This “Xbox 360 Elite HDMI cable” should be just like any other HDMI cable in the planet, right? Wrong! According to the box, it’s a “100% Mylar” double shield 1.3c grade cable with anti-virus protection to reduce virus noises and to obtain perfect image transmission.” More »
The Xbox 360 can be hailed as a success for Microsoft who actually bit their teeth and dug deep after the first Xbox experience which did fairly well in its home country, but more or less failed in other notable gaming territories, especially in Japan. Having said that, the industry seems to be primed for a new wave of next generation consoles, and you can be sure that Microsoft will continue to be in the game as the software giant hinted at next-generation Xbox hardware after putting up ads to hire folks to get involved in some fancy 3D imaging work, touting that “the best is yet to come”.
The blurb for a Software Development Engineer at the Interactive Entertainment Business in Redmond said, “Do you want to work on the future of Natural User Input as a member of the team that *shipped* Kinect for the Xbox 360?” Do you have strong research skills and are passionate about engineering and product development?”
I guess this is a clue as clear as any, as the Xbox 360 does not seem to have that many years left in its lifespan, so we do hope that a next generation console from Microsoft will be able to spruce up this market.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Skype boosts Xbox division quarter by 20%, Xbox 360 holds no.1 US sales spot for 18th consecutive month,
AMD has been suffering a conspicuous brain drain, with executives like ATI veteran Rick Bergman and CTO Eric Demers crossing over to tangentially or directly competitive companies like NVIDIA and Qualcomm. Chalk up another one for the list — strategic development VP Bob Feldstein has bounded towards NVIDIA’s (literally) greener pastures. The blow cuts deeper than usual through Feldstein’s responsibility for graphics in most of the consoles from the past few years: he headed up work behind the Xenos chip in earlier Xbox 360s and the Hollywood core in the Wii, and he likely had some say in the Wii U’s video hardware as well. While the staff shuffle won’t directly affect AMD’s Fusion processors or Radeon cards, it’s hard to see much of a positive for AMD’s future in video gaming, even in the light of rumors that the next PlayStation and Xbox might use some of Feldstein’s work.
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
AMD exec behind Wii and Xbox 360 graphics jumps the fence to NVIDIA originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
We caught a glimpse of that Nike+ Kinect Training had to offer back at E3. Now, we’ll all be able to give it our best shot just before the holiday season. The Kinect exercise title for the Xbox 360 is set to hit shelves on October 30th and will carry a $49.99 price tag. Claiming to make us “athlete-fit”, the software will offer constant tips on form and technique while monthly reports will display progress along the way. Still no word on companion apps for mobile platforms, but the kit is expected to play nice with Windows Phone devices at launch for session reminders and sharing achievements with training mates.
Nike+ Kinect Training arrives October 30th, looks to whip you into shape for $50 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
According to Microsoft, which released its quarterly results earlier today, the Xbox division has increased its revenues by 20%, but the credit goes entirely to the Skype acquisition that became official in May (that’s a huge number for Skype). The Xbox business suffered a small decline in fact: during the past quarter, Microsoft has shipped 1.1M Xbox consoles which is not bad at all – however, if you compare that to the 1.7M shipped during the same period last year, it’s significantly down (almost 40%).
Still, Microsoft Xbox is a $9.6B business which generates more than $360M in profits, which is about 1.5X Yahoo or 2X Facebook. Also, Microsoft is not the only player to see hardware sales go lower. Pretty much everyone in the business experienced it, so despite the negative number, Xbox can still claim to the top-selling console for the 18th consecutive month.
If you wonder why Skype falls into the Xbox division, it’s simple: that organization inside Microsoft handles most of the “consumer” stuff.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Job listing hints at deep Skype integration for the Xbox, Microsoft job listing points at Skype integration for Xbox,
Redmond’s console gaming network may not have suffered a breach of security comparable to last year’s PSN fumble, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t braced for impact. According to Xbox Live General Manager Alex Garden, Microsoft has made great strides in account security by taking legal action against sites who share phished usernames and passwords, enacting two-step login verification for untrusted devices and pushing fresh security updates to devices. Even so, Garden says that many of Xbox Live’s account protection measures rely on member profiles being up to date, and heartily encourages users to make sure their security information is accurate. Get the word directly from the horses mouth at the source link below.
Filed under: Gaming
Microsoft fights back against Xbox Live account threats, begs you to update your security settings originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 08:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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NASA has already made it clear that the Curiosity’s touchdown on Mars is a nerve-wracking experience, what with the seven minutes of radio silence, zero margin of error and all. To drive that point home, the organization partnered with Microsoft to offer Xbox Live players the experience of controlling the nerve-wracking descent. Starting Monday, you’ll be able to download the free Mars Rover Landing, NASA’s first Xbox Live game. The title uses the Kinect motion controller to simulate the many phases of landing, including dropping the heat shield and deploying the supersonic parachute, with players’ movements controlling the speed and direction of the craft as it approaches the Red Planet. You’ll get three scores — one for each of the landing process — not to mention some newfound appreciation for what employees at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory will be going through on August 5th.
Filed under: Science
Mars Rover game hits Xbox Live, tasks you with safely landing the Curiosity with Kinect originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 03:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
One mobile pillar at a time, or so seems Microsoft’s approach to support for My Xbox LIVE. The app, previously available as a remote control perk for Windows Phone, Android and iPhone users, has just seen a 1.6 update that brings with it bug fixes for iOS, but more importantly, finally welcomes iPad owners into the fold. Owners of that Apple-made slate will now be able to navigate through their console’s stash of media, monitor recent activity and search for new content just like their smartphone-wielding counterparts. It’s live on the App Store right now, so hit up the source and get to downloading if you care.
Filed under: Gaming, Tablet PCs, Software
My Xbox LIVE app adds iPad support in 1.6 update originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
It’s widely considered a tradition: Microsoft readies a new Halo game, and a new Xbox 360 bundle swings by stores to mark the occasion. The Limited Edition Halo 4 Xbox 360 follows that pattern, with a special (if minor) twist. No one will be shocked by the new Halo-themed artwork or the inclusion of a Halo 4 copy in the 320GB system’s box, but the ring of light on both the console and its two matching gamepads will drop the Xbox 360’s green glow in favor of a distinctive bright blue. At $400, the console arriving November 6th will aim chiefly at the hardest of hardcore sci-fi shooter fans — although murmurs of an upcoming successor console could make the Halo 4 pack an unofficial swan song for Microsoft’s market dominator. Consider the stand-alone $60 special edition wireless controller for a less expensive way to say goodbye.
Filed under: Gaming
Xbox 360 Halo 4 bundle fights new enemies, packs familiar hardware on November 6th originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 10:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Microsoft’s success in the gaming market has been nothing short of astounding. From starting out as a company with little knowledge about how the market works to becoming the leading console maker for over a year, Microsoft has cemented itself as a major player.
However, the one thing the company is missing right now is a deep first-party game lineup. 343 Industries will undoubtedly help with the Halo 4 launch, and every now and then, something good comes out of Microsoft Game Studios, but I think it’s about time the software giant acquires a major publisher.
Of course, acquiring a major publisher won’t be cheap. Microsoft will need to once again dig down into its massive cash coffers and dole out billions just to get its hands on a major company. But in so doing, it can go a long way in finally establishing itself as a credible threat in software.
Don’t think that doesn’t matter. Part of Nintendo’s success, even during its current downturn, is due to its ability to deliver compelling first-party games. Although the third-party lineup hasn’t always been up to par on Nintendo’s consoles, franchises like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda have kept it propped up.
Microsoft right now really doesn’t have that. As noted, it has Halo, but it needs more. And acquiring all or at least part of a major game publisher could help it become more like Nintendo in all of the right ways.
Luckily for Microsoft, it might have an opening. According to a recent Bloomberg report, Vivendi is considering dumping its equity stake in Activision for $8.1 billion. What’s more, the company has reportedly already talked to Microsoft about it.
“There’s a market out there to invest heavily in gaming and get some real value”
Whether Microsoft should take the deal is decidedly up for debate. But it underscores a broader point: there is a market out there for major companies, like Microsoft, to invest heavily in gaming and get some real value for its cash outlay.
Of course, Microsoft has been spending a serious amount of cash as of late. The company acquired Skype for $8.5 billion and offered up $1.2 billion for Yammer. Add that to the cash it’s spending on patents, and Microsoft appears to be willing and ready to write checks.
Unfortunately, the company really hasn’t done enough in the gaming space. It’s about time for the software giant to find a suitable target and start spending some money.
The issue is, which company should Microsoft consider acquiring? It’s not as easy as one might think. Electronic Arts is probably off the table and Activision Blizzard can’t be bought outright. Ubisoft might be a suitable choice, but who knows if it’s willing to be let go. Perhaps Take-Two Interactive, which would come in more cheaply, could be a fine option.
Exactly which major publisher Microsoft should acquire is up to the software company. But it’s time for Microsoft to make a choice.
Why Microsoft Should Acquire A Major Game Publisher is written by Don Reisinger & originally posted on SlashGear.
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