This one will be quick. A new Xbox 360 with a 60GB hard drive has just hit the streets. Not only that, the 20GB Xbox has dropped in price too (before being killed off that is). The 60GB version is apparently available on August 4th according to Amazon (the Microsoft press release said “early August” so that sounds consistent). Pre-order yours now, or get a great deal on the 20GB.
Archive for Xbox-360
Xbox 360: Triple The Storage For You
Posted in Products with tags Xbox-360 on July 13, 2008 by itnerdMicrosoft Bans Xbox Live User For Using His Own Name… WTF?
Posted in Commentary with tags censorship, gay, Video Games, Xbox-360 on May 21, 2008 by itnerdMicrosoft has recently been trying to play censor make Xbox Live safer for everyone by making sure that Gamertags contain no sexual innuendo (among other things, click here for the full list). That’s fine in theory, but real life tends to be different. An example of this is the story of a user who got banned for using his name as a Gamertag. His name happens to be Richard Gaywood and he used his name as his Gamertag which promptly got him banned (check this link for proof) . Ignoring the fact that Dick must have really been the subject of much ridicule in school, this is totally stupid. This isn’t the first time that they’ve done this by the way. They’ve gone after the Gamertag of someone calling himself “theGAYERGamer” (who just happened to be gay) which attracted the attention of Gay and Lesbian groups, and not in a nice way.
Microsoft really needs to get a clue here. I’m all for trying to stop racist, sexist, and homophobic content from ending up on Xbox Live (or anywhere else for that matter). But for crying out loud, use some common sense! If Microsoft isn’t careful, they’re going to get pwned by every Gay and Lesbian positve group out there. Or perhaps ticked off users will start using PS3s and Wiis instead.
Microsoft In Talks With Sony For Blu-Ray On Xbox-360 – Oh The Irony
Posted in Commentary with tags Blu-Ray, Sony, Xbox-360 on March 6, 2008 by itnerdIt must be a black day at Microsoft today as it’s come to light that they are in discussions with Sony to get Blu-Ray drives onto the Xbox 360. Given that the Playstation 3 is made by Sony and comes with a Blu-Ray drive, it’s an odd combination to say the least. But it makes sense for both sides. Why? Consider the following:
- Having a Blu-Ray drive would make the Xbox 360 more competitive against the Playstation 3 and help overall Xbox 360 sales (not to mention they could spin that whole HD-DVD mess by saying “See, that’s why we made it external. We give the consumer a choice unlike the Playstation 3 which gives you Blu-Ray only. Imagine what would happen if that standard lost.”). Point to Microsoft.
- Sony makes money from selling the hardware and adds to the installed base of Blu-Ray (not to mention licensing fees as well). Point to Sony.
You can bet that Microsoft will offer this as yet another external add-on (just like their ill-fated HD DVD drive) and price it aggressively. Expect it to happen quickly as Microsoft would like you to forget that it was in the HD-DVD camp as quickly as possible.
Xbox-360 Drops HD DVD Drive
Posted in Commentary with tags Blu-Ray, HD DVD, Microsoft, Xbox-360 on February 24, 2008 by itnerdAs if Toshiba and their now dead HD DVD format needed another kick in the butt, comes the news that Microsoft has dropped the HD DVD drive add on for the Xbox-360. In my humble opinion, if Microsoft had simply built the drive into the Xbox the way Sony built Blu-Ray support into the Playstation3, we might still be talking about a format war as opposed to the format war being over and done. But they bundled it as an optional accessory which didn’t help adoption of the HD DVD format. One has to wonder if this won’t hurt sales of the the Xbox-360. Existing owners may feel that they have obsolete hardware, which gives the perception of an advantage to the Playstation3. I truly think that Microsoft has damaged its whole gaming platform by getting into a sparring match with Sony over disc formats. Only time will tell I guess.
While I’m on the subject of HD DVD, this video has been making the rounds on YouTube for a few weeks now. Basically, someone took a scene from the movie Downfall and replaced the subtitles to reference the war between HD DVD and Blu-Ray. It apparently surfaced just after Warner Brothers defected to the Blu-Ray camp just before CES. It gets my vote for funniest video of the year.
Microsoft Sued Over XBox 360 Issues….. Sucks To Be Them
Posted in Commentary with tags Lawsuit, Xbox-360 on October 16, 2008 by itnerdA class action lawsuit was filed in Sacramento County Superior Court under California’s consumer protection statutes. The lawsuit alleges that Microsoft knew as far back as November 2005 that over 50% of the Xbox 360 consoles involved in the initial sales launch were defective with the now infamous “Red Ring Of Death” issue. The class action lawsuit wants Microsoft hand over all profits attributable to the Xbox 360, as well as publicly announcing and implementing a refund program in California.
Microsoft may be in deep trouble here. Getting sued in California is bad for them because California has the nation’s strongest consumer protection laws. Microsoft could be screwed here. I’d say it’s time for them to come up with a “plan B” to cover their behinds.
Watch this one closely. It could become a bigger issue for Microsoft if the stars align against them.
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