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How To Make Microsoft Cool Again

After leaving everyone a little confused with the Seinfeld portion of their Crispin Porter + Bogusky helmed ad campaign, Microsoft aired the second installment last night. The new commercial, titled “I’m a PC,” goes straight at Apple’s “Mac vs. PC” ads with a bunch of people (including Pharrell) claiming that they’re PCs, implying that they’re not actually lames like Apple says they are. While these new ads are better than the first bunch, we’re still kinda confused.

We thought these ads were supposed to tell people why Window’s isn’t wack, but they don’t even mention Microsoft or Windows, let alone any of its features. WTF? Who cares if astronauts and animal trainers use it? You’re supposed to be telling the people who want to look cool with a Macbook why they should stick with Microsoft. Now, before we get ahead of ourselves, Microsoft still has the computer game on lock with a damn near 90% market share, but they got problems. Maybe they should focus on them instead of making commercials. We got some suggestions on how they can step up…

Microsoft’s Blue LED & The Evolution Of Mice

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a big innovation in computer mice, but Microsoft claims that their new Blue Track mouse will change the game by using LED lights for control. With a wider-angle lens, it promises more accuracy than infared laser or optical mice.

The Blue Track popped up recently on Germany’s Amazon website and is set to roll out on September 9th. But will laser and touchpad devotees be quick to make the switch? We decided to take a look back at the major innovations throughout the history of the mouse to put things in perspective.

See how far the cursor has come…

Can Jerry Seinfeld Save Microsoft’s Ad Campaign?

With as much money Microsoft stacks from running businesses to Xbox 360, their advertisements should equate that success, right? Wrong. They haven’t been able to crack the “cool” market because Apple holds it down with straight-forward, minimally-styled clips. But when Steve Jobs recently took another shot at Bill Gates‘ Windows Vista operating system, the software mogul tapped Jerry Seinfeld to clap back.

We’re not sure if the $300-million dollar campaign will actually work, simply because Jerry’s been catching bricks since Seinfeld went off the air. The handful of other ads he did for the geriatric crowd (American Express, Hewlett Packard), and last year’s Bee Movie are, well, straight up B’s. So we figured we could jog Microsoft’s memory (zing!) by compiling five (2 of which ended up being banned) of their greatest hits for a little inspiration.

Win A Copy Of ‘Too Human’ For Xbox 360

We’ll be honest: The reviews for Too Human, the Xbox 360 game from Microsoft and Silicon Knights that just dropped, have been pretty middling. The third-person action title, which has been in the making for over a decade and is the first of a planned trilogy, could be the victim of advance hype—too much buzz eventually turned into a buzzkill.

But we played Too Human, and while it may not be an instant classic, it’s still pretty damn fun (check the ill villains!). There are definitely worse ways to shit away the rest of summer. But don’t just take our word for it. Watch the game trailer and learn how to win your own copy below…

Microsoft Unveils The Sphere Touch Screen

Whenever the words “touch screen” are brought up, everyone automatically thinks of the iPhone. And, yeah it is the handheld that shifted the way people thought of their phones and it gave people their first experience with multi-touch. But Apple isn’t the only company pushing the boundaries of the technology. Their long-time rival, Microsoft, has been researching touch screen tech for years. The fruit of their labor has been demonstrated in their Surface platform, which can be found in some AT&T stores as info kiosks. Recently, they took the wraps off another touch screen project of theirs called The Sphere…

‘Gears Of War 2′ Is Locked And Loaded

Even while E3 was taking place in L.A. last week, the good folks at Xbox were around to make sure New Yorkers got their exclusive gamer fix too. At an event in the Big Apple, Xbox 360 previewed its fall line of games, including Fallout 3, Rock Band II, and the highly-anticipated Gears Of War 2. With all the hype surrounding GOW2 (due out in November), we focused our attention on getting familiar with the gory third person shooter through a friendly network game over some super-fructose X-Tini cocktails. Watch the trailer and read our first impressions of the game below.

Win This Limited Edition GTA IV Xbox 360

Remember that GTA IV Xbox we told you about a few weeks back? Well, that one is currently on display in the Complex Platinum Club. But now, thanks to our guys at Xbox, you get a chance at winning one for yourself. Microsoft hooked us up with unit number 126 out of 500, a briefcase stocked with peripherals, and a one year Gold subscription to Xbox Live–all for one lucky reader. To figure out who gets the prize we’re running a caption contest on our new video game site, DasGamer.com. The competition runs until May 14th. Get in it while you can.

[DasGamer]