It is all Entertainment; all major search engines realized that more than 10% of all Internet search queries are related to entertainment. So, why not create a separate channel for entertainment and music lovers. In June, Microsoft launched a separate vertical for entertainment search queries and integrated in Bing and promoted results for Zune.

Google is also working on something similar and planning to build a music download service of its own.

Both Google and Bing provide links to stream full songs found in search results, but Bing provides additional details on lyrics and buy links. After launching this service, Google will integrate this service to its search engine and music searches on Google will link to full song streams provided by MySpace Music, as well as Twitter updates. This search giant still leads the pack with around 70% of market share for searches in US but when it comes to music, it is none other than Apple, which commands 70% of digital music download sales in the United States. This is the reason why both Microsoft and Google are trying to compete with Apple through their mobile platforms.

Microsoft has finally released an SDK for Kinect Windows development. It's not as though folks weren't already doing such development, but it's now "legit."

Indeed, when folks started re-purposing Microsoft's Xbox 360 motion-based controller, Microsoft wasn't too pleased. In fact, the company called it hacking.

Nokia CEO

There are a lot of reports on yesterday that Samsung are preparing to acquire Nokia. Nokia recently signed with Microsoft to produce Windows Phone 7 devices and it seems like Microsoft could even be a potential buyer. However, it seems as though Samsung are interested in Nokia and very close to closing a deal.

I can't see Microsoft acquiring Nokia and making their own device, so Samsung is the perfect match for the company. Im quite surprised HTC havent thought about putting together a syndicate.

If I were younger and less jaded in my ways, I have to concede that I would find Kinect Star Wars utterly enthralling. After all, this game is all about putting the player in the shoes of a Jedi, and this has been a childhood dream of pretty much every bloke I've ever met who was young enough to enjoy the films when they were first released.

I have to start this preview, however, by making a confession: I am not the type of player Kinect Star Wars is aimed at, the reason being that I am one of those curmudgeonly souls whose love of the Star Wars franchise was obliterated by the prequels. For me, any defence of nearly every Star Wars IP released after The Phantom Menace can be stopped dead in its tracks by uttering the words, "Jar Jar Binks". So the fact that Kinect Star Wars is set during the same time period as the prequel movies was something I had to put to one side for my hands-on preview of the game.

Sweeping and chopping motions with their right hand allow players to wield a lightsabre - albeit with a slightly irksome delay. Photograph: Casey Rodgers/AP

The demo began with a brief tutorial courtesy of Yoda, who was inaudible over the din at the showcase event. Thankfully, a Microsoft representative was on hand to yell over the noise if I got into any trouble and both he and Yoda took me through the game's easy control scheme. Players wield a lightsaber by making cutting and thrusting motions with their right hand. They can also use it to deflect laser beams shot at them from oncoming foes. Their left hand allows them to use The Force to lift enemies into the air and knock them over. They can also use their feet to kick opponents down, provided they're close enough. Finally, by leaning forward, players can make their Jedi sprint across environments.
Read Full at guardian.co.uk [ image: guardian.co.uk ]