Once again we ask, what are you thinking Microsoft? The latest Xbox One news is that Microsoft will not be allowing Indie developers to self-publish titles to Xbox Live Arcade. Instead, they'lll be required to make a deal with Microsoft Game Studios or a third-party publisher.

Indie developers will be able to continue publishing to the Xbox Live Indie Games, but most see that market as a dead-zone. Microsoft appears to be continuing its rather unfriendly approach to indie games and indie developers. Matt Botty, general manager of Redmond Game Studios and Platforms, says that there could be some experimentation for this generation:

I would also expect that for this new generation, that we're going to continue to explore new business models and new ways of surfacing content. But Microsoft Studios is a publisher that works with a wide range of partners, as do a lot of other people, to bring digital content to the box.

It's worth noting that this policy runs in stark contrast to Sony's. Sony is actively pursuing indie games for the upcoming PlayStation 4. Maybe this is what has Notch and other indie developers upset?

Twitter continues to increase advertising on Twitter to try to increase revenues. The latest advertising change will allow select advertisers to gather contact information directly from tweets. This should help companies identify how much return on investment they are seeing from advertising with Twitter.

Select advertisers will be able to collect contact information from users who click a customizable "call to action" button. A user's information is already filled in, making the process painless for both the advertiser and Twitter user. The advertiser will then receive the e-mail, Twitter name, and name of prospective customers.

The feature is currently being tested by Priceline, New Relic, and others, but the group remains small. It's currently available to managed clients, but a global launch is coming "soon."

We can expect Microsoft to include WebGL support in Internet Explorer 11. Microsoft teased that the new web technology would be supported through a Vine video released earlier today. Internet Explorer is expected to release alongside the upcoming Windows 8.1 update that will make its first public debut in June alongside Microsoft's BUILD conference.

WebGL allows web browsers to display 3D graphics, which is becoming increasingly important as Google pushes for Chrome OS and more and more software is becoming web-based. Opera, Chrome, Safari, and Firefox all currently offer some support for WebGL. Epic Citadel, a tech demo, was recently released that demonstrates just what WebGL is capable of.

Apple just won't give up its fight with Samsung. Today, Apple filed a motion to include the Galaxy S4 in the latest legal battle because it allegedly violates five of Apple's patents. Two of the patents specifically relate to Google Now, which Apple says violates two patents held for Siri and its related technology.

Also included in the motion are three patents that cover various functions of the Galaxy S4. Patent '502 covers a "graphical user interface using historical lists with field classes." Patent '647 covers a "system and method for performing an action on a structure in computer-generated data." Finally, patent '414 covers "asynchronous data synchronization amongst devices."

Apple determined that the Galaxy S4 product practices many of the same claims already asserted by Apple, and that the Galaxy S4 practices those claims in the same way as the already-accused Samsung devices.

Apple has said that they will remove one of the 22 other devices currently covered in the latest lawsuit if the court permits them to add the Galaxy S4. This trial is set to happen during March 2014, though a hearing for Apple's latest motion is set for June 25, 2013.

Google is continuing to expand the Glass Explorer Program and has announced that #ifihadglass winners will start receiving invitations "over the next few weeks" to try Glass out. If you missed out on the competition, you're currently out of luck. Google has announced that they aren't taking any more applications right now.

According to Google, the company is "thrilled to be moving into the next phase of our Explorer Program and we hope to expand in the future." We're also excited that Google is moving forward with Glass. We can't wait to get our hands on Glass as it really seems like the next logical step for technology.

We'll keep you in the loop with the latest in Google Glass news.

Twitter has finally introduced a rumored--and much needed--feature: two factor authentication. For those who don't know, two-factor authentication relies on two different pieces of information. Generally, one is a password (something you know) and the other is a code e-mailed or sent to you via text message (something you have).

This technology isn't new. Banks have used it for years with ATM cards requiring a PIN number. After a string of high-profile hackings, including the AP's account, Twitter has introduced this technology for everyone. You are highly encouraged to enable two-factor authentication as soon as you're done reading this article.

You'll be required to register a phone to send codes to. When attempting to log in from an unknown computer, you'll be required to enter a code that is sent via SMS to your registered device.

An ambitious developer has managed to hack iOS to push notifications to his Google Glass. This is no easy task as iOS is generally hostile towards third-party devices. The hack appears to work well and the developer, Adam Bell, notes that iMessages and Tweets automatically show up in Google Glass.

As you would expect, the hack is only available to those with a jailbroken iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. This is good news, however, as it means that Apple could eventually make friends with Google and enable this feature in the regular iOS operating system. Bell will be uploading the tweak to GitHub and it will eventually be turned into a Cydia tweak.

Redbox Instant is one of the newest movie streaming companies on the block and needs to add customers. This need likely led to a promotion in which users had to tweet to unlock a free movie rental. The movie in question? The Hobbit. So, did they succeed? They did and you can now rent The Hobbit for free.

To receive the free rental, you'll need a free Redbox Instant account and you'll need to rent the movie before 12a.m. ET on May 23. This means you'll need to complete the rental in the next 9 hours or so. After you rent the movie, you'll have up to 30 days to watch it. However, "Once you start watching it, you have 48 hours to view the movie as many times and on as many supported registered devices as you choose."

Redbox says they'll run future promotions of this same nature, though we don't currently know when the next one will take place.

With its 4th Generation Intel Core processors AKA "Haswell," Intel has introduced a new power saving feature that reduces consumption while the CPU sleeps. This new deep state sleep mode is called "C7" and is causing a lot of tech insiders to second guess if older power supplies will be able to function properly with Haswell.

This morning Fractal Design released a list of their PSUs that are Haswell friendly. With 12 models throughout its Newton R3, Tesla R2, Integra R2 PSU lines on the list, Fractal says that its customers can rest easily knowing that their PSU is compatible with the next generation of Intel processors.

The issues come from the new deepest sleep state, called C7, will be able to reduce the power consumption of the CPU to only 0.05A (0.6W). As this occurs in the deep sleep state, when most other 12V devices are either in low-power states or turned off, this can reduce the 12V load on the power supply significantly.

Yesterday's Xbox One announcement did little to impress most of the tech community. We were expecting to see truly innovative things like IllumiRoom, and much higher graphics quality levels than what Microsoft delivered.

Independent game developers such as Minecraft's Markus "Notch" Persson said that "I tried to get excited about the Xbox One, but failed.". Developer of Super Meat Boy, Tommy Refenes chimed in with his thoughts as well. "So as someone who doesn't play Forza or any EA Sports games and already has a computer hooked up to my TV, what does Xbox One offer me?"

With big name Indie developers turning their nose up at the new console, and the majority of the tech world appearing to be quite unimpressed, it leaves one to wonder what was Microsoft thinking? Of course, there are just as many of the non-techies who want to do nothing more than play FIFA and Madden, and still be able to watch TV, with just a shout of one's voice.

When we last took a look at ASRock's microsite for its upcoming Intel 8-Series motherboards, we learned of the new HDMI-In feature and before that, we got a glimpse of their new Purity Sound hardware. This morning ASRock has unveiled two new features present on its Intel 8-Series boards.

Up first is built-in functionality for the next-generation Wi-Fi standard. 802.11ac Wi-Fi is a new wireless computer networking standard that provides high-throughput wireless local area networks on the 5GHz band with data transferring speeds up to 867Mbps. The new boards will feature ASRock's 2T2R Dual Band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v4.0.

Up next is a new conformal coating that renders the boards waterproof for use in systems that feature liquid cooling. This cool new feature will also come in handy for the extreme overclockers who worry about frost build up shorting out components when using LN2. The coating is said to protect the board from conductive liquids, dust, corrosion and extreme temperatures.

Pandora and Facebook have had a very friendly relationship for years now and now both companies are taking it to a new level with a purpose built app for Facebook's Timeline. The new app will let users share what they are listening to on their timeline, similar to how Spotify handles things.

The new functionality is being integrated into Pandora's iOS and Android apps as well as Pandora.com and will let users automatically publish their listening habits to their Facebook Timeline. Pandora users will be able to specify which stations they share on the social network, as well as which artists and tracks they would like to appear on the wall.

In a statement, Pandora's Tim Conrad, had the following to say:

"While we've offered social features that allow you to explicitly share your Pandora stations and music discoveries to Facebook for some time, today's update makes sharing effortless. This means it's easier than ever to discover new music from friends' listening activity in your Facebook News Feed or by checking out the music section on their profile."

On Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook made an appearance in front of Congress to defend the company's recent tax dodging accusations, but not all of the conversation was about taxes. Cook told the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations that Apple will be manufacturing it's US made Mac in Texas.

"We're investing $100 million to build a Mac product line here in the U.S. The product will be assembled in Texas, include components made in Illinois and Florida, and rely on equipment produced in Kentucky and Michigan."

While this is good news, not all is as shiny as it appears. Apple will not be building any in-house manufacturing facilities, but will rely on existing manufacturers who have existing plants in the area. While nothing is official, as AllThingsD pointed out, China based Foxconn does own and operate several manufacturing facilities in Texas.

A new LG Optimus smartphone was spotted by PhoneArena this morning. The Optimus F3 is the little brother to the Optimus F7 and F5 we saw launched in February at the Mobile World Congress, and although it is aimed at the low-end market, it packs some cool features.

The leak comes courtesy of a photo posted by our favorite Twitterer @evleaks, who is correct about 95 percent of the time. The photo shows that the device will be running Jelly Bean and will feature 4G connectivity, something we usually do not see in cheaper phones.

The phone is also said to feature a 4-inch WVGA display that is at least 720p in resolution, and will sport a massive 2,460mAh battery for super long uptime. It does not look like the F3 will hit the US, but sources are pointing it to an Australian release in the next few weeks.

Apple may be practicing "forward looking" with its spaceship like campus in Cupertino, but Amazon is looking to take things in a very different approach to a green headquarters. Yesterday while everyone was focused on Redmond, a proposal was being reviewed by Seattle's Design Review Board.

Amazon has tweaked plans for its new headquarters that will be built-in the inner city of Seattle. The proposed three block campus is codenamed Rufus 2.0, and will feature a huge tri-sphere bio-dome like greenhouse environment. I have included the PDF file of the proposal at Source #3 below.

Amazon says that the "plant-rich environment has many positive qualities that are not often found in a typical office setting." Featuring five levels, the bio-dome feature work spaces, dining, meeting and lounge spaces, and even a pair of shops serving the general public. A wealth of trees and plants are also present to keep things nice and "Amazon" like.

If you're a game developer, it looks like your work just got a whole lot better, as the Unity game rendering engine is now free for iOS, Android and BlackBerry 10. Unity CEO, David Helgason, announced the changes to their terms today during the Unite Nordic trade conference.

These licensing fees for the Unity engine in their basic form previously cost $800, and are now absolutely free to developers. Helgason has said that the change to the pricing structure is to help build momentum for indie game developers and studios. The same free deal will eventually arrive on Windows Phone 8, too.

I'm a huge advocate of Google Now and use it on the daily, but the great Google Now style voice search has just reached the latest Chrome stable build for the desktop - version 27.0.1453.93 to be exact.

It's not perfect yet, but it is working as a basic voice search and response service right now. If you want to try it out, make sure that your Chrome build is the latest updated version, if not - click the Help button. From there, give it a few seconds to check your version, and let it restart. When you're back in Chrome, check out http://www.Google.com and then click the microphone you'll see in the search box.

Chrome will ask you for some permission to listen to your voice, and from there you can blast Google for answers.

HTC have been in trouble for a while now, but The Verge has learned that the company's Chief Product Officer, Kouji Kodera, has left the company. Kodera reportedly left last week, and up until his departure he was responsible for HTC's overall product strategy.

Considering HTC just launched their very important One smartphone, this is some very had timing. Kodera isn't the only HTC employee to jump ship, with HTC's Vice President of Global Communications, Jason Gordon, leaving too. Not only that, but Rebecca Rowland who was the Global Retail Marketing Manager, Director of Digital Marketing John Starkweather and Product Strategy Manager Eric Lin.

Also remember what HTC's co-founder and CEO, Peter Chou, said last year? Chou said that if the One isn't a huge success, he would step down as CEO. Are we getting closer to the point where HTC will go into the fetal position and cry? It seems like the time that Chou will step down is getting closer with each passing day, and sale of the Galaxy S4.

We've had a handful of trailers to Zack Snyder's reboot of Superman, Man of Steel, but this new 'Fate of Your Planet' trailer is filled to the brim with action. Check it out below, and then we'll go through what we can see in the trailer.

The beginning starts of with Zod's message to Earth, then the fun really begins. We get a better look at Laurence Fishburne's Perry White, Amy Adams' Lois Lane, Michael Shannon's General Zod, and of course, UK born Henry Cavill's Superman. The trailer has General Zod threatening Earth for harboring Kal-El, where he states that "the fate of your planet rests in your hands" unless they give Kal-El up.

Zod says that Kal-El has 24 hours to surrender, "or watch this world suffer the consequences". Things ramp up a bit, and we have a death stare from Zod, a huge punch to Zod by Superman, Faora threatening someone (Superman, or the military), Superman receiving a huge smackdown by some robot or person in a suit, a fighter jet crashing into buildings in Metropolis, Superman being dragged into countless skulls, Lois going into some form of a suit, more of Superman flying, Zod hitting Superman with a steel girder (girly scream from me), Superman screaming, some utterly awesome heat vision being shot from Superman's eyes, and bam - the El symbol, end.

Man of Steel launches on June 14 in the US.

According to a new report from DisplayBank, who is a division of market research firm IHS, around 10% of all Windows 8-based notebooks sold in Q1 2013 have a touchscreen. Their report claims that 46 million notebooks shipped in the three-month period, with 4.57 million of those being touchscreen-capable notebooks.

This means that compared to the previous quarter, touchscreen-based notebook sales have surged 51.8%. While sales of notebooks are strong, how many of those 4.57 million consumers actually put their hand forward and touch their screen for day-to-day use?