Hasta La Gadget!

That’s right kids. Netflix movie parties, avatar accessories, Games on Demand (though no proper Xbox 360 titles yet — this is just the preview after all). We just got the update and are exploring right now, so stay tuned. If you’re one of the select few, let us know in comments!

Some notable bits thus far:

• Netflix now has way, way more options. You can actually browse content via the app, which is great. As a commenter points out, HD content is now denoted with a tag.
• There isn’t any avatar prop content available just yet — hopefully we’ll get to pick out an awesome gun to carry around soon though.
• No Games on Demand content from the current gen console is available, but apparently the games will start rolling out in early August (sigh).
• As we noted in previous posts, the preview doesn’t boast any of the Last.fm, Facebook, or Twitter additions yet.
• We know they’re still working the kinks out, but there seems to be noticeable slowdown when shifting between pages, something we’ve never noticed before in the NXE.

Filed under: Gaming

The new Xbox Live dashboard update preview is… live! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ladies and gentleman, you can now mark your calendars with a permanent pen, felt-tip marker, or even a paint brush. Microsoft’s announced that the next Xbox Live Dashboard update is beaming to your console on August 11th. This one includes Games on Demand, user ratings for games, a number of Netflix additions, and the much-anticipated (maybe not) ability to spend actual money on clothing for your Avatar. What it doesn’t have is Twitter, Last.fm, and Facebook support, but according to Microsoft, those are still coming sometime later this fall. You went ahead and signed up for the preview program, right?

Filed under: Gaming

Xbox Live Dashboard update coming August 11th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We don’t know exactly what’s going on, but both Xbox Live and Zune Marketplace are apparently acting up right now — we’ve gotten reports that the entire Zune user database is more or less MIA, while Xbox Live seems unable to process purchases reliably. If we had to guess, we’d say that Microsoft’s free Thriller video giveaway is causing some pretty massive server strain, but that’s just a shot in the dark. Keep us posted on how you’re doing, and we’ll let you know if we hear anything official.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Xbox Live and Zune Marketplace both acting flaky right now originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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US Americans, go ahead and enjoy your Netflix streaming over your Xbox 360, Brits are about to land a deal that’ll put live football, TV, and films over Microsoft’s broadband-enabled console — a first live television service for Xbox 360 anywhere. Beginning in Autumn, Xbox Live subscribers in the UK and Ireland will gain access to Sky’s Sky Player service that includes subscription-based live, on-demand, and pay-per-view access to your favorite shows without the need for an additional set-top-box or satellite dish. Unfortunately, specifics like prices and channel line-up have not been announced, though content is expected to be similar to the Sky Player service already available on Macs and PCs. Of interest, Xbox Live users will be able to watch sporting content together virtually and sling insults and taunts at one-another via avatars or virtual personas. Something that will lead to slurring songs in a fit of semi-social inebriation or fisticuffs, depending on the score.

[Via Gadgetoid]

Filed under: Gaming, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Live Sky TV coming to Xbox 360 in UK and Ireland, hooligan avatars to follow originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 May 2009 04:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony announced a landmark this week for its PlayStation Network: 20 million users worldwide, as of February 20. According to the presser, that breaks down to 5 million in the first 14 months of service, 5 million more 8 months later, and an additional 10 million the 7 months after that. There’s quite a few caveats to consider here, as that includes PSP and PS3 users as well as anyone who wishes to use the official PS forums, whether or not they own one of the aforementioned consoles.

However, more interesting to us is a note about the service generating $180 million life to date in revenue. It’s a stark contrast to Xbox Live‘s reported $1 billion revenue since its 2002 launch, as of E3 2009. Based on figures from leaked to Seattle P-I this week, which said XBL had 10 million subscribers worldwide and a 56 percent Gold subscriptions rate in February 2008, we can do some fuzzy math. Assuming those Gold members paid the $50 annual subscription — or $4.16 monthly, the cheapest per month option — that amounts to $23.3 million for the month, not accounting for discounts or free Gold trials. Presuming no subscription growth for sake of argument — we know it’s growing — that’s $280 million annually, well over PSN’s life to date revenues. Say what you will about mean ol’ Microsoft charging for online play, the numbers seem to go in its favor.

[Via Joystiq]

Read – Leaked XBL data
Read – Comparing XBL vs. PSN
Read – Sony press release

Filed under: Gaming

PlayStation Network snags 20M users, Xbox Live still way more profitable originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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