BrianFagioli quotes a report from BetaNews: Back in the the mid-1990’s, everyone thought they needed a computer. After all, Windows 95 made using one particularly easy, and the internet was a very attractive thing. Unfortunately, once some people got their first-ever PC set up in their homes, they didn’t really know what to do with it. In the end, it would turn out that some consumers spent thousands of dollars for a machine dedicated to one thing — playing Solitaire! Yes, this fun Windows game is responsible for much wasted time, but not just at home — at businesses too. The card game has historically been viewed as a negative for productivity. Fast forward to 2016 and fewer people are sitting in front of large desktop computers at home — people are increasingly turning to tablets and smartphones for entertainment. Today, just in time for Thanksgiving, Microsoft Solitaire Collection comes to both Android and iOS. “Microsoft Solitaire continues to be one of the most-played games of all time on Windows for more than 25 years. What’s more, the version of Solitaire you know and love on Windows 10 and Windows 8 PC and mobile devices, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, has reached more than 119 million unique players in the last four years alone! And now, those on iPhone, iPad and Android devices can play the popular card game for free,” says Paul Jensen, Studio Manager of Microsoft Casual Games. “[…] with Xbox Live integration, you can sign in with your Xbox Live gamertag or Microsoft account to earn Xbox Live achievements and Gamerscore, compete with friends, and continue playing on any Windows 10, iPhone, iPad, or Android device while on the go since your progress and game data are saved in the cloud. If you’re not an Xbox Live member, signing up for a free membership through the game is easy and totally worth it.” It’s worth noting that the “freemium” model features advertisements, but players can go “Premium” to remove those ads for $2 per month and receive other perks. You can download Microsoft Solitaire Collection from the App Store, Google Play, and Windows Store.
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