Microsoft sells 8.2 million Xbox 360s in holiday quarter

Microsoft's gaming unit is on a hot streak. Last week, Microsoft announced that the Xbox 360 scored $6.7 billion in 2011 from games, accessories, and hardware. Today, the company put that number in perspective, noting the Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division (which includes the Xbox business) posted $4.24 billion in revenue for the three-month period ended December 31, 2011.

That figure represents a 15 percent surge from the $3.7 billion the division took in during the same period a year prior. Microsoft said it sold 8.2 million Xbox 360s during the quarter, up 27 percent from the 6.3 million it sold during the same period a year ago.

Xbox 360 revenue grew 9 percent, or $322 million, during the quarter, led by hardware sales and increased Xbox Live income. However, revenue was offset by slowing sales of Kinect devices.

Microsoft also reiterated that it has sold 66 million Xbox 360 units life-to-date worldwide and 18 million Kinect devices. Additionally, Microsoft said Xbox Live now has 40 million users, up 33 percent from this time last year.

The division had a strong run, but Microsoft's total take during the quarter did not jump by as high a margin. Quarterly revenue for Microsoft was $20.89 billion, up 5 percent from the same period last year. Microsoft's Business Division hauled $6.28 billion during the quarter, up 3 percent from the year prior. The Server & Tools unit of Microsoft took in $4.77 billion during the three-month period, representing an 11 percent uptick from the prior year's haul.

Not all Microsoft business units posted positive numbers. Microsoft's Windows and Windows Live Division took in revenue of $4.74 billion, which marks a 6 percent decline from the prior year. Microsoft also updated its Windows 7 license sales figure, saying that it has sold over 525 million licenses of the operating system since launch.

The Online Services Division of Microsoft tallied revenue of $784 million, marking a 10 percent increase from the year prior. Finally, Microsoft said it is revising its operating expense guidance down to $28.5 billion to $28.9 billion for the full year ending June 30, 2012.