SAN FRANCISCO LinkedIn wants to become more useful to workers by adding personalized news feeds, helpful messaging 'bots' and recommendations for online training courses, as the professional networking service strives to be more than just a tool for job-hunting.

SAN FRANCISCO Microsoft is offering free upgraded versions of its Office software for iPhones and iPads, as the software giant further embraces the so-called 'freemium' strategy favored by many newer companies seeking success online.

Give away a basic version of a popular service, and the world may beat a path to your door and be willing to pay a little more for extras, or so the thinking goes.

A quick chat about the Xbox One

Aaron Waite: Hello there, Microsoft!

Microsoft: And hello to you, too, Rumpojec!

AW: Um, my name's Aaron. Rumpojec is my Xbox Live Gamertag.

Microsoft: Oh, my bad. It's not like I view you as an actual person, anyway. Here, have 100 points for accessing Xbox Live and doing stuff. How generous am I, right?

Still legendary 

There's a line in 'Halo 4's' campaign that immediately got my attention. When Cortana is dealing with the effects of her rampancy (which is basically an AI's version of multiple personality syndrome, and all of the personalities are crazy), she bemoans her fate to the Master Chief. In an emotional state, she predicts that they'll pair the Chief with another version of her, 'but it won't be me' is her resigned, saddened conclusion.

It's high season for consumer electronics. Apple, Nintendo and other manufacturers of various gadgets are unveiling their holiday lineups. Some products surrounding a new version of Windows are also coming out.