Microsoft to make ‘major’ announcement

Microsoft is being secretive about a “major” announcement it plans to make in Los Angeles on Monday. The company invited media to an afternoon event, but it says it won’t divulge the location until that morning. In an email, the company says, “This will be a major Microsoft announcement — you will not want to miss it.” Microsoft declined further comment Thursday. The venue suggests it has to do with the entertainment industry. In recent months Microsoft Corp. has made more TV programming available on its Xbox 360 video game console. Netflix Inc. is among the offerings on the Xbox, and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings is on Microsoft’s board. Microsoft is also preparing to release a new operating system, Windows 8, that works across laptop computers, tablets and even televisions.