Is Microsoft gearing up for Xbox Live on mobile?

Are you a currently unemployed Software Engineer? If so, here’s a recession antidote of an altogether different stripe: Microsoft is taking applications for a LIVE Community Director, whose job it will be to manage “LIVE community strategy and execution across a range of properties, from Xbox LIVE to Windows Mobile.” The posting then goes on to discuss how the team will be tasked with constructing a next gen, LIVE-enabled platform across the web, the console, mobile and more… which, you know, sounds a little bit like the Live Anywhere concept. Either way, it sounds like the company might be doing a little more than merely contemplating its mobile strategy, Shane Kim’s recent interview notwithstanding. What are you waiting for? Dust off that resume and hit the read link.

[Via Ars Technica, thanks Adrian]

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Is Microsoft gearing up for Xbox Live on mobile? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DynaVox Xpress handheld communication device boasts WiFi, Bluetooth

Pittsburgh-based company DynaVox Mayer-Johnson has been making handheld communication devices (for those who have speech impairments or lack the ability to speak altogether) for years, but its newest device — the DynaVox Xpress, is really stepping up the game. The Xpress, which weighs in at 1.5 pounds and has a 5-inch touchscreen, is mainly used to for “talking,” and as such, boasts a menu of icons with various phrases and vocabulary, with speakers to vocalize the communications. The Xpress doesn’t stop there, however. It also boasts an MP3 player, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, which gives it email capabilities, an integrated calendar, and the ability to download new vocabulary to the device. Pricing and availability for the handheld is expected next week.

[Via CNET]

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DynaVox Xpress handheld communication device boasts WiFi, Bluetooth originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo finally sees Wii demand slowing, calls iPhone a DS / DSi competitor

While it seemed that all was going well for the Big N, it looks like those jovial times are finally coming to a (temporary) end. In an earnings report filed today, the company posted a 66 percent fall in quarterly operating profit on “slowing demand for its Wii console and a stronger yen.” It’s not so much the profit slide that’s surprising, but the sudden admission that Wii demand has finally (finally!) slowed from a raging boil to simply piping hot definitely caught us off guard. Still, Nintendo maintained that it would sell 26 million Wii consoles before the year was out alongside 30 million DS handhelds, the latter of which has seen momentum slow due to “increased competition in the handheld business from Apple’s iPhone.” Now, we’ve known for some time that the suits in Cupertino have always viewed the iPhone as a game console, but to hear it called out as such from an entity not named Apple is another matter entirely. Maybe it should reconsider that whole “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” thing? Nah.

[Image courtesy of QuiteCurious]

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Nintendo finally sees Wii demand slowing, calls iPhone a DS / DSi competitor originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple tablet rumored for launch early next year, for serious this time: seriously

After what AppleInsider claims has been four years of development “riddled with setbacks,” Apple is purportedly finalizing its long-rumored tablet for an early 2010 launch. AppleInsider claims to have been tracking the device get bounced back to the drawing board repeatedly over the past few years, but says that Steve Jobs is finally happy with the product and there’s an internal go-ahead to get this thing ready for next year, barring any other setbacks. Purported specs include a 10-inch screen, 3G data and a custom ARM processor courtesy of its P.A. Semi purchase — after previously considering Intel’s Atom, as the story goes. Rumors elsewhere point to Verizon data instead of AT&T, but that might just be wishful thinking. While AppleInsider still claims the device is positioned somewhere between an iPhone and a laptop, its inside sources apparently didn’t give the thumbs up to early artist renditions of the handheld, and so AI‘s new and “improved” render is above — striking fear in the heart of aesthetes everywhere.

Sure, we’ve heard so many iterations of Apple tablet rumors over the years, with varying degrees of confidence behind them, that it’s really hard to latch onto yet another promise of this supposedly inevitable device. Still, this is what it is: a decent rumor with some reasonable excuses for “delays” and a glorious promise of tablet nirvana right around the corner. What more could an Apple rumorphile want?

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Apple tablet rumored for launch early next year, for serious this time: seriously originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft acknowledges the mobile Xbox question, Live Anywhere due for a comeback?

In an interview with Kikizo, Microsoft VP Shane Kim talks briefly about Xbox Live and the possibility of moving it into the handheld game space — which could definitely / maybe / someday happen, as the company seems to understand the importance of mobile media for its users. While hard at work trying to devise a mobile device strategy, however, its apparently decided that its resources are best spent developing home hardware and “more inviting and innovative experiences for a broader audience, things like 1 Vs. 100, Joy Ride, Beatles Rock Band,” not to mention social media and streaming 1080p HD, all of which “combine to broaden the brand perception” of the platform. Also dropped in the interview were hints at plans for “a service in Live that will extend to other platforms,” which sounds an awful lot like Live Anywhere, doesn’t it? Check out that read link for the whole megillah, and for the time being: if you really need an Xbox portable, give us a call. We know a guy.

[Via Yahoo]

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Microsoft acknowledges the mobile Xbox question, Live Anywhere due for a comeback? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Compal tries harder with Intel-based KAX15 MID

We’re not so sure that being the “world’s smallest Windows-based MID” is really a benefit for those who appreciate keys that are large enough to mash and screens that are large enough to see, but whatever the case, Compal seems pretty proud of its accomplishments here. Shown off along with scores of other me-too MIDs at Computex, the KAX15 is based around Intel’s existing Menlow platform and sports the polarizing tilt-and-slide mechanism for unmasking the QWERTY keyboard. As for specs, we’re told that it packs an 800 x 480 display and an 800MHz processor, but further details have yet to flow. There’s a hands-on vid just past the break if you’re somehow intrigued with shoving Windows in your left cargo pocket.

Continue reading Compal tries harder with Intel-based KAX15 MID

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Compal tries harder with Intel-based KAX15 MID originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Personal Trainer: Walking gets release date, price, shin splints

We know you’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of Nintendo’s Personal Trainer: Walking for the Nintendo DS and DSi. Look, there’s no need to play coy: We’ve caught you circling the block in your new track suit, psyching yourself up for all the fun (and fitness!) you’ll be having once you get your hands on those patented Nintendo Activity Meters. According to the company, this bad boy is up for pre-order now and will finally be available for sale on May 26, at a suggested retail price of $49.99. Sweet, huh? Soon you’ll be recording every step that you make, transferring the data to your handheld, parsing the stats, and transforming yourself from a slovenly couch potato into the veritable icon of fitness — and all with the help of your favorite handheld. Welcome to the future… it’s fabulous!

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Personal Trainer: Walking gets release date, price, shin splints originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 10:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UMID mbook M1 spotted in black, keyboard and all

We’ve been seeing black models of UMID’s mbook M1 since way back when — albeit with a rather eye-burning, white keyboard — though none of the non-white models have ever seemed to be available. Regardless, a black version, with a new, black keyboard has been spotted, and we have to say it’s much-improved, looks-wise. This new version is probably that revised casing we’d heard was on the way after some build-quality issues were reported back in February. There is still no word, sadly, on if or when the M1 will ever head over to the States, but there is one more shot after the break to peek at.

[Via Pocketables]

Continue reading UMID mbook M1 spotted in black, keyboard and all

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UMID mbook M1 spotted in black, keyboard and all originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GamePark GP2X Wiz gaming handheld now available, for real

There’s been a few false starts, and some newfound competition from upstart Pandora, but it looks like GamePark’s GP2X Wiz gaming handheld is now finally, officially available. As promised earlier, it’ll set you back a fairly reasonable $179, which’ll get you a 533MHz ARM9 processor-based handheld that’s capable of running a handful of official games and a whole boatload of unofficial games, not to mention some applications from the app store that’s slated for launch this summer. All set to add one more handheld to your collection? Then hit up the link below to get your order in.

[Thanks, Conrad]

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GamePark GP2X Wiz gaming handheld now available, for real originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 May 2009 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retro Mini Handheld plays NES cartridges, brings tears of nostalgia to our eyes

We’ve seen scads of portable NES mods in the past but still: this is probably relevant to your interests. ThinkGeek’s got a new portable gaming system on offer, the Retro Mini Handheld. It plays all those 8-bit cartridges you’ve had stacked in your room next to your hi-fi since the olden days, and it’s got a pretty attractive look. Sure, the cartridge is essentially bigger than the handheld itself, but that’s part of its charm as far as we can tell. It’s got a 2.4-inch LCD and takes four AA batteries for about 8 hours of game time, and it’s available now for $49.99. There’s one more shot after the break.

[Thanks, Adam]

Continue reading Retro Mini Handheld plays NES cartridges, brings tears of nostalgia to our eyes

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Retro Mini Handheld plays NES cartridges, brings tears of nostalgia to our eyes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 May 2009 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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