COMPANIES

Minecraft is one of the most successful games in Xbox 360 and when it was first introduced, not that many people believe that it would be a success especially when the Xbox 360 edition was introduced.

Microsoft seems to be on a roll these days as it recently announced their newest product: Windows Phone 8, code-named "Apollo". Through this new release from Microsoft, can it compete with the big players in the smartphone market such as Google's Android and Apple's iPhone?

A recently leaked document detailing information about Xbox 720 has recently surfaced in the Internet which was promptly reported by different news networks around the world. In response to this, Microsoft has confirmed that the details about the Xbox 720 is true which means that its possible release date is truly a go.

Apple has just unveiled its new MacBook line specifically the MacBook 2012 with Retina Display which is considered as one of the best gadgets launched by Apple. Despite that recognition, many people are asking this crucial question: Is it worth the price?

What makes an ideal workplace environment? As far as the findings issued this week by Business Review Weekly (BRW) are concerned, the general happiness and contentment of workers greatly depend on the culture being espoused by their employers.

After the price war on fresh produce between supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, industry observers are anticipating another price battle, this time on hardware items. The price war could be the result of Metcash's purchase of Mitre 10.

It's the epic battle between Apple and Microsoft and this time, it's all about the tablets as Microsoft finally joined the tablet market with the release of "Surface", Microsoft's own Windows 8 tablet. This release leads to inevitable question of: Which is the Best? Microsoft's Windows 8 tablet (Surface) or Apple's New iPad?

Microsoft said on Wednesday that upcoming Windows Phones, which will run on the soon-to-be launched Windows 8, will give seamless mobile computing experience to global consumers, effectively unifying market platforms that the software maker has spent billions in the past years to break into.

Motorola Droid Razr and Droid Razr Maxx are slated to receive their Android 4.0 or Android ICS update based on the recent announcement made by Motoroloa. Even if Motorola has not disclosed any specific date, the smartphone manufacturer revealed that the update is already rolled out but on the hands of their beta testers.

Nintendo recently unveiled new Nintendo 3DS games that will be launched for 2012. Nintendo have listed down the most anticipated games for the console as well as the updated downloadable content available in the Nintendo eShop. The games were first unveiled during the E3 2012 event held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Local stocks are staging a rebound today on the back of positive moves on offshore markets. US shares rose on hopes of further stimulus from the Federal Reserve while European markets rallied to a one month high. Mid-session, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is firmer by 21.6pts or 0.5pct to 4189.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is convinced that digital connection has yet to reach its full potential, declaring on Tuesday that "the World Wide Web has yet to live up to its name."

DC Universe Online and Sony Entertainment LLC had just revealed "The Last Laugh" which is the fourth downloadable content (DLC) pack for DC Universe Online. This downloadable content is more focused on the online multiplayer feature of the game.

A new version of Ubuntu has been released in the market (Ubuntu 12.04) and it has received a lot of positive reviews ever since it was revealed to the public. Some people even go further by calling it the best Ubuntu version.

The thought of battling out a lawsuit from Australia's richest woman has apparently struck fear in the hearts of Fairfax Media directors. Before they would allow Georgina Rinehart, the largest stakeholder in the company, a board seat, the directors are said to be seeking immunity from a Rinehart lawsuit, The Australian reports.

Microsoft finally unveiled the reason behind the "secret event" that they revealed a few days ago as the company revealed a new Windows 8 tablet in the market. This is Microsoft's first forray in the tablet market.

Microsoft has just released Windows 8 beta version to the public which has been getting mixed reviews. Microsoft is also reported to release their own Windows 8 tablet which would rival Apple's iPad. Is this the latest effort of Microsoft to redeem its place in the technological market?

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) created to look into the safety of the highly disputed $200-million rare earths processing plant of Lynas Corp. in Malaysia has concluded that the facility is safe and has strongly urged for the immediate release of the temporary operating license (TOL) to finally start the plant's delayed operations.

Upon formally assuming office Monday this week, new Samsung Chief Executive Kwon Oh-hyun immediately disclosed that he intends to pour a great deal of time and resources for the giant South Korean tech firm to further develop its software division.

Chevron sold on Tuesday its 10 per cent stake in the Wheatstone liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Western Australia to Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) of Japan for $4 billion.

Local stocks are reversing some of yesterday's spectacular gains, pulled back by weakness in offshore markets overnight. European markets ended mixed despite Greece's pro-bailout New Democracy party claiming victory in the weekend poll, as Spanish borrowing costs jumped pressuring markets. A rally on US Markets was limited as investors feared the Euro debt crisis would continue to worsen. At lunchtime in the East, the broader All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 17.8pts or 0.4pct to 4166.1.

One of the things that was noticeable during the recently concluded WWDC 2012 was the lack of iMac details. Before the big event, there were a lot of speculations regarding Apple's iMac but all of these speculations were halted when there was no mention or even a hint of iMac during the said event.

Microsoft has stayed silent regarding the release date and specs of Xbox 720. Microsoft has not even mentioned even a whisper of Xbox 720 at this year's E3. All that is about to change as a new leaked document revealed details about the all-elusive Xbox 720 from Microsoft.

While the yearly gathering last week of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Beijing, China drew delegates from different airlines around the world, in the next 12 months attendees in the next summit could be down.

Just how popular are smartphones and tablet computers these days? Popular enough that according to a new study, print books could soon tread into the same decline road that CDs and other physical audio form had taken in the past years.

A comparison website noted the growing gap of rates between small business loans and residential mortgages. When banks pass on Tuesday the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) overnight cash rate cut to small businesses, the average rates for secured loans would have gone down by 100 basis points to 7.53 per cent.

The local share market has staged a relief rally on news Greece appears set to remain in the Eurozone. The pro-bailout New Democracy party claimed victory this morning and appears likely to form a government, sparking a buying frenzy across Asia as investors pick up assets which have been heavily battered over the past month. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 55.9pts or 1.4pct to 4162.9.

Australian consumers should anticipate another round of marketing war between the country's supermarket giants as Woolworths (ASX: WOW) disclosed plans to boosts its market share of fresh food to 36 per cent from the current 28 per cent.

Microsoft just unveiled its preview for the upcoming Windows 8 release. Majority of the response regarding Windows 8 has been positive and Microsoft is hoping that this positive thoughts would help in coming up with a tablet worthy of being an "iPad killer".