Apps and Software

Microsoft just moved one step closer to bringing Windows and Xbox gaming together. The Xbox Live SDK, which allows developers to build Xbox One-compatible apps, is now beginning to roll out to game developers

Microsoft's head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, announced the news Wednesday during a session at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco

It's unclear when the new SDK, which is currently being used by a small group of early partners, will be more widely available, but Microsoft says it will be "soon." It will allow game makers to create universal Windows 10 apps that can easily run across the Xbox One, PCs, as well as Windows tablets and phones. It also lets Windows app developers easily port their apps to the Xbox. ...

Samsung announced its answer to Apple Pay on Sunday. The mobile payment platform is, of course, called Samsung Pay, and it seems to work much like Apple's system.

With one big difference

Samsung Pay incorporates LoopPay technology to allow its phones to work at magstrip readers. These are the types of credit card readers seen at most U.S. retailers — but Apple Pay doesn't work with them. Apple's mobile payments require NFC (or near-field communication) for transactions, which is still an up-and-coming technology.

Some have already proclaimed that this gives Samsung an advantage in mobile payments. The U.S. has been slow in adopting more-secure chip or EMV payment technology. The idea is that people will be more prone to adopt Samsung Pay because it is more widely accepted by merchants ...

The latest virtual reality systems are promising us new immersive experiences for gaming. But look beyond the stunning imagery for a moment: how can we avoid creating another generation of out-of-shape, couch-ridden joystick jockeys?

The people behind the Realm System believe they have the answer in the form of a resistance accessory designed work seamlessly with the Oculus Rift

Attached to the user's waist and hands, the Realm system works with the ...