Xbox

Xbox Live for the PC

info@santry.com — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Microsoft is taking requests for folks who want to beta test a connector to Xbox Live via the PC. In the request it asks:

"Are you interested in being part of a select group that is invited to help beta test a new service that lets PC game players connect with their friends on the Xbox through the LIVE gaming network?"

This has been posted on the Internet over the past few months, at least now we know it is going to beta and should be released to the world shortly after that. We'll be watching for more information, and hopefully participate in the beta test.

Xbox 360 Notes

info@santry.com — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

It's been a slow news day, but there are some Xbox notes making rounds:

Xbox Live for the PC may be free, and all you may pay for is multi-player games. This is due to the strong competition from other companies on the PC market.
The black Xbox 360 rumor is still holding strong. We may see this sometime this year.
An Xbox 360 price cut is being tossed around by several sites based on quotes from Steve Balmer.

Is that a PS3 or an Xbox?

info@santry.com — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Here's one for the mistake of the week in retail. At an Australian retailer they were running a promotion for the PS3. They needed a DVD player to run some promotional material for the PS3 display. Under the display, what did they use to run the video? Our friend the Xbox 360, you can see it peaking out in the picture above. Nice.

Visit Xbox 360 Fanboy for more pictures.

Xbox Rewards Site Live

info@santry.com — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Take a challange and earn a reward. By completing the challenges you can earn tokens for use on the Xbox Marketplace.

http://xboxrewards.msgamestudios.com/

Xbox Rumors

info@santry.com — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Here's the rundown on some rumors out this week:

Xbox price drop by Christmas of $100 - maybe realistic, prices usually drop during the holiday shopping season.
Black Xbox 360 to be out soon - White, black, whatever... ...HDMI and 120GB HD, now we're talking.

A Quieter Xbox 360

info@santry.com — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

According to Xbox-Scene, the Xbox 360 has started shipping out with a quieter and faster Phillips optical drive. This new BenQ VAD6038 drive is an improvement over previous drives that were criticized for being noisy.

Microsoft Launches New Site in Asia for Xbox 360

info@santry.com — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

One of Microsoft's marketing partners launched WhatsWrongWithU.com to target Asia for the Xbox 360. There really isn't much there on the site. First select your location, and then let them know what you want out of a game console. They will ask for your email to send you something.

Talk to Your Xbox

info@santry.com — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Want someone to talk to? One Voice Technologies will be releasing Media Center Communicator v3 for Windows Vista which will allow Xbox 360 owners to speak up when they want to watch a movie, or listen to media. The software will enable you to control up to five Xbox 360s per install.

Gamexpert Cooler King - Cools and Expands

info@santry.com — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Here's an add-on for your 360. The Gamexpert Cooler King not only cools your Xbox 360 it also adds additional media connections, usb ports, and digital sound to your machine.

Features of the Cooler King:

3 in 1 high definition, multi-tap and cooler

VGA, Component and S-VHS connections

Optical output for digital surround sound

4 USB hub multi tap for media players/wired controllers

Internal cooling system prolongs play times

Easy installation – plug in and go

A/V scart cable supplied for standard definition TV connection

More information...

Use Your DirectTV Remote to Control Your Xbox 360

info@santry.com — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 05:00:00 GMT

From instructables.com, learn how to control your Xbox 360 with a DirectTV remote saving a few bucks.

Xbox 360 to be Launched in China

info@santry.com — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 05:00:00 GMT

According to Reuters Microsoft is set to launch the Xbox 360 game console in China this year.

The launch may be a sign that China's increasingly affluent consumers are starting to form a viable market for the more expensive console games. But how Microsoft prices the Xbox will be key, said Florian Pihs, assistant vice president of market research firm Analysys.

Gamer's Dream Toilet?

info@santry.com — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 06:00:00 GMT

I think I'd rather focus on the business at hand rather than gaming, but Roto Rooter is developing a toilet that does everything. It's got a flat screen HDTV, iPod and dock, TiVo, xBox 360, and DVD player. There's a laptop, bullhorn, bike pedals, beer tap, fridge. Is this serious?

Fix an Xbox with a Towel?

info@santry.com — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Some sites are are informing folks they can fix their bricked Xbox 360 by wrapping a towel around it while it is running. Remember folks Microsoft extended the warranty to a year, why risk the fire hazard?

More CES Coverage: Xbox 360 iPTV

info@santry.com — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 06:00:00 GMT

on10.net sat down with Jason White of Microsoft to talk about iPTV on your Xbox 360. Great overview of the capabilities.

Get Some Microsoft Points from Future Weapons

info@santry.com — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 05:00:00 GMT

A great show is giving away some free Microsoft points to use on Xbox Live. Just watch Future Weapons on the Discovery Channel to win some points. Being an Army veteran, I enjoy watching Future Weapons, it's a great show and you get some points just for watching. What else could you ask for?

Xbox Live Top Video Entertainment Distributor

info@santry.com — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Microsoft announced at the CES that Xbox Live Video Marketplace is the leader in the distribution of online entertainment content.

"Xbox 360 has become one of COMEDY CENTRAL's leading digital distribution platforms," said Caleb Weinstein, senior vice president, strategy and business development, COMEDY CENTRAL. "In nearly two months, Xbox has become our second highest performing digital distributor. COMEDY CENTRAL is thrilled to continue this partnership and is working to bring more and more content to Video Marketplace in the coming year."

"Bringing our content to the coveted gaming audience on the Xbox 360 has been a huge success and has exceeded our expectations," said Andrew Mellett, vice president of video on demand for Warner Bros. "In fact, Xbox 360 has become one of the top distributors of our content direct to consumers' TV sets over the Internet."

In another related release Microsoft also announced the availability of Xbox Live to PC gamers. It looks like the trend will be all your video viewing via Xbox Live, with availability for PCs, potentially Media Center integration as well. In 2007 we'll see both non-gamers and gamers being able to enjoy online HD content via their TV sets.

Just plug your Zune into your Media Center and take your programs on the go.

Xbox to Provide iPTV?

info@santry.com — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 06:00:00 GMT

According to various sources, next week at CES Microsoft will be announcing the availability of iPTV via the Xbox. This will provide you with on-demand access to various programs. In addition, the next version of the Xbox is reported to have an HDMI port providing that iPTV with full 1080p goodness.

UPDATE: As expected Microsoft confirmed these reports about the Xbox 360 v2.

UPDATE: As we learned from the CES, the iPTV availability is true, but the HDMI rumor was not confirmed, and in fact Chris Satchell, Microsoft's General Manager of their game development group said:

"At the moment, everything you might have seen is just looking at our experimentation back in Redmond"

So basically, it could happen or it could not.

Xbox 360 v2 Coming Soon?

info@santry.com — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Engadget is reporting of what appears to be an upcoming version of the Xbox 360 complete with an HDMI port for your high res enjoyment.

Gaming to be a Major Focus for Microsoft at CES

info@santry.com — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 06:00:00 GMT

According to a recent schedule of events submitted by Microsoft, gaming is going to the primary focus of the CES. Half of all presentations given by Microsoft will be aimed at gaming from console wars to the hardware they contain.

Other topics being covered at CES will be UMPCs, robotics, and digital entertainment. The complete schedule is listed below:

Panels and Conferences With Microsoft Participants

Sunday, Jan. 7

   *    Broadband Games Expand -- From the Casual to the Networked PC
        Universe. 10-11 a.m., LVCC, North Hall 259, Chris Early, studio
        manager, Microsoft Casual Games Group
   *    Next-Generation Power Gamer Platforms: More Entertainment, More
        Power, More Choice -- Consoles, PC and Mobile. 11:30 a.m.-12:30
        p.m., LVCC, North Hall 259, Chris Early, studio manager, Microsoft
        Casual Games Group
   *    Entertainment as a Franchise. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., LVCC, North
        Hall 256, Aaron Greenberg, group product manager, Xbox 360(TM)
   *    Game Power on the Inside: Chips, Optical Technology and
        Microprocessors. 1-2 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 256, Chris Donahue,
        director of Business Development, Games for Windows(R) Entertainment
        and Devices Division
   *    The Massively Multiplayer Gaming Explosion -- From the PC, the
        Console and Mobile. 2:30-3:30 p.m., LVCC North Hall 259, Rich
        Wickham, director, Windows Graphics and Gaming Technologies
   *    PC and Mobile Games Expand Total Entertainment Market Share.
        2:30-3:30 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 256, Chris Early, studio manager,
        Microsoft Casual Games Group

Monday, Jan. 8

   *    Hollywood and the Digital Consumer. 1:30-2:30 p.m., LVCC, North Hall
        259, Shari Barnett, director of Media Services, Microsoft TV

Tuesday, Jan. 9

   *    Robotics -- A Microsoft Perspective. 10-10:45 a.m., Venetian Hotel,
        Titian 2303-2306, Tandy Trower, general manager, Microsoft Robotics
        Group
   *    Rethinking Advertising. Noon-1 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 256, Terri
        Richardson, group marketing manager, Microsoft TV
   *    The TV and Set-Top as the Consumer Gateway to Entertainment and
        Information. 3-4 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 259, Ed Graczyk, director of
        Marketing and Communications, Microsoft TV
   *    Ultra-Mobile PCs -- Can a 7-Inch Screen Survive? 3-4 p.m., LVCC,
        North Hall 254, Otto Berkes, general manager, Mobile Platform
        Division
   *    Battle of the Consoles in an Increasingly Online World. 3-4 p.m.,
        LVCC, North Hall 253, Chris Satchell, general manager, Game
        Developer Group, Microsoft

Wednesday, Jan. 10

   *    What the Nerds Know. Noon-1 p.m., Venetian Hotel, Bellini 2003, Jim
        Baldwin, product unit manager, IPTV Program, Microsoft TV

Xbox Leads in Holiday Sales

info@santry.com — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 06:00:00 GMT

According to recent report by the NPD group, the Xbox 360 is the leader in US holiday console sales. The Xbox 360 led with around 2 million sold in the US retail market, followed by the Nintendo Wii which had 1.8 million units in sales, in third place was the Sony PS3 which had 750,000 units sold.

The big news here is the sales by the Wii, which was marketed more at game play rather than technology. The Xbox 360 has been on the market for over a year now, and comes as no surprise since it was easier to obtain during the holiday sales season.

More Corruption of Minors?

info@santry.com — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Just a little bit ago we had the young girl who received a Zune loaded with porn. Now the AP is reporting a story about Kolton Mahoney; a 14 year boy who received porn loaded on a factory sealed Madden NFL 07 game.

"This is definitely not Madden," Mahoney said recalling his first thought.

More can be found at one of the AP outlets.

Suzuki's SXBox

info@santry.com — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT

Every gamer's dream is playing Halo while driving on the highway, okay just let me know the road their on so I can take an alternate route.

Suzuki launched their new 2007 line-up and also unveiled their SXBox which one of the company's new "Suzuki LIVE Series" concept vehicle.

The SXBox also is equipped with an impressive, high-performance wheel and tire package, providing gamers with the means to get to the nearest gaming competition. When parked, the SXBox's pearl white exterior is illuminated courtesy of a green LED accent kit.

The interior design of the SXBox features an ultra-high-tech, game-inspired color scheme throughout the inside of the vehicle, including recessed LED emitters to brighten the interior of the vehicle. The SXBox is outfitted with a dashboard-integrated Xbox 360 gaming console, coupled with a close proximity digital projection system to display enthusiasts' game of choice on the interior of the vehicle's retractable hood, easily enabled by the push of a button. A second Xbox 360 video game system powers two separate LCD display screens in the seat backs of the SXBox to provide gaming excitement for rear passengers. For gamers who prefer to stand and play, the SXBox is equipped with a 30-inch retractable rear projection screen in the cargo area.

Adding comfort and convenience to the idea of in-car gaming, the concept vehicle features high-relief, force-feedback front seats with game-station highlights to create a snug gaming environment and four wireless controllers, including a steering-wheel-mounted gaming control for the driver. In addition, the SXBox's multi-speaker surround audio system with wide frequency response and thundering bass provides an intense atmosphere of video game stimulation.

An Xbox in the dash, something to keep the kiddies busy on those long road trips.

Xbox Live - Leading in Online Video Sales

info@santry.com — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 05:00:00 GMT

According to a recent article on Variety, Microsoft's Xbox Live service is outselling other online retailers in online video sales. One of the driver factors behind this is that the Xbox is directly connected to the consumer's TV rather than using the PC like Amazon.com's digital downloads service.

This relates to a previous article here on RedmondGadgets.com where we discussed the strategy by Microsoft to expand to other demographics rather than just pure gaming. It appears to be working with the video download service of Xbox Live.

Microsoft Extends the Xbox Warrenty to One Year

info@santry.com — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Microsoft announced today that the warrenty for the Xbox 360 would be extended from the current 90 days to one year; it applies to both would-be purchasers and those who already have Xbox 360 and are still within their first year of ownership.

Effective today, the one-year warranty is now the standard for the Xbox 360 console. Customers who experience hardware issues with their Xbox 360 within one year of purchase can have their consoles repaired at no cost. Moreover, the new warranty policy is retroactive, so consumers who may have already paid for an out-of-warranty Xbox 360 repair within one year of purchase will be eligible for reimbursement of their console repair charges.

“Customer satisfaction is a central focus and priority for the Xbox 360 system,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “In addition to jaw-dropping features such as high-definition graphics, an amazing catalog of over 160 games, and social online and entertainment experiences on Xbox Live^®, the Xbox 360 system now offers this extended warranty upgrade. It is truly the industry’s most compelling home entertainment offering.”

Customers who have already paid out-of-warranty repair charges within their first year of ownership can expect reimbursement checks for the amount of their console repair in approximately 10 weeks. Reimbursements will be automatically distributed, so customers need not contact Microsoft. Customers who have questions regarding this policy change or experience any hardware issues should visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/contact where they can check their warranty status, find troubleshooting information for common issues and find Xbox support contact information.

Gaming Coming for the Zune, Halo Movie, and More

info@santry.com — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT

Chris Lewis, the European Xbox chief was recently interviewed by TotalVideoGames.com here are some the highlights:

"Games for Windows" a new strategy for PC games, one feature is to certify that the game is compatible with the Xbox controller.
Considering gaming for the Zune in addition to the current music offerings.
Movie adaption for the popular Xbox game: Halo.

Read the full text of the interview...