“You don’t need to invent anything, you just have to do traditional research where you look at history and then compliment that with scientific research where you’re trying to do something new. That can lead to a lot in the business and technology sectors these days” – Bill Buxton
A chat with Microsoft Principal Researcher Bill Buxton, Part I
Less than a week from today, the Xbox LIVE summer update will arrive to more than 20 million Xbox LIVE members and with it will come the next evolution of connected entertainment on Xbox 360. Get ready to meet the many new faces of your Xbox 360; whether it’s new Avatar clothing and awards from Adidas or “Splosion Man”, or even a private home cinema, Xbox LIVE has something for you.
Via Gamers Digest
Good things happen when you suddenly become the lowest-priced console in the US. In the first weekend since cutting Xbox 360 prices, Microsoft is reporting a 100% increase in sales of all Xbox 360 models compared to the previous weekend. While not mentioned specifically, Microsoft claims that one model sold at 6x the previous weekend rate. Gee, could that be the $250 Wii-beating, $199.99 Xbox 360 Arcade at the front of Microsoft’s loss-leading lineup?
Microsoft: Xbox 360 sales double since price cuts – Engadget
Tags: microsoft, us, xbox 360, xbox 360 arcade, Xbox360, Xbox360Arcade
Source: Engadget.com from Pennycollege.com
Amazon and Circuit City might have that new 60GB Xbox 360 SKU up for pre-order with delivery in August, but Microsoft’s game console has always tended to pop up in Targets first, and this time out’s no exception — yep, there it is, hanging out in NYC. Anyone seen one poking around the dish towels and cheap-chic furniture at their local? Let us know in comments!
Tags: 60gb, 60gb xbox, 60gb xbox 360, 60gbXbox, 60gbXbox360, microsoft, target, xbox, xbox 360, Xbox360
Netflix
* For now, Netflix will only stream in about-SD resolution (DISSAPOINTING!)
* As Netflix transitions to HD, Microsoft said it stands to reason that streaming HD to the Xbox should be feasible. (Read: eventual.)
* Netflix will be for Xbox Live Gold members only, so you’ll be paying that $50 per year if you want it.
* Netflix video sharing ONLY works with other Netflix / Xbox Live Gold subscribers. You can’t share video with a Silver member, or who doesn’t subscribe to Netflix.
* Microsoft doesn’t seem to have concerns about redundant content between Netflix and XBLM, or Netflix cannibalizing XBLM sales. Makes sense — if you had content available to rent or stream with Netflix, you probably weren’t going to pay to
rent it on XBLM anyway.
Xbox Dashboard / Guide and Live
* “No functionality goes away” in new Dash — so you won’t be missing anything you have now.
* Microsoft’s Shane Kim says the company has “no plans to create a [Sony] ‘Home’-like environment. … It’s about delivering base functionality at the service level.” So it sounds like the avatars won’t have a Home-like virtual theme-park to run around in.
* No comment was made about Xbox price drops or how long it will take to get to the all-important $199 price point.
* There will be no increase in your number of Xbox Live friends. Psh.
* Don’t like the new Dashboard look or avatars? Sorry, it’s a mandatory update.
* Players will be able to rip any Xbox 360 game past, present or future from their discs to their hard drive. This may speed load times, but more importantly for those of us who can’t hear our vacuum and lawnmower over our 360, this means we can play games without a noisy disc-drive spinning.
* Microsoft didn’t have any comment on what it intends to do about the whole modded controller thing.
* The content Marketplace will be overhauled and revamped to ensure it’s easier to navigate and much more scalable for the huge amount of content it’s got.
If you’re a Netflix subscriber and like gaming in any way, drop what you are doing immediately and go buy an Xbox 360. If you have an Xbox 360 and like movies in anyway, go sign up for Netflix immediately. Yes, the rumors were true. Microsoft and Netflix are teaming up to bring its “Watch Instantly” feature to the Xbox 360 gaming device this fall.With one fell swoop, Microsoft may have dealt its strongest blow to Apple in years. Considering Microsoft also added new release films from the likes of MGM and Universal to its Xbox Live service, the addition of Netflix could render the Apple TV a second-tier living room product.
N4G.com : Netflix comes to the Xbox 360. Did Microsoft just destroy the Apple TV?
Tags: netflix, xbox360, apple TV, XBox Live, watch instantly
Word on the street was that the $299 price slash we’ve been hearing about wasn’t about carving out a new pricepoint but instead making room for a new 60GB Xbox 360 in its place. Turns out the Mr. Word on the Street nailed this one, with Microsoft finally fessing up to the price drop, and announcing a new fancy 60GB Xbox 360 to fill in at that $349 pricepoint, which will be available in “early August.” You can pick up a 20GB “while supplies last,” but the $279 Arcade and $449 Elite aren’t budging price wise. Oh, and can we just say that this couldn’t come at any better a time? We just had to delete August Rush to make room for National Treasure 2, which we’ll probably have to drop tomorrow for Fool’s Gold. Such is life when you’ve only got 20GB to work with.
Xbox 360 goes 60GB, 20 gigger going for $299 while supplies last – Engadget
Tags: 60gb, breaking news, BreakingNews, microsoft, xbox 360, Xbox360
This is going to be an interesting year. Two monster games are being launch at the end of 2008: Resistance 2 and Gears of War 2. I’ve had the opportunity to play both old versions for the PS3 (Resistance) and GoW on the XBox360.
Each game have their unique features and let you immerse easily on the gameplay. Both games marked an important milestone on both consoles and I’m pretty sure they will do it again. I think the Playstation 3 has the advantage this year, because of the launch of several exclusive titles: Metal Gear Solid 4 (launched on June 12th); Resistance 2, Killzone 2, etc. These games have a well-known established fan based that will favor the PS3 for sure. But the XBox360 will be fighting with its 2008 games lineup.
Loading ...At the end, it is up to the gamers to decide which one to pick (I will pick both 
) and in order to create some good expectations, here are some videos for you to take a look. Enjoy!
Resistance 2 Gameplay:
Gears of War 2 Gameplay:
