out worldwide across all Xbox regions over the coming months, extending the life cycle and legacy of the celebrated console that has already sold 76 million units worldwide and has been the best-selling console in the U.S. for the past 28 months.

Sporting a sleek and stylish new design that resembles the Xbox One brand elements, the new Xbox 360 brings together a similar look and feel across the entire family of Xbox products. The new Xbox 360 appears stunning wherever it fits in the home and offers great performance. It is available in multiple value-packed editions for the same great prices as the existing console: $199.99 estimated retail price (ERP[1]) for the 4GB console, $299.99 ERP for the 250GB edition and $299.99 ERP for the 4GB Kinect Bundle.

“Xbox 360 offers unrivaled value — with more great games, an Xbox Live community with 48 million members, and a compelling lineup of apps, sports, movies, TV and music,” said Yusuf Mehdi, marketing and strategy, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft. “We’ve taken all we have learned these past eight years and engineered a new Xbox 360 console that is elegant and accessible to anyone. There’s never been a better time to experience everything Xbox 360 has to offer.”

As a message of thanks to the millions of Xbox fans around the world for their passion and loyalty, Microsoft announced that every qualifying Xbox Live Gold member — new or existing — will receive two free Xbox 360 game downloads per month starting July 1 until Dec. 31, 2013, including popular titles “Halo 3” and “Assassin’s Creed II.” And to celebrate E3 in the month of June, Xbox Live Gold will receive a free download of “Fable III.”[3] In addition, for a limited time gamers can get a Day One 12-month Xbox Live Gold membership and play “Killer Instinct: Round One,” with the exclusive Shadow Jago character, on Xbox One. Players will also receive a commemorative Day One membership card.

The world’s brightest creators are continuing to bring imaginative new titles to Xbox 360, which leads the games industry with more than 4,500 titles and 48 million Xbox Live members. At Microsoft’s E3 press briefing, acclaimed developer Wargaming.net announced that a new installment of one of the world’s most popular action games, “World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition,” is coming exclusively to Xbox 360 later this year, bringing the franchise to a console platform for the first time. Custom-built for Xbox 360, “World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition” is a global online multiplayer phenomenon dedicated to tank warfare in the mid-20th century. Players will command some of history’s most powerful tanks and experience intense combat where the excitement of battle is enhanced by working together with their tank platoons to win the fight. “World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition” will be available as a Free-to-Play with Gold title for Xbox Live members and a limited-time trial for all Xbox Live account holders. Register for the beta at http://www.worldoftanks.com/xbox.[2]

Microsoft also showcased “Max: The Curse of Brotherhood,” a follow-up to the popular game “Max and the Magic ,” coming exclusively to Xbox 360 later this year tells the story of a boy named Max who embarks on a journey to find his little brother, Felix, after a giant monster steals him away. With the power of Kinect, players will guide Max through a mystical, blighted fantasy world, using powerful magical abilities to overcome puzzles and enemies and save Felix before it’s too late.

June 09, 2013 A sleek and stylish new Xbox 360 was unveiled alongside spectacular lineup of games at E3, reaffirming Microsoft’s commitment to the celebrated console that has already sold 76 million units worldwide.

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Fans of action games can wage war for their god as a brutal Caos warrior in “Ascend: Hand of Kul,” a Free-to-Play with Gold third-person action-RPG featuring innovative single and multiplayer gameplay. In addition, poker fans will be able to take their game to a whole new level with “World Series of Poker®: Full House Pro,” which lets players build their in-game bankrolls as they compete against opponents from around the world.

In its sixth year, Summer of Arcade continues to deliver the most anticipated, premier collection of the best downloadable games available on Xbox Live. Coming later this summer, fans will have access to fun, quality games including “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Out of the Shadows” from Activision, “Flashback” by Ubisoft, “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons” by 505 Games and “Charlie Murder” from Microsoft Studios.

In addition to these exclusive premieres, Xbox 360 will continue to deliver a staggering lineup of the most anticipated games from the world’s best studios, including “Call of Duty®: Ghosts,” “Grand Theft Auto V,” “Battlefield 4™,” “Madden NFL 25,” “FIFA 14,” “Assassin’s Creed® IV: Black Flag,” “Watch Dogs™,” “Batman: Arkham Origins” and “Fable Anniversary.” The lineup reaffirms that Xbox 360 remains the best place to enjoy this generation’s must-have blockbusters.

For more details about the Xbox One games lineup and all the exciting Xbox news at E3, visit news.xbox.com. For press releases and media assets, please visit news.xbox.com/media (select “Choose a Category” to find relevant content).

About Xbox

Xbox is Microsoft’s premier entertainment brand for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. In living rooms or on the go, Xbox is home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world’s largest libraries of movies, TV, music and sports. Your favorite games, TV and entertainment come to life in new ways through the power of Kinect, Xbox SmartGlass and Xbox Live, the world’s premier social entertainment network. More information about Xbox can be found online at www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

The information contained in this press release relates to a pre-release product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when first commercially released. The press release is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the press release or the information contained in it.

[1] Estimated retail prices; actual retail prices may vary

[2] Free-to-Play with Xbox Live Gold membership (sold separately); additional in-game content available and sold separately

[3] “Games with Gold” free games offer available 6/10/13-12/31/13 for paid Gold members only. Xbox 360 games (selected by Xbox) available for free download from Marketplace only during specified half-month window; available games may vary by country. Kinect and/or hard drive required for some games. See xbox.com/live.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

LOS ANGELES — June 10, 2013 — Embark on a heroic adventure to seek vengeance across the battlefields of ancient Rome. Fire up the engines in the exhilarating return of the highest-rated racing franchise of the past 10 years.[1] Fight for survival in an immersive open world teeming with thousands of undead. Today, on the eve of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Microsoft Corp. kick-started a new era of games and entertainment with a stunning lineup of blockbusters for the highly anticipated Xbox One gaming and entertainment system, showcasing why it will be the premier platform to experience the future of games when it launches in 21 markets around the world this November.

Home to the biggest next-generation exclusives

At its E3 press briefing, Microsoft unveiled an unprecedented lineup of world-premiere Xbox One blockbusters from some of the most innovative and celebrated studios on the planet, including 343 Industries, Crytek, Turn 10 Studios, Remedy, DICE, Capcom and Insomniac Games, along with support from virtually every major publisher in the industry.

“Microsoft Studios is committed to making Xbox One the best place to play games, with more titles in development and more exclusives coming than at any time in the history of Xbox,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president, Microsoft Studios. “With amazing games such as ‘Forza Motorsport 5,’ ‘Ryse: Son of Rome,’ ‘Dead Rising 3,’ ‘Halo Xbox One,’ ‘Kinect Sports Rivals,’ ‘Project Spark’ and ‘Quantum Break,’ Xbox will continue to lead the industry with the biggest exclusives, new IP and blockbuster franchises that will delight gamers for the next decade and beyond.”

The world’s most visionary developers showcased how they’re leveraging the unrivaled power and performance of Xbox One to bring a new generation of games to life that look and feel like nothing else — fueled by the power of Xbox One, the fidelity of the new Kinect and the expansive power of Xbox Live. Renowned studio Crytek unveiled “Ryse: Son of Rome,” an epic action-adventure story that immerses you in the brutality and intensity of Roman warfare. “Ryse: Son of Rome” extends the gameplay experience with Xbox SmartGlass and Game DVR and lets you command legions with the sound of your voice using Kinect.

Award-winning developer Turn 10 Studios showcased the breathtaking visuals and adrenaline-filled action of “Forza Motorsport 5,” the next installment of the genre-defining racing franchise. Built from the ground up to take advantage of Xbox One and the vast power of the cloud, “Forza Motorsport 5” features revolutionary Drivatar technology that learns how you and your friends drive, delivering real human behavior and an ever-evolving network of opponents always ready to race — even when they’re not online. Real tendencies, real mistakes.

In addition, Microsoft delighted gamers with the world premiere teaser trailer for “Halo Xbox One,” the next chapter of the award-winning Xbox franchise developed by 343 Industries that will take you on a new journey in the “Halo” universe beginning in 2014.

Other highlights at Microsoft’s briefing included “Dead Rising 3,” the next installment of Capcom’s massively popular zombie franchise coming exclusively to Xbox One that takes open-world action to a whole new level; “Project Spark,” an open-world digital canvas that enables anyone to build, play and share their own worlds, games and stories with millions of others online; and “Sunset Overdrive,” a high-energy open-world shooter set in the not-so-distant future from Insomniac Games that delivers an always-changing gameplay experience with an arsenal of explosive and overpowered weapons.

Home to the best multiplayer and entertainment experiences through Xbox Live Gold

Xbox Live Gold membership offers Xbox One owners a premium service that unlocks a new generation of online gaming and entertainment experiences, including an expanded list of friends that lets you stay connected and play with more people through Xbox Live. Not only does an existing Xbox Live Gold membership for Xbox 360 carry over to Xbox One, you can still join for as low as $5 per month, and now anyone in your home can access most Gold member benefits on your Xbox One at no additional cost.[2] Your Gold membership also travels with you wherever you go, turning any console into your own.

For gamers, Xbox Live Gold on Xbox One delivers new benefits that make online gaming with your friends easier and more enjoyable than ever. Xbox Live Gold unlocks Twitch as a built-in experience on Xbox One, allowing gamers to seamlessly broadcast their gameplay as well as view and interact with other live gaming broadcasts.[3] Twitch on Xbox One also includes the ability to discover tailored, relevant and inherently social video content that spans everything from e-sports events to user-generated original shows and game walk-throughs. Other benefits of Xbox Live Gold on Xbox One include the following:

• Access to the premier multiplayer community. All of your friends can come together on Xbox Live to play the best games for the ultimate bragging rights. Backed by a powerful cloud service, matches are now bigger for games across Xbox One.

• No more waiting for matchmaking. Smart Match on Xbox One allows for asynchronous matchmaking, where the system begins looking for your next match while you continue to game, watch TV or listen to music. Smart Match also instantly finds people you want to play with, where your reputation also plays an important role.

• Rewards for good reputation. Your new Xbox Live reputation plays a prominent and valuable role by rewarding healthy participation while reducing troublemakers and cheaters. A unified system across Xbox Live and all of your games allows for you to have much more control over who you play with while giving you new and exciting ways to get even more involved in your community.

• Ability to record, edit, share and broadcast. With Game DVR and Upload Studio,3 gamers can instantly capture their favorite moments and edit and share them with their friends around the world. With Twitch on Xbox One, a single voice command starts live broadcasting. Home to the most complete portfolio of world-class blockbusters

The full lineup of Xbox One games unveiled by Microsoft at E3 that showcased the fun, color and immersion of the future of gaming includes the following:

• "Battlefield 4" (DICE, Electronic Arts). DICE ushers in the next era of world-class gaming with “Battlefield 4.” The chaos of all-out war explodes, now with groundbreaking new innovations all running at a smooth 60 frames-per-second on Xbox One. With “Battlefield 4,” the intensity of combat will never be the same.

• "Below" (Capy Games, Microsoft Studios). “Below” is a classic rogue tale with moody graphics and Kinect technology. You’ll scour the open world in search of rare and special loot while battling the malevolent Darkness, an artificial intelligence-controlled character that uses Kinect to sense and change level progression based on the room’s surroundings.

• "Crimson Dragon" (Grounding/Land Ho!, Microsoft Studios). Humanity has been driven to the brink of extinction on a colonized planet ruled by dragons. It’s up to you to take control of a powerful dragon and battle for control of the skies in this thrilling flight-based shooter.

• "D4" (Access Games, Microsoft Studios). An episodic noir adventure, “D4” follows the story of a detective with the curious ability to dive back in time. He must use this power to solve his wife’s murder and then try to prevent it from occurring.

• "Dead Rising 3" (Capcom Vancouver, Microsoft). Launching in November exclusively for Xbox One, “Dead Rising 3” marks the return of the wildly popular zombie franchise and introduces a blockbuster open-world action experience that will define a new generation of zombie-slaying mayhem. With intense action, an unmatched level of weapon and character customization, and immersive Xbox SmartGlass and Kinect integration, “Dead Rising 3” delivers a heart-pounding experience unlike any other as players fight for survival in a massive, open world teeming with thousands of undead.

• "Forza Motorsport 5" (Turn 10 Studios, Microsoft Studios). Launching in November, “Forza Motorsport 5” is a cinematic automotive journey starring the world’s greatest cars and tracks. Built from the ground up to take advantage of Xbox One and the vast power of the cloud, no game better delivers the wide-eyed thrill of racing.

• "Halo Xbox One" – working title (343 Industries, Microsoft Studios). The award-winning franchise continues on Xbox One, beginning in 2014.

• "Killer Instinct" (Double Helix, Microsoft Studios). After nearly a decade, the popular fighting franchise returns to Xbox One with the “Killer Instinct” characters and combos that revolutionized fighting games. “Killer Instinct” is enabled with robust progression and rewards, dynamic challenges customized to player behavior, and predictive matchmaking for seamless competitive fights.

• "Kinect Sports Rivals" (Rare, Microsoft Studios). Launching in November, “Kinect Sports Rivals” is the next generation of the best-selling Kinect franchise, “Kinect Sports,” that brings your favorite sports back in re-imagined ways, and delivers new sports, made possible only with Xbox One’s all-new re-engineered Kinect. “Kinect Sports Rivals” puts you in the game like never before, tracks your movements and expressions with incredible accuracy, and offers never-ending competition with your friends and competitors.

• "LocoCycle" (Twisted Pixel, Microsoft Studios). “LocoCycle” takes you on an action-packed adventure only seen on Xbox One with a sentient motorcycle named I.R.I.S and her mechanic, Pablo (who, against his will, is literally being dragged along for the ride). Together, I.R.I.S and Pablo fight for their freedom while facing the Big Arms agents and their secret sentient motorcycle weapon, Spike.

• "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" (Kojima Productions, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.). The concept of this title is “Realistic Espionage Action in an Open World Environment.” Environmental elements like weather and wildlife, and enemies that adapt their strategy to the player’s actions, let players experience a more realistic world. The vast open world environment enhances the thrill and freedom of stealth. Aside from numerous optional missions, there are a variety of gameplay elements that encourage exploration and item-collection outside the main missions.

• "Minecraft: Xbox One Edition" (4J/Mojang, Microsoft Studios). “Minecraft: Xbox One Edition” will deliver the “Minecraft” experience to Xbox One. Building off the hugely successful “Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition,” the edition on Xbox One will include larger maps for more complex structures, expanded multiplayer features and enhanced gameplay powered by the Xbox One platform. “Minecraft: Xbox One Edition” will be available within the Xbox One launch window.

• "Powerstar Golf" (Zoe Mode, Microsoft Studios). Tee up for fun with “Powerstar Golf” for Xbox One. Whether you’re playing a round to unwind and admire the amazing vistas or a pro trying to climb the leaderboards for bragging rights, it’s time to load up the cart and aim for the green.

• "Project Spark" (Team Dakota, Microsoft Studios). “Project Spark” is an open-world digital canvas that enables anyone to build, play and share whatever they can imagine and create in the game. It’s a powerful, yet simple way to build and play your own worlds, stories and games. Share all of your creations with a dynamic community and play what the community makes. “Project Spark” brings creation to life and presents endless opportunities for play across Xbox One, Windows 8 and Xbox 360.

• "Quantum Break" (Remedy, Microsoft Studios). From the creators of “Alan Wake” and “Max Payne” comes a revolutionary entertainment experience that blurs the line between gaming and TV by integrating drama and gameplay into one seamless, uniquely immersive experience. How you play the game impacts the show, and the show informs how you play the game.

• "Ryse: Son of Rome" (Crytek, Microsoft Studios). Coming exclusively to Xbox One in November, “Ryse: Son of Rome” is an immersive action-adventure story of struggle, brutality and heroism, following a fearless Roman soldier named Marius Titus as he seeks to avenge the death of his family and leads an army to save the Roman Empire. “Ryse: Son of Rome” presents a cinematic re-creation of ancient Rome and brings the brutality and intensity of Roman warfare to life in visceral detail, thrusting you into the chaos of close-combat and epic-scale battles.

• "Sunset Overdrive" (Insomniac Games, Microsoft Studios). “Sunset Overdrive” is an always-changing, open-world shooter set in the not-so-distant future. A catastrophic event has left your city overrun by mutants. While the majority perish or transform, you flourish. It turns out your calling isn’t picking up trash or serving food, it’s mutant destruction. With an arsenal of explosive, overpowered weapons and a knack for traversing the city with hyperagility, it’s not the end of days for you. Available for future release, your story is just starting.

• "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" (CD Projekt RED). “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” is a unique combination of a non-linear story and an open world – a fantasy RPG focused on player choice, tactical combat and an immersive environment. Spinning the tale of Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster hunter, “The Witcher 3” aims to attract gamers with a mature and compelling narrative told as no other game has before. With over 100 hours of hand-crafted core and side quest gameplay, “The Witcher 3” redefines the genre and shapes RPGs of the next generation.

• "Zoo Tycoon" (Frontier Developments Ltd., Microsoft Studios). The wildly popular “Zoo Tycoon” franchise is coming to Xbox One and Xbox 360 worldwide later this year. Fully re-imagined and featuring a menagerie of beautiful species, reactive gameplay and real calendar tie-in, this zoo simulation will charm “Zoo Tycoon” fans and new players alike.

For more details about the Xbox One games lineup and all the exciting Xbox news at E3, visit news.xbox.com. For press releases and media assets, please visit news.xbox.com/media (select “Choose a Category” to find relevant content).

About Xbox

Xbox is Microsoft’s premier entertainment brand for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. In living rooms or on the go, Xbox is home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world’s largest libraries of movies, TV, music and sports. Your favorite games, TV and entertainment come to life in new ways through the power of Kinect, Xbox SmartGlass and Xbox Live, the world’s premier social entertainment network. More information about Xbox can be found online at www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

The information contained in this press release relates to a pre-release product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when first commercially released. The press release is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the press release or the information contained in it.

[1] Source: Metacritic, May 2003–May 2013

[2] $5 per month with 12-month Xbox Live Gold Membership at $59.99; applicable taxes extra. Available Xbox Live features vary across systems. Some Gold benefits cannot be shared on Xbox One; restrictions apply.

[3] Upload Studio and Twitch features available with supported games.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

Xbox One System June 09, 2013 Every Xbox One system sold will include the new Xbox One console — which features a 500GB hard drive, Blu-ray player and built-in Wi-Fi — the new Kinect, one Xbox One Wireless Controller and a free 14-day trial of Xbox Live Gold for new members.

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LOS ANGELES — June 10, 2013 — Fueling the excitement from the Xbox One reveal on May 21, Microsoft Corp. today announced launch details for the highly anticipated next Xbox and entertainment system. Launching in 21 markets around the world in November 2013, Xbox One is the ultimate all-in-one entertainment system built for the 21st century living room — introducing a new world of games, music, live TV, movies, sports, apps and Skype, all personalized to your interests and accessible with the sound of your voice.

Every Xbox One system sold will include the new Xbox One console — which features a 500GB hard drive,[1] Blu-ray player and built-in Wi-Fi — the new Kinect, one Xbox One Wireless Controller and a free 14-day trial of Xbox Live Gold for new members. The Xbox One launch bundle will be available for $499.99 in the U.S., £429 (GBP) in the U.K. and €499 (EUR) in European markets.[2]

To celebrate the launch of Xbox One, Microsoft is also introducing a limited-edition commemorative bundle to fans who reserve the system at major retailers, available in limited quantities, while supplies last, for $499.99, €499 (EUR).[2] Reserving the commemorative bundle will guarantee that you’ll be able to purchase the new system on day one. Each commemorative bundle will include an Xbox One system that comes in premium black packaging with a limited edition Xbox One Day One wireless controller, as well as a unique commemorative Day One Achievement.

Gamers who reserve the following exclusive Xbox One Day One edition launch titles, available in limited quantities at major retailers while supplies last, will receive special bonus content:

• "Ryse: Son of Rome." Exclusive multiplayer map and sword with bonus attributes.

• "Forza Motorsport 5." Access to four cars tuned to the top of their class.

• "Kinect Sports Rivals." Exclusive sporting equipment that separates your Champion from the rest of the world.

• "Dead Rising 3." Exclusive Frank West and Chuck Greene Tribute Packs with bonus attributes.

Don Mattrick at E3 2013 June 09, 2013 Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, gets the ball rolling on the eve of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), where Xbox kick-started a new era of games and entertainment with a stunning lineup of blockbusters for the highly anticipated Xbox One gaming and entertainment system.

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In addition, as a message of thanks to the millions of Xbox fans around the world for their passion and loyalty, Microsoft announced that every qualifying Xbox Live Gold member — new or existing — will receive two free Xbox 360 game downloads per month starting July 1 until Dec. 31, 2013, including popular titles such as “Halo 3” and “Assassin’s Creed II.” And to celebrate E3 in the month of June, Xbox Live Gold members will receive a free download of “Fable III.”[3] For a limited time gamers can also get a Day One 12-month Xbox Live Gold membership and play “Killer Instinct: Round One,” with the exclusive Shadow Jago character, on Xbox One. Players will also receive a commemorative Day One membership card.

To reserve your Xbox One system today, visit http://www.xbox.com/reserve for participating retailers.

All-new a ccessories to f uel the n e w g eneration of g aming

Launching alongside Xbox One this November, a new lineup of best-in-class accessories will make your new-generation gaming experiences more immersive, precise and accessible:

• Xbox One Wireless Controller. The Xbox controller is refreshed with more than 40 technical and design innovations. Updated directional pad, thumb sticks and contours deliver greater precision and control, while new vibrating impulse triggers offer precise fingertip feedback, bringing an unprecedented level of gameplay immersion.[4] The Xbox One Wireless Controller is designed to work in concert with the new Kinect, allowing the two to be paired automatically to create seamless player syncing.

• Xbox One Play & Charge Kit. This kit includes a lithium ion rechargeable battery pack that fits inside the Wireless Controller as well as a charging cable that connects from the Controller to the console. Gamers can play on and on without having to buy a single disposable battery. The new Play & Charge Kit charges twice as fast as its Xbox 360 counterpart and charges during gameplay or when the console is in standby mode. The Kit is available for standalone purchase or as part of the Wireless Controller with Play & Charge Kit bundle.

• Xbox One Chat Headset. A must-have for fans of online gaming, the new Xbox One Chat Headset, wired to the controller, is designed for long gaming sessions and clear voice chat. With a lightweight and comfortable new design, the mono chat headset features wideband digital audio and a unidirectional microphone. Gamers will love not having to take their hands off the controller to access the microphone mute and volume controls.

For more details about all the exciting Xbox One news at E3, including the full games lineup, visit news.xbox.com. For press releases and media assets, visit news.xbox.com/media (select “Choose a Category” to find relevant content). More details about the Xbox One accessories are available at www.xbox.com/xboxone/accessories.

About Xbox

Xbox is Microsoft’s premier entertainment brand for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. In living rooms or on the go, Xbox is home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world’s largest libraries of movies, TV, music and sports. Your favorite games, TV and entertainment come to life in new ways through the power of Kinect, Xbox SmartGlass and Xbox Live, the world’s premier social entertainment network. More information about Xbox can be found online at www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Features and requirements are under development and may change prior to release. Available features and content may vary by country. Broadband Internet (ISP fees apply) and advanced TV hardware required. Games and media content sold separately. Xbox Live Gold Membership, paid subscription and other requirements apply for some Xbox Live features.

[1] Xbox One system software uses a significant amount of storage; less internal storage will be available to users. 500 GB = 500 billion bytes.

[2] Estimated retail prices; actual retail prices may vary. Price for U.K. and European Xbox One launch bundles includes tax.

[3] “Games with Gold” free games offer available June 10 through Dec. 31, 2013, for paid Gold members only. Xbox 360 games (selected by Xbox) available for free download from Marketplace only during specified half-month window; available games may vary by country. Kinect and/or hard drive required for some games. See xbox.com/live.

[4] In supported games.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash., June 6, 2013 - We provide customer data only when we receive a legally binding order or subpoena to do so, and never on a voluntary basis. In addition we only ever comply with orders for requests about specific accounts or identifiers. If the government has a broader voluntary national security program to gather customer data we don’t participate in it.

REDMOND, Wash. – June 5, 2013 – In a coordinated operation, Microsoft Corp., in cooperation with leaders in the financial services industry – including the Financial Services – Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), NACHA – The Electronic Payments Association, the American Bankers Association (ABA) – Agari, and other technology industry partners, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced it has successfully disrupted more than a thousand botnets that are responsible for stealing people’s online banking information and personal identities. The FBI took coordinated separate steps related to the operation. Botnets are networks of compromised computers infected by malicious software to be controlled by cybercriminals known as botherders. This cooperative action is part of a growing proactive effort by both the public and private sector to fight cybercrime, help protect people and businesses from online fraud and identity theft, and enhance cloud security for everyone.

This coordinated disruption resulted from an extensive investigation that Microsoft and its financial services and technology industry partners began in early 2012. After looking into this threat, Microsoft and its partners discovered that once a computer was infected with Citadel malware, that malware began monitoring and recording a victim’s keystrokes. This tactic, known as keylogging, provides cybercriminals information to gain direct access to a victim’s bank account or any other online account in order to withdraw money or steal personal identities. This means that when victims are using their computers to access their bank or online accounts, cybercriminals can use the stolen information to quietly pilfer those same accounts as well. Microsoft also found that in addition to being responsible for more than half a billion dollars (USD) in losses among people and businesses worldwide, the Citadel malware has affected upwards of five million people, with some of the highest number of infections appearing in the U.S., Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, and Australia. Citadel is a global threat that is believed may have already infected victims in more than ninety countries worldwide since its inception.

“The harm done by Citadel shows the threat that botnets, malicious software, and piracy pose to individuals and businesses around the world,” said Brad Smith, Microsoft general counsel and executive vice president, Legal and Corporate Affairs. “Today’s coordinated action between the private sector and law enforcement demonstrates the power of combined legal and technical expertise and we’re going to continue to work together to help put these cybercriminals out of business.”

Last week, supported by declarations from financial services leaders and other industry partners, Microsoft filed a civil suit against the cybercriminals operating the Citadel botnets, receiving authorization from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina for Microsoft to simultaneously cut off communication between 1,462 Citadel botnets and the millions of infected computers under their control. On June 5, Microsoft, escorted by the U.S. Marshals, seized data and evidence from the botnets, including computer servers from two data hosting facilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Microsoft also provided information about the botnets’ operations to international Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), so these partners could take action at their discretion on additional command and control infrastructure for the botnets located outside of the U.S.

As stated by the FBI, the FBI also provided information to foreign law enforcement counterparts so that they could also take voluntary action on botnet infrastructure located outside of the U.S. The FBI also obtained and served court-authorized search warrants domestically related to the botnets.

This operation serves as a real world example of how public-private partnerships can work effectively within the judicial system, and how 20th century legal precedent and common law principles dating back hundreds of years can be effectively applied toward 21st century cybersecurity issues.

“Today’s actions represent the future of addressing the significant risks posed to our citizens, businesses, and intellectual property by cyber threats and malicious software, which are often enabled by counterfeit and unlicensed software,” said FBI Executive Assistant Director Richard McFeely. “Creating successful public-private relationships—in which tools, knowledge, and intelligence are shared—is the ultimate key to success in addressing cyber threats and is among the highest priorities of the FBI. We must ensure that, as cyber policy is developed, the ability of the private sector to coordinate in real time with the FBI is encouraged so that a multi-prong attack on our cyber adversaries can be as effective as possible.”

Because the operators used the malware to steal victims’ online banking credentials and make fraudulent transactions, financial services industry leaders including FS-ISAC, NACHA, ABA, and Agari supported Microsoft’s civil lawsuit by serving as declarants in the case. This operation is the second in which Microsoft has worked with the financial services industry to disrupt a family of botnets.

"Crimes used to happen through stickups, but today criminals use mouse clicks,” said Greg Garcia, a consultant and former Department of Homeland Security cyber official serving as a spokesperson for the three major financial industry associations. “This action aims to stop the ongoing harm of these Citadel botnets against people and businesses worldwide, and you can be assured that we will continue to partner with the public and private sectors to help financial institutions protect our customers from threats like this.”

Other organizations that played a part in the legal or technical aspects of this operation include Agari, A10 Networks, and Nominum. In particular, in addition to supporting Microsoft’s lawsuit with a legal declaration, Agari, a partner of FS-ISAC, provided forensic data gathering based on the terabytes of email data that Agari collects from sources across the Internet to protect against email threats such as phishing. Meanwhile, A10 Networks and Nominum provided Microsoft advanced technology to support the disruptive action.

Due to the size and complexity of the threat, Microsoft and its partners do not expect to fully eliminate all of the botnets using Citadel. However, it is expected that this action will significantly disrupt the botnets’ operation, making it riskier and more expensive for the cybercriminals to continue doing business and allowing victims to free their computers from the malware. To help protect people from any remaining instances of this threat, it is critical that victims rid their computers of Citadel by using malware removal or anti-virus software as quickly as possible to help prevent additional security issues.

Immediately following the disruption, Microsoft will use the threat intelligence gathered during the seizure to work with Internet Service Providers and Computer Emergency Response Teams worldwide to quickly and efficiently notify people if their computer is infected. Microsoft will be making this information available through its Cyber Threat Intelligence Program (C-TIP), including the recently-announced cloud-based version of the program. For computer owners worried that their computers might be infected, Microsoft offers free information and malware removal tools at http://support.microsoft.com/botnets. Additionally, the FBI is providing information on its website about botnets to educate the public on how to protect themselves. Many financial services industry organizations provide resources, tips, and tools to individuals and companies on how to help protect themselves.

Like many of Microsoft’s past botnet operations, this investigation once again revealed how criminals are adapting and evolving their attack methods to continue to infect people’s computers with malware. In this case, Microsoft found that the cybercriminals are using fraudulently obtained product keys created by key generators for outdated Windows XP software to develop their malware and grow their business, demonstrating a continued connection between software piracy and global cybersecurity threats. This discovery showcases that in addition to exercising safe online practices like running modern, updated and legitimate software and using firewall and antivirus protection, people also need to be using modern versions of Windows software to better prevent malware, fraud, and identify theft.

More information about today’s news and the coordinated action against Citadel is available at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/presskits/dcu/. Legal documentation in the case can be found at http://www.botnetlegalnotice.com/citadel.

About FS-ISAC

The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center was formed in 1999 and is a non-profit, private financial sector initiative. It was designed and developed and is owned by financial institutions. Its primary function is to share timely, relevant and actionable information of physical and cyber security threat and incident information to help mitigate the risk associated with these threats. http://www.fsisac.com/

About NACHA – The Electronic Payments Association

NACHA manages the development, administration, and governance of the ACH Network, the backbone for the electronic movement of money and data. The ACH Network provides a safe, secure, and reliable network for direct account-to-account consumer, business, and government payments. Annually, it facilitates billions of Direct Deposit via ACH and Direct Payment via ACH transactions. Used by all types of financial institutions, the ACH Network is governed by the fair and equitable NACHA Operating Rules, which guide risk management and create payment certainty for all participants. As a not-for-profit association, NACHA represents more than 10,000 financial institutions via 17 regional payments associations and direct membership. Through its industry councils and forums, NACHA brings together payments system stakeholders to foster dialogue and innovation to strengthen the ACH Network. To learn more, please visit www.nacha.org.

About ABA

The American Bankers Association represents banks of all sizes and charters and is the voice for the nation’s $14 trillion banking industry and its two million employees. Learn more at aba.com.

About Agari

Agari collects terabytes of email data from sources across the Internet to create a cloud-based solution to assess, visualize, and protect against email threats to brands, such as phishing and other fraud. Today, Agari protects more than 65 percent of US consumer email traffic and processes more than 2.3 billion messages daily. The Agari Email Trust Network becomes more pervasive, intelligent, and powerful as more join Agari to protect email users, customers, brands, business models, and corporate and cyber infrastructure. Founded by the thought leaders behind Cisco’s IronPort solutions, the Agari platform provides global brands with the tools needed to proactively protect brand reputation, eliminate email threats, protect customers and prevent the loss of sensitive data. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., Agari is backed by Alloy Ventures, Battery Ventures, First Round Capital, and Greylock Partners. Additional information is available at www.agari.com.

About A10 Networks

A10 Networks was founded in Q4 2004 with a mission to provide innovative networking and security solutions. A10 Networks makes high-performance products that help organizations accelerate, optimize and secure their applications. A10 Networks is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. For more information, visit: http://www.a10networks.com.

About Nominum

Nominum empowers Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to quickly and cost effectively deliver personalized services that provide a differentiated, safer customer experience, generate revenues and build brand loyalty. Nominum’s N2 Platform is an open, scalable platform that leverages customer behavior data from the DNS and other network sources and monetizes the data through intelligent policy management and notification-based service offerings. The N2 Platform processes over 1.5 trillion DNS queries daily and is easily layered upon existing network infrastructure with no additional hardware. Nominum is a global organization headquartered in Redwood City, CA.

About FBI

As an intelligence-driven and a threat-focused national security organization with both intelligence and law enforcement responsibilities, the mission of the FBI is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, including cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes; to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States; and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — June 5, 2013 — In his first COMPUTEX keynote address as head of Microsoft’s OEM Division, Corporate Vice President Nick Parker had plenty to talk about. Just over seven months after the launch of Windows 8 last fall, Parker hosted an impressive lineup of new tablets and PCs from leading manufacturers as well as smartphones, servers and embedded industry devices to demonstrate a consistent Windows experience across screens. He also spoke at length about the growing opportunity for partners to bet their business on Windows by building devices, services and apps that deliver new capabilities and experiences to customers.

“We want to be the best partner to all hardware manufacturers, from the way we engage and invest on new product designs to the experience we jointly deliver to customers,” Parker said. “This new wave of Windows devices from our partners, combined with our software, apps and services, reflects that commitment.”

Most notable of the devices Parker showed were the new 7-inch and 8-inch Windows tablets: the Acer Iconia W3 that launched on June 3 in Taipei, and three other small tablets from top original device manufacturer (ODM) and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners expected to ship for the holiday season. These small tablets provide a Windows experience with Office Home & Student 2013 delivering even more options to experience all that Windows can offer in a smaller form factor. Some of the other hardware innovation showcased including fourth generation Intel® Core™ processors available now, beautiful high-definition displays, rotating touch panels, near-field communications (NFC) for file sharing between devices and ultrathin notebooks. The breadth of innovation coming from the Windows ecosystem continues to expand and provide new ways for customers to interact with devices at home, on the road or in the office.

Tami Reller, chief financial officer and chief marketing officer of Microsoft’s Windows Division, joined Parker onstage to discuss how the company is building on Windows 8 and accelerating the delivery of innovation starting now with the upcoming update of Windows 8.1. This approach enables increased agility and quicker response to customer and partner needs. “Windows 8.1 furthers the bold vision of Windows 8 by responding to customer feedback and adding new features and functionality that advance the touch experience and mobile computing’s potential,” Reller said.

As part of this commitment, Reller announced that Outlook 2013 RT will be available on Windows-based ARM tablets with the Windows 8.1 update later this year. “Windows on ARM is a core part of our strategy today and moving forward, and the addition of Outlook further enriches this world of new on-the-go opportunities for partners and customers,” Reller said.

Reller was joined onstage by Antoine Leblond, corporate vice president of Windows Program Management, who shared the first public demo of Windows 8.1, highlighting enhancements in key areas such as personalization, search, the apps and Windows Store experience, cloud connectivity, and the new Internet Explorer 11. Leblond also described how working closely with partners has enabled the creation of richer and more unique experiences with hardware innovation in areas such as smaller form factors, touch pad, wireless networking, larger screens and higher DPI.

Later, Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Developer Platform Evangelism group, took the stage to discuss the growing universe of Windows 8 apps and how apps are increasingly the key to bringing new computing experiences to life. He talked about how the Windows ecosystem provides symmetry for app builders across client, device, server and cloud, and showed an array of popular apps for consumers and business including “Temple Run: Brave,” Twitter, Foursquare, LINE, Adobe Illustrator and more.

Parker closed the Microsoft keynote address by showcasing a broad range of devices and demonstrated how the Windows platform and services work seamlessly across screens:

• Windows Phone 8. Park demonstrated the recently announced Nokia Lumia 925, which features advanced lens technology and next-generation imaging software to capture clearer, sharper pictures and video, including the best low-light images.

• Office 365 and Office 2013. These applications were demonstrated across Windows devices, using touch capabilities that enable rich productivity scenarios.

• Windows Server 2012. Western Digital Sentinel server showed continued hardware innovation on servers to support access to cloud services across devices and expanding business needs in areas such as storage.

With the support of products and services such as Office 365, Skype, Outlook.com, SkyDrive, and Xbox Music and Xbox Video, Microsoft and its OEM partners can deliver a great experience across Windows devices from the enterprise to the classroom to the home.

COMPUTEX Taipei is the second-largest computer exhibition in the world, drawing a range of manufacturers and developers each year for a look at the latest upcoming devices and technologies. Microsoft products and OEM devices can be seen on display in the Microsoft booth in Nangang Exhibition Hall, L0110. More information is available at http://www.computextaipei.com.tw/.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash. — June 3, 2013 — Today, Microsoft Corp. announced Chip In, a new seasonal buying program to help students get the Windows PC or tablet they need for school. With Chip In, students crowdsource contributions from friends and family toward the purchase of a new Windows PC or tablet. Microsoft will chip in 10 percent of the purchase price on select PCs, and the first 10,000 students to fully fund their PC will also get a four-year subscription to Office 365 University.*

“We know that heading to college is one of the top reasons students buy a new PC — it’s a powerful tool to support their education and stay in touch with their families and friends,” said Kristina Libby, head of Consumer Communications for Windows. “With Chip In from Microsoft, students can leverage the power of their social networks to help them get a new PC and Office 365 University this back-to-school season.”

How d oes it w ork?

Students can participate in Chip In exclusively at http://www.windowschipin.com. Participating students choose from a wide range of qualified Windows 8 PCs and tablets and create a “giving page.” Then they can share their page with friends and family via social media or email to ask for contributions in any amount up to the total cost of the PC.

The first 10,000 students to fully fund their PC before Sept. 1 will also get a four-year subscription of Office 365 University. The subscription gives students the latest, most complete Office applications (which can be downloaded on up to two devices), 20 GB of additional SkyDrive storage and 60 Skype world minutes.

Chip In runs now through Sept. 1, 2013. To participate, students need a valid .edu email address or documentation to prove enrollment in a university or accredited institution. More about the offer can be found at http://www.windowschipin.com.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Office 365 University four-year subscriptions available to the first 10,000 participants who fully fund a PC through Chip In.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash., and LAVAL, Quebec — June 3, 2013 — Microsoft Corp. and InCycle Software Inc. today announced that Microsoft has reached an agreement to acquire the InRelease Business Unit from InCycle Software, a leading provider of application lifecycle management (ALM) services and Release Management solutions on the .NET platform. The acquisition of the continuous deployment solution, InRelease, will add Release Management capabilities to Microsoft’s ALM and DevOps solutions, helping customers deliver applications faster, better and more efficiently.

“DevOps is an increasingly important part of ALM and a growing area of interest to chief information officers as businesses are pressured to develop and deploy quality applications at an increasingly faster pace,” said S. Somasegar, corporate vice president, Developer Division for Microsoft. “The InRelease continuous delivery solution will automate the development-to-production release process from Visual Studio Team Foundation Server, helping enable faster and simpler delivery of applications.”

InCycle Software’s InRelease Release Management solution was developed using the latest Microsoft technologies and integrated directly with Visual Studio Team Foundation Server to provide a mechanism in which application components can be deployed automatically to various target servers in different environments. This also enables all the configuration information to be centralized, managing the deployments as part of a business-driven release workflow that involves multiple roles in the organization. A continuous deployment approach brings together key stakeholders from across the build-deploy-test process to ensure that the application delivers the highest-quality experience across every operating environment to which the application is deployed. This constant feedback loop also allows development teams to bring applications to deployment at a much more rapid release cadence.

“InRelease was designed to build upon the existing features in Visual Studio, and we’re excited it will now be part of an integrated ALM solution bringing value to Visual Studio customers everywhere,” said Claude Remillard, president of InCycle Software.

Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, Microsoft will acquire the business unit of InCycle Software that provides its InRelease automated deployment solution. InCycle Software, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, will remain a separate entity focused on ALM consulting.

Somasegar added, “InCycle Software will continue on as a valued partner to Microsoft, and a great resource for customers evaluating ALM solutions based on the InRelease technology.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About InCycle Software

Microsoft Gold partner since 2005, InCycle Software is the North American leader in Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) consulting services that help .NET organizations go to the next level.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

NEW ORLEANS — June 3, 2013 — At TechEd North America 2013, Microsoft Corp. introduced a portfolio of new solutions to help businesses thrive in the era of cloud computing and connected devices. In today’s keynote address, Server & Tools Corporate Vice President Brad Anderson and fellow executives showcased how new offerings across client, datacenter infrastructure, public cloud and application development help deliver the most comprehensive, connected enterprise platform.

“The products and services introduced today illustrate how Microsoft is the company that businesses can bet on as they embrace cloud computing, deliver critical applications, and empower employee productivity in new and exciting ways,” Anderson said. “Only Microsoft connects the dots for the enterprise from ‘client to cloud.’”

Today’s keynote featured several customers, including luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin. The company is an example of the many enterprises that use the full range of Microsoft products and cloud platforms for IT success.

“Our staff’s sole purpose is to provide advanced technology that enables Aston Martin to build the most beautiful, iconic sports cars in the world,” said Daniel Roach-Rooke, IT infrastructure manager, Aston Martin. “From corporate desktops and software development to private and public cloud, Microsoft is our IT vendor of choice.”

Fueling hybrid cloud

At TechEd, Microsoft introduced upcoming releases of its key enterprise IT solutions for hybrid cloud: Windows Server 2012 R2, System Center 2012 R2 and SQL Server 2014. Available in preview later this month, the products break down boundaries between customer datacenters, service provider datacenters and Windows Azure. Using them, enterprises can make IT services and applications available across clouds and scale them up or down according to business needs. Windows Server 2012 R2 and System Center 2012 R2 are slated to release by the end of calendar year 2013, with SQL Server 2014 slated for release shortly thereafter.

With advances in virtualization, software-defined networking, data storage and recovery, in-memory transaction processing, and more, these solutions were engineered with Microsoft’s “cloud-first” focus, including a faster pace of development and release to market. They incorporate Microsoft’s experience running large-scale cloud services, connect to Windows Azure and work together to provide a consistent platform for powerful hybrid cloud scenarios. More information can be found at blog posts by Anderson about Windows Server and System Center and by Quentin Clark about SQL Server.

Further showcasing Microsoft’s hybrid cloud advantage, today the company also announced the public preview of Windows Azure BizTalk Services for enterprise integration solutions, both on-premises and in the cloud. In addition, Windows Azure now offers industry-leading, per-minute billing for virtual machines, Web roles and worker roles that improves cloud economics for customers. More information is available at the Windows Azure blog.

Windows 8.1: Empowering modern business

During the keynote address, Iain McDonald, partner director of program management for Windows, detailed key business features in the recently announced Windows 8.1 update — including advances in security, management, mobility and networking — to offer the best business tablets with the most powerful operating system for today’s modern business needs.

New networking features in Windows 8.1 aim to improve mobile productivity for today’s workforce, with system-on-a-chip (SoC)-integrated mobile broadband, native Miracast wireless display and near field communication (NFC)-based pairing with enterprise printers. Security is also enhanced in the new update to address device proliferation and to protect corporate data and applications with fingerprint-based biometrics, multifactor authentication on tablets and remote business data removal to securely wipe company data from a device. And improved management capabilities in Windows 8.1 give customers more flexibility with supported options such as System Center Configuration Manager 2012 R2 and new mobile device management (MDM) solutions with third-party MDM partners, in addition to updated Windows Intune support.

On June 26, at the Build 2013 developer conference in San Francisco, Microsoft will release a public preview of the Windows 8.1 update for Windows 8 and Windows RT customers. More information on new features found in Windows 8.1 for businesses, including updated Windows deployment guidance for businesses, is available on the Windows for your Business blog.

Fostering modern application development

Microsoft today also introduced Visual Studio 2013 and demonstrated new capabilities for improving the application lifecycle, both on-premises and in the cloud. A preview of Visual Studio 2013, with its new enhancements for agile portfolio planning, developer productivity, team collaboration, quality enablement and DevOps, is slated for release in the coming weeks, timed with the Build conference.

Furthermore, Microsoft today announced an agreement to acquire InCycle Software Inc.’s InRelease Business Unit. InRelease is a leading release management solution for Microsoft .NET and Windows Server applications. This acquisition will extend Microsoft’s offerings in the application lifecycle management and DevOps market. More information is available on S. Somasegar’s blog.

In addition, the company today announced new benefits that enable Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscribers to more easily develop and test more applications with Windows Azure. New enhancements include up to $150 worth of Windows Azure platform services per month at no additional cost for Visual Studio Professional, Premium or Ultimate MSDN subscribers and new use rights to run select MSDN software in the cloud.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash. — May 29, 2013 — It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman: The way people use (or misuse) their mobile phones can really grate on your nerves. A Microsoft Safer Online Facebook poll revealed that many smartphone users don’t mind their mobile manners — but men and women both find people who constantly check their mobile phones to be the most annoying.

Of course, the frustrations don’t stop there. The following are the agreed-upon top five pet peeves:

1. Checking phones constantly

2. Talking loudly

3. Using or not silencing phones when appropriate

4. Using phones during face-to-face conversation

5. Delaying traffic by using phones

Other mobile annoyances included accidentally pocket-dialing someone and simply losing their phones, opening the door to potential digital damage. Thirty-nine percent of respondents also agreed that they believe men and women equally practice mobile phone safety, but this may not be the reality.

“Although we’re all bothered by certain mobile phone behaviors, the more important point is knowing how to help protect one’s device and information from scammers, rogue software and the oversharing of digital details,” said Jacqueline Beauchere, chief online safety officer, Microsoft Corp. “We know from earlier research that men and women practice mobile safety very differently.”

So who does a better job protecting their personal information on mobile phones? According to the Microsoft Computing Safety Index (MCSI), men do a slightly better job using technical tools:

• Thirty-five percent use a PIN or password to lock their mobile device compared with 33 percent of women.

• Thirty-five percent use secured wireless networks versus 32 percent of women.

• Thirty-two percent keep their mobile devices up to date contrasted with 24 percent of women.

Yet men seem to experience more mobile pitfalls, receiving more emails from strangers asking for personal information (70 percent versus 65 percent), more rogue antivirus popups (66 percent versus 58 percent), and more online impersonation experiences (31 percent versus 26 percent).

Women tend to be more protective of their online reputations, taking additional steps to limit personal information online (40 percent versus 37 percent) and what strangers can see on social networking sites (40 percent versus 32 percent), as well as being more selective about what they text (34 percent versus 31 percent).

As always, protecting yourself online is paramount in today’s online world. Microsoft offers the following tips to help you stay safe when using your mobile devices — in turn, ensuring you don’t annoy your friends:

• Silence your mobile phone. Know when to put the phone away, and be present.

• Help protect your privacy online. Don’t overshare. Think before posting your whereabouts, and save vacation highlights and photos for your return.

• Use location-based services safely. Think carefully about turning on geotagging. Share your location only with people you trust. Pay attention to where and when you check in, and get permission before you check in your friends.

• Conduct financial transactions on a secure network. Don’t use “borrowed” or public Wi-Fi hotspots.

• Lock your mobile phone. Keep your info secret with a unique, four-digit PIN.

Take the Microsoft Safer Online Facebook poll, and find more information about the poll results and mobile phone safety at http:/www.microsoft.com/security.

About the 2012 MCSI

The MCSI surveyed more than 10,000 PC, smartphone and tablet users in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Turkey, the U.K. and the U.S. about their personal approach to online safety. More information on the MCSI can be found here.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.