Hasta La Gadget!

What do you know, someone’s been busy working in Microsoft’s labs while we’ve been waiting for the company’s Kinect motion control peripheral to launch itself into our living rooms. The highly sophisticated webcam has undergone some algorithmic optimizations and now Alex Kipman, lead software developer for what used to be known as Natal, tells us that its processing overhead for the Xbox 360 console will be no greater than a “single-digit” percentage. That contrasts very nicely with the last number Alex gave us, which indicated there’d be a 10 to 15 percent penalty for using Microsoft’s new motion controller, and should mean your petting sessions with Kinectimals will be running smooth as butter when Kinect hits stores tomorrow. Great news, eh?

Kinect will use only a ‘single-digit’ percentage of Xbox 360 CPU power originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 04:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s out, right on schedule and it’s a biggie. The new Fall 2010 Xbox Live Dashboad update is being rolled out right now in preparation for Kinect to hit shelves on November 4th (or November 10th in Europe). The update includes Netflix search, Zune music, an ESPN entertainment hub, and much much more. Since you probably overslept anyway and don’t have time to do the update before heading into the coal mines, why not check out our in depth preview of the update from a few weeks ago. Go ahead, don’t cost nothin’. Otherwise, Major Nelson has the full breakdown in the link below.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Xbox 360 Dashboard update is out! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 05:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Our friends at Joystiq are reporting that receiving an early Kinect unit or a Kinect title is cause for caution and adult supervision, not celebration. Turns out if you attempt to play the game, the Xbox will offer you an update, and if you accept, you’ll get pushed an early version of the new Dashboard that not only won’t work with Kinect, but also won’t let you sign into Xbox Live. Want to update again or revert? Sorry, smart guy, you’re stuck. Of course, Microsoft will no doubt be rescuing you on or before November 4th, when Kinect is officially released to the public and it has to push the new Dashboard to everyone, but until then you’ll probably be stuck trying to remember what game consoles did before they connected to the internet. We vaguely recall something about gathering stars…

Attempts to play Kinect early can result in headaches, nausea, and an acute lack of Xbox Live originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A friend turned drunken thief. A couple looking for some on-camera action. A digital dater racked with shame. You seem guilty, this week, readers. But our consciences are filthy too—all aboard the empathy train. It’s time for healing. More »

Ah, ha! There it is! Way back in March, we had a sit-down with folks from Seven45 Studios about their plans for Power Gig: Rise of the SixString (for PS3 and Xbox 360), focusing mainly on how they intended to rival the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises from a peripheral standpoint. The six string guitar accessory that ships with the game bundle today is already leaps and bounds better than what RB3 is packin’, but an instrument we were keenly interested in at GDC was also one we couldn’t photograph at the time. The company made clear that it was looking at releasing a real-deal, bona fide guitar in the future — a full-size First Act axe that could be used with the game or with a legitimate amplifier. Now, that limited edition piece is on sale for both of the aforesaid consoles, boasting a single cutaway basswood body, humbucking pickup, and a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. Each one is available for $249.99, but there’s no telling how many will be produced. We’d also prefer to see these in larger music shops in order to give consumers an idea of the fit, finish, feel and sound, but those into taking chances can get one headed their way as we speak.

Continue reading Power Gig’s full-size, handmade guitar / controller now on sale for $250

Power Gig’s full-size, handmade guitar / controller now on sale for $250 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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