140°

Microsoft vs Your Rights – Can they be Trusted?

Have you heard? Microsoft removed the DRM restrictions for the Xbox One! Gaming is saved and it’s okay to love Microsoft! They won’t try to violate our rights ever again! The internet won, right? Well, not exactly…

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playeressence.com
n4rc3948d ago (Edited 3948d ago )

They weren't violating your rights to begin with. You didn't have to buy it, you had alternatives

Placing trust in any company is a risky move.. They all value money over you. But how far are they willing to go?

In the end .. This article is fear mongering at its finest..

Microsoft has stated they don't participate in mass information gathering for governments.. Just case by case as required by law..

Then the poster goes on to say they are lying because they allow to bypass encryption..

But naturally they assume that means mass collection when the obvious is to gain access to said case by case suspects..

Like anything..these People assume the worst and rarely let fact or common sense get in the way.

One random persons paranoid opinion isn't a fact

kingdip903948d ago

The assertion that the article writer is paranoid isn't fact either and the assertion that peoples concerns are paranoid doesn't add credence to that point of view. Some level of skepticism is a good thing and I didn't read anything to suggest that microsoft want to hurt you, just infringe on you a little for profit or because they were ordered to which isn't out of the realm of possibility for a big corporation

NewMonday3948d ago

@n4rc
MS gave the government the security keys, they can access private information anytime.

n4rc3948d ago

I don't argue they likely passively collect data to use for revenue.. But its anonymous data..

This stuff people are thinking is the NSA is watching you! They are tracking your heartbeat omfg!! Lol

That just isn't likely and there is nothing to support that.. Not to mention they just don't give a crap about you unless they feel you are a threat to national security..

They have access to tons of data.. But its only utilized during investigation of specific people..

That's the law.. Its the obvious scenario.. And its what these reports say..

Assuming there is more to it is paranoia by definition.

3948d ago
kingdip903948d ago

@n4rc all the data mining microsoft can do with all of their screens as they call them (three screens one cloud) makes for insane advertising potential revenue wise for them... it seriously doesn't bother you? Watching commercials between your tv shows and being bombarded with more commercials just because you used x1 as a tv guide? They would be making money on a service they didn't even provide in thay scenario and at the cost of the consumers potentially limited monthly internet usage? You being screwed over for money like that seriously doesn't bother you?

Retroman3947d ago (Edited 3947d ago )

@ newmonday
if that was possible then Microsoft must be apart of the GLOBAL ELITE and NSA give out any data info.

pompombrum3947d ago (Edited 3947d ago )

@n4rc

Nothing to support that the NSA could be watching you? Have you lived under a rock for the last month? There is everything to support that they potentially could and would if they deemed it necessary. Will they? No, they have no reason to spy on me personally but the facts that have came out in the last few days has told me that seeing as I'm not American, if I bought an Xbox One, without so much as a court order, they can legally spy on me as they deem necessary and Microsoft will have to comply.

Do I trust Microsoft? Not really but I don't trust google either and have a Galaxy S4. After this whole privacy fiasco, I think it's about time Microsoft actually prove they care about their customers instead of some PR jerk off gesture that they want to be more transparent and just give people an option to completely disconnect their kinect device from their Xbox One.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3947d ago
dedicatedtogamers3948d ago (Edited 3948d ago )

What's sad is that it took the Xbox One debacle to wake people up. Microsoft has been untrustworthy for quite a while. I would know: I've been gaming on their operating systems since MS-DOS. I also played on Xbox since buying my first Xbox back in 2002 until my 360 (yes, I once owned a 360) RRoD's in 2008.

Whether it was forcing certain graphics-card companies out of the market by mandating DirectX compatibility for most games, or trying to control PC gaming with GFWL, or being the first videogame company in history to charge for basic internet multiplayer across all games, or hiding other services (Hulu, Youtube, Netflix) behind their paywall, or forbidding third-party peripherals while charging an arm and a leg for their proprietary wi-fi antennas, hard drives, cable chargers, etc, or closing veteran studios like Flight, FASA, and Ensemble in favor of Kinect-focused studios, or all the recent stuff regarding spying on Skype users and partnering with the NSA...

I mean, people are just NOW wondering if Microsoft can be trusted? Ahahahah! Okay, I guess not everyone can "wake up" at the same time.

thehitman3948d ago

Actually xb1 had nothing to do w/ waking people up. It was Edward Snowden the person who committed treason and spreading all kinds of top secret document leaks potentially incriminating a lot of organizations and the government themselves.

adorie3948d ago (Edited 3948d ago )

I just want to put this here as a reminder for the Critical Thinkers and those who are still Asleep.

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

"Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins. Republics and limited monarchies derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the magistrates."

WeaseL3948d ago

What Microsoft did was give the government a skeleton key to open anybody's door. So do you trust the government not to peek in your house even if you have nothing to hide.

ironwolf3948d ago

Yes they did give the government the key, as the law required them to, and as did Google, Yahoo, all the telephone companies (cell and landline) and every other company that sells network connected goods and services in the US.

jjb19813947d ago

You must be a Certified Microsoft Junior explorer....

jXales3947d ago

the thing people arent realizing is that the governments have productively removed those rights. Microsoft and the other companies didnt do anything illegal or violate your rights by doing what they did.

How else could an 18 year old boy get jailed for several months and is still in risk of a life sentence for saying a tasteless joke online about shooting up a school. Bad joke but months imprisonment impeding a court for a life sentence... That it even is possible to jail someone without a stronger basis is just wrong.

And if that is enough to get someone locked up and they have access to all your emails and chat sessions and logs. Its not too hard to imagine that the need be authorities if you EVER become a threat will be able to digg something up to lock you up...

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3947d ago
kingdip903948d ago

While I don't see x1 being tin foil hat levels of malicious the vision statement they released when their company reshuffle was explained clearly said that microsoft want to control all of you entertainment with pc, windows phone and xbox one. This means kinect will recognize your face, your bing searches will know your interests and you phones gps will know exactly where you are and when.

The vision statement also made clear that these three screens would share the same cloud so all that information would be stored in the same place. 300, 000 servers can sure hold plenty of data and I don't believe they said those perchased servers were exlusively for gaming people just assumed that.

So I'm my mind no in microsofts vision of a microsoft controlled entertainment environment you won't have any privacy but thays just data mining for advertisers and any government agencies that become interested in you

JBSleek3948d ago

What big corporation can you trust?

Dogteeth3948d ago

EA

I'm kidding.

Remember when Sony got everyone's info stolen?

GentlemenRUs3948d ago

Nope.

After they tried scamming me out of money which I did not owe them...

Dogteeth3948d ago

That's TOTALLY believable coming from such an unbiased, opened minded gamer like yourself.

Hicken3947d ago

"That's TOTALLY believable coming from such an unbiased, opened minded gamer like yourself."

Says a guy who's been decidedly backing Microsoft since he joined the site some 36 hours ago.

_FantasmA_3948d ago

If you have to ask, the answer is no.

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300°

Microsoft Survey Asks About Handheld

A new survey from Microsoft has further hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld being in development.

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twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest4d ago

This is definitely happening, I just hope they have 2 versions one with a much bigger screen.

GamerRN3d ago

I'll be happy with this, and a PC console hybrid that rivals anything we have power wise

Number1TailzFan3d ago

The problem with bigger devices is playing them on your side in bed, Vita and before that was fine. Since the Switch you gotta have a gooseneck holder & controllers detached so you can lie down holding them, or your arm will quickly get tired.

1Victor2d ago

@thesofware: “A much bigger screen than what?”
A gaming laptop 🤷🏿🤣

Kosic2d ago

Than the screen originally planned...duh... :D

darthv722d ago

it kinda already did... https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts2d ago

A Xbox version of Logitech G-Cloud?
I mean, why bother? Not like the G cloud is flying off shelves and what would Xbox add to make it better?
They're surely not going to create bespoke architecture here and there are already a few Windows handhelds out there. I have little confidence in their ability to put together an attractive UI in the way Steam did. So I doubt anything will come from this.

KicksnSnares4d ago

Day One buy for me if they'll make a dedicated handheld device.

darthv723d ago

i have that logitech g-cloud. Its a sweet little piece of kit. I like that it can also install games from the play store unlike the other android based handheld.

mudakoshaka3d ago

It sure is! Don't understand why you get the down-votes. Whoever does not like the G Cloud must have been dropped down a well, head first, when they were of a younger age.

PassNextquestion3d ago

I wonder if Microsoft will perform better in Japan if they do actually make a handheld since everyone says handheld and mobile are king over there.

TiredGamer3d ago

This looks like the future of the game industry... all three platforms with a handheld option.

I wonder if the Playstation Portal is a technology test-bed/prototype for a future Playstation handheld?

rlow13d ago (Edited 3d ago )

It’s a possibility but I can’t help but think would that be the best way to go about it? Though it would give you data on how much it is used and game type. It’s still not a true portable device and so people approach it differently. I think that data on phones, tablets, and of course the competition would give a better indication.

But I really think if Sony is considering a new PSP that could play ps5 games, now would be the time to dive in. Honestly, if they do this, it would be huge.

Traecy3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Doubt if Sony PS wants to support a new handheld with first party games. Something they lacked with the Vita. What they should do is have a handheld that is like the PS Portal which can play all games but play those games on the go as well as at home. Something like that is a better investment.

TiredGamer3d ago

Agreed that you will probably never see a separate line of games specifically for the handheld (a la PSP or PSVita). The modern economics and expectations of game development make that cost prohibitive. What makes more sense is if the full-fat game on PS5 or PS6 has a special "handheld" profile that is automatically optimized for the lower spec handheld. There would be some significant compromises compared to the bigger console variant, but it would be the same game overall and would only require a single purchase.... somewhat what the Switch does with a lower resolution when playing handheld versus docked.

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310°

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by [REDACTED] Direct Airs June 9

- Xbox Wire - Mark your calendars! The Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct airs June 9. More info inside.

Read Full Story >>
news.xbox.com
bionicstar3d ago

Will they show Fable 4, Stalker 2, GoW 6 & Perfect Dark?

PhillyDonJawn3d ago

Crossing fingers for Fable and perfect dark. And State of Decay 3

RaidenBlack3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

And maybe Clockwork Revolution, South of Midnight, Contraband, Project 007 & OD? lol
and whatever happened to Everwild ?
+ that rumored Wu Tang RPG

Sonic18813d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast3d ago

Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming.

3d ago
Lightning773d ago

It's an Xbox showcase that they have every year.

Make smarter comments for once.

anast3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Tell me what a smarter comment is.

If they don't sell game pass the entire time, then I will be wrong. All of this can be proven once the show gets underway. Let's wait and see.

InUrFoxHole3d ago

@Anast
Anything you didn't type. Good day sir!

3d ago
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3d ago Replies(1)
Lightning773d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Wow too easy.

You went from MS going all streaming to selling gamepass content in which we all know they are.

Which one is it?

Pretty clear you don't know what a smart comment is at least you admit you don't know.

3d ago
anast3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

"Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming."

It's both. I would worry about your own intelligence at this point. It seems that there is not enough to go around for you to worry about how smart other people are.

Lightning773d ago

It's just a regular event announcing games. Nice one captain obvious they're gonna mention gp stuff like they do every year what else is new.

The all streaming part is just you, being you I guess. They have streaming options but going all streaming again is just you pulling stuff outta thin air.

anast3d ago

You don't know what a smart comment is or isn't. You're welcome for the help.

Lightning773d ago

No you said something dumb then you tried to back track and mention GP.

Again make smart comments for once.

anast3d ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3d ago
darthv723d ago

Wonder if they will address the handheld rumors....?

jimb0j0nes3d ago

For a brief moment I thought we might get a whole Direct for Gears 6 - seems like it's COD though!

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290°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv728d ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle8d ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic18818d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio8d ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning777d ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga8d ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv727d ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19927d ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff21838d ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga8d ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan7d ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit7d ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus237d ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv727d ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica7d ago (Edited 7d ago )

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier7d ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

itsmebryan7d ago

@chevalier

It looks like made a great purchase. Much better then Sony buying Bungie. 😉
Cheers

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 7d ago
purple1018d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos8d ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-7d ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac8d ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad8d ago (Edited 8d ago )

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1018d ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos8d ago (Edited 8d ago )

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic8d ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead7d ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 7d ago
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