March, 2011

The numbers speak for themselves: Following one of the biggest launches in consumer electronics history, Microsoft's Kinect for Xbox 360 has now sold more than 10 million games and sensors worldwide to date . In light of the recent sales success, Guinness World Records has officially named Kinect for Xbox 360 the fastest-selling consumer electronics device , which sold an average of 133,333 units per day for a total of eight million units in its first 60 days. Transforming entertainment by providing users with an active and engaging electronic experience, it's no wonder the accolades for...

Rock the vote! Today, Microsoft announced the 2011 U.S. Imagine Cup finalists, some of whom will go on to represent the United States in the global competition in July in New York City. These stellar students created innovative, tech-based solutions to solve global problems while learning valuable skills to prepare them as future IT leaders. Why is this so important? By 2014, it is estimated that one million new jobs in science and technology related fields will be added to the workforce. However, at the current pace in the U.S., only 50 percent of those jobs will be filled with qualified U...

Today, Microsoft’s Kodu Cup , a game-design competition for students 9-17 years old to win cash and prizes by creating their own video game with Microsoft Kodu Game Lab , launches for the first time in the U.S. Kodu Game Lab is a free game-design tool that enables children to design, build, and play their own games on the PC and Xbox, helping to grow childrens imagination and creativity while boosting their interest in science, technology, engineering and math ( STEM). At Microsoft, we realize the importance of STEM education to equip the future generations with vital skills they...

Last October, we told you about the launch of the beta version of Windows Internet Explorer 9 (Microsoft’s most-downloaded browser beta of all time, with more than 40 million downloads). Well good news to all of you Web browsing junkies! Announced today at SXSW, the Web is about to get even more beautiful and immersive with the launch of Internet Explorer 9 . So what’s new? By upgrading from Internet Explorer 8 , people will notice a sleek user interface, several performance improvements and a safer experience that puts the focus on their favorite websites. Check out some of the...

On Tuesday, President Obama, Melinda Gates, and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited TechBoston Academy to celebrate the achievements of students and faculty in fostering a technology-rich, college preparatory curriculum, and maximizing student engagement. Check out some pictures from yesterday’s event below! TechBoston Academy, a 6-12 grade pilot school in the Boston Public Schools that was founded in 2002 with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, offers a college preparatory curriculum centered around technology as a bridge that connects the student to learning...