Tech & Accessory News
Too bad, the Zune product line is now officially dead says Microsoft. Microsoft will no longer produce any Zune players but might actually keep investing in the Zune software and put it to good use elsewhere. So if you're not a fan of the iPod, you might as well get yourself a Zune until they're all sold out.
It's about time Microsoft refreshed their Xbox 360's controller after recently refreshing the system itself, today Microsoft confirmed a new Xbox 360 controller with improved D-pad that has patented design to do amazing stuff, twist it to adjust the height. The Analog sticks have also been re-designed slightly and the ABXY buttons have lost their colors and are now translucent monochrome. The new matte silver controller will only be bundles with the Play and Charge kit for $64.99 on November 9 in the US and with a European release date on February.
Source Xbox
Microsoft's Senior Product Manager, Greg Sullivan, confirmed who the Windows Phone 7 launch OEM's would be in an interview with Pocket-lint. Dell, Asus, LG, HTC, and Samsung are all going to have Windows Phone 7 on some sort of device at around the time of the launch date but we do not know what these devices will be yet. Talking of the launch date, Microsoft is saying "Holdiays 2010," so we should see some devices in time for Christmas. But, knowing Microsoft, they will release most of the devices in January and miss the Holiday season.
Source Pocket-Lint
After Amazon, BestBuy and Wal-Mart all listed the price of the Microsoft Kinect as $149.99 for ages, Microsoft has just announced the official price of Kinect at $149.99. (Shocker!) Microsoft also announced a new Xbox 360 4GB console that has all the features like a the new design, built-in Wi-Fi, touch-sensitive buttons and 4GB of internal flash memory. This version of the xbox can be bought for $299 or you can get it in a new bundle with Kinect and Kinect Adventures for $299. This bundle will start shipping on August 3rd.
Press Relelase:
New Xbox 360, Kinect Sensor and “Kinect Adventures” — Get All Your Controller-Free Entertainment in One Complete Package
Microsoft announces pricing for Kinect and a new Xbox 360 4GB console.
REDMOND, Wash. — July 20, 2010 — Microsoft Corp. today announced an all-in-one opportunity to jump into the controller-free fun of Kinect this holiday: the all-new Xbox 360 4GB console, the revolutionary Kinect sensor and “Kinect Adventures” packaged together for $299.99 (U.S. ERP). With “Kinect Adventures,” players will make their way through 20 adventures, navigating roaring rapids and ducking and dodging through mountaintop obstacle courses and other exotic locations — no controller, wand or balance board required. In addition, existing Xbox 360 console owners can purchase the Kinect sensor with “Kinect Adventures” for $149.99 (U.S. ERP). The sensor, which will work with each of the 40 million Xbox 360 consoles currently in households worldwide,(1) is uniquely able to track your full body movements, respond to your voice and deliver a multiplayer experience right out of the box.
In addition, the new Xbox 360 4GB console, which begins shipping on Aug. 3 in the U.S., will be available for $199.99 (U.S. ERP). With a sleek new design, the Xbox 360 4GB console looks great and includes built-in Wi-Fi N, 4GB of internal flash memory, touch-sensitive buttons and a black matte finish. (2)
“Kinect for Xbox 360 offers tremendous entertainment value for the whole family,” said Dennis Durkin, Xbox 360 chief operating officer. “With full body, voice and the ability to play games with your friends right out of the box, Kinect is the most unique, complete and affordable way for everyone to enjoy controller-free fun and entertainment.”
With more than 15 games available at launch, living rooms will become fitness rooms, dance clubs and sports stadiums. Kinect games, including “Kinectimals,” “Kinect Sports,” “Kinect Joy Ride” and MTV Games’ and Harmonix’s “Dance Central” will retail for $49.99 (U.S. ERP). In addition to games, Kinect changes the way you experience entertainment by putting your favorite movies, TV programs, music and live sports from ESPN all in one place. Begin a movie by simply saying, “Xbox, play,” or browse through a music list with the wave of a hand. Kinect also creates new ways for friends and family to have fun together. With Video Kinect,(3) share a smile with friends and family, as you open a window into living rooms around the world.
“I think Kinect is a major leap forward in the gaming experience that will appeal to both mainstream and casual gamers,” said Michael Gartenberg, partner, Altimeter Group, and author of the Engadget Entelligence column.
Starting today, select retailers are taking pre-orders for the Xbox 360 Kinect Console Bundle at $299.99 (U.S. ERP) and Kinect for Xbox 360 at $149.99 (U.S. ERP). Pre-order Kinect or the Xbox 360 Kinect Console Bundle today, and at launch receive a token to download three exclusive game levels for “Kinect Adventures,” the game included with Kinect.(4) Those wanting more information or to pre-order now should go to http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy
Nobody can say that they're particularly surprised about this one. As Verizon has just confirmed that they are no longer going to sell both Kin phones and they are going to be returning them back to Microsoft.Who themselves just threw in the towel on the Kin project at the end of last month. (Read here) We are told that all existing Kin's will work as Microsoft is keeping the back-end services running. But as so few Kin's were sold, I wonder how long this will continue to happen.
Source Engadget
So just after 6 weeks after launch, Microsoft has thrown in the towel on the Kin project. So there will only be a Windows Phone 7 and no separate Kin product anymore as Andy Lees is moving the entire Kin into the core Windows Phone 7 team.
So why kill the Kin so soon? Well, Microsoft never confirmed confirmed (or denied) that only 500 Kins were ever sold or they've sold so few at launch that they are killing the mult-million dollar project which took years to develop.
Another question, why did it fail? Simple, price. Verizon priced it as a smartphone, even though it clearly wasn't. And after cutting the one-off price dramatically, it didn't make the high cost of the monthly plan any sweeter.
Here is Microsoft's official statement on the matter:
"We have made the decision to focus exclusively on Windows Phone 7 and we will not ship KIN in Europe this fall as planned. Additionally, we are integrating our KIN team with the Windows Phone 7 team, incorporating valuable ideas and technologies from KIN into future Windows Phone releases. We will continue to work with Verizon in the U.S. to sell current KIN phones."
Source Gizmodo
The new Xbox got announced yesterday at the Microsoft Press Conference at E3 and here are all the specs of the new Xbox from Engadget.com
"Xbox 360 250GB
Form Factor: Sleek, lean and gloss black finish with chrome accents. Place vertically or horizontally in any living room entertainment center.
Touch Sensitive Buttons: Turn the Xbox 360 video game system on/off and eject a disc with the swipe of a finger.
Whisper Quiet: Whether you're playing a DVD disc or from the hard drive, or navigating the dashboard, with the all-new and much quieter Xbox 360, the only noise you'll hear is your own laughing, cheering and playing.
Wi-Fi: Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi for fast, easy connection to your friends and entertainment on Xbox LIVE.
Hard Drive: 250GB internal, swappable hard drive for even more storage. To access, remove the bottom panel by pushing the small tab toward the front of the console.
Kinect-Ready: Custom Kinect port on the back of the console that directly hooks up to the Kinect sensor for controller-free fun.
USB Slots: Five USB ports; three in the back of the console and two in the front for easy plug and play.
AV Connections:
AV Cable included for standard definition TV connection.
HDMI port for high definition TV connection.
Optical Audio out port integrated on back of console for AV system connection.
Power Supply: Smaller and more efficient. Xbox 360 250GB and Xbox 360 Original power supplies are not interchangeable.
Wireless Controller: The award-winning Xbox 360 Wireless Controller matches the console in all black with color-matched thumsticks and directional pad with a touch of gloss and chrome to complete the look.
Backwards Compatible. Your favorite accessories and games will work with Xbox 360 250GB. (Xbox 360 External Hard Drives and Memory Units are not compatible.)
Accessories. Customize your Xbox 360 250GB with matching black accessories, including favorites such as Controllers, Wireless Headset, Chatpad, Quick Charge and Play & Charge Kits and more. Get a look at a few of these today.
Key Internal Components Changes:
Fan: Moved from two small fans to one larger fan for improved acoustics.
Chipset: 45 nanometer and integrated CPU and GPU.
Wi-Fi: Integrated wireless capability."
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