Laura Foy

A Tour of Microsoft MediaRoom

Laura Foy — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:14:00 GMT

I've always been a huge advocate of making the most of your television watching experience. It looks as though the folks over at Microsoft MediaRoom agree with me. MediaRoom is more than Microsoft IPTV with a brand-new name, as it adds new features like personal media sharing, enhanced picture-in-picture capabilities, and a new multimedia application environment. The Mediaroom software platform is licensed directly to the world’s leading broadband service providers so they can deliver you, the consumer, the best TV and entertainment experience.

Hear the Lions Roar on Xbox 360

Laura Foy — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:30:00 GMT

I did this interview last year but JUST NOW is it allowed to go public...
A new program aims to make hospitals more fun for kids through technology. That’s the mission of a whole host of organizations nationwide like the Companions in Courage Foundation. Founded by pro hockey Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine, the organization sets up what it calls Lion's Dens – rooms like one just opened at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.

"We can create an atmosphere and environment where kids can escape to and be a safe haven where they can play games and videos and create art and create music and video conference with friends, their heroes, their grandparents, and just be, with technology, connected to the outside world," LaFontaine said. "We really have four primary components: video game, so Xbox 360; we have the PCs, so kids can go in and instant message and email, they can get homework assignments," Jim Johnson of the Companions in Courage Foundation said. "We also have a big screen television; and then we have the video conference pod, which is a live video conference that allows them to connect to relatives that may be out of town or celebrities."

And the winner is.....

Laura Foy — Sun, 04 May 2008 22:20:00 GMT

This is what we've all been waiting for: The winner of the World Cup Demo.

Entry one

Entry two

Entry three

The art of the Demo: Part 3

Laura Foy — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:25:00 GMT

Introducing people to new and exciting ways to use Microsoft products is one of the perks of working for this company- but it's also a challenge. You have to be pretty creative in order to catch peoples attention. That's why we created the "World Cup Demo Competition". Microsoft employees from all over the world were asked to perform a demonstration of Windows Vista applications and really WOW their audiences. The best demo'er wins ten grand! This video is the second of the three finalists, take a look and give your feedback. Click here to see the first finalist and here to see the second.

The art of the demo: Part 2

Laura Foy — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:48:00 GMT

Grand Theft Auto IV launches in NYC

Laura Foy — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:02:00 GMT

We've all been waiting for RockStar Games latest edition of the GTA series...but some of us waited longer than others. I went to Liberty City (aka NYC) to meet and hang with the hardcore fans as they stood in line for hours in the cold hard rain to be the first to get their hands on the game. It's no Halo 3 launch...but it's awfully darn close. Check it out.

The art of the Demo : Part 1

Laura Foy — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:09:00 GMT

Introducing people to new and exciting ways to use Microsoft products is one of the perks of working for this company- but it's also a challenge. You have to be pretty creative in order to catch peoples attention. That's why we created the "World Cup Demo Competition". Microsoft employees from all over the world were asked to perform a demonstration of Windows Vista applications and really WOW their audiences. The best demo'er wins ten grand! This video is the first of the three finalists, take a look and give your feedback. I'll post all three and then announce the winner on Wednesday.

Rock Band: Can the drums be silenced?

Laura Foy — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:32:00 GMT

I think I can safely assume that we all enjoy a good Rock Band jam session from time to time. BUT- have you (or your neighbors) ever been troubled by the noise the drumstick makes when it hits the drum-pad? It's somewhat like listening to a radio station that's not exactly tuned in right- overlookable, but annoying at the same time. So, I set out to explore a few options that have been written up in various blogs and see which works best. Clearly, I am no scientist.

Tuttles Madcap Misadventures: Enter to win!

Laura Foy — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:13:00 GMT

The Tuttle Madcap Misadventures Starlight charity challenge pairs having a good time with doing good. A first of its kind fundraising initiative Starlight Starbright Childrens Foundation has partnered with Legacy Interactive on the development of this original game. Learn more about how you can help in this clip and see how you can win through their unique Facebook challenge.

Motion capture made easy by Natural Point

Laura Foy — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:27:00 GMT

Ever wondered how the characters in your video games look so real? Or how they move so life-like? Well it's easier than you might have thought. Natural Point brings it to your home.

See the improvements from last year.

Mobile health update: Devices and solutions for healthcare professionals- part 2

Laura Foy — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:16:00 GMT

Among the attributes of information technology solutions designed for healthcare professionals, mobility is high on the list. Doctors, nurses, and other clinicians are always on the move, and the IT solutions they use must move with them. Fortunately, there is now a wide selection of very capable devices and applications to meet the needs of highly mobile medical professionals.

In this special two-part video edition of House Calls for Healthcare Professionals, Dr. Crounse and his guests review some of the options. The first program takes a look at four popular mobile devices running Windows Mobile 6. The second program reviews a useful application from IQMax that provides mobile access to patient lists, lab reports, x-ray results, and more wherever that information is needed. Other useful functions include charge capture and real-time dictation of chart notes, discharge summaries, and documents using a smartphone.

Mobile health update: Devices and solutions for healthcare professionals-part 1

Laura Foy — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:14:00 GMT

Step into your television : Z-Dome

Laura Foy — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:25:00 GMT

You have to admit, owning the Z-Dome would make you the coolest kid on the block. Within the Z-Dome immersive experience, the user visually feels like part of the environment. You can go flying over a volcano or really get on that stage while playing Guitar Hero. I took it for a test drive and got all the nitty gritty details for you. The good thing is that it's coming out in a smaller consumer format that regular people can actually afford and there are tons of tweaks you can do to really make it fit your needs.

NeuroSky: Powered by your mind

Laura Foy — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:37:00 GMT

NeuroSky is a break through mind controlled interface. In our never-ending search for new and better ways to experience our games, I found this headset. Now, I've tried EEG reading headsets before but they always involved wet sensor pads and therefore were somewhat messy and complicated. Brainwaves have been used in medical research for years and now NeuroSky is bringing it to us, the consumers. I gave it a test ride to see just how powerful my brainwaves are. Be afraid.

Viscosity- The Modern Art Generator

Laura Foy — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:27:00 GMT

Who says geeks and art don't go hand in hand? Well, certainly not the judges at this years South by SouthWest Festival. Microsoft employee, Jeff Weir, created Viscosity - an online abstract art application- and it won the Best Art award at this years SXSW. It's fun, it's beautiful and it's free. Hear from the man himself in this clip and then go play with it and start creating.

An Inconvenient Ride

Laura Foy — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:07:00 GMT

Earth Day is almost upon us and it's time to ramp up our Green efforts. Microsoft is no exception to that rule- and as such the Live Search team has decided to sponsor An Inconvenient Ride. This is a 23 day long bicyicle journey across the country in order to spread the message about the state of our environment and help alert people as to how they can help. And the kicker is- the bicyclists are all kids! It really is an amazing program- I spoke with the Seattle team (who take off this Sunday March 30) about their mission and found it inspiring to see how much these kids really care. Watch this clip and then get involved!

Watch this clip for more info about helping the environment.

GameStop Launches Mobile Text-to-Win Contest for Grand Theft Auto IV

Laura Foy — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:27:00 GMT

GameStop announced today that it will launch a national text-to-win contest in anticipation of the Grand Theft Auto IV release by Rockstar Games, available April 29, 2008. The contest will end with a launch event in "Liberty City" (a.k.a. New York City) on April 28, where national winners will meet regional winners and compete for $30,000 in prizes. Check back here for event highlights.

From Monday, March 24 through Tuesday, April 15, 2008, players can click here to get the contest question and sign up for exclusive insider information about Grand Theft Auto IV leading up to its release. Playing for a chance to win up to $10,000 and a trip to "Liberty City" for the launch event, participants are required to text-in one of five possible answers using their mobile phones. Players will have a second opportunity to enter at www.gamestop.com.

A total of four (4) national winners will be selected at random from all correct mobile and online entries, and will each be awarded:

· Roundtrip airfare and ground transportation to "Liberty City" for themselves and a guest

· One hotel room for two nights

· Two gift bags courtesy of GameStop and Grand Theft Auto IV

· Two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) in spending money

· One key to open a lock box at the April 28^th launch event

On April 28, 2008, the national winners will meet the regional winners in "Liberty City" to see if their key opens Niko's Lock Box. Niko's Lock Box contains 38 unmarked envelopes containing awards from $100 to$10,000. The event will take place GameStop's flagship store at 1282 Broadway (at 33^rd Street).

For additional details and to obtain a list of official rules, visit a local GameStop retail location or www.gamestop.com/GTAIV.

Regional "Lost Keys" Promotion in "Liberty City"

In addition to the national contest, GameStop will drop red key chains in select stores in "Liberty City" from April 1-27, 2008. The unmarked red key chains will direct players to call a local telephone number for further instruction on how to gain access to GameStop's Grand Theft Auto IV launch event in "Liberty City" on April 28, 2008.

XNA Game Studio - Your world, your game.

Laura Foy — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:29:00 GMT

XNA Game Studio really does give you all you need. Not only do they give you the tools to make the games that you want, but they also give you the training and tutorials to give you the skills to do it. I ran across one of their many game design challenges to see exactly how it happens, who can enter- and of course, where you can find out when one is coming near you. Take a peek here at the latest event in San Francisco, and then I hope to see you at the next one!

Wanna work for Xbox?

Laura Foy — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:46:00 GMT

People are always approaching me and asking how they can get their foot in the gaming industry door. What a dream come true it would be to be a lifelong gamer and then actually get paid to be a part of what you love? Well, the truth is there are alot more opportunities than you might think. Xbox and Microsoft are constantly on the hunt for fresh new talent- and sometimes they even recruit it! I came across an Xbox recruiting booth and decided to get you guys all the info on nabbing that dream job. Enjoy.

MIX Rock Band Tournament

Laura Foy — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:25:00 GMT

This year at MIX, amongst the seminars and future of the web discussions there was an intense battle of the bands. The Rock Bands. Friends and colleagues grouped together and formed the best possible Rock Band they could and entered the tournament. More than having some of the most interesting and unusual names I'd ever heard- some of these bands could really Rock! Take a look at some of the highlights and see who finally ends up as the Rock Band Winner.

Great new games coming your way from XBOX Live arcade

Laura Foy — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:55:00 GMT

You may not have heard of them, but Chair Entertainment has been bringing you great games for years now. Perhaps you've played Undertow on XBOX Live arcade? If not, you should- especially since it was just named XBLA Game of the Year by Official Xbox Magazine. And there's more good news! The expansion pack, "Path of the Elect" was just released. The BIG NEWS though, is about Chair Entertainment's next big thing: Empire. They decided to kick off their franchise by commissioning a book, Empire, written by Orson Scott Card. If you're not convinced yet that Chair is a company that should be on your radar, then watch this clip to learn about them also acquiring the interactive rights to Orson Scott Card's : Enders Game. And a few other juicy surprises as well.....

XNA Challenge: Be a game maker!

Laura Foy — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:20:00 GMT

Think you have what it takes to be a video game designer? Well XNA is offering you the opportunity and the tools. Meet me at GDC next year...

Games on your Zune!?! What? How? When?

Laura Foy — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:08:00 GMT

There are many happy Zune owners right about now. At GDC last week Microsoft announced that XNA Game Studios games can now also be made for the Zune. If you didn't know, XNA is a game development toolkit available to "do it yourself" enthusiasts for about $99 / year. You don't need to create your own games, simply take advantage of XNA games created by the user base. The XNA team also made some cool announcements about Xbox LIVE community games. I got all the good dirt- take a look.

Universal Laser: Mark your territory!

Laura Foy — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:20:00 GMT

I have a fascination with putting my name on things. It all started back in Camp Days when Mom would write my name on my underwear, and from there it's progressed to labeling everything from my stapler to my office chair. That being said- you can be assured I was captiveted when I came across Universal Laser Systems. Not only can these machines engrave beautiful imagery and a huge variety of materials- but they look pretty cool doing it. You know... because lasers are cool :)

Cooler Master- Integrating Innovation into life

Laura Foy — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:31:00 GMT

You can't just have a blazing fast PC anymore- it has to look COOL from the outside nowadays. We've shown you some of the sexiest laptops on display at CES this year, and now it's time to hear from Cooler Master about ramping up your case's "coolness". The company was originally established to provide the industry's best thermal solutions, but just recently they've branched out into custom PC case designs. And darn "cool" ones :)