The new Office is the most ambitious release of Office Microsoft has ever put out. It really is a ground up overhaul… The new Office has a fresh, touch friendly design that works beautifully on Windows 8 and unlocks modern scenarios in social, reading, note-taking, meetings and communications.
Best part is the modernizing Office, and an important part of that is the introduction of new subscriptions. Subscriptions open a host of possibilities and with a single subscription, you can use Office across a wide variety of devices – everything from PCs and tablets to Macs – and your documents and settings roam with you with Office in the Cloud.
Wondering if the subscription Office 365 or going with a boxed product that you’ve known for years is the right choice? Check out this chart.
I’ve got some great links that’ll help you know whats new and even better some quick start guides to help you jump right into the new apps.
I’m part of the Windows Champions program so I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the ten year anniversary of Windows XP and Office. I could not get through my day without Windows and Office – and I’ll fully admit it my main PC is still running XP Pro. I’d love to say that I need to do much more now a days but fact is when windows xp came out I was in college doing a little bit of everything (which is very different then today). These days I use Word, Outlook, Notepad, and once in a blue moon minesweeper 😛
So the famous day that changed most of our lives was October 25, 2001 – I couldnt find a picture from Halloween of 2001 and sadly I havent a memory of what I even dressed up as. I did find a photo from my 21st birthday that I shared with my two best/good friends Andrew and Steve.
The idea of the virtual pet has come along way from the days of little black and white little egg shaped toys years ago. Now children (and adults) can raise their own interactive pets… Kinectimals [amazon] is the first video games that allows you to be the controller using the xbox 360 kinect system to interact with your virtual pet. There of course is a great twist which is you can purchase different stuff animals/plush toys to unlock different characters. Since this was one of the first games being developed for the system its still by far one of the best. Microsoft certainly has put a ton of work into this game and it show, from the details in the blades of grass to the interactions the animals have with the game player.
I’m not sure I love the fact that all the interactions are so standard it does make it hard for a toddler (my 2.5 year old) to interact with animals at times but I think any 3.5 year old or 4 year old should be able to control their emotions and arms for the 10 seconds to choose the different game plays. If thats the only fault of this game – then really its not a fault at all… its an advanced gaming system I’m not so sure its made for my toddler 😛 (shhh dont tell the wife I’m playing video games while she sleeps at night).
Here’s a clip of the video game I’m sure you’ve seen it before – its just great…
As you can see it does for allow for the full body tracking and is pretty awesome at the interactions with the animal on screen.
A wide-eyed Bengal tiger cub cocks its head to the side and playfully peers at you. Memories of your first trip to the zoo come rushing back. Through the magic of Kinect that furry tiger cub is in your living room and about to become your best friend.
“Kinectimals” invites children, their parents and animal lovers of all ages to build lasting friendships with some of the world’s most exotic creatures. Just like real pets, your “Kinectimals” will come running when they hear your voice, respond to commands such as “jump,” “roll over” and “play dead,” and purr with joy when you scratch them behind their ears.
Details
Get in touch with your wild side. Your journey begins when you adopt and name one of 20 playful friends, including a lion, cheetah and Bengal tiger.
Create memories that last a lifetime. From the first time she recognizes her name to when she learns to fetch, your cub will grow up as your sidekick, eager to discover the island around you. She will always be ready for a scratch and a belly rub with smiles and purrs.
The fun never ends. There are new ways to train tricks such as fetch, play activities such as jump rope, and even master agilvity courses with hops, stops and balancing acts. Invite a friend with his or her pet for some fun contests.
Discover, collect and customize. “Kinectimals” rewards those who are curious about the island they live on. Travel far and wide to discover treasures and toys, and find and unlock new environments. You can customize your pet and decorate your home, plus use the in-game store to shop for items to nurture and care for your new best friend.
Grow your “Kinectimals” family. Collectible, limited-edition plush toys will be available online and at popular retail stores. Choose your new friend, scan the code with the Kinect sensor, then watch it come to life on the screen right before your eyes. With your very own plush pal you can keep your new friend with you even when you’re away from your Xbox 360.
you do need the kinect senor for your xbox 360 to get this game up and running in your house (so dont forget that).
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. April 20th, 2011.
Leave a comment below with what big cat you’d have as your kinectimals pet and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for following @dadarocks on twitter –www.twitter.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for following @xboxforall on twitter – twitter.com/XboxforAll You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @xboxforall @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/ihieaL and you must also comment with the link to your tweet.
Example: I want to win #kinectimals for #kinect for #xbox360 thanks to @xboxforall & @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/ihieaL
You get 1 extra entry for becoming our FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming their FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/xboxforall (and leave a note saying that www.dadarocks.com sent you) You must comment that you’re a fan.
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Thanks to microsoft xbox 360 kinect team for this giveaway.
I’ve partnered with SAY Media and Microsoft on this campaign and in the hopes of opening a dialog around the concept of kids and computers (and more specific to me toddlers and slates/tablets) to allow brands to connect with audiences around their passions in environments where they’re spending time and opinions are being shaped. This question is how have computer improved your child’s life? Out of the choices and at my child’s current developmental stage its all about reading and speaking… so here’s my answer Having a toddler son who is growing up in the age of tablets is really special. Even at the young age of two and a half he knows how to open apps, close apps, switch to different video shows, and even play some of the games. It’s really amazing to me because at his young age he has a vocabulary that I still don’t think most 4-year-olds have. I know him knowing his full ABCs and 123s is impressive to many, and all that credit goes to the interactive reading apps he’s been playing with. Full disclosure this post was Sponsored by ASUS Windows Slate. http://new.conversations.typepad.com/co0147e3365f71970b/how-have-computers-improved-your-childs-life#asset-6a0147e2c1eaf0970b014e873d335e970dHopefully you’ll check out some other answers and add your own…
I’ve partnered with SAY Media and Microsoft on this campaign and in the hopes of opening a dialog around the concept of kids and computers (and more specific to me toddlers and slates/tablets) to allow brands to connect with audiences around their passions in environments where they’re spending time and opinions are being shaped. When you’re not working, how do you like to use your computer? I do sometimes watch movies on my computer but really that’s not nearly as much as I listen to music. I actually listen to music even at work or just while randomly surfing the internet. Adding your own soundtrack to life makes it move just that little bit quicker. – what would you answer this question as? http://new.conversations.typepad.com/co014e5ff312ab970c/when-youre-not-working-how-do-you-like-to-use-your-computer. Full disclosure this post was Sponsored by ASUS Windows Slate.
The new Office is the most ambitious release of Office Microsoft has ever put out. It really is a ground up overhaul… The new Office has a fresh, touch friendly design that works beautifully on Windows 8 and unlocks modern scenarios in social, reading, note-taking, meetings and communications.
