(Credit:
Daniel Terdiman/CNET)
Microsoft outlined a host of new games and feature upgrades for the Xbox 360 at its inaugural E3 2009 press conference.
Good-bye games in boxes? Xbox 360 to get full game downloads
Some Xbox 360 games will soon be available as downloads directly to the console's hard drive. Are discs now a thing of the past?
(Posted in Crave by Scott Stein)
June 1, 2009 2:28 PM PDT
Microsoft E3 press conference: The games
Halo sequels, Left4Dead 2, Forza Motosport 3, Alan Wake, and a new Metal Gear Solid game highlight the roster of Xbox 360 exclusives.
(Posted in Crave by Jeff Bakalar)
June 1, 2009 1:40 PM PDT
The future 360: Project Natal takes shot at Wii
"Project Natal" is a video camera accessory that adds motion recognition to the Xbox 360. Is it a serious competitor to the Wii?
(Posted in Crave by Scott Stein)
June 1, 2009 12:45 PM PDT
>>Video: Microsoft's Project Natal in action
Microsoft expands Xbox Live audio and video offerings
Last.fm, improved Netflix access, and a revamped video download store--with Zune branding--are all on their way to the Xbox 360.
(Posted in Crave by John P. Falcone)
June 1, 2009 12:43 PM PDT
Facebook, Twitter come to Xbox Live
The two hottest social networks, Twitter and Facebook, are both coming to the Xbox 360.
(Posted in News under Gaming and Culture by Caroline McCarthy)
June 1, 2009 12:10 PM PDT
Paul and Ringo introduce 'Beatles: Rock Band'
Beatles-focused addition to the Rock Band franchise will feature 45 of the Fab Four's songs and let users play replica instruments and sing up to three-part harmonies.
(Posted by Laura Parker at GameSpot)
June 1, 2009 2:22 PM PDT
Xbox takes center stage, opens E3 2009
Read Daniel Terdiman's live blog of the Microsoft press conference, as it unfolded.
(Posted in News under Gaming and Culture by Daniel Terdiman)
June 1, 2009 10:12 AM PDT
In addition to gaming news, Microsoft announced several enhancements to the Xbox 360's media capabilities.
(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET)Microsoft announced a host of forthcoming media upgrades for the Xbox 360 at its E3 press conference Monday. The chief highlights: an updated video store, now using the Zune branding, that will allow instant-on 1080p video purchases of movies and TV shows; improved Netflix integration; access to Last.fm's streaming audio service; and expanded access to online video content in more countries around the world. (Disclosure: Last.fm is owned by CNET's parent company, CBS Interactive.)
For starters, the Xbox Video Marketplace will be rebranded as the Zune Marketplace. The pay-per-view movies and TV shows will be upgraded to 1080p (from their current 720p incarnations), and will be available as instant-on streams rather than "queue and view" downloads. Availability of the service will also be expanded from its current 8 countries to 18.
The Zune branding was hinted at last week when Microsoft announced the updated Zune HD portable media player. Despite indications of cross-linked functionality, the Zune HD did not make an appearance at the Xbox event, nor were any specifics on syncing between the Zune and Xbox provided.
... Read more
(Credit:
CNET)
Update: Congratulations to CNET reader Isaac W. of East Lansing, Mich, who was randomly selected as the winner from more than 2,700 entries. Be sure to check back Friday starting at 5 a.m. PDT to see what our next prize will be!
OK, we're starting something new here on Crave. We can't say it's original or new to gadget blogs, but it is new to us. And we think you'll like it. It's called, "Crave giveaway of the week."
For our inaugural installment, we've got a limited-edition Battlestar Galactica 16GB Zune. Microsoft offered it up to Crave readers--and "Battlestar Galactica" fans--as a way to celebrate (read: promote) the arrival of the first episode of "Caprica" (the prequel series to "Battlestar Galactica") on DVD. More importantly to Zune owners, you can now go to the Zune Marketplace and download an exclusive 90-minute Q&A with "Caprica" and "Battlestar Galactica" cast members.
So, how do you win this special-edition Zune? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully; there will be a test.
- Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the "Join CNET" link to start the registration process. If you're already registered, no need to register again.
- Leave a comment below. You can leave whatever comment you want. If it's funny or insightful it won't help you win, but we're trying to have fun here, so anything entertaining is appreciated.
- Leave only one comment. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter more than one comment, you will be automatically disqualified.
- Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) 16GB Zune. Approximate retail value is $150.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified via e-mail. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
- Entries can be submitted until Monday, May 4, at 12 p.m. EDT.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE 50 UNITED STATES OR D.C., 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AT DATE OF ENTRY INTO SWEEPSTAKES. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, ALL U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Sweepstakes ends at 11:59:59 a.m. EDT on May 4, 2009. See official rules for details.
Good luck.
(Credit:
Zune.net)
UPDATE (12:35 p.m. on 5-03-08): To include reference to possible ties to Zune VideoX.
A reader of a site dedicated to Zune news has posted photos of what are claimed to be new features at Zune's Marketplace, including flash animation and a new video section.
The photos were posted at Zunerama.com and are said to be of flash animation and two new tabs. One of the tabs is called "video" and the other is "listeners."
Speculation on the site is that Microsoft is possibly preparing to update Marketplace and is testing some new features.
A Microsoft spokesman said that the company's policy is not to comment on speculation. He added that Microsoft has not announced any upcoming changes at Marketplace.
The person who posted the photos questioned whether the "listeners" tab may be some kind of social-networking feature. If you have any information, we'd love to know.
UPDATE: Mary Jo Foley over at ZDNet e-mailed me and said she wonders if the photos found on Zunerama are tied to "the coming-out party for Zune VideoX" she has written about lately. Foley has a source who told her that Zune VideoX is "a Video store that bridges Xbox, Windows, Zune and Pink."
According to Foley's source, Microsoft wants to play it up it's video, which it sees as better than iTunes' offer. Go here to read more.
Tony Markellis played bass on this live Trey Anastasio recording, but you won't find that information very easily if you use one of the big downloading services.
Last night, I had an interesting experience that pointed out a drawback of digital music services compared with the tried-and-true CD (or LP, or cassette). For the last few years, I've played with a very occasional pickup band--maybe one party a year, preceded by a half dozen rehearsals, then everybody back to their jobs/families/"real" bands. This year, we're playing a St. Patrick's Day party, and in the past, we've done a version of the Phish instrumental "First Tube." We wanted a quick refresher, so one of the guitarists fired up his copy of Rhapsody, found a live solo version by Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio, and we were on our way.
Until, in typical self-absorbed bass player fashion, the bass player (that's me) asked "so who played bass on this song?" I asked because I admired the bassist's restraint--he stuck exactly to the original bass line, which consists of three notes repeated in the same quick figure over and over and over again. (I lack such restraint.)
Rhapsody offered no answer. iTunes doesn't carry the album in question, but does have another live version of the song from an Austin City Limits compilation. Alas, no artist information there either. The Zune Marketplace offered a bio on Trey himself, but nothing about the particular band on this album. Yahoo Music has a full review from AMG, but no album credits. Instead, I had to go to the AMG site itself, find the live album "Plasma," and click on the "Credits" tab to find out that it was one Tony Markellis.
Hats off to you, sir. And a big bass raspberry to all the major music services--this information's available, it's coded in an online repository that's widely accessible, and none of you are offering it. Or if you are, it's so deeply buried that mere mortals can't find it.
(Credit:
Microsoft)
The next-generation Zune Marketplace makes a sharp departure from its Windows Media Player roots, embracing a clean, minimalist design with engaging visual imagery. As it's notably different from the standard jukeboxes, it takes a little getting used to, but it will please your eye in the interim. Check out our slide show of the Zune Software and Marketplace for a detailed look at the interface and service.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
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