But at the top it says: You can now use Bitcoin to add money to your Microsoft account. Once you add money to your Microsoft account, you can use it as a payment option to buy apps, games, and other digital content from Windows, Windows Phone, Xbox Games, Xbox Music, or Xbox Video stores.

Which certainly sounds like normal usage of a Microsoft Account, getting stuff for Xbox. Maybe they meant you can't buy like Office or Windows with it.

> for merchants who accept them

Which now includes Microsoft.

If you didn't know, Microsoft has chosen to accept bitcoin through their payment provider (otherwise that option would not appear). So I guess I don't understand what your point is.

Microsoft's announcement says "You can’t use Bitcoin to purchase Microsoft products and services directly at this time." It's not clear exactly what you can purchase. In-game items?

You basically buy credit to buy apps, games, dlc, music, etc. This a bit of relic from the days of Microsoft points that you needed to use on the Xbox 360. When I buy an app with my Windows phone it can directly charge my provider.

Keyword: "directly"

This might sound corny, but you are my favorite gadfly. I've seen many posts from you over the years on slashdot and HN pointing out flaws with things I love such as python, and now lately bitcoin. I don't always agree with you, but I'm glad you're around.

> No, Microsoft is not accepting Bitcoin.

The simplest way to rebut your assertion is to link to the official announcements by Microsoft [1] and their bitcoin payment processor (BitPay) [2].

[1] http://blogs.microsoft.com/firehose/2014/12/11/now-you-can-e...

[2] http://blog.bitpay.com/2014/12/11/microsoft-chooses-bitpay-t...