Awesome Microsoft

A near-final version of Windows 8, the Release Preview is more stable than the Consumer Preview and has more features to try out, including integrated Flash and new and improved apps.

Microsoft has overhauled its operating system to make it more unified, modern and touch-friendly. Now try it out for yourself. Skip to 3:38 in the video to see Windows 8 at work on a PC.

With all the buzz about Apple’s Siri, Microsoft didn’t want us to forget that they have a similar technology in Windows Phone called “TellMe”. Here techAU puts the two to the test – with hilarious results.

Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Magic Mouse, with support for gestures under Windows 7 (only). We’ve tried it and, dare we say it, like it better than Apple’s, thanks to its superior ergonomics.

Corey Thomas is working on a Kinect-based voice-assisted control interface for PCs. So far it can open programs and websites, play media and shut itself down. And it speaks with GLaDOS’ voice.

A concept video by the Office Division of Microsoft shows a future where computers are integrated into everyday objects and structures, with voice and touch controls making them more intuitive.

The latest hack for Microsoft’s popular motion controller turns the Kinect into the world’s first self-aware gaming system. Perfect for the week that Skynet supposedly kicked off Judgment Day.

If you thought Microsoft Paint was for drawing ugly pattern-filled rectangles and saving them as .BMPs, think again. This insane image was created entirely with MS Paint and a Logitech Laser Mouse.

We’ve seen Corning’s vision of the future, now let’s look at what Microsoft has in mind – head-tracking, glasses-free 3D displays, multiview displays, more movement-based controls and more.

Made by digital artist Joshua Davis and Microsoft to promote the hardware acceleration and HTML5 support of Internet Explorer 9. Draw gestures and watch traces of other artwork bloom in its wake.

We cringe at the idea of another new Microsoft browser, but the IE9 Beta is out, and supports HTML5, hardware acceleration, and is more standards-compliant than ever. Demos here.

One of the entries in the King of Bing Maps app contest, Ricky Brundritt’s Taxi Fare Calculator gives a decent estimate of the cab fare from one destination to another in major cities.

UI Centric is out to make Windows 7 tablets awesome with their user interface. The UI has an overview home page, a page-turn gesture, and support for Flash, USB, camera and video chat.

Doing their best to one-up Google Maps’ Street View, Microsoft’s prototype Street Slide uses panoramic photos to provide improved context when moving between locations on the street.

Microsoft has revealed the much-anticipated “slim” black version of the Xbox 360, has a 250GB hard drive, built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi, is “whisper quiet,” and ships to U.S. retailers this week for $299.

Going on a road trip? Someone coming over to visit? Then you should check out Bing’s Destination Maps feature. Use it to make custom maps that are easy to read and fun to look at.

Learn about the latest and greatest in Microsoft computing technology, with breakthroughs including a 256-color display, a mouse, and a “rich” graphical user interface.

Microsoft updates its LifeCam line with a trio of 720p HD AF webcams; the HD-5000 and 5001 are designed for the desktop, while the HD-6000 adds 360° rotation for notebooks.

They may not be feature-laden, but Microsoft’s use-anywhere BlueTrack tech gets budget-friendly with three decidedly not blind mice: the 3500, 4500, and 2000 sell for $25-$30.

Slightly NSFW: Microsoft claims that it’s your idea, but this Windows 7 Parody reveals the perils of asking customers what they really want; worth watching all the way to the end.

Microsoft’s SideWinder X4 ain’t afraid of no ghosts: the keyboard’s anti-ghosting tech lets you press 26 keys at once and features macro recording, backlighting, and mod and profile switching.

Microsoft aims to go controller-free with a patent for EMG-sensing devices–in short, a muscle-computer interface that plays MP3s or even play Guitar Hero with your forearm electrodes.

The Microsoft Surface-powered D&D table gets a proper promo video and a name: SurfaceScapes is an ongoing CMU project and was conceived after a meeting with Penny Arcade.