SHANGHAI , China — April 29 , 2014 — Today Microsoft Corp. announced that in partnership with BesTV New Media Co., a subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group, Xbox One will launch into China in September of this year.

The all-in-one games and entertainment system will be the first of its kind to launch in the country, creating mutual opportunities for developers in China to bring their creative content to life both at home and abroad. Xbox One will offer content such as games, entertainment, education and fitness experiences.

This is a major step in the partnership between BesTV and Microsoft after forming their joint venture, E-Home Entertainment Development Company Ltd. in September 2013, when the two jointly announced plans for a new generation of home entertainment and gaming experiences. As part of this, E-Home Entertainment was the first company registered through the Shanghai Free Trade Zone (SFTZ).

“Launching Xbox One in China is a significant milestone for us and for the industry, and it’s a step forward in our vision to deliver the best games and entertainment experiences to more fans around the world,” said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president, marketing and strategy, Devices and Studios, Microsoft. “BesTV has a rich history of delivering innovative entertainment content. It is the ideal partner with which to bring the Xbox business to China.”

“The launch of Xbox One here will bring distinction as the first-ever game console with OTT functionality in China,” said Dazhong Zhang, senior vice president, Shanghai Media Group, and chairman, E-Home Entertainment Development Company Ltd. “The launch of Xbox is a milestone for our company in the family entertainment market and will create profit growth opportunities. Furthermore, we will continue our investment and support into research and development for gaming content together with Microsoft. Via our cooperation with the world’s leading team, we will continue to develop video games fused with Chinese culture and provide further distribution support for locally produced Chinese video game content to the world.”

The culture of games and entertainment is rapidly expanding in China, with nearly half a billion people playing games — roughly more than a third of the country’s population and more than the entire population of North America. The gaming industry alone generated more than $13 billion in 2013, a growth of 38 percent over 2012.* While much of that comes from PC, mobile and online gaming, the SFTZ opens the opportunity for Xbox One to bring the next generation of games, entertainment, online education and fitness to a burgeoning market.

“I congratulate BesTV and Microsoft on their joint announcement that the home entertainment system Xbox One will be available in China this September,” said Zhu Yonglei, director of the Shanghai Municipal Press Office. “This is a major achievement for the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, and the collaboration between these two leading brands will bring an unprecedented entertainment experience to consumers in China.”

Enwei Xie will lead Xbox China for Microsoft, bringing years of Microsoft experience both in China and abroad to the endeavor. As general manager of Xbox China, he will also have operation and management responsibility for the joint venture.

“The opportunities are endless for creators to unleash their imaginations for games, online education and fitness experiences for China and beyond,” said Xie. “Creators and gamers alike have eagerly awaited a new generation of entertainment experiences in China, and their wait will be over with the arrival of Xbox One this year.”

As part of the partnership, E-Home Entertainment is investing in an innovation program that will enable creators and developers to build, publish and sell their games on Xbox One in China and in other markets where Xbox is available. Within China, Microsoft will work with traditional retailers to establish a new growth category and partner with BesTV to explore expanded channel opportunities in the telecommunications segment.

This global expansion into new markets later this year continues the most successful launch in Xbox history. More than 5 million Xbox One consoles have been sold-in to retailers in the 13 countries where it’s available today, representing more than 60 percent greater sales than Xbox 360 in the same time period. Building upon this momentum, in September Xbox One will be available in 42 total markets worldwide.

More product and pricing details for Xbox One in China will be shared later this year. For more details about Xbox One, visit www.xbox.com. Press releases and media assets are available at http://news.xbox.com/media.

About BesTV

BesTV New Media Co Ltd (SHA: 600637), a subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group (SMG), launched its IPO on the Shanghai Stock Exchange as the first new media stock in China.

BesTV’s main businesses include Internet protocol television (IPTV) business, home entertainment, OTT set-top boxes, network video business, mobile television business, smart television business, multimedia production business and digital media platform design and construction, firmly establishing the company as a global leader in China’s growing “family entertainment” industry. More information about BesTV can be found online at www.bestv.com.

About Xbox

Xbox is Microsoft’s premier entertainment brand for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. In living rooms or on the go, Xbox is home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world’s largest libraries of movies, TV, music and sports. Your favorite games, TV and entertainment come to life in new ways through the power of Kinect, Xbox SmartGlass and Xbox Live, the world’s premier social entertainment network. More information about Xbox 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.

* Source: China Games Industry Annual Conference

The information contained in this press release relates to a pre-release product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when first commercially released. The press release is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the press release or the information contained in it.

For assets :

http://news.xbox.com/media

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash. — April 28, 2014 — Microsoft Corp. and its hardware partners on Monday unveiled a range of devices at various price points to help U.S. public school districts make the digital transition. The devices included in today’s pricing announcement are lightweight enough to conduct research and take assessments, while at the same time robust enough to create rich media, develop code and build complex applications. With devices starting under $300, the effort is a part of Microsoft’s global YouthSpark initiative to empower youth through technology and is further evidence of its commitment to providing a range of devices, training and services to teachers and students. Microsoft’s investment is in partnership with President Obama’s ConnectED initiative to advance technology and learning in the classroom.

In addition, Microsoft exam delivery provider Certiport Inc. is providing certification exams worth over $5 million following students’ completion of Microsoft IT Academy training. The Microsoft IT Academy provides a complete technology and certification training solution for schools, enabling students to learn the skills needed for today’s workforce, and is part of Microsoft’s $1 million investment in reaching the 2,000 highest needs schools in the U.S.

“To move students into the future, they need the skills and resources that can bring learning to life and prepare them for the workforce,” said Margo Day, vice president, U.S. Education, Microsoft. “Through Microsoft’s commitment, we are helping bridge the technology skills gap that exists among many students today by providing tools and learning resources that give all students a world-class education and help teachers better use technology in the classroom. Working with our partners to lower costs and provide affordable devices is just one step in the process.”

To fit the various needs of schools, devices from Microsoft partners include a range of form factors, from various-sized tablets to full laptops. Device options include the Acer Travelmate TMB113-E, ASUS Transformer Book T100, Dell Venue 11 Pro, FUJITSU STYLISTIC® Q704, HP 210 Notebook PC and HP ElitePad 1000, Lenovo ThinkPad 11e, Toshiba Satellite® NB15t, and a new student device from Panasonic scheduled to launch at ISTE 2014. All of the devices are Common Core testing compliant and feature Windows 8.1. This special device pricing program is delivered through technology partners that serve K–12 schools. Hardware and device manufacturers will now be able to make specially priced devices available to all U.S. public schools through this offer. Schools can determine the best device for them by visiting the ConnectED devices page, http://www.microsoft.com/eduwindows.

In order to effectively use technology to bolster student learning and outcomes, teachers must be properly trained to weave technology into classroom curriculum. Miami-Dade County Public Schools is a great example of rolling out its 1:1 program effectively. The district recently announced the purchase of over 47,000 HP notebook PCs and tablets for students and teachers. In addition, Microsoft will be offering digital transition training to 700 Miami-Dade teachers in the coming weeks with additional training for 1,000 more teachers over the summer. Across the district, over 350,000 students can download Office 365 via the Student Advantage benefit, which allows Office 365 school customers to access Office 365 ProPlus for all its students at no additional cost. This will support a consistent experience between classroom and home, and supports the district’s bring-your-own-device (BYOD) efforts. In addition, the district is providing Internet access and laptops through EveryoneOn for over 1,000 high-need homes and it is about to begin implementing Microsoft IT Academy in select elementary, middle and high schools.

“Our No. 1 priority is to help students graduate from high school, well prepared to succeed in college or the career of their choosing. That is no simple undertaking with more than 350,000 students,” said Alberto Carvahlo, superintendent, Miami-Dade County Public Schools. “Through our work with Microsoft, we’re providing the technology, services and training support our teachers and students need to gain the skills that will ultimately help accomplish our goal, but on top of that, Microsoft IT Academy will give students the certifications that will help get them the jobs of their dreams.”

Schools using Microsoft solutions to improve student outcomes include Clear Creek School District, Fresno Unified School District and the Kentucky Department of Education.

This latest announcement of devices and skills training services demonstrates Microsoft’s progress against President Obama’s ConnectED goals of connecting U.S. schools to the digital age within five years by providing cost-efficient devices and services. In February of this year, Microsoft committed to offering the following elements:

• Communication and collaboration tools with Office 365 Education

• Teacher training and resources through the Microsoft Educator Network, formerly Partners in Learning Network

• Ad-free search with Bing in the Classroom

• Student training and skills development via Microsoft IT Academy

• A powerful and flexible operating system with Windows 8.1 Pro

• Broadband as a critical component to connected learning through Microsoft’s nonprofit partner EveryoneOn

School participation and eligibility

All U.S. public schools are eligible for this unique education offer and can contact their technology reseller or Microsoft for additional details or to access an official letter of eligibility. More information on the offer can also be found at http://www.microsoft.com/education/ConnectED.

About Microsoft in Education

At Microsoft, we are deeply committed to working with governments, communities, schools and educators to use the power of information technology to deliver technology, services and programs that provide anytime, anywhere learning for all. Since 2003, Microsoft has partnered with educators to impact more than 207 million students in 119 countries to date. Through TEACH.Org, Microsoft and other partners, candidates are provided with free access to the online tools and resources necessary to pursue a career in teaching. For more information: http://www.microsoft.com/education.

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.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.