Microsoft

As part of the new Xbox 360 interface that launched earlier this week, and with Christmas just around the corner, Microsoft is offering a whole host of Xbox Live freebies.

With 2011 drawing to a close we at the International Business Times UK aren't just looking forward to the tech 2012 has to bring, but we're most excited for the technology we'll all be buying in 2021.

Russian websites monitoring reports of election violation have allegedly been hacked by pro-Putin cyber criminals. It is believed that the majority of the world's most sophisticated and effective cyber attacks originate in Russia.

Gone are the days when an act of war meant dropping bombs, shooting the enemy and marching thousands of troops across borders. Now the battle is taking place online and it is the computer geniuses in their bedrooms, rather than the battle-hardened soldiers in tanks, that are keeping governments awake at night.

With the latest cyber-gossip reporting the public beta of Microsoft's highly-anticipated Windows 8 OS will open as early as February 2012, speculation has once again turned to the promised release of Windows 8 tablets.

Seeking to beat the Sony PlayStation 3's entertainment offering, Microsoft's next update to the Xbox 360 is set to go live 6 December, adding new Kinect navigation features and a host of new video content.

Microsoft is said to be working on a version of its popular Office suite for the Apple iPad and a new desktop version of Office for OS X Lion is expected next year.

New research has emerged suggesting Microsoft's forthcoming series of Windows 8 tablets will be too late to the party to break Apple's current hold on the market.

The top 10 best global brands of 2011

Keeping up the IBTimes' Christmas 2011 buyers guide series, we offer you our definitive list of five Xbox LIVE Arcade titles you don't want to miss this holiday season.

Microsoft has said that it will only pay compensation to Xbox Live users who did not give away their password, after it was reported yesterday that gamers had their credit card details stolen.

Microsoft has fired back over claims by The Sun newspaper that Xbox Live users have had their accounts hacked and credit card details stolen.

Xbox Live users have fallen victim to a phishing attack which convinces gamers to hand over their account details to fraudsters, who then steal money from their credit cards.

Though it's been a busy year for game developers, 2011's actually seen a pretty light RPG offering, with developers more interested in adding role-playing dynamics to other genres than making an RPG proper. That said there have been a few stand-out titles that no true RPG fan should be without come 25 December.

Shrugging off a massive 87 per cent drop in sales, Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has retained the UK top-spot for a second week.

Former executive alleges "wild behaviour" by other bosses.

Fresh reports have emerged suggesting industry sources have confirmed that Microsoft's next Xbox will be released in 2012 not 2013.

The vanguard of Nokia's Windows Phone horde, the Lumia 800 launched today and kind people that we are, the IBTimes has completed a round-up of all the best reviews stalking the cyber-highways.

Following its release today, numerous analysts have issued fresh prophesies suggesting Nokia's Lumia 800 will ultimately go the way of the Dodo, succumbing to the curse of the Windows Phone.

Frank O'Connor, Halo series director at developer 343 Industries has quashed speculation that Microsoft's rumoured next Xbox will be released in 2012, confirming Halo 4 will be released on the Microsoft's current Xbox 360.

Microsoft has moved to quash rumours suggesting a series of Cloud gaming features are set to launch on its Xbox 360 games console.

With the Nokia Lumia 800 Windows Phone's release just one day away, the IBTimes takes offers you a complete guide to the "first Windows Phone's" price, spec and competition.

Microsoft will announce the new Xbox - tipped to be called 'Loop' - at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January.

Fresh reports have emerged suggesting a Microsoft Executive has confirmed that future versions of the company's Xbox games console will house new "cloud tech" and features.

Master Chief is back and prettier than ever in a more challenging version of the same adventure we played with in 2001. The 'Anniversary Edition' brings several new features including an online multiplayer, Kinect integration and Halo Waypoint.

"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" set a new all-time record, after selling more than 6.5 million games in the U.K. and North America in its first 24 hours.

Affable, reserved, highly-respected, Italian's probable new Prime Minister Mario Monti seems to represent the antidote to Silvio Berlusconi's discredited dominance of Italian politics, the "man who screwed an entire country".

New reports have emerged claiming an unnamed source revealed the next Xbox's tech spec and release date.

Manchester United have surpassed Coca Cola and Microsoft to become the sixth biggest brand in the world according to the Daily Mirror.

The next Microsoft console, previously dubbed Xbox 720, will be called Loop, feature a 'far smaller' design and be cheaper than the current Xbox 360, according to reports.