Microsoft...biggest back track in history

Bowing to pressure from its critics and citing consumer feedback, Microsoft has decided not to include Smart Tags in the upcoming releases of Windows XP and IE6. Smart Tags use XML to turn certain keywords on any given Web site into links that provide additional information. Users would see a word with a purple dotted line underneath, and would be directed to sites hand picked by Microsoft ? including its own offerings. The technology will be shelved for now, but may appear in later product releases. This decision does not affect a similar feature found in the recently released Office XP.

This week's refresh of the Internet Explorer 6.0 Public Preview included Smart Tags, but disabled the feature by default. Webmasters who objected to the added functionality on their pages were allowed to disable the links with a simple HTML tag. But this did not stop customers and Redmond competitors from crying foul, claiming Microsoft had an unfair advantage over where visitors were directed.


Many content providers believe that Microsoft is using its OS leverage to push its own online services, and Smart Tags only added fuel to the fire. Instead of seeing the XP product launch engulfed by controversy, the software giant revealed Thursday it would remove the feature.


The Wall Street Journal's Walter Mossberg reports that Microsoft was overwhelmed with feedback, not having expected such a backlash to the technology. Redmond VP Jim Allchin told the Journal, "We hadn't balanced the legitimate concerns of the content providers with the benefits we think Smart Tags can bring to users." Microsoft intends to redesign the feature without the added pressure of a release deadline.

Your Feedback Matters ? Update on Xbox One
By Don Mattrick, President, Interactive Entertainment Business posted June 19, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Last week at E3, the excitement, creativity and future of our industry was on display for a global audience.

For us, the future comes in the form of Xbox One, a system designed to be the best place to play games this year and for many years to come. As is our heritage with Xbox, we designed a system that could take full advantage of advances in technology in order to deliver a breakthrough in game play and entertainment. We imagined a new set of benefits such as easier roaming, family sharing, and new ways to try and buy games. We believe in the benefits of a connected, digital future.

Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One.

You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world.

So, today I am announcing the following changes to Xbox One and how you can play, share, lend, and resell your games exactly as you do today on Xbox 360. Here is what that means:

?An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games ? After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360.


?Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today ? There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360.



In addition to buying a disc from a retailer, you can also download games from Xbox Live on day of release. If you choose to download your games, you will be able to play them offline just like you do today. Xbox One games will be playable on any Xbox One console -- there will be no regional restrictions.



These changes will impact some of the scenarios we previously announced for Xbox One. The sharing of games will work as it does today, you will simply share the disc. Downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold. Also, similar to today, playing disc based games will require that the disc be in the tray.



We appreciate your passion, support and willingness to challenge the assumptions of digital licensing and connectivity. While we believe that the majority of people will play games online and access the cloud for both games and entertainment, we will give consumers the choice of both physical and digital content. We have listened and we have heard loud and clear from your feedback that you want the best of both worlds.



Thank you again for your candid feedback. Our team remains committed to listening, taking feedback and delivering a great product for you later this year.