As we noted previously, Xbox integration is coming to Windows 8. Microsoft has now providedmore informationon the topic. Initially, the feature was spied during a briefing on Monday that included an Xbox live tile. On that day the integration was not directly mentioned. The company has since made its intentions clearer. Microsoft said that it is “bringing everything [users] know and love on Xbox 360 and Xbox Live to Windows.” This will make Xbox a three platform solution, working on consoles, mobile phones, and PCs....

Unlike with previous versions of Windows, Microsoft is working to keep the required system specifications the same for Windows 8 as they are with Windows 7. In other words, if it ran Windows 7, it will run its successor. Both operating systems have a minimum requirement of one gigabyte of RAM, which in the modern-day feels, and is, quite low. Today Microsoftpenned a blog poston how it is working to make Windows 8 lean, and supportive of longer battery life on laptops....

Don’t worry, you do not have to use Windows Live with Windows 8, but it will be an option for those who wish to employ it. Microsoft today, on itsBuilding Windows 8 blog, wrote extensively about how it is integrating Windows Live into its forthcoming operating system. Its function will allow consumers to use different computers, and have their Mango-style applications and user settings sync across them. This, of course, works via having such information stored on the cloud....

Microsoft has compiled and released a lengthy video that details how its network of datacenters operate, and how they support its hundreds of web services. The clip is in and of itself dry, which is to be expected, but it is certainly interesting. How things work is something that we should all aspire to know. As web services are renamed ‘cloud products,’ it is useful to understand the amount of hardware that underpins them....

To cap off its Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft provided the thousands in attendance with a ratherdetailed roadmapof what its plans are for its coming fiscal year (2012). Naturally, we took an interest in the matter. What follows is roughly what Microsoft has in store for fiscal 2012, with TNW commentary along the way for guidance and perspective. The Future Is The Cloud Microsoft now has a second favorite word alongside the ever classic ‘developers:’ cloud....