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Week of July 12, 2009
Exclusive Pictures: XNA Prototype 1GB Dev Kit with Full Sidecar
>> Last weekend we posted the first pictures of an Xbox 360 dev kit with 1GB of RAM. That device, 'Frankie the 1GB XNA', was a custom modified devkit with just the 512MB-RAM-addon without the rest of the sidecar. Today we managed to find a source who could offer us exclusive pictures of a 1GB XNA prototype development kit with the entire, blueish, sidecar.
XNA Xbox360 devkits are the latest iteration of development units released by Microsoft, they come with the new sidecar that includes an extra 512MB of RAM (used to run debugging tools so developers can use all the original 512MB of RAM for the game, it's very unlikely Microsoft has plans to upgrade retail units) and a jasper-based motherboard with an internal Memory Unit.
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Shane Kim: Portable Xbox a 'Matter of When'
>> From 1up.com:
[QUOTE]
In an interview with Kikizo, Microsoft corporate vice president Shane Kim made the strongest direct comments yet about their plans in the portable gaming space, calling it not a matter of if, but a matter of "when."
"For us, it's a matter of focusing on 'when', because if we chased after a mobile or handheld opportunity, we would not have the resources and ability to do things like... Project Natal," said Kim, in response to whether he sees room for the Xbox brand in portable gaming in the future. "So we've chosen to focus on the living room experience from a hardware standpoint, if you will, but we're building a service in Live that will... will extend to other platforms. No question about it."
Well, except for one question: "So the question will be, how do we enter into that market -- do we do our own device, do we create our own phone -- that's a question for the company itself," Kim said. "Do we continue to go down the Windows Mobile path, which is that path that we're on today, etcetera, etcetera."
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Full Story: 1up.com
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Xbox Live update details announced
>> Microsoft announced the details of the next Xbox Live dashboard update, which should be released later this summer.
--Netflix Updates
Now you can watch movies with your friends no matter where they are and manage your queue from the comfort of your couch.
* Movie Parties - Xbox LIVE Gold members can sit together in a virtual theater with up to seven friends no matter where they are while your Avatars watch a movie, flirt or even throw popcorn at each other.
* Manage Your Queue - Browse the Netflix Instant Watch video catalogue, choose from the most popular movies and genres and add to your queue all from the comfort of your couch - no computer required.
* Enhanced Playback Experience - Enjoy a smooth viewing experience when your internet bandwidth fluctuates.
* Friends Info - Richer information is now displayed in the Friends channel and in the Guide showing what you and your friends are doing.
--Avatar Marketplace
Express yourself! Deck your Avatar out with the latest clothing and props from the top brands and game franchises. Please note that only limited content is currently available in the preview.
--Clothing
Download premium items, including branded apparel from your favorite fashion labels and Xbox 360 games such as "Halo."
* Props - You can now equip your avatar with animated items they can carry around and interact with.
* Awardables - The ability to earn Avatar clothing and props as rewards within games has been added. Please stay tuned for an update on supporting titles.
--Games on Demand -- Please note that Games on Demand will be available in the preview beginning early August.
Enjoy 24 x 7 access to a growing online library of popular full game titles on Xbox LIVE whenever you want them, in the comfort of your living room.
* Purchase Options - Browse and download a great selection of full Xbox 360 games using Microsoft Points, direct debit, or credit card.
* Game Manuals - Game manuals for Games on Demand titles can be viewed, downloaded or printed on Xbox.com.
* It's Yours Forever! - As with other Xbox LIVE content, Games on Demand titles are linked to your Xbox LIVE account, so you can delete and re-download anything you have already purchased to the same console or another console.
--User Ratings
User ratings help you find games that other people think are awesome!
* Rate it - You can now rate every game on the Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace using a 5-star system.
* Sort and Find it - Now you can easily find the games that everyone's been raving about by visiting the Top Rated games in the Browse All category of Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace.
--Xbox LIVE Parties
Everyone loves to Party! Check out the new and improved Xbox LIVE Party features.
* Party Reconnections - If you are accidently disconnected from your party, Xbox LIVE will automatically reconnect you.
* Streamlined Party Invites - Invites are now just one click away! No need to click through multiple screens to get all your friends together.
--Video Display Options
We've made it easier for you to see your entertainment in the highest resolution possible on your TV using an HDMI connection.
* Display Discovery - Make sure you can see and hear your entertainment in the highest resolution and sound quality possible with the option to override and select audio and video formats independent of the information your television sends to your Xbox 360 console.
--Other Improvements
We're always listening to you for feedback, and this Xbox LIVE update will include numerous dashboard updates.
* Gold Member Veterans - Xbox LIVE Gold members get to show it off with a stamp on your Gamer Card that tells people how long you've been a Gold member.
* Indie Games - Xbox LIVE Community Games has been renamed Xbox LIVE Indie Games. We feel this new name better represents the independent spirit of these titles.
* Achievement Browser - We've revamped the Achievements browser so it's now easier to read through all the achievements while playing a game. You can now also launch a game directly from the browser.
* Achievements Tracking - A new view inside the profile panel which includes a summary of Achievements earned across all the games played, and shows of all your completed games.
* Streamlined Navigation - Streamlined navigation, including new entry points in the dashboard for Active Downloads, redeeming codes, recovering Gamertags and more.
* Voice Messages - No more blank voice messages! When recording a voice message, a warning will pop up if no audio is detected.
* Friends List Sorting - It's now easier to find your friends! Find and sort your friends by activity, Gamertag or online status by pressing the Y button while viewing the friends list in the Guide.
* Memory - Time stamps now appear in the memory area, which particular handy when managing saved games.
--Account Management
We've made some changes to make your life easier.
* Subscription Notification - If your Xbox LIVE subscription is about to run out, you will now be notified when you sign into Xbox LIVE.
* Updates for Invalid Windows Live IDs - If the Windows Live ID you provided has expired, you will now be prompted to update it the next time you sign into Xbox LIVE.
* Account recovery - We've enhanced the account recovery process to make it faster and more reliable.
--What does this Xbox LIVE Update not include?
The following features will be coming in future Xbox LIVE updates, which we'll be sure to let you know about.
* Facebook
* Twitter
* Zune video and 1080p Instant On
* Last.fm
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June NPD: 360 240.6K, PS3 164.7K, Wii 361.7K
>> Hardware sales in units for each platform during June 2009 were as follows:
Nintendo DS/DSi: 766.5K
Wii: 361.7K
Xbox 360: 240.6K
PlayStation 3: 164.7K
PSP: 163.5K
PlayStation 2: 152.7K
All platforms declined from June 2008, with the exception of Xbox 360.
Full Story: gamasutra.com
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New Jaspers Come with Smaller PSU
>> GX-Mod.com is reporting that the newer Xbox 360 Jasper models come with a new smaller PSU.
The image below shows a regular Jasper PSU and right below the PSU (which is about 1/4th smaller) from an Arcade Jasper-based Xbox360 with 512MB internal MU manufactured in May 2009. The new PSU is still 150W, so no change there.
Full Story (french): GX-Mod.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
First Microsoft retail stores to open this fall
>> From cnet.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft confirmed on Wednesday that it is planning to open its first stores this fall, with at least some of the locations likely to be right near an Apple store.
"As we progress on our retail strategy there will be scenarios where we have stores in proximity to Apple," a representative told CNET News. "We are on track to open stores in the fall time frame."
The fall timing is not surprising. One would assume Microsoft would want to have the stores open in time for Windows 7's October 22 retail launch and for the holiday selling season.
I'm hearing that Microsoft will open a few stores this fall, with more coming in 2010.
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: cnet.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Bill Gates Says Project Natal Also Intended for PC Use
>> From 1up.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft impressed a lot of gamers with the potential that Project Natal showed on the Xbox 360 at E3, but their plans for the motion-sensing camera extend far beyond the console. Speaking to CNET, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates explained Natal will be able to connect to PCs as well, and he sees a world where it will even become a mainstay in offices around the world.
When talking about new technologies Microsoft is brewing, Gates said, "I'd say a cool example of that, that you'll see... in a little over a year, is this [depth] camera thing." Gates explained that although it was premiered as an Xbox 360 peripheral, it's meant "for media consumption as a whole, and even if they connect it up to Windows PCs for interacting in terms of meetings, and collaboration, and communication."
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Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Rumor: Xbox Live Arcade snubbing indie developers?
>> From destructoid.com:
[QUOTE]
Arguably the two best Xbox Live Arcade games to ever hit the system are Castle Crashers and Braid, two independent games. If rumors are to be believed, Microsoft has become quick to forget such things, as the platform holder is planning to "dramatically reduce" the amount of indie games to hit the service.
The gossip stems from the idea that Microsoft is worried about too much software cluttering up XBLA, and it's being reported that a number of major publishers have put pressure on MS to reduce the amount of competition for their own games, shutting out indie devs so that stuff like Bliss Island has a better chance to flourish.
Apparently, there are different rules for XBLA developers, depending on whether or not a major publisher backs you up. Indie devs are upset that their games are rejected for being "too similar" to other games on the service, while big publishers are allowed to "flood it with retro remakes."
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: destructoid.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft is launching a music streaming service this month
>> From telegraph.co.uk:
[QUOTE]
The service, which Microsoft aims to have ready by the end of July, will offer users the chance to stream music for free and also download to own.
Peter Bale, executive producer of MSN, Microsoft's news and entertainment portal, told The Telegraph exclusively: "Music is an important area for Microsoft. We are looking at launching a music streaming service imminently.
It will be a similar principle to Spotify but we are still examining how the business model will work."
Spotify users can stream music for free in exchange for listening to around a minute of advertising every half hour but for £9.99 a month, the ads will be turned off. It is thought Microsoft's offering will be ad-supported too as well as having a paid-for premium service.
He also hinted the service could be tied in with Microsoft's Xbox gaming console, but would not be drawn on the details of how a partnership would work. The addition of a Microsoft-owned music streaming service would tie in with an increasingly consumer focussed strategy from company to make its Xbox 360 console the main "entertainment hub" in the family home. Users are already able to download movies through their console and play games against one another online.
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Full Story: telegraph.co.uk
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