New Year’s Eve celebrations and traditions are as plentiful as there are cultures. But a few things always ring true around the globe – celebrating with family and friends, reveling in music and feasting on special food and drinks. Just as technology has made just about every other aspect of life a little easier, there are some great tech products that will help you count down to 2014 with panache with those you love – no matter where they are.
Bing Food and Drink app
Cook like renowned chef Tom Colicchio and create the perfect dinner menu for your New Year’s party. Easily build a shopping list, and navigate step-by-step recipes hands-free using gestures with your Windows 8.1 tablet – no touching the screen with messy hands! Download it now.
Toshiba Encore with Windows 8.1
Take the party with you with this ultra-portable 8-inch tablet, equipped with the Xbox Music app for the perfect New Year’s Eve playlist. The Encore is currently available for $299. Buy it now.
Xbox One
Host a game night for New Year’s Eve with the award-winning collection of next generation games on Xbox One. With more lifelike graphics than ever before, game DVR and smarter multiplayer matchmaking, there’s no better place to play games. Speed through the streets of Prague in “Forza Motorsport 5,” immerse yourself in battle in “Ryse: Son of Rome,” or take on a swarm of zombies in “Dead Rising 3.” Game DVR (in supported games) and online multiplayer require Xbox Live Gold membership (sold separately). Xbox One is priced at $499.99 and most games are $59.99. ESRB Rating: EVERYONE. Check out Xbox One, and find games for Xbox One.
Skype Premium
Celebrate the New Year with friends and family around the world. Get Skype Premium to unlock more features such as group video calls, group screen sharing and unlimited calling to a country/region of your choice. Available from $4.99/month. Get Skype Premium.
Nokia Lumia 1020 Windows Phone
Equipped with a 41-megapixel camera sensor, you can share your favorite New Year’s Eve moments with friends and family in a snap. This Windows Phone also comes in vibrant color finishes and Live Tiles to help you keep New Year’s resolutions top-of-mind. 41 megapixel sensor; image size will be smaller. $199 with a two-year contract at AT&T (pricing may vary). Buy the Nokia Lumia 1020 here.
Outlook.com
Stay connected with loved ones in 2014 with Outlook.com. And when email updates aren’t enough, make a Skype call right from your email to talk face-to-face with your friends and family. Get Outlook.com now.
Now that your party’s all but started, take a look at some other ways technology helps make people’s lives a little easier and more interesting at Made Possible by Microsoft. Cheers!
You might also be interested in:
- These apps and games travel well wherever you go
- Send mash-ups of short vids and texts with GIF Chat app for Windows Phone 8
- Get ready for a big year of great games coming to Xbox in 2014
Deborah Pisano
Microsoft News Center Staff