Microsoft is optimistic about its gaming console market in China.
Sony Corp and Microsoft Corporation have been keeping a close watch on the Chinese market since the country raised its ban from video gaming consoles. Both the companies were extremely spontaneous about launching their gaming consoles in the Chinese market. However, the response has been relatively disappointing so far.According to a recent report published by Niko Partners clearly highlights that Microsoft Xbox One and Sony PlayStation 4 will not be able to do quite well in China at least this year. As estimated the accumulative sales of Microsoft and Sony’s gaming console is said to be 550,000 units by the end of FY15 as estimated by the company.The company has suggested that these firms need to come up with more high budgeted and high-quality AAA games so that sales boost in the region. Currently the list of games being offered in the Chinese gaming market are extremely narrow and many big games like the Call of Duty it yet to be launched.Another reason why these gaming consoles did not do quite well is that the Chinese market has more gamers interested in PC gaming where these consoles are extremely expensive for them. Ironically, the Xbox is priced at $607 in the Chinese market which is $200 more than the US pricing.On the other hand, Phil Spencer of Microsoft is optimistic about this venture where a conference for gaming is scheduled in China for the coming month. Microsoft seeks to capitalize on the conference where they hope that they will engage more gamers. Moreover, the report also claims that the sale of smart TVs will also supersede the sales of gaming consoles FY19. The reason behind this is that smart TVs have various functionalities, they are cheaper and also have several games available on them. The founder and managing partner of Niko Partners, Ms. Lisa Cosmas Hanson mentioned, "Despite China being a predominantly PC online gaming culture, Chinese who are now 26-35 years old grew up in the days of Nintendo Super Famicom consoles and are accustomed to playing games with a controller via a TV." Moreover, these gamers will have the ability to adopt OTT games that can be played on this television along with gaming consoles which will transform the living room into an entertainment station.Hence in a nutshell, despite the criticism Microsoft is still optimistic about this venture and believes that they will soon capitalize on the Chinese market for gaming consoles.
Microsoft Flow to be launched on iOS suggests rumors.
Microsoft Corporation is working on launching its Flow chat application on the Apple iPhone. The news has made way through a Twitter user named h0x0d by a screenshot which he has leaked. According to this user, he got access to the description of Flow app through a download page known as “Microsoft Confidential,” that said, “Introducing Flow by Outlook for iPhone”. This screenshot provided details regarding the Flow app and what features will be available on the iPhone. However, no word has been observed from the executives for this Microsoft product.The tech behemoth is trying its best to make a mark with its smartphones. A part of this initiative is to come up with apps for Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platform.Flow will have features similar to that of an email service and will also act as a Messengers that will allow users have access to message threads and chat that will be available on a relevant email account. This app is likely to transform the way individual’s access text and emails.As said by Microsoft, the purpose of coming up with such an application is to give users “A great way to have rapid email conversations on your phone with the people who are important to you.” They further stated that users can opt for Outlook and Flow simultaneously to have a similar conversation. So now with one email account, users can engage with a diversified audience. Moreover, the conversations will also be saved at the same time on Outlook.The purpose of this application is to provide “Fast, fluid, natural conversations,” in real time. so now users do not have to worry about subjects, salutations or signatures while conversing resulting in less distraction. So the application is an actual replica of the name where everything is in a “flow”One of the attractive features of this app is that the conversations are less saturated. So the application will only display those conversations that use this app so that clutter can be avoided and data remains clean. So the app will have a relatively clean interface and will also avoid glitches. Hence, the load on the processor is likely to be lesser since it will not manage an entire inbox. As said, Flow will cater to one to one conversation without the noise as stated.Hence, Microsoft is likely to boost outlook from this endeavor. The company is trying its best to boost its Windows operating system and apps on smartphones which now seem to be possible in the times to come.
