As we have seen in the past, one of the major franchises keeping Sony in the console race is Square Enix's Final Fantasy. In the past, Microsoft has repeatedly tried to buy out Final Fantasy. Fortunately for Sony fans everywhere, Square Enix has not yet yielded to the Microsoft. However, Square Enix recently promised Microsoft it's own RPG. Codenamed "Infinite Undiscovery", the game is "action-oriented, 'dynamic, compelling next-generation RPG' with a focus on real-time events."

The average Windows XP or Vista user has Windows Update turned on, so that they will ideally be more secure. However, quite a few businesses elect not to have automatic updates, as the version that they are running is stable, and moving to a new version might cause instability in a mission critical environment. Lately, however, Microsoft has been thinking that they know better than their users. Regardless of whether or not a user has automatic updates turned off, Windows XP and Vista automatically update roughly nine files in Windows Update. While it is not a big deal for people that don't mind having the most up-to-date version of Windows, this is a very large breach of security, privacy, and possible stability for anyone who elected to turn Windows Update off.

As part of Microsoft Corp.'s commitment to education, the company is introducing a promotion inviting students who are actively enrolled at educational institutions and have a valid e-mail address from the institution to purchase Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 at a student price of $59.95 (U.S.). "The Ultimate Steal" promotion will run in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States starting today and in France, Italy and Spain starting Sept. 20, 2007. The promotion will end April 30, 2008.

The Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 from Microsoft is the industry's first rechargeable notebook mouse with 1GB of flash memory built right into the transceiver. Designed to prevent USB port shortage, the single transceiver is a three-in-one supertool that lets users simultaneously work wirelessly, save important files with 1GB of storage and recharge the mouse while working - all through one USB port. It also provides two kind of connectivity options - 2.4GHz wireless or Bluetooth. A switch at the bottom of the mouse lets you change the mode. The Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 supports Vista's Flip 3D function and features proprietary high definition laser technology, a tilt wheel and two side buttons (Magnifier and Back). Microsoft Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 will be widely available in October 2007 for an estimated retail price of $99.95. More information about the Microsoft Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 can be found here.

Microsoft released yesterday the September Security Bulletin for Windows operating system, as part of its monthly security cycle. This bulletin summary lists one critical and three important updates. For more information, see Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for September 2007.

This week, Microsoft plans to make available free software that more seamlessly connects Windows to services on the internet. This a major change in strategy for Microsoft, which normally sells packaged software. This new strategy is meant to shield Microsoft's hundreds of millions of customers from competitors like Google.

The Windows Live service - which will be found at www.live.com - includes new versions of the company's Hotmail and Messenger communications services as well as Internet storage components. Microsoft executives said there were roughly 300 million active users each on the Hotmail and Messenger services, with some overlap.

The software release will offer PC users the option of downloading a set of the services with a single Unified Installer program, or as separate components. The individual services are Windows Live Photo Gallery, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Messenger 8.5 and Windows Live OneCare Family Safety, a computer security program.

Microsoft has officially delivered their first release of the Silverlight browser plugin designed to help companies produce rich, web-based applications and user experiences. When first announced, criticism arose around the lack of support for operating systems other than Windows and OS X. However, now Microsoft states they will be working with Novell to bring Silverlight to Linux and that more than 35 companies have joined to help the "Silverlight Partnership Initiative" launch.

More information on Silverlight can be found here.

In response to Apple's new iPods waiting to be unleashed tomorrow, Microsoft announced a price drop for its Zune music player. The price of the Zune will drop from $249 to $199. The player, which was introduced in November, features a 30GB HDD, 3" display, limited WiFi connectivity and an FM tuner. The Zune was originally launched in White, Brown and Black, but eventually expanded to include Baby Pink and Watermelon Red. Microsoft also released two special Halo and Pink edition Zunes.

It seems as though you are not allowed to put the word 'Linux' in your Xbox Live Motto. There is no obvious reason behind this, but this almost certainly will put the Linux community up in arms. Most Linux users/enthusiasts probably do not like the idea of Linux being associated with a countless assortment of other profanities and obscenities.

A few days ago, we reported that Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage validation and anti-piracy program glitched, and flagged legitimate users as pirates. Microsoft fixed the problem as quickly as possible, and now has a full explanation of exactly what happened. When employees tried upgrading the servers, they all started declining validation requests, hence, locking legitimate users out of Windows. Fortunately, once Microsoft caught the problem, they were able to roll the servers back to the previous version of the server software within 30 minutes. To prevent such a disaster from happening again, Microsoft will be adding checkpoints to the validation servers, and will ensure customers are auto-validated if the servers are ever down.

Microsoft today officially announced that Bungie's Xbox 360 sci-fi shooter sequel has gone gold and is on track for its September 25 worldwide release. After 3 years in development Halo 3 is now officially finished and 27 days away from all players.

This is a huge milestone for us and a big cause for celebration at Bungie and Microsoft Game Studios

This is the game we've always wanted to make and certainly the best game our studio has developed. We can't wait for gamers to get their hands on it on Sept. 25.

said Harold Ryan, Studio Head at Bungie Studios.

Microsoft and Mitsubishi are taking handheld PC's to the next level. LucidTouch, as the technology is called, allows users to control the touch screen PC with both hands, while previous touch-screens required some form of support (usually a hand) to hold the touch-screen up. LucidTouch technology poses a rather interesting question: Where is the PC part of the touch-screen PC going? Any manufacturer using LucidTouch will have to take low-profile to a new level, and somehow cram all the important hardware to the sides of the screen.

One of the major changes between the Windows Genuine Advantage software found in Windows XP and the version found in Windows Vista is the Vista's version's ability to "phone home". Unfortunately, this caused a disaster when a bunch of copies which did "phone home" recently phoned a faulty server. And so, what did hundreds, perhaps thousands, of legitimate Vista copies do? Flag themselves as pirated, and dip into "reduced functionality mode". Most of the victims were none too pleased at this. A common feeling of most of the users:

This is inexcusable, I am not a software pirate, I paid good money for both my copies of Vista, and due to poorly implemented anti-piracy measures, I am prevented from using my own PC!

Microsoft has made available the following Windows Vista KB940105 hotfix. All NVIDIA GeForce 6, 7 and 8 series users should install this update in order to resolve potential Graphics Virtual Address problems that may occur when running Windows Vista OS. This hotfix resolves abnormal application behavior such as crashes and extremely low frame rates when running some 3D applications at very high graphics settings. This issue has been most commonly noticed on high-end graphics cards and the following applications: Battlefield 2, Battlefield 2142, Civilization IV, Company of Heroes, Half-Life 2, Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth II, Supreme Commander, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas. In order for this hotfix to be effective, GeForce customers must also update to the latest ForceWare Release 163 drivers.

Gabe Newell, one of the more popular directors of Valve Steam, recently berated Microsoft on it's choice of making DX10 Vista exclusive. A recent Steam survey shows that only 2% of gamers own both at least one DirectX10 capable graphics card and Microsoft Windows Vista. Newell also pointed out that none of the next-generation consoles use DirectX 10 features, limiting DX10 support. It would seem as though there is a general consensus among gamers and developers is nicely summed up by The Inquirer:

(DirectX 10) fractures an already-diverse PC gaming market even more, making consoles look even more attractive. One only has to look at Bioshock - the PC version has staggering requirements, barely any image quality upgrade under DX10/Vista, as well as installation issues - whereas the Xbox 360 version plugs in and works.

It seems as if there is no end to the Master Chief franchise. Microsoft recently developed an Xbox 360 specifically designed around Halo 3. £280 will get you an Xbox 360 Premium with a painstakingly detailed paint job. This console comes with a 20GB hard drive, a wired headset, a component-video AV cable, an Ethernet cable, an HDMI cable, an appropriately themed wireless controller, and exclusive Xbox Live content. Unfortunately, this console does not come with an actual copy of Halo 3. There is no reference as to when we can expect to see this console on store shelves.

Microsoft today announced that it is recalling all the Xbox 360 Wireless Wheels manufactured during 2006 - 2007. The company is taking the step after reports of a component in the $129.99 controller overheating and releasing smoke when using the AC-DC power supply. Owners of the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel should stop using the AC-DC power supply until they have obtained their retrofit. Owners may continue to operate the Wheel using battery power. While operating in battery mode, the force feedback feature will not be available. To have the wireless wheel replaced, please go here.

Proving continued industry support from among some of the best games companies from around the world, Microsoft Corp. today announced new games, hardware and accessories that will exhilarate fans of the world's most popular gaming platform. At the German Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, Microsoft announced that top video game publisher Ubisoft Entertainment was the latest to join the Games for Windows branding program. The first title Ubisoft will deliver is "The Settlers: Rise of an Empire."

Microsoft Corp. said on Tuesday it plans to introduce a computer mouse designed for PC gaming, in an effort to capture a growing segment of the computer peripheral equipment market. Microsoft's new SideWinder mouse, which will target hard-core computer video game fans, allows nearly 5,000 different adjustable settings, including weight, materials and touch. The new mouse comes with a small liquid crystal display between the thumb and index finger to keep track of game functions and settings. The SideWinder mouse will sell for $79.95 when it becomes available in October.

According to a Belgium source, Microsoft plans to revise the Xbox 360 Core system with a superior version without any change in pricing. The new entry-level system, called "Xbox 360 Arcade: Just Play," will still lack a hard disk drive, but will be packaged with a 256MB memory card. Its namesake comes from the fact that the new system will come with five Xbox Live Arcade games. Additionally, the new Core system will come with a wireless controller, replacing the current wired one. The Xbox 360 Premium system will be tagged with the words "Go Pro," while the Xbox 360 Elite will carry the words "Go Big."

Microsoft today announced an estimated retail price drop for its Xbox 360 family of consoles in the UK, as well as confirming the availability of the Xbox 360 Elite. On August 24, new estimated retail pricing will come into effect for Xbox 360 in the UK. The Xbox 360 Premium will be reduced by £30 ($60) to carry an estimated retail price of £249.99 ($497). The entry-level Xbox 360 Core console will also be reduced by £20 ($40) to carry an estimated retail price of £179.99 ($358). Xbox 360 Elite will carry an estimated retail price of £299.99 ($596) when it launches in the UK this Friday. Earlier this month, Microsoft slashed the price of its Xbox 360 console for the U.S. and Canadian region.

Americans have been able to buy the Xbox 360 Elite (for a premium) for quite some time now, while PAL territories and Asia make do with the Xbox 360 Premium. Microsoft decided to make a PAL version of their Xbox 360 Elite, which will make a European debut on Friday, August 24th. It should come with no disabled features, unlike the PAL version of the PS3. It should cost £50 more than the Xbox 360 Premium, which is still £95 more than the PAL version of the PS3.

Microsoft has upped the capacity of its free Windows Live Hotmail to 5GB. The new capacity will be more than double the previous amount of storage offered by Hotmail. When Windows Live Hotmail launched earlier this year, it offered users 2GB of e-mail space. Gmail, which has literally been increasing user e-mail storage every day for over a year, currently offers around 2.8GB of free storage. Microsoft also offers connectivity between Hotmail and its other applications like Outlook, and an enhanced e-mail security applet for users to see immediately if any messages post a serious risk to their computer.

At Gamefest 2007, Microsoft made a speech regarding just how successful Xbox Live is. Microsoft's Game Developer Group general manager Chris Satchell says that there are currently 7.1 million paying Xbox Live users, who have downloaded 45 million things off of Xbox Live. Furthermore, the attach rate for Xbox Live Arcade titles is over 7 titles per user, on average. Satchell points out that the Xbox Live Arcade attachment number has doubled in the past four months.

Microsoft has a pleasant surprise for all Xbox 360 Premium buyers that got a console made after July 4th 2007. "Yes, we are offering an HDMI port for Xbox 360 simply as another choice in Xbox 360 owners' games and entertainment experience. Retailers are gradually introducing HDMI-enabled Xbox 360s into the channel to meet demand". Unfortunately, HDMI will only be on the Xbox 360 Premium and Elite. Microsoft has no current plans to put an HDMI port on the $279 USD core version of the Xbox 360.