Honolulu, HI  (Profitable.com)  The Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS), in partnership with Microsoft Corp., has announced that HSPLS has become the first statewide public library system in the world to adopt Digital Literacy and Microsoft IT Academy programs for technology training and preparation for certifications for all library patrons in Hawaii. The Microsoft IT Academy Program is the first training program to launch under the HSPLS HI Tech Academy initiative and is expected to reach nearly 1 million people across the state of Hawaii.

Craig Mundie, Microsoft chief research and strategy officer; Donald Horner, chairman of the Hawaii State Board of Education; and Richard Burns, Hawaii State librarian, announced the kickoff of the Microsoft IT Academy in a news conference today at the Hawaii State Library.

The Microsoft IT Academy Program includes training and certification in Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint, in addition to advanced subjects such as programming, Web development and database development. The program’s digital literacy resources will equip Hawaii’s library patrons with the technical skills needed to become more employable and successful in the 21st-century workplace.

“For students and workers alike, technological literacy is essential to compete in today’s economy,” Mundie said. “Programs that help nurture 21st-century skills at scale will help prepare more people in Hawaii, in the U.S. and around the world to participate and succeed in the global workforce.”

The Microsoft IT Academy provides access to e-learning, certification preparation and official Microsoft course materials, which will help users qualify for and acquire industry-recognized Microsoft Office Specialist, Microsoft Technology Associate or Microsoft Certified Professional certifications.

Funding for the Microsoft IT Academy is provided by the federal Library Services and Technology Act, which is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The launch of the Microsoft IT Academy marks the first time the subscription-based program will be made available to Hawaii’s library users through in-library and remote access via Windows Internet Explorer. In Hawaii, hundreds of thousands of library cardholders will have free, unlimited access to more than 350 Microsoft courses, ranging from basic computer skills to advanced network architecture and design. The Microsoft IT Academy will provide many of the vocational and adult-education resources that have been reduced in Hawaii as a result of budget cuts.

“IT certifications are increasingly recognized as valuable credentials that give young people expanded career opportunities,” Horner said. “The Microsoft IT Academy ensures patrons equal access to IT training and certification through all libraries across the state, regardless of location or economic status.”

The Microsoft IT Academy will expand educational, workforce development and lifelong learning opportunities for all the people of Hawaii. The program will also help students, as library patrons, become college- and career-ready upon graduation from high school and will improve their abilities to compete in the rapidly evolving modern workplace.

“With the unveiling of the Microsoft IT Academy, we are excited that all our patrons — from keiki to kupuna — will be able to access technology training that has the potential to affect transformational change in Hawaii’s education and workforce landscape and is closely aligned with Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s New Day in Hawaii Plan’s Hawaii Broadband Initiative and his emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math education,” Burns said. “We enthusiastically encourage all our patrons to take full advantage of the Microsoft IT Academy — it will truly benefit everyone who participates.”

Access to the Microsoft IT Academy will be available through the HSPLS website, http://www.librarieshawaii.org. Library patrons with valid library cards can access the courses of their choice by following simple instructions. The courses are accessible at any time in all public libraries and remotely. The courses are self-paced and several sessions in length, and patrons can stop and resume their coursework at their convenience.

Patrons who decide to pursue Microsoft Office Specialist, Microsoft Technology Associate or Microsoft Certified Professional certifications will have the opportunity to take an exam at an official Microsoft Certification site. Access to the Microsoft IT Academy, a list of the certification sites and course curriculum are available on the library system’s website at http://www.librarieshawaii.org.

About HSPLS

The Hawaii State Public Library System is the nation’s only statewide public library system, comprised of 50 branches located on six islands. Its mission is to provide Hawaii’s residents, in all walks of life, and at each stage of their lives, with access to education, information, programs and services, and to teach and nurture the love of reading and the habit of life-long learning.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Redmond, WA and Luxembourg  (Profitable.com)  Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT) has closed its acquisition of Skype Global S.a r.l. Negotiations of the definitive agreement under which Microsoft would acquire Skype, an Internet communications company, for $8.5 billion were led by investor group Silver Lake and the transaction was originally announced on May 10, 2011. Boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype previously approved the acquisition.

Microsoft and Skype will remain focused on their shared goal of connecting all people across all devices and accelerating both companies’ efforts to transform real-time communications for consumers and enterprise customers. The completion of the acquisition also marks the official introduction of Skype as a new business division within Microsoft.

“Skype is a phenomenal product and brand that is loved by hundreds of millions of people around the world,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “We look forward to working with the Skype team to create new ways for people to stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues — anytime, anywhere.”

Skype CEO Tony Bates will assume the title of president of the Skype Division of Microsoft immediately, reporting directly to Ballmer. The Skype division will continue to offer its current products to millions of users globally. Longer term, Skype will also be integrated across an array of Microsoft products to broaden Skype’s reach and accelerate its growth as a fundamental way people communicate online. Skype employees will continue to be located around the world in offices including Estonia, theCzech Republic, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States.

“By bringing together the best of Microsoft and the best of Skype, we are committed to empowering consumers and businesses around the globe to connect in new ways,” Bates said. “Together, we will be able to accelerate Skype’s goal to reach 1 billion users daily,” Bates said.

Founded in 2003, Skype was acquired by eBay in September 2005, and then acquired by an investment group led by Silver Lake in November 2009. Skype has made impressive progress, developing new products and revenue streams, strategic acquisitions, acquiring the intellectual property powering its peer-to-peer network, and recruiting an outstanding senior management team.

Other members of the selling investor group led by Silver Lake include eBay International AG, CPP Investment Board, Joltid Ltd. in partnership with Europlay Capital Advisors; and Andreessen Horowitz.

The acquisition remains under review in a few countries, and will be completed in those countries when such reviews are closed.

To learn more about Microsoft and Skype, click here.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Microsoft’s business, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections of Microsoft’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Microsoft’s Investor Relations department at (800) 285-7772 or at Microsoft’s Investor Relations website.

All information in this release is as of Oct. 14, 2011. The company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the company’s expectations.

Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Call of Duty: Black Ops continues to set sell-through records crossing the $1 billion mark in sales worldwide since its launch in November, according to internal Activision estimates.  

In its first five days alone, the game sold more than $650 million worldwide, outpacing theatrical box office, book and video game sales records for five-day worldwide sell through in dollars, according to internal Activision estimates and boxofficemojo.com.  The game exceeded Activision’s previous five-day worldwide record of $550 million set by last year’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare® 2.

To date, more than 600 million hours have been logged playing Call of Duty: Black Ops since the game launched on November 9, 2010.  According to Microsoft, the average player logs on more than once a day and plays for more than one hour each time.  Over half of that time is spent playing online with and against friends, illustrating the unique social characteristics of the game.

“In all of entertainment, only Call of Duty and “Avatar” have ever achieved the billion dollar revenue milestone this quickly,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard.  ”This is a tribute to the global appeal of the Call of Duty franchise, the exceptional talent at Treyarch and the hundreds of extraordinary people across our many Call of Duty studios including Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer that work tirelessly on the franchise.  Our ability to provide the most compelling, immersive  entertainment experience, and enhance it with regular, recurring content that delivers hundreds of hours of audience value, has allowed Call of Duty to continue to set sales and usage records.”

Kotick continued, “This extraordinary milestone was achieved  because of  the tens of millions of passionate Call of Duty players around the world.  Global audiences have logged billions of hours online with Call of Duty games on Xbox LIVE, the Playstation Network and on personal computers.  This unique level of community engagement has enabled Call of Duty to become one of the world’s most engaged online communities.

“Call of Duty continues to rewrite not just the record books, but also the rules of interactive entertainment,” says Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. “Even more remarkable than the number of units sold is the number of hours people are playing the game together online which are unprecedented. Call of Duty is more than a game, it’s a true community.

Call of Duty: Black Ops is rated “M” (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence and Language.  For additional information about the game, visit www.callofduty.com/blackops.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com. 

*All references cited are sourced according to www.boxofficemojo.com or www.guinnessworldrecords.com

REDMOND, Wash.  (Profitable.com)  Microsoft Corp. today announced that strong demand over the Black Friday weekend has propelled retail sales of Kinect for Xbox 360 to more than 2.5 million units worldwide since it launched just 25 days ago.

“We are thrilled about the consumer response to Kinect, and are working hard with our retail and manufacturing partners to expedite production and shipments of Kinect to restock shelves as fast as possible to keep up with demand,” said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “With sales already exceeding two and a half million units in just 25 days, we are on pace to reach our forecast of 5 million units sold to consumers this holiday.”

“Kinect on Xbox 360 was a top performer at Target this weekend,” said Nik Nayar, vice president, merchandising, Target. “We expect Kinect will be a must-have gift this holiday season, so Target will continue to receive consistent shipments of Kinect throughout December. The hands-free, active gaming experience that Kinect offers is something that everyone in the family can enjoy.”

Kinect is now available at more than 60,000 retailers in 38 countries. It is the only controller-free games and entertainment system available that lets you control games, movies, music and television with gestures and your voice. Retailers, reviewers and analysts are calling it a must-have gift this holiday season.

More information on Xbox 360 and Kinect for Xbox 360 is available at http://www.xbox.com/Kinect or http://www.facebook.com/xbox.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a premier home entertainment and video game system. With the addition of Kinect, Xbox 360 will forever transform social gaming and entertainment with a whole new way to play — no controller required. Xbox 360 is also home to the best and broadest games as well as the largest on-demand library of music, standard- and high-definition movies, TV shows and digital games, all in one place. The entertainment center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content with a network of 25 million Xbox LIVE members to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information about Xbox 360 can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

REDMOND, Wash.  (Profitable.com)  Microsoft Corp. today announced it has sold 1 million Kinect for Xbox 360 units worldwide in 10 days and is on pace to hit 5 million by the end of the year. The announcement comes a week before the biggest selling day of the year, Black Friday, and in the wake of increasing momentum for Xbox 360, which led U.S. video game console sales for the past four months.(1)

“We are appreciative of the response we have seen from consumers that has culminated in sales of more than 1 million units in the first 10 days on the market for Kinect for Xbox 360,” said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “This is a great start to the holiday season, and we will continue to work with our retailer partners to keep pace with high demand and deliver against our plan to sell more than 5 million Kinect sensors worldwide by the end of this year.”

Before the Kinect launch, Microsoft raised its worldwide sales forecast from 3 million to 5 million sensors sold by year-end. Kinect launched in North America on Nov. 4, followed by Europe on Nov. 10, and will land next in Asia (Nov. 18) and Japan (Nov. 20). By this holiday, controller-free games and entertainment will reach more than 60,000 retailers in 38 countries with up to 17 Kinect games available.

“We have seen tremendous excitement from customers for Kinect for Xbox 360,” said Chris Homeister, senior vice president and general manager of the home entertainment group at Best Buy. “There were lines of customers at our stores all over the country on the night of the Kinect launch, and thousands more are trying it for themselves in our stores every day. It’s no surprise Microsoft has already surpassed 1 million units sold, and we expect Kinect to be one of the must-have gifts at Best Buy this holiday.”

For Xbox 360 consumers worldwide, Kinect provides a unique and exciting way to access and interact with entertainment. With just the wave of a hand or the sound of a voice, consumers can play games, stream music, watch HD movies and live ESPN sporting events, and engage in video chat.(2)

Microsoft also recently announced that the more than 25 million Xbox LIVE members have spent more than 1 billion hours on the service a month, an average of over 40 hours per member. In addition to Xbox 360 console momentum, and the ever-expanding service and content library of Xbox LIVE, Microsoft released franchise games such as “Halo: Reach” and “Fable III” to hordes of devoted fans this fall, as well as announcing that Xbox 360 will be the first console to launch add-on content for all “Call of Duty” titles through 2012, helping drive industry software sales. With Xbox 360, Kinect and Xbox LIVE, Microsoft is proving to be a leading gaming and social entertainment service in the living room and the industry this holiday.

Kinect for Xbox 360 is an approachable, simple and affordable experience that the whole family can enjoy. No gadgets, gizmos or additional controllers are required. There are several opportunities for new and current consumers to literally jump into the action:

• Kinect for Xbox 360 sensor. For consumers who already have an Xbox 360 console, the stand-alone Kinect for Xbox 360, at an estimated retail price (ERP) of $149.99 (U.S.), includes the Kinect sensor and “Kinect Adventures” and works with all of the 45 million Xbox 360 consoles currently in homes worldwide.(3)
• Xbox 360 4GB console with Kinect. For new Xbox consumers, the Xbox 360 4GB console with Kinect, priced at $299.99 ERP (U.S.), includes the new flat black Xbox 360 4GB console, Kinect sensor and “Kinect Adventures, “which will have families off the couch and enjoying entertainment quickly and easily.
• Xbox 360 250 GB console with Kinect. For the serious entertainment experts in the family, the Xbox 360 250 GB console with Kinect, priced at $399.99 ERP (U.S.), includes the glossy black Xbox 360 250 GB console, Kinect sensor and “Kinect Adventures” and provides more memory to store movies, music and more.

More information on Xbox 360 and Kinect for Xbox 360 is available at http://www.xbox.com/Kinect or http://www.facebook.com/xbox.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a premier home entertainment and video game system. This November, with the addition of Kinect, Xbox 360 will forever transform social gaming and entertainment with a whole new way to play — no controller required. Xbox 360 is also home to the best and broadest games as well as the largest on-demand library of music, standard- and high-definition movies, TV shows and digital games, all in one place. The entertainment center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content with a network of 25 million Xbox LIVE members to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information about Xbox 360 can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

(1) Based on NPD Group’s U.S. video game industry data June 1–Sept. 30, 2010.

(2) Kinect works with select Xbox LIVE features and content. Xbox LIVE Gold membership and/or additional subscriptions and requirements apply for some features. See http://www.xbox.com/live.

(3) 190 MB of storage required.

SANTA MONICA, Calif.  (Profitable.com)  The most anticipated launch of the year is here, as Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Call of Duty®: Black Ops, which was developed by Treyarch, is now available at retail stores worldwide.  Call of Duty: Black Ops takes players around the globe, behind enemy lines, in the deepest and most intense Call of Duty® experience ever.  

• Call of Duty: Black Ops

The title raises the bar for online gameplay with an arsenal of features, including unprecedented player customization fueled by an all-new in-game currency system, new Wager Match gameplay modes, Theater video recording capabilities to capture favorite gameplay experiences, Combat Training and more.  The Call of Duty: Black Ops’ launch follows a record-setting number of midnight openings worldwide, as thousands of retail outlets opened their doors at midnight to deliver the first copies.

“From the beginning, we focused our entire studio on creating the most immersive Call of Duty experience ever,” said Treyarch Studio Head Mark Lamia. “Treyarch wanted to give Call of Duty fans the ultimate entertainment package this year. Black Ops delivers an epic and cinematic single player experience, an incredibly deep multiplayer offering, and endless hours of co-op fun with Zombies.”

The title’s launch culminates a record-setting campaign, as anticipation for Call of Duty: Black Ops has continued to soar surpassing previous pre-order records.  ”We set a new record with reservations on Call of Duty: Black Ops with more than any other title in GameStop’s history,” stated GameStop senior vice president of merchandising, Bob McKenzie.

For the first time in the blockbuster series’ history, Call of Duty: Black Ops brings players the immersive action in 3D. The title supports stereoscopic 3D via active shutter 3D glasses, delivering cinematically-intense, high-definition graphics set against a vivid audio backdrop in 5.1 surround sound, pulling players into the action like never before.

Rated “M” (Mature – Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence and Language) by the ESRB, Call of Duty: Black Ops is available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Nintendo Wii™ and Windows PC. A version for Nintendo DS is available, from developer n-Space also titled Call of Duty: Black Ops and is rated “T” for Teen.

Collector’s editions are also available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.  The Call of Duty: Black Ops Prestige Edition features the RC-XD Surveillance Vehicle, delivering a fully-functioning remote camera that transmits both TFT color video and audio to its operator with a range of up to 200 feet. The Call of Duty: Black Ops Hardened Edition features a custom Black Ops limited edition medal, exclusive Avatar outfit as well as four playable zombie cooperative maps.

Call of Duty: Black Ops for Windows PC is NVIDIA® 3D Vision®-Ready and supports stereoscopic 3D gaming using 3D Vision active-shutter glasses and NVIDIA GeForce GPUs.  For more information, go to www.nvidia.com/get3D. For Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system consoles, 3D features require a compatible 3D-ready HD TV.  See www.callofduty.com/3d for more information.

For additional Call of Duty updates, visit www.callofduty.com/blackops and also via Twitter @JD_2020.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

Call of Duty and Activision are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.

Xbox 360 and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.  ”PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.  Wii is a trademark of Nintendo.

MINNEAPOLIS  (Profitable.com)  Call of Duty® is going 3D and Best Buy is rolling out the red carpet for eagerly awaiting fans. The most anticipated entertainment launch of the year, Call of Duty®: Black Ops will be celebrated at more than 700 Best Buy midnight openings nationwide on Tuesday, November 9 at 12:01 am. The midnight events will give fans the opportunity to be among the first to get their copy of the hotly-anticipated blockbuster title and experience it like never before.

“This is the hottest release of the year and we’re thrilled to be able to open more of our stores early to give customers the chance be among the first to own it – and in 3D,” said Chris Homeister, senior vice president and general manager of the home entertainment group at Best Buy. “Best Buy is the ideal place for fans to pick up the game and get everything they need for the ultimate Call of Duty: Black Ops 3D experience.”

To commemorate the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops, Best Buy is celebrating with:

• A wide selection of 3D-enabled products, including the full range of available 3DTVs, as well as cameras, camcorders and now games
• Incredible home theater deals that allow fans to get into the 3D action without breaking the bank
• Best Buy Blue Shirts ready to help customers unlock the possibilities of 3D gaming to deliver an unprecedented view of the intense Call of Duty: Black Ops action.

Call of Duty: Black Ops gives the player the option to play in stereoscopic 3D on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system and Windows® PC. For Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system consoles, stereoscopic 3D features require a compatible 3D-ready HD TV and active shutter glasses. Pre-orders for the title are currently available. For more information on the title visit www.callofduty.com/blackops and also check Twitter via @JD_2020. The title is rated “M” for Mature (Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence and Language).

For more information or to find a Best Buy store opening at midnight in your area, visit www.bestbuy.com/callofduty.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Mexico and Turkey, Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $49 billion in annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy; Best Buy Mobile; Audiovisions; The Carphone Warehouse; Future Shop; Geek Squad, Jiangsu Five Star; Magnolia Audio Video; Napster; Pacific Sales; and The Phone House. Approximately 180,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery and activities in our communities. Community partnership is central to the way we do business at Best Buy. In fiscal 2010, we donated a combined $25.2 million to improve the vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and work.

For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bby.com.

Call of Duty and Activision are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.

NEW YORK  (Profitable.com)  Last night, New York’s famed Times Square went controller-free, as the Crossroads of the World was transformed into a dancing, singing, A-list celebration for today’s North American launch of Kinect for Xbox 360. A full day of demos, star-studded appearances and a massive, choreographed dance routine culminated in an excited line of thousands of fans eagerly waiting to take home the future of home entertainment, now available at more than 30,000 retailers nationwide.

Unlike any other consumer technology available today, Kinect for Xbox 360 lets you use your body and voice to play your favorite games and entertainment, literally turning you into the controller. Simply step in front of the revolutionary sensor, and Kinect sees you move, hears your voice and learns how you play. No buttons. No barriers. Just you. With 17 Kinect games available this holiday season — including dance, fitness, sports, racing and family experiences — Kinect gets everyone in the family off the couch, on their feet and in the game.

“Kinect transforms entertainment and introduces Xbox 360 to millions of new people — families, friends and people of all ages,” said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp., who will ring the opening bell at the Nasdaq stock exchange today. “Years of research and a team of engineers and artists have created something approachable, simple and affordable that everyone can enjoy.”

The Kinect for Xbox 360 Experiential Tour pulled into Times Square at 8 a.m. yesterday, opening its doors to thousands of passers-by who experienced firsthand the magic moment when YOU become the controller. Actor/producer Mark Wahlberg then joined Xbox to get millions of kids off the couch, active and into the controller-free fun, announcing that Microsoft will donate Kinect for Xbox 360 to thousands of Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.

Later that evening, hundreds of choreographed dancers took to the streets with best-selling recording artists Ne-Yo and Lady Sovereign for a surprise concert tribute to the greatest controller ever invented — you. And as the clock struck midnight, the flagship Toys”R”Us in Times Square joined thousands of retailers across the country as they opened their doors and introduced eager customers to a brand new way to play.

“There’s no question that Kinect is going to be one of the hottest holiday gifts of 2010,” said Chris Byrne, The Toy Guy® and content director of TimetoPlayMag.com. “This is active, engaging play that lets the whole family have fun together. Simple for players and elegant in the execution, this is a revolutionary product with something for everyone — games, movies, music — all controller-free.”

Deemed a “breakthrough innovation” by Popular Mechanics, the “best of what’s new” by Popular Science and awarded the National Parenting Publications Awards Gold Award, Kinect for Xbox 360 promises to usher in a new era of entertainment. Kinect transforms everyone’s living room into a movie theater, a sports arena and a social playground, reaching the people that matter most to you, no matter where they live in the world.

And if you’re one of the more than 25 million Xbox LIVE members, you can control movies, music and even live sports from ESPN on Xbox LIVE with the wave of a hand or the sound of your voice. Share your experiences with friends and family over Xbox LIVE and through Video Kinect — a video chat experience that can be enjoyed couch to couch or with Windows Live Messenger.(1)

Kinect for Xbox 360 is a great value for the whole family. The all-in-one Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect includes the new Xbox 360 4GB console, Kinect sensor and “Kinect Adventures,” priced at $299.99 ERP (U.S.). Or for those who have an Xbox 360 console(2) at home, the stand-alone Kinect for Xbox 360, priced at $149.99 ERP (U.S.), includes the Kinect sensor and “Kinect Adventures,” and works with the 45 million Xbox 360 consoles currently in homes worldwide.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a premier home entertainment and video game system. With the addition of Kinect, Xbox 360 will forever transform social gaming and entertainment with a whole new way to play — no controller required. Xbox 360 is also home to the best and broadest games as well as the largest on-demand library of music, standard- and high-definition movies, TV shows and digital games, all in one place. The entertainment center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content with a network of 25 million Xbox LIVE members to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information about Xbox 360 can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

(1) Kinect works with select Xbox LIVE features and content. Xbox LIVE Gold membership and/or additional subscriptions and requirements apply for some features. See http://www.xbox.com/live.

(2) 190 MB of storage required.

REDMOND, Wash.  (Profitable.com)  Microsoft Corp. today flipped the switch on the Microsoft Partner Network, an evolution of the company’s industry-leading partner program that has been two years in the making. The revamped program, which takes effect today, equips Microsoft partners with the training, resources and support they need to successfully compete in today’s marketplace and allows customers to easily identify the right partner for their technology needs.

The Microsoft Partner Network is based on partner feedback and customer demand for specialized service experts. These new offerings will enable partners to focus on specific technologies that increase the number of business opportunities, as well as their ability to deliver innovative solutions that help customers achieve their goals.

“Microsoft’s partners are the secret behind our success, and we created the Microsoft Partner Network to help them achieve their business needs and drive deeper customer satisfaction,” said Jon Roskill, corporate vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft. “The Microsoft Partner Network provides partners with the necessary tools, resources and support to help partners differentiate themselves and succeed in today’s market.”

“The market we compete in is as dynamic as I’ve ever seen it, and, to stay competitive, we have to be very responsive to customers’ needs,” said Zikria Syed, CEO, NextDocs. “The Microsoft Partner Network brings a rich community of industry partners, as well as the technical and business development resources we need to respond to our customers and stand out from our competitors.”

New Membership Opportunities Available to Partners

Starting today, partners will renew their annual Microsoft Partner Network memberships under the new structure, allowing them to choose the membership opportunity that best meets their needs. Partners will also have the opportunity to build relationships with their peers and with experts at Microsoft. Using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or the Microsoft Partner Network Community, any partner can get answers to questions and take part in conversations about latest technology trends and topics such as best practices, business development and how to drive innovation.

Microsoft Action Pack Subscriptions will give partners access to software, development tools, training and market visibility. Partners can further demonstrate their expertise by earning silver or gold competencies in any of 29 areas, each of which relates to a specific customer need and aligns with one of Microsoft’s customer awareness campaigns. Companies that demonstrate a mastery of their skills can attain gold competencies, which identify them as being best in class in that particular business solution. Gold competency recipients are given additional access to unique benefits designed to help them reach their specific business goals.

Members of the Microsoft Partner Network can also join the Small Business Specialist Community (SBCS), BizSpark or WebsiteSpark. Each of these communities provides its members with technical and business development resources. SBCS is focused on partners that provide small- and midmarket-business solutions, and BizSpark and WebsiteSpark are focused on entrepreneurs and business startups.

“Microsoft has long been an innovator in partner programs, and the Microsoft Partner Network once again shows the vendor’s leadership in this area,” said Darren Bibby, program director for IDC Software Channels Research. ”The Microsoft Partner Network will continue to help the wide array of Microsoft partners make a significant contribution to the global economy.”

Enabling Partners to Succeed in the Cloud

Fueled by wide availability of broadband and numerous technical advances, cloud computing is opening the doors to new commercial possibilities for businesses. The Microsoft Partner Network is delivering resources to help equip partners for this next wave of innovation and to transition to developing and selling cloud-based applications and solutions.

The new Microsoft Cloud Essentials Pack provides partners with the resources they need to experience and extend their business to the cloud. Microsoft considers partners that have already sold cloud computing solutions, have taken part in advanced training, and can provide customer references as having demonstrated an ongoing commitment to its cloud computing efforts. As such, they can qualify for Microsoft Cloud Accelerate. Participants in this program will be rewarded with a Cloud Accelerate badge, additional internal use rights and other benefits that exceed those offered in Cloud Essentials. More information about Microsoft Cloud Accelerate and Microsoft Cloud Essentials Pack can be found at http://www.microsoftcloudpartner.com.

New Benefits and Resources for Partners

In addition to tools such as Microsoft PinPoint, which puts partners in front of customers when the customers search for a Microsoft solution on a website, Microsoft is committed to making constant improvements and expanding the tools to support its partners. As such, Microsoft is also globally rolling out new solution-based incentives that reward Gold Certified Partners driving sales in specific Microsoft solutions, chosen for their growth and market potential.

Partners making the transition to the Microsoft Partner Network can find a variety of tools and resources at the Microsoft Partner Network portal.

About Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Group

Microsoft invests in the success of its partner channel and more than 640,000 organizations make up Microsoft’s partner ecosystem. Partners have been instrumental to Microsoft’s success over its 33-year history, and they have come to rely on Microsoft for the products, technology, tools and resources that enable them to create profitable and unique businesses. Additional information on the Microsoft Partner Network is available at https://partner.microsoft.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.