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Tag: Xbox

  • Kinect – The Xbox 360 Enhancement Formerly Known as Project Natal

    Microsoft has unveiled Kinect, a controller-free gaming device for Xbox 360, previously code-named Project Natal.

    "It’s an amazing year just when you look at the things people are expecting," says Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox LIVE, who thinks 2010 could be the biggest year yet for Xbox. "But we’re excited to also be announcing ways that make it simpler for everyone to enjoy the things we do. People who are intimidated by a controller or game pad will finally get to unlock some of the experiences that are possible in the living room, gaming and non-gaming alike."

    This video shows various things you can do with Kinect:

    "You are the controller," says Mike Delman, corporate vice president of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business. "You simply step in front of the sensor and Kinect sees you move, hears your voice and recognizes your face."

    "Some people don’t like controllers," Delman said. "And Kinect makes the gaming and entertainment experience more organic and free-flowing, without any of the barriers that can sometimes keep people from participating."

    The E3 Expo starts this week, and much more Xbox/Kinect news is expected to come out of that. More details about Kinect here.

    Do you think the Kinect is a threat to the Nintendo Wii? Will it sell more Xboxes? Share your thoughts.

  • Hulu Subscription Service Launch Said To Be Month Or Two Away

    Hulu Subscription Service Launch Said To Be Month Or Two Away

    While rumors about making people pay to use Hulu have been circulating for what feels like forever, a subscription service may, for better or worse, finally materialize this summer.  New rumors put it a "month or two" out, and indicate that Xbox and iPad compatibility are also on the way.

    HuluReuters talked to several people who opted not to have their names printed, and the good news is that not everything is supposed to be locked behind a pay wall.  Hulu "will continue to offer newer episodes of shows like Fox’s ‘Glee’ free of charge, but it will also charge viewers a monthly fee to see older episodes and other content, two of the sources said."

    Which is pretty much in line with other stories that have circulated from time to time, really.

    The more interesting info is the "month or two" timeframe, then, and a tidbit about the subscription service being "rolled out on multiple devices," including the Xbox and iPad.

    It’s not hard to imagine that the service would achieve some success with owners of those devices, since they’ve already opted to pay hundreds of dollars for the sake of being entertained.  Or it might not, since tech-savvy individuals are more likely to be familiar with "alternative" ways of viewing content.

    The E3 Expo is scheduled to take place between June 15th to 17th, though, and that means a prime opportunity to announce a Hulu-Xbox deal is right around the corner.  Stay tuned.

  • Obama Slams the iPad, iPod, XBox and Playstation

    Does President Obama realize that the iPod, Xbox and Playstation are specifically designed to be distractions, diversions and a form of entertainment? 

    In a speech to the graduating class today at Hampton University in Virginia Obama said this:

    "You’re coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don’t always rank that high on the truth meter.

    And with iPods and iPads, and Xboxes and PlayStations — none of which I know how to work — information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation.

    So all of this is not only putting pressure on you; it’s putting new pressure on our country and on our democracy."

    Are the iPods, Xboxes and Playstations "distractions" rather than "tools of empowerment", as Obama claims? It’s not as if these devices were ever intended to be anything more than diversions.

    Mr. Obama, should we really be looking at these gadgets as a "means of emancipation"? 

    >>> Give us your thoughts on this in our comments section below…

  • What Microsoft is Sharing in Consumer Electronics

    Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s keynote last night was one of the most anticipated events of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. It was expected that he would unveil a device to compete with a supposedly upcoming tablet from Apple, but people anticipating such news were met with the unveiling of a different device – the HP Windows 7 slate device, which apparently doesn’t live up to some of the tech crowd’s expectations.

    Ballmer says the device is more powerful than a phone, and "almost as powerful" as a PC. You can’t get too much out of it, but here’s an official video of the device that’s floating around:

    The device will be available some time later this year.

    In addition to this, Microsoft-related news to come out of CES includes:

    – The Sony VAIO L all-in-one laptop built for HD entertainment and multimedia content creation, and including a 24-inch touchscreen (Windows 7)

    – The Lenovo A300, one of the thinnest PCs yet at just 18mm, but with a 21.5-inch HD widescreen LED display (Windows 7)

    – Microsoft and HP are teaming up on search and portal experiences. Bing will be the default search engine, and MSN the default homepage on HP PCs in 42 countries.

    – Ballmer announced the upcoming exclusive availability of the HTC HD2 in partnership with T-Mobile USA, Inc. and HTC.

    – Microsoft Mediaroom 2.0, the next version of its Internet Protocol Television solution for service providers

    – Big games coming to XBox: Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Halo Reach, Conviction, Crackdown 2, Mass Effect 2, Alan Wake, and Fable 3

    – Game Room on Xbox LIVE, which Microsoft says will be the place to relive the glory days of arcade games, with over 1000 games being released throughout the next three years

    – "Project Natal," the controller-free gaming experience that tracks movement of the body and facial expressions, and responds to your voice, scheduled to be available in holiday season 2010

    "We’ve reached a point with technology where it’s very feasible to listen to or watch whatever you want, whenever you want, whether on your smartphone, laptop or a connected TV in the comfort of your living room," said Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division President Robbie Bach. "That concept of greater control is compelling to many people. It’s all about tying together these disparate technologies into a digital entertainment experience that’s consistent, easy to use and relevant to consumers’ needs."

    Watch for more WebProNews coverage of CES, with exclusive video interviews coming soon.
     

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