Microsoft

Windows 11, the latest operating system by Microsoft, could soon get third-party widgets via the Microsoft Store. Currently, the widget panel can display only Microsoft's own widgets. These include a calendar, weather updates, and top news stories. As per a screenshot of alleged code from the Widget manifest that has surfaced online, Microsoft is reportedly now working on adding support for third-party widgets on Windows 11. The leaked Widget manifest mentions downloading new widgets through the Microsoft Store.Twitter…

Microsoft India has announced that it will revise the prices for Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions. Microsoft has dropped the tariffs of its Xbox subscriptions by roughly 28 percent. In an email to Gadgets 360, the American tech giant said the price drop is according to prevailing local market conditions. The new tariffs will come into effect from next month, April 1. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold subscription, along with more than 100 free titles on…

Carlos Vasquez is a master of video fighting game Mortal Kombat despite being unable to see the action on screen because he is blind.The Texas resident - who relies on sound to time punches, kicks, and dodges - is among a chorus of voices calling for better access to gaming for people with disabilities."You have two characters across the screen fighting each other, left and right, and you just have to memorise the buttons," said Vasquez, explaining what drew him to Mortal Kombat.Long neglected by the industry, the issue…

Epic Games raised $2 billion (roughly Rs. 15,200 crore) from Sony and the family-owned holding company behind the Lego Group on Monday, valuing the Fortnite creator at $31.5 billion (roughly Rs. 2,39,415 crore).Sony, an existing investor, and the Kirkbi investment company each invested $1 billion (roughly Rs. 7,600 crore), Epic said, with the fundraising to help advance a metaverse partnership the company had entered into with the Lego Group earlier this month to build a metaverse for kids.Metaverse is the latest buzzword…

Alphabet's Google is investing in its first ever Africa product development centre in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, it said, as it positions itself to serve a growing base of internet users on the continent.By the end of this decade, the continent will host 800 million internet users, the California-based firm said, and a third of the world's youth population, making it an attractive investment destination.Google is hiring engineers, product managers, user experience designers and researchers to staff the new centre, said…

DuckDuckGo, a popular privacy-focused search engine, was recently called out in media reports for tampering with search results and purging independent media sources. This week, DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg took to Twitter to refute the allegations. He said the claims the search engine purges independent media outlets are completely made up, and went on to detail how the search engine shows results, and possible reasons why certain results didn't immediately show up. The clarification comes days after DuckDuckGo was…

Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition will receive a third expansion titled Dynasties of India on April 28, publisher Xbox Game Studios announced on Thursday. The popular real-time strategy (RTS) game's latest expansion pack is now available to pre-order — at Rs. 265 — ahead of the official release date. Dynasties of India will bring three new civilisations to the game, complete with unique units and technologies. Gamers will be able to embark on three new campaigns set across the country, and pick from three new campaigns…

Microsoft is planning to bring advertisements to free-to-play Xbox games and is currently evaluating adtech companies that could help manage the new in-game ad inventory and work with ad agencies, according to a report. The purported move would allow developers working on free games to sell ad space. It would also be likely to help Microsoft attract more developers to build new free-to-play games for Xbox, as they would get ad revenue through the new model.Citing two people familiar with the development, Insider reports…

Sony is reportedly planning to introduce advertisements to free-to-play games on PlayStation consoles — including the PS5 and PS4 — in a bid to help game developers generate extra revenue. Free-to-play titles increased in popularity during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The news comes days after a report that claimed Microsoft is exploring monetising free-to-play games with advertisements. The promotions could be located in-game, and publishers could reward gamers for watching ads with skins and other cosmetic items,…