E3 2014 seemed to arrive quicker than normal this year and with current consoles thriving, June 9, 2014 shined bright on the calendar like a treasure loot marker on a map. The treasure? Hopefully a bountiful supply of new games, release dates for favorite and anticipated titles and a unique surprise or two that makes the year between E3 conferences worth the wait.

How the conference starts really sets the tone for the week. Microsoft’s 2013 presentation was at best average and by the end of the day demolished by Sony’s PS4 presentation.

But 2014 is a new year. The Xbox One is selling well and Microsoft has again produced a high quality console that gamers are enjoying. Microsoft has taken great strides towards making Xbox One a console that everyone can enjoy while delivering all the home entertainment features Microsoft wants families to have. Two immense moves show just how Microsoft Finally Gets It.

Microsoft Xbox One without Kinect package: $399.00

Only recently was the Kinect made an optional choice. The cries from fans that the Kinect be removed and price lowered accordingly were heard. Many hardcore gamers don’t like or want the Kinect and forcing users to buy it was a bad move from the beginning. The reasons behind not wanting Kinect vary, but the end point is that Microsoft Finally Gets It!

Streaming Apps no longer require Xbox Live Gold Membership

Another recent update from Microsoft involves the dissolution of Xbox Live Gold requirement for accessing media streaming apps on the Xbox. That was always an absurd requirement. If a user is paying for Netflix, then they should be able to access Netflix without paying an additional Gold membership fee to access the app on the Xbox. Microsoft no doubt made a ton of money from that little “pure profit” fee, but alas, Microsoft Finally Gets It.

E3 2014 – Microsoft Finally Gets It

Those two major improvements lead us directly into E3 2014. Microsoft’s goal seemed to align perfectly with the wants and expectations of fans and gamers. Games, games, games! Microsoft’s entire media presentation focused on one thing – games. Microsoft Finally Gets It!

During the presentation there was no mention of the previous positive changes to Xbox packaging or Xbox Live Gold memberships. There was no mention of smartglass or other hardware features. There was no mention of future software, hardware or collaborative ventures for the Xbox. There wasn’t even mention of Xbox 360. No, Microsoft made it very clear – E3 2014 was about games for the Xbox One.

The Games [2014]

Microsoft promised a lot for 2014, but we cautiously remind you that these are projected dates which can change at any time.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

It’s Call of Duty, what more is there to say? However, it may be that COD is becoming tired. There doesn’t appear to be much new aside from the few new, almost sci-fi like gadgets. COD is still an incredible franchise just don’t expect to have your world turned upside down when Advanced Warfare makes its way to your console.

• Release date: 11/4/2014
• Exclusive game add-ons first on Xbox One

Evolve

Evolve is one of the new games worth checking out. FPS style gameplay where a unit of four act as hunters and track down an ever-growing monster. There are 3 monsters with more than a dozen maps to explore. Players can either play as one of the four in the hunter party or play as the monster which adds a unique and exciting twist. Graphics are on par with current Xbox One titles.

• Release date: 10/21/2014

Assassin’s Creed Unity

The AC franchise exploded with gamers and still resonates as one of the most popular, current franchises available. Unity takes place in 18th century Paris, France during the French Revolution. Don’t expect much change in the way of game physics or gameplay, but AC Unity does bring a new 4 player co-op angle to the game. Like COD, Assassin’s Creed may becoming stale with some gamers (this guy included) which means don’t expect wildly different mechanics in AC Unity.

• Release date: 10/28/2014

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Huge open world environment is a running theme for E3 2014 games and Dragon Age: Inquisition is no different. The gameplay is fantastic while overall the environment, graphics, battles, cut scenes, etc. are gorgeous. You are part of a 4 person pre-defined party of Inquisitors battling dragons and demons. This is one of our ‘Top Picks’ and should definitely be on your radar.

• Release date: 10/7/2014
• To be released first on Xbox (typically 30 days).

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Wild Hunt is likely the game to watch come February 2015. It promises an immense open world environment with 100 hours worth of gameplay, half of which are through the main storyline. If you’re a fan of RPG style games like Skyrim, then The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt looks to be the next epic adventure. It’s also one of our ‘Top Picks’ that we label as a must have title.

• Release date: 2/24/2015

Halo The Master Chief Collection

Imagine all 4 Halo games on one disc, playable in sequence, running their original engines and multiplay settings and all available for the cost of 1 game. Imagine that and you know what Halo The Master Chief Collection is. Full 1080p 60fps and as epic as you remember. This package is no doubt expected to ease the wait for Halo 5 Guardians which is slated for 2015, though beta play is available in December.

• Release date: 11/11/2014
• Xbox exclusive.

Other Notable Games from Microsoft’s Presser

• Sunset Overdrive – If you like cartoon mayhem with a touch of sarcasm, then this is for you.
• Dance Central
• Project Spark – Xbox Live
• Ori and The Blind Forest – Xbox exclusive.
• Inside
• Rise of the Tomb Raider
• Phantom Dust
• Tom Clancy’s The Division
• Scalebound
• Crackdown
• Fable Legends – Beta available Fall 2014. Gorgeous environment; Option to play as villain.
• As well as a number of smaller titles from independent developers.

Wrap Up

Microsoft planned well for E3 and announced their kinect-less Xbox One package and the end to Xbox Live paywall for streaming apps in advance of the big conference. While those two changes are significant, the benefit from announcing them early provided Microsoft a clear path to ensure games dominated their E3 presentation.

When all was packed up and done at E3, Microsoft came out on top because they focused on what gamers really want – Games.

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Celebrating the preview launch of Microsoft’s flagship products System Center 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012 R2 and SQL Server 2014, Firebrand Training decided to pay homage to the Tech giant by creating a guide for their existing enterprise technology portfolio.

Check out the graphic below, for a full size version head to Firebrand’s site.

A guide to Microsoft’s Enterprise Technology

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So as we get to grips with the latest batch of Microsoft Technology Products, why not take a look back at the soon to be 40 year History of Microsoft. From humble beginnings of the Windows 1.0 OS, Microsoft has come a long way launching a wide range of innovative enterprise products. Lync Server allows businesses to effectively communicate internally, whilst SharePoint facilitates project collaboration through shared documents.

Of course, not every product has been success, highlighted by the fact a certain Windows OS may not have made it into the timeline. Can you spot it?

Sarah Morgan writes for Firebrand Training on a number of IT related topics. Sarah has 11 years of experience in the IT industry writing on  exams, training, certification trends, and careers advice for the range of Microsoft technology courses delivered by Firebrand.

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Dates and Releases

In the filing, Microsoft provides the tentative date for its Windows 8 release and planned launch of Surface, their tablet offering.

[blockquote align=”center” style=”style2″]The next version of our operating system, Windows 8, will be generally available on October 26, 2012. At that time, we will begin selling the Surface, a series of Microsoft-designed and manufactured hardware devices.[/blockquote]

The timing is no different than what we’ve been expecting for Windows 8 for some time now. With the addition of tablet availability just as the holiday buying season hits full stride, Microsoft is making sure they don’t miss out on their chance to firmly integrate into homes before the end of the year.

Risks

The preview releases of Windows 8 have stirred up very polarized opinions on the new operating system (OS). There seems to be a love it or hate it scenario unfolding from users who’ve sampled Windows 8. The new interface is clearly designed for touch devices and as such, those who expect to use a mouse and keyboard are less than excited about navigating the OS.

Here at GeekITDown, the consensus has been positive towards the new OS. Microsoft had to take a bit of a chance and leap into the new mobile-touch age in order to stay relevant and Windows 8 is a decent first step. The bigger question for Microsoft is whether their partners will continue to support them now that they’re creating their own line of hardware (Surface). Even Microsoft themselves acknowledge the fact in the SEC filing.

[blockquote align=”center” style=”style2″]Even if many users view these devices as complementary to a personal computer, the prevalence of these devices may make it more difficult to attract applications developers to our platforms. In addition, our Surface devices will compete with products made by our OEM partners, which may affect their commitment to our platform.[/blockquote]

Potential

There’s no question Microsoft has the bank and power to kick start a new tablet like Surface. From a purely commercial standpoint, the tablet market needs a bigger competitor to the iPad and Surface might be the answer.

Beyond the tablet itself is integration with devices and the connectivity that users expect. Microsoft has already laid the foundation for this with SmartGlass. The announcements made at E3 2012 outlined SmartGlass and its functionality. The presentation was impressive and the potential puts pressure on others to step up their game. The SEC filing also intimates their commitment to connecting all devices and data into a single, universal access experience.

[blockquote align=”center” style=”style2″]We invest significant resources in enabling and developing smart connected devices that offer a unified, seamless experience across a common platform. Whether a PC, Windows Phone, Xbox 360, or the newly announced Surface[/blockquote]

Editorial Note

While many seem to think Windows 8 is a catastrophe waiting to happen, I think otherwise. There are certainly opportunities for Microsoft to improve the OS, but in a world where touch screens are in demand and mobility for tech gadgets is the norm, Windows 8 is the right fit at the right time for Microsoft.

Surface is a welcome addition to the tablet market. Apple continues to dominate tablet sales despite Androids big push into the market. Microsoft has an established, loyal base with a certain amount of trust factor behind them to cause some disruption. The integration, if done accurately and properly, gives Microsoft an overwhelming advantage over others in the market. Smart connectivity to Xbox, Windows Server and other devices should mean only a small learning curve for new owners and could be a huge benefit for existing Windows legacy users.

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Now we could bog you down with lengthy details about demos and hands on information, but demos are what they are and they’re intended to offer a glimpse at products. So instead, we’re going to offer more direct information about SmartGlass. Get ready, this stuff is cool!

SmartGlass For Entertainment

SmartGlass for Movies and TV

Picture one of your favorite DVDs, all of its extras and behind the scenes content. Now envision all those features as available at the same time. That’s what SmartGlass promises to deliver. SmartGlass will take the movie extras and display them on your alternate device while watching the movie on your large screen TV. Microsoft themselves used the Game of Thrones example, where map details are shown on a tablet or smartphone while the series displays on TV.

Microsoft also stated that SmartGlass will enable users to move video between devices, meaning users can start watching a video on a mobile device, pause, and continue the movie on their home television through the Xbox.

The big if in all of this is content providers and Microsoft partners. Providers and partners of Microsoft’s absolutely must be on board or it won’t matter how awesome SmartGlass is, without the content it will be another useless bullet point.

SmartGlass for Games

Clearly we can’t talk about an extension of the Xbox’s power without describing any gaming potential. Aside from the obvious map display on secondary screens, developers can push their games focus more towards constant action rather than play/pause/play scenarios. With SmartGlass players will potentially have access to play calling in sports games, inventory displays, maps and a dual screen for gameplay.

This particular use of SmartGlass seems the most likely to succeed. It is comparable to the WiiU in terms of output, but makes WiiU seem like a novelty when you factor in that Microsoft promises the SmartGlass app will work on all Windows, iOS and Android mobile devices.

SmartGlass for the Web

We’ve touched on this already and it’s definitely worth mentioning again. Xbox owners will finally be able to surf the web directly from the Xbox. In order to accomplish this, successfully, Microsoft needed two things. First, a browser for Xbox. Not a problem, they’re going to use Internet Explorer. Second, a way for users to conveniently and comfortably navigate the web. Their answer is SmartGlass.

There have been a number of attempts in recent years to bring the web to the television. All have failed. While there’s no one specific reason, the glaring cause is the need for a keyboard and mouse for navigation. Users don’t want to have those things at bedside or cluttering every end table in the house. SmartGlass eliminates the need for a physical keyboard and mouse. The SmartGlass app turns your mobile devices (tablets, smartphones) into a mouse and uses the built-in keyboard for navigation.

SmartGlass promises to be the perfect fit and if the app is stable, we have no argument with that promise. Microsoft looks to leap ahead of Apple, Google and anyone else who’ve tried to put the internet on a television. We believe this is the best hope so far for a success.

Final Thoughts

In combination with Kinect and voice control, SmartGlass could definitely turn the Xbox into the premier entertainment device for homes. There are still some things to be worked out such as content partners participation, app stability and access across devices, the Xbox itself – can it handle all the power it promises? All valid questions. The recent leaked information about Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox likely solves the last of those questions and we believe, at least initially, that movie and tv partners will jump on board.

Our conclusion is that SmartGlass is poised to be a success, but it has to get out of the gates without stumbling or users could get turned off quickly while competitors eagerly try to mimic the concept.

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Dreaming of a paperless office where all those loose receipts, bills and documents simply disappear into a digitally organized filing cabinet? Dream no longer, Neat is here to ‘Tame Your Paper Monster‘.

Neat combines software and scanning to transform cluttered paper piles into searchable, manageable digital records. The Neat solutions range from portable scanners to desktop scanners all working in conjunction with Neat software.

Neat deciphers scanned documents and determines which category the document best fits in. Whether it be receipt, business card or something else, Neat identifies the document and sorts them in the document database. Afterwards, users have clean, organized files without the huge paper mess. Neat creates searchable PDFs which makes finding specific information as easy as possible.

Of course all the information is portable, whether it be a download to a local machine or direct import to popular applications. Neat is completely focused on organizing consumer-s paper information and as a wonderful side effect is reducing the need to store paper documents as well as reproduce them. The Neat Company has perhaps one of the best early footholds for completely eliminating paper in a home environment. If you have been wondering how to get out from all that paper clutter, then Neat is worth checking out.

Visit Neat

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Make Your Website Part Of The Nifty Collection

Technicians often work on Windows PCs which are password protected. It’s almost second nature to ask for the user’s password before servicing the system, unfortunately sometimes even techs forget. If you’re a technician that routinely works on PCs that have been picked up or dropped off, then the last thing you want to do is contact the client to ask for a password. It can cause delays in repair and is a bit embarrassing.

Kon-boot is a simple program which bypasses the Windows login password and allows technicians to gain access to the system temporarily in order to complete repairs. To get started, you’ll need to head over to Kryptoslogic and download the appropriate version for your needs. Afterwards, follow these steps:

1. Burn the .iso to CD.
2. Reboot to the CD.
3. At Windows login screen press the Enter key without typing in a password.

A very simple 3-step solution which saves a lot of time if you don’t have the password. After you’re finished, simply remove the CD and reboot the system. It will startup normally and the login password will again be required.

Of course there are other ways to bypass Windows passwords, but Kon-boot is very easy and works quite well. Obviously, we recommend this as a technicians tool and advise against using Kon-boot for less than legitimate reasons.

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How To Add Start Menu To Windows 8

Start8 by Stardock

Start8 is for those running the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. It adds a Start Menu to the Windows taskbar along with some other nice features such as Run and Shutdown via right-click menu. Start8 also gives users the ability to choose a custom start image button.

Download Start8

VistaStartMenu

Originally conceived as a decoration upgrade for Windows XP and Vista, this handy Start Menu replacement also works in Windows 8.

Download VistaStartMenu

ViStart

This third party app adds the Start Menu orb back and supplies the menu we’re all used to. The developer has painstaking worked to make this app functional for Windows 8 Consumer Preview and after some error fixes works great.

Download ViStart

Manual

Those who prefer digging into things or don’t want a third party app running can manually create a start menu option on the taskbar. The method is rather simple, but does involve some work. Here’s how to get it done:

• Right-click the taskbar.
• Click Toolbars and select New toolbar…
• Copy the following path into the folder selection box:[notice type=”blue”]%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs[/notice]
• Click Select Folder.

If done correctly you will notice a Programs menu displayed on the taskbar next to the notification area. To move the menu to the left hand side of the screen, right-click the taskbar and uncheck Lock the taskbar. Drag and drop the menu to where you desire.

This isn’t a perfect solution, in fact if you insist on going this route we recommend creating a custom folder with program shortcuts. After which you can create a menu which points to that folder. If you’re comfortable with manually configuration, then this method isn’t a problem although it will take more time.

Your Ideas

We know some of you out there have other ideas or methods for adding a Start Menu to Windows 8. Let our readers know about any other options by posting them in the comments.

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Those who need to upgrade their machines are likely debating the usual like cost, brand, features, etc., but there are other reasons to consider. In fact, we’re going to give you three reasons to wait to buy a new PC with Windows 8.

Reason #1: Cloud Storage

No doubt many of you have already begun moving to the cloud for storage. Services like Dropbox, Box, Carbonite and many others are vying for your data. Each service continually upgrades their service to better integrate, sync and expand in order to make the cloud as easy as possible.

Microsoft has its own cloud storage service called SkyDrive. It’s not the most popular on the market, but offers 25GB of free storage which dwarfs their biggest rival Dropbox. Microsoft has already announced full integration with SkyDrive in Windows 8 which means ease of use right out of the gate. Those who haven’t yet signed up for cloud storage will be given the option immediately and thus alleviating a lot of the anxiety about choosing one that works well with Windows.

Reason #2: Hardware Upgrades

Windows 8 will require basically the same hardware specifications as Windows 7. However, there are some benefits to Windows 8 hardware support that could sway you towards a Windows 8 PC purchase. Windows 8 will support USB 3.0 compatibility which is far superior in terms of speed than USB 2.0. With a maximum transfer speed of 4.8Gbps and full backward compatibility with USB 2 and USB 1, USB 3.0 will greatly improve portable transfer and storage efficiency.

Microsoft recently released Kinect for Windows which is the addition of the Xbox Kinect device to Windows powered PCs for motion control. Windows 8 will have this feature built-in. Whether or not the Kinect motion technology hardware is somehow integrated into laptops or monitors is yet to be determined, but if so the possibilities are expansive as to how users can control their PCs. The benefits could be enormous.

Reason #3: Touch Technology

Up until now, touchscreens have been mostly beneficial on smartphones and tablets. All-in-one touch PCs made an attempt, but ultimately fall short of being a viable touch PC. Windows 8 may change that. Microsoft’s new OS is completely oriented towards touch screen manipulation. As a result, manufacturers will rush to build touchscreen laptops and PCs. Though they may be hesitant, PC manufacturers must embrace Windows 8 in order to remain relevant in the ever advancing world of mobile computing. Users who wait to buy a new PC will benefit from laptop touch technology and take full advantage of the new Windows 8 operating system.

The benefits of a laptop touchscreen will be different for each user, though the inevitable move forward will likely mean the demise of the laptop as we know it. If Windows 8 and touchscreen technology on PCs is done correctly, then PCs (laptops in particular) will likely transform into powerful tablets. Advancement aside, laptops will remain in their current state for some time and Windows 8 will be a welcome addition.

Update: The announcement of Surface answers the speculation about laptops and Windows 8. A touch tablet with detachable keyboard.

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