How to gift digital Xbox One games over Xbox Live

Digital game gifting is finally available on Xbox One, allowing any game to be sent over Xbox Live. Here's how it works on the console.

Continuing to expand the Xbox One's digital ecosystem, a recent update to the console added the ability to gift games directly through its online marketplace. While previously, gifting digital games proved to be challenging via third-party retailers, game gifting integrates this as a native feature of Xbox Live.

Although there are some minor differences as a part of the checkout process, gifting Xbox One games is mostly similar to buying games for yourself. Prior to completing a transaction, you'll be asked to identify the recipient, before a redeemable key is distributed via email. These are the steps to send Xbox One games over Xbox Live using the gifting feature.

Note: For now, Xbox One game gifting is still in testing, with the functionality restricted solely to select members of the Xbox Insider Program.

How to gift an Xbox One game to Xbox friends

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2fZHh6u
via IFTTT

This week in ID@Xbox: Pinball action, a cyberpunk dystopia, and Cuphead mania

Welcome to our column that looks back at the week's ID@Xbox releases for Xbox One!

This week saw no less than ten ID@Xbox games arrive on Xbox One. Most are lesser-known titles, including two Asian games and a firefighting simulation. Factor in bigger-name indies like Cuphead, Ruiner, and Pinball FX3 there's something for everyone in the week's lineup.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2kaphem
via IFTTT

What do you think of Cuphead for Xbox One and Windows 10?

How does Cuphead hold up on Xbox One and Windows 10? Does it live up to the hype? Let us know in the forums.

After three years in the public eye, one of this year's most anticipated ID@Xbox indie games has finally hit the Xbox Store. Offering a blend of boss rush mechanics and platforming, Cuphead is a charming, yet challenging game. Its unique hand-drawn art style may be the centerpiece of the experience, however, gameplay is equally rewarding.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2x42F56
via IFTTT

Paint.NET is now available in the Windows Store for all Windows 10 PCs

Legendary old school drawing app Paint.NET arrives in the Windows Store through Microsoft's Desktop Bridge.

Back in late June, we reported that Ricker Brewster – the developer behind Paint.NET, which first launched in 2004 – was going to put into the Windows Store using Microsoft's win32 conversion system "Project Centennial." Just a few months later (due to some travel and other business) the app is finally here.

Paint.NET is now ready to download to any Windows 10 PC with a free trial option (spotted by Aggiornamenti Lumia). There is also a discounted price of $5.99 for the app, which is a saving from the regular $8.99 price tag. That sale runs through all of October. The price is thought more of as a donation to support the app's continued development although users can use the app with the free trial method instead.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2x54jPj
via IFTTT

Best 1440p QHD Monitors

• Best overall
• G-Sync
• Affordable
• Curved
• FreeSync
• Stylish

Updated 14 April 2017: Added the stylish AOC Agon AG271QX with support for AMD's FreeSync.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2rTBBPx
via IFTTT

Get a one-year subscription to Linux Academy for just $149!

Linux Academy is one of the leading providers of education related to cloud-based computing systems. It provides in-depth training and certification of completion, meaning it can help you snag a lucrative new career.

Get access to 103 cloud-computing courses for just $149! Learn more

Registration fees are generally expensive, but right now Windows Central Digital Offers has a running deal that will significantly cut the cost. Instead of paying $348, you'll pay just $149. That's 57 percent off the regular price.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2yfFlSg
via IFTTT

Watch and win as we stream co-op horde shooter Killing Floor 2 tonight on Mixer!

Join us for this week's Saturday Game School and you could win a copy of Killing Floor 2!

Saturday Game School is our weekly Windows Central live stream in which we play an Xbox One game and give out free games and prizes to our live viewers. It's like a live podcast; only you also get to watch a game while chatting with our awesome readers and viewers!

Tonight at 9 pm Eastern (8 pm CT, 6 pm PT, 2 am GMT) on Mixer, we'll be playing and giving out free copies of Killing Floor 2, the amazing co-op horde shooter from Tripwire Interactive. Read on for quick impressions and contest details.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2hEXhPf
via IFTTT

Game gifting also available to some titles on Windows 10

It's not just Xbox One games that can be gifted. Mostly, but not only.

Without making any kind of official announcement, Microsoft has quietly enabled Xbox One game gifting to selected insiders, seemingly in the alpha and beta rings of the Xbox Insider Program. But it's not only on the console that you can send folks your games.

It's also in the Store on Windows 10.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2x3ywxO
via IFTTT

Xbox One game gifting now available to select Xbox Insiders

Xbox One game gifting is now rolling out to select members of the Xbox Insider Program, introducing the ability to gift any title over Xbox Live.

Microsoft has been promising the addition of new Xbox One store features for some time now, with wishlists and digital gifting among the most requested. Earlier this month in an interview at PAX West, Xbox Platform CVP, Mike Ybarra, discussed the current state of both these features – noting the imminent arrival of one of these on the horizon.

It now appears that the early stages of Xbox One digital game gifting are already live in the Microsoft Store, despite an official announcement yet to come from Microsoft. For those in the Xbox Insider Program running 1710 preview builds ahead of the upcoming fall OS update, the feature is now live and seemingly fully functional.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2xMExTy
via IFTTT

The best wireless chargers for your new phone

It's been eight years since wireless charging first came to smartphones with the Palm Pre, but it took Apple building it into the new iPhone 8 and iPhone X to make it matter to the mainstream. That's no snarky jab at Apple or its customers; in fact the iPhone's newfound embrace of wireless charging is reason to celebrate for all those who've ever known the joy of cutting the (charging) cord!

That's because wireless charging is about to return to the scene in a big way – and this time, there's no pesky standards war to get in the way of progress. I'm MrMobile and here's everything you need to know if you're treating your smartphones to a wireless charger in 2017.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2yOUIy2
via IFTTT

Download the 1930s-inspired Cuphead on Xbox One for just $10

Get ready to scream.

The long-awaited Cuphead is now available digitally for Xbox One! If you've been waiting on this game to come out for the past couple of years, you might be interested to know you can pick it up at Amazon for just $10 when you take advantage of our Music Unlimited deal. That's half off its regular price, and pretty great when you consider it was only just released too.

What you'll want to do is activate this free trial of Music Unlimited following the steps provided. Afterwards, you'll receive a free $10 promo credit which can be used on anything sold and shipped from Amazon directly - including pre-orders for new games such as Super Mario Odyssey.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2k8HGYN
via IFTTT

Forza Motorsport 7 buyer's guide: Editions, bonuses, and release dates

Planning to pick up Forza Motorsport 7 on Xbox One or Windows 10 this fall? Here's how to tell which version is best for you.

While Microsoft's Xbox lineup this fall has noticeably fewer heavy-hitting exclusives, one its biggest titles is just around the corner. Forza Motorsport 7 returns to the series roots with a hybrid of both arcade and realistic racing traits. It's packed with over 700 cars at launch, more than 30 tracks and a range of other content to explore. In our review for Forza Motorsport 7, we recently praised the game's scale and graphical achievements, crowning it one of our favorite racing titles on the Xbox One and Windows 10 today.

With Forza's worldwide release just around the corner, we rounded up everything you need to know about the game's launch, available editions, and preorder bonuses. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect on release day, to decide which version is best for you.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2fyxoMm
via IFTTT

Best Windows 10 apps of September 2017

Every app that we cover at Windows Central is good, but some of them stand above the rest as must-haves. These are the best of the bunch from the apps we covered in September 2017.

Whether an app is good or not is subjective, of course, but one of our main measurements is if whether or not we continued to use the app after we reviewed it. Each of the following apps became a part of our everyday workflow.

Clatter for Windows 10

There are loads of different chat apps, and most of us use quite a few of them. Instead of using separate apps or having to open a bunch of tabs in a browser, you can use Clatter as a one-stop messaging app on Windows 10.

The app is free but certain features require you to purchase the premium version for $1.99.

It puts web wrappers for each of your services into one app. Before you get turned away from the term "web-wrapper," it's worth giving Clatter a try. It's well designed and seamlessly holds all of your favorite services. It also adds features such as quick reply to WhatsApp if you upgrade to the premium version.

Clatter supports Discord, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts, Skype, Slack, Telegram, WeChat, WhatsApp, Mattermost, and RocketChat.

Meet Clatter, your new favorite all-in-one Windows 10 messaging app

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2xQ21aB
via IFTTT

Microsoft working to build 'thoughtfully curated ecosystem' of Edge extensions

Slow and steady is the name of the game with Microsoft's Edge extension ecosystem.

It's been a little over a year since Microsoft first launched extension support for its Edge browser with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2xQMiYN
via IFTTT

Forza Motorsport 7 OneDrive music support coming 'at a later date'

Support for OneDrive music streaming isn't available at launch, though Turn 10 still has future plans for Xbox One and Windows 10.

Last year as a part of Forza Horizon 3, Microsoft directly integrated its in-house music streaming service "Groove Music," alongside support for music files via OneDrive cloud storage. This direct integration added a more personal edge to the in-game radio, with the added benefits of post-processing effects for a more immersive experience.

Earlier this year, we reported that support for OneDrive music streaming was set to make a return in Forza Motorsport 7, in a similar manner to Forza Horizon 3. However, after spending some time with the full game, it now appears the feature is still a while off. Speaking to Windows Central, a Turn 10 spokesperson has confirmed that OneDrive music support is still in the pipeline and will be implemented after launch.

"Forza Motorsport 7" will let players use their personal playlists via OneDrive. We're excited to make this feature available at a later date. Stay tuned.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2xHxXvN
via IFTTT

How to use a keyboard and mouse with Xbox One

You can use a keyboard and mouse along with your Xbox One. Whether you should is an entirely different matter.

It's perhaps a peculiar thought, using a keyboard and mouse with your console. After all, it's designed to be used with a controller, right? In the case of the Xbox One, the growing convergence with Windows 10 makes it a more appealing concept. Games like Halo Wars 2 are just better with a keyboard and a mouse.

We know that official keyboard and mouse support is coming to the Xbox One at some point in the future, but if you can't wait, there is a way to get in on the action right now.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2rdANW0
via IFTTT

Microsoft's Zo bot can now take you on in a friendly game of Exploding Kittens

Got some time to kill? How about a friendly game of Exploding Kittens with a chat bot.

Microsoft is doing some cool things with AI, but one of its latest is pure fun.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2yxUvyf
via IFTTT

Microsoft now lets advertisers add chat bots to Bing search results

Microsoft will let you connect with companies and ask questions with chat bots in Bing search.

Microsoft this week launched a pilot program that will see chat bots come to Bing search results.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2fDpUeT
via IFTTT

Talon Media Remote for Xbox One puts Microsoft's remote to shame

Cord-cutters who want a great remote-control experience with the Xbox One should get the PDP Talon Media Remote for all their movie and TV needs.

I recently lambasted Microsoft's aging media remote for the Xbox One, but there is some good news: Accessory maker PDP has a $20 alternative remote control, and though it doesn't address all my concerns, it is an easy recommendation.

I spent the last week with the PDP Talon, and until Microsoft brings something better to market, I'm happy to put down my game controller for this remote.

About this review

The PDP Talon Media Remote was purchased on Amazon for $19.49. For Canada and Mexico, you can also directly order through PDP's website. (Thanks to all of those in our comments section who recommended it as an alternative to Microsoft's.)

See at Amazon

PDP Talon Media Remote: What you get

For design, PDP took Microsoft's Media Remote, added more buttons, and improved the IR blaster.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2xDqjVG
via IFTTT

If Microsoft is the 'platform for everything,' does it really need a phone?

Before smartphones, Windows was the platform for virtually all personal computing.

In a multi-device, multi-OS world, Microsoft is now positioning the cloud, Microsoft Graph, Windows Mixed Reality and quantum computing as the platforms that all other platforms will run on. In simpler times, personal computing, to most people and businesses, meant sitting at a Windows PC using first- and third-party programs to get things done or to be entertained. Other desktop OSes offered little competition to Microsoft's Windows.

Smartphones, the mobile OSes they would popularize, and the app ecosystems they would introduce hadn't yet challenged Microsoft's personal computing hegemony. And the internet, which would become the backbone that would power the mobile OSes that would rival Windows PCs as the nexus of personal computing, had not yet been mainstreamed.

The world was smaller, and the realm of personal computing was Windows - until it wasn't. Many people argue that Microsoft needs a mobile presence to become relevant in the age of mobile computing. Perhaps it does, and there is indeed a place for that. But the company's ambitious cloud and Microsoft Graph platform strategy, which is meant to support the breadth of the industry's of apps, systems and devices, is a far grander prize.

Put another way, if you own the ocean, do you really need a boat?

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2xQG5Mm
via IFTTT

Take control of all your email accounts with Postbox 5, now just $30!

Dealing with a single email account these days can be a pain due to the amount of spam and other unwanted correspondence we receive on an hourly basis. What about dealing with multiple accounts?

Take control of all your email accounts with Postbox 5! Learn more

If you're scared to look at your email inbox, you might be interested in Postbox 5. This alternative to other apps, like Outlook, keeps all your accounts organized in one spot. Powerful organizational tools keep everything sorted, and you won't have to switch between providers to find that one email you remember receiving.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2xQw8i4
via IFTTT

Forza Motorsport 7 launches in early access on Xbox One and Windows 10

Start your engines, Forza fans: Forza Motorsport 7 is now available — for early access, that is.

Forza Motorsport 7 early access is here, letting Ultimate Edition owners hit the track a little early.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2fXbW4k
via IFTTT

Cuphead now available on Xbox One and Windows 10 with Xbox Play Anywhere

You can now take a trip back in time with Cuphead on Xbox One and Windows 10.

Cuphead, the long-anticipated Xbox console exclusive platformer, is now available on Xbox One and Windows 10.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2yLQmYm
via IFTTT

Chime in: Do you prefer AMD or Intel for your CPU? AMD or NVIDIA for GPU?

When putting together your next PC, will you be going for AMD or Intel for processors, and AMD or NVIDIA for the graphics card?

There are a number of options available when installing components inside a PC chassis. For processors, we're talking AMD chips or offerings from Intel. For graphics cards, AMD is taking on NVIDIA. The former company is in a unique position by being able to offer both CPUs and GPUs, allowing fans of the brand to fully kit their system out with nothing but AMD in terms of data processing.

from Windows Central - News, Forums, Reviews, Help for Windows Phone http://ift.tt/2woPxTL
via IFTTT