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Xbox 360 Dashboard update 'preview' open for signups

by Randy Nelson { Oct 14th 2009 at 6:15PM }

As it has done in the past, Microsoft is offering early access to its next Xbox 360 Dashboard update (which integrates Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm and Zune Marketplace) to those who sign up -- and are then selected -- to preview it. Major Nelson has just updated his blog with word that the signup process has begun for the program, mentioning that Microsoft is looking for "multiple thousands" of users to test out the update. So, sounds like chances of getting in are good.

Those wishing to put their names in the hat for preview access can do so by hitting the Microsoft Connect site and filling out a survey. The preview program is being offered in all territories where Xbox Live is available, but keep in mind you'll need a Windows Live ID in order to apply. The Major says those who've been picked will receive an email in about a week; after which the update will be pushed out to their consoles, and they can start bragging about their early access via Twitter and Facebook right from their 360s.

If past Dashboard preview programs are anything to go by, everyone who signs up will eventually gain access just prior to the update's release -- which may happen on November 17.

Gallery: Facebook / Twitter on Xbox 360

Robbie Bach unsure about the future of handheld gaming for Microsoft

by Ben Gilbert { Oct 7th 2009 at 9:30PM }

When questioned about the possibility of a dedicated gaming handheld vs a phone with multimedia functionality, Microsoft's Robbie Bach expressed his hesitation to enter either market to attendees of yesterday's.First Annual Microsoft Open House. The Entertainment and Devices division prez said, "The portable market's an interesting market ... you have to decide which direction the market is going." Rather than pursue the phone with gaming/media functionality route that Apple has taken, Bach thinks current technology simply isn't good enough yet.

"You have to decide if the dedicated devices in the portable market are going to continue to grow, or whether the phone that you get is going to get powerful enough and battery power management is going to get good enough that people are going to look at it and say 'No, I just want one device that's going to have some games on it, some music on it, some video on it.' I'm probably more biased to think that's the direction where the market is going."

Though he didn't mention an iPhone competitor or a dedicated gaming device, Bach hinted at the possibility, saying the Xbox and Zune are integrating at "a steady drumbeat." That steady drumbeat likely won't lead to much in the coming months though, as he noted, "There is a CES two years from now where people will look back and say 'Wow! Look at everything they did.'" At that point we'll only be four years from flying cars and hoverboards, so let's hope that Microsoft has some serious future stuff up its sleeves.

Hands-on: Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and Zune Marketplace on Xbox 360

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 6th 2009 at 7:35PM }

"Xbox comes from a gaming heritage, and is expanding into a broader entertainment brand," Microsoft's Robbie Bach told us earlier today at its first Open House event in New York. Powering Xbox's expansion into "broader entertainment" is the upcoming Dashboard update, scheduled for beta release later this month. Four services included in the update will expand the 360's social networking and multimedia capabilities: Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and Zune Marketplace.

While each individual service may not offer the same value that Netflix did when it debuted with the NXE last year, it's hard to ignore the breadth of added functionality offered by this new Dashboard refresh. Yes, it's true that the Xbox isn't the most ideal platform to tweet from. And yes, it's unlikely that you'll spend hours sitting in front of your TV listening to online radio. However, each service adds new reason to stay connected to the Xbox ... and adds more purported "value" to that Xbox Live Gold membership.

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Zune HD gaming apps feature interstitial ads

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 19th 2009 at 1:00PM }

Most of the reviews of Microsoft's new portable media device, the Zune HD, have been positive -- though from a gaming perspective, one "feature" of the new hardware has drawn the ire of gadgeteers. When booting up one of the free game apps, potential players are forced to view interstitial advertisements of varying lengths. Ars Technica measured the time it took to boot up these games -- the "Goo Splat" game features a static advertisement for the Kia Soul, and takes 17 seconds to load. The Chess application includes a video ad for the vehicle, and takes an entire half-minute to boot up.

Though the Zune HD's multitouch screen and sleek visuals allow for responsive (and good-looking) gaming, we can't imagine these ads will be terribly popular. Still, the games are free, so we guess we can't look a gift horse in the lengthy, unskippable promotional material.

Crackdown 2 Zune HD (and other styles) available at Zune Store

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 17th 2009 at 9:30AM }

Microsoft's John Noonan, who is currently working on Crackdown 2 and is co-host of Microsoft Game Studios' Platform Biased podcast, got folks in a tizzy when he tweeted about the Crackdown 2 Zune HD. We got in touch with Noonan, who let us know that this laser-etched model -- along with many others sporting Xbox-exclusive brands -- are available as part of the Zune Original Program at the Zune Store.

The "Xbox Series" features Halo ODST, Gears of War 2 and Forza 3, along with a few others. There doesn't appear to be an extra charge for the ~~advertising~~ fan appreciation, so the only thing you'll pay for is the Zune -- which, we're told is like an iPod.

Zune HD does games: Project Gotham Racing, Audiosurf 'in November'

by Christopher Grant { Sep 15th 2009 at 11:55AM }

While it doesn't carry the same cachet as "Election Day" or "Chinese Leftovers Day," Zune HD Day is still very much a real thing. With today's launch of Microsoft's pretty-cool-but-still-not-a-phone media player comes final confirmation that the Zune HD will support games. Buried in the device's launch press release is the following line: "Later this year, Zune plans to release ... fun 3-D games such as Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Vans Sk8: Pool Service and Audiosurf Tilt."

Of course, three games does not a platform make and, while Apple is busy touting the availability of 21,178 games in the iPhone App Store, Microsoft is launching the Zune HD with a far less ... robust marketplace. Even at the launch of Apple's App Store, over a third of the 500 programs available were games; today, it's closer to half.

Unfortunately, the Zune HD isn't competing with the pre-App Store iPhone or iPod Touch, so when Zune marketing manager Brian Seitz tells the Seattle Times that it's "hard to say right now" if the "sometimes connected" Zune HD will be opened up to third-party app development, it's difficult to hide our disappointment. Game development on the Zune HD is happening on a "case-by-case" and not a "come one, come all" basis, Seitz says.

So, what he's saying is you shouldn't expect to see anywhere near 21k games (regardless of quality) and you can also write off seeing the Zune HD popping up on the list of IGF Mobile nominees next year. As a gaming platform, even a casual gaming platform, will this be enough to compete against the iPod Touch or even the PSP Go? We'll find out "in November" when these games are finally available.

[Via Engadget]

Source – Press release

Source – Seattle Times

Zune HD promo video offers first glimpse of gaming

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 12th 2009 at 11:30AM }

It seems that reports from way back in January of this year on the Zune HD were true -- the upcoming handheld from Microsoft will in fact feature some form of handheld gaming when it releases on September 15. At least that's what we can glean from a recent advertisement for the OLED-laden iPod Touch competitor, hinting at a gaming feature (and showing a tiny snippet of a racing game).

We've embedded the video after the break, originally found by Zunited, but will presumably have to wait until at least Monday to hear more about the Zune HD's gaming features (though we've asked Microsoft for comment either way). Considering the fact that the Zune Marketplace is coming to Xbox 360, we'll be holding fast hope for a Microsoft version of PSP's Minis at some point in the near future.

[Via Engadget]

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Cheech and Chong trip on Tron

by Kevin Kelly { Jul 15th 2009 at 3:30AM }

Microsoft and MEAN Magazine premiered Cinemash last week, where Hollywood stars appear in seven short film reinterpretations of classic movies. The first episode featured Zoey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Sid and Nancy, and this week is Cheech and Chong in Tron, complete with some mind-bending graphics. It's probably the closest we'll ever get to an actual Cheech and Chong video game.

In a nutshell, they get baked, debate how the economy has affected the price of dime bags, and then race around on lightcycles in a Tron-off to see who wins the argument. There's definitely a lot of cue card inspired line delivery up front, but some of those graphics are brain melting enough to make you feel like you're tripping yourself. You can watch the video just beyond the break, or via the Zune Marketplace. With any luck, these will be available on Xbox Live later in the year.

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Xbox Video Marketplace relaunched as Zune Video this fall

by Justin McElroy { Jun 1st 2009 at 2:49PM }

Sounds like Xbox Live Video Marketplace is getting a major facelift as Zune Video Marketplace, with 1080p videos being instantly streamed. Look for the new feature coming to 18 countries this fall.

Goodbye Xbox Live Video Marketplace, we'll always have a special place in our heart for you.

Zune Video coming to Europe, no Zune included

by JC Fletcher { May 27th 2009 at 11:45AM }

The good news: Zune Video, the expanded version of the Zune Marketplace that combines the current Zune download shop and the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, is coming to Europe. The bad news: according to The Guardian, there won't be any Zune HDs on which to play the stuff bought with Zune Video. At least, there aren't any plans to release the device outside of the US yet.

The other bad news: In a correction at the top of the post, Keith Stuart clarifies that "the service coming to Xbox Live is Zune Video NOT Zune Marketplace. Music is not part of the Xbox Live offering." This is still wonderful for European Xbox 360 owners hoping for expanded video offerings -- but less great for those hoping for expanded music offerings, or those hoping for expanded Zune offerings.

Microsoft unveils Zune HD, Zune marketplace headed to Xbox 360 [update]

by Randy Nelson { May 26th 2009 at 8:30PM }

The cat's out of the bag on the Zune HD, with Microsoft confirming the handheld media device's existence and its intent to go touchscreen-to-touchscreen with the iPod Touch this fall. Our technomigos at Engadget have full details on the new Zune -- including word that Microsoft is doing away with the current Xbox Live video marketplace in favor of the Zune marketplace.

How this will work exactly won't be fully revealed until E3, where Microsoft promises that attendees will learn "how Zune integrates into Xbox LIVE creating a game-changing entertainment experience." This integration could very well be related to the hinted-at 360-Zune team-up we posted about last December.

Still, the announcement does bring up some interesting questions in the meantime. Chiefly among them: Will video content purchased on one device be playable on the other and vice-versa? Microsoft isn't saying, although that would make perfect sense. Also, the Zune marketplace offers an extensive catalog of downloadable songs -- could this be an indication of an iTunes-like music service debuting for 360? Microsoft's press conference has just become more unpredictable.

Update: The Guardian reports that Microsoft told it to expect movie, TV and music downloads via the Zune marketplace on 360. In addition, a subscription service like (or one and the same to) Zune Pass will likely be offered to Live users, allowing them unlimited song playback and 10 song downloads a month for a set fee. Final details are expected to be announced at next week's E3.

Rumor: Zune HD is a 'digital entertainment handheld' that does ... everything

by Alexander Sliwinski { May 15th 2009 at 10:15AM }

TeamXbox has posted a story about the Zune HD, written this past January, using information going back to August 2008. The lengthy piece makes the Zune HD sound like an integration marvel -- something we're not exactly used to seeing from Redmond.

The Zune HD will allegedly be "a portable game console and media player," with the ability to link Microsoft's Skybox and integrate the current Zune and Xbox marketplaces. Something similar to the NXE will apparently function as the interface on the handheld. Zune HD will also allow users to play Xbox Live Arcade games either on their Xbox or on the handheld.

It all sounds so magical, Toto. When can we go to OZ?

[Via Engadget]

GamePro to publish indie games, free magazine

by Randy Nelson { Mar 9th 2009 at 7:00PM }

Set to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, GamePro -- and parent company IDG -- has made an unexpected announcement: it's getting into the business of publishing games. As reported by GameDaily, the newly formed label, GamePro Labs, will focus on publishing games from independent developers.

The label's official site makes mention of Xbox 360, PC, Zune, iPhone and PlayStation Network platforms, but is light on specific release plans. Game submissions are being accepted, although GamePro does say it will only be publishing a limited number of tiles each year. The company will act as a sort of "middleman" between indie devs and platformer holders, in addition to handling payouts and "regular promotion in GamePro Magazine." The latter hopefully refers to ad space and not any sort of paid editorial consideration. Titles from three currently signed developers will be announced at GDC later this month.

GamePro has also announced plans to produce a free, custom edition of its magazine for distribution exclusively at 7-Eleven stores. The convenience chain began selling games last year (and breaking street dates on them shortly thereafter).

Fudzilla: Microsoft layoffs coming, Xbox staff likely unaffected

by Justin McElroy { Dec 31st 2008 at 1:55PM }

In economic times this tough, the only businesses thriving are the ones that make apple-selling carts and the Hobo Name Registry (sorry, Cleats Onionpocket is already taken). So, it should come as little surprise that Fudzilla is reporting on Microsoft's plan to lay off 15,000 of its 90,000 workers, or around 17 percent of its staff. If you'd like to know more about the reasoning behind and causes of the cuts, we'd recommend this recent Marketwatch article.

The site says it doesn't know where the hits will come, but assumes that the well-performing Xbox division will likely be spared. Sadly, the first casualty of the layoffs is apparently the guy who pushes the button everyday to make Zunes work.

Microsoft making 'Zune Xbox' Application

by Xav de Matos { Dec 23rd 2008 at 1:45PM }

If there is one harsh reality we've learned at X3F, it has to be that more people own a Zune (and care about Album Art) than we thought. While both on a market for quite some time, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Zune do not offer any special functionality when working together but MS is taking steps to introduce both devices to each other -- if a recent job posting is to be believed.

According to CNET, Microsoft is looking to add a "User experience designer" to its Zune group who will focus on the Zune user interface, Zune PC application -- used to access the Zune Marketplace -- and a Zune Xbox application. No details are listed but speculation is it could be that Microsoft is developing an application that will allow users to download, manage and transfer content from one device to another. Anything is possible with the NXE and what Microsoft calls, a much easier interface to roll out extension services to. At this point we'd settle for a little "Xbox Live Anywhere" love we were promised years ago.

[Via Engadget]