Tech Bytes: Microsoft acquires 3D company Havok

Microsoft acquires 3D company Havok

Last Friday, Microsoft announced the acquisition of Havok from Intel for an undisclosed sum.

Intel acquired the company in 2007.

Irish company Havok makes a software that simulates 3D physics, and licenses it to gaming studios. The engine has been used in over 600 video games, including Age Of Empires III and the Assassin's Creed series.

Although Havok is now owned by Microsoft, the engine will not be limited to Microsoft titles.

"We will continue to license Havok's technology to the broad AAA games industry," a representative told gaming website IGN.

"This also means that we will continue to license Havok's technology to run across various game consoles, including Sony and Nintendo."


Humble Bundle sets up subscription deal

Humble Bundle, the online video-game retailer known for its cheap game bundles and pledge to direct a portion of its sales to charity, will be offering a new subscription service starting this month.

For US$12 (S$17.20), subscribers will get a mix of indie and marquee titles, with 5 per cent of that fee going to charity. On average, each bundle has between five and 10 games.

The bundles unlock on the first Friday of every month. For now, the deal is available only to Steam users on the PC.


Skype Translator out now for desktop use

Skype's new translation service is now available to all desktop users.

Skype Translator works on the desktop version of the VOIP program, and allows users to convert their video call live into another language.

Currently, six spoken languages are supported: English, French, German, Mandarin, Italian and Spanish.

The translation service is also available for Skype's chat function, and supports over 50 languages.


Google, Microsoft deal ends lawsuits

Tech giant rivals Google and Microsoft have reached "an agreement on patent issues", said both companies in a joint statement.

This means dropping the 20 open lawsuits that they had against each other, including cases related to Motorola Mobility, which was acquired by Google in 2012.

The companies added that they have "agreed to collaborate on certain patent matters and anticipate working together in other areas in the future to benefit our customers".

Compiled by Lisabel Ting

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 07, 2015, with the headline Tech Bytes: Microsoft acquires 3D company Havok. Subscribe