In a Thursday announcement, Microsoft's Kinect for Windows team revealed that the next-generation Kinect for Windows sensor is now available for pre-order for developers. The new sensor can be pre-ordered by developers for $199, from the Windows Store.

The new Surface Pro 3 tablet unveiled by Microsoft last week is, as per reports raving about the device, a Microsoft masterwork which has effectively helped the company get an optimistic look from investors and critics.

Earlier this week, Microsoft announced the official specifications sheet for its new Surface Pro 3 tablet, and revealed that the tablet will be available with "4th generation Intel Core i3, i5 or i7" processors.

According to the details shared by Microsoft engineers, the Surface Pro 3 tablet which is presently available for pre-order has a total of five configurations.

A Surface-themed press event has been scheduled by Microsoft in Lower Manhattan on May 20. The company is expected to unveil to the tech media its Surface tablet product portfolio.

Microsoft has revealed in a recent announcement that with effect from June 9, it will start selling its latest Xbox One gaming console without the Kinect motion sensor. As such, the new option will bring down the cost of the Xbox One to $399 --- $100 less than the console's original cost of $499 with the Kinect sensor.

According to a recent report, in many parts of Europe, Microsoft's Smartphone platform has crossed the double digit mark in market share. It is for the first time that Windows Smartphone has recorded double digits in two major markets.

It has hit 10.8% in France and 12% in Great Britain. But things are not as good and rosy as they seem to be in other parts of the continent.

In its annual 10-K report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Microsoft has - for the first time - reported its actual revenue figures linked to the sales of its Windows 8-based Surface tablet in fiscal 2013 which ended June 30.

Software giant and device maker Microsoft has recently launched a new ad to promote the $150 discount which it is offering on it 32GB entry-level Surface RT hybrid tablet/laptop that originally came with a price-tag of $499.