Major Nelson about Silverlight ads on Xbox 360
>> From majornelson.com:
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I've seen quite a bit of discussion today about how we're bringing Silverlight ads to LIVE in the future.
I need to let you know that you don't need to worry about a huge influx of ads across the dashboard. One of our core principles is to enhance, not interfere with the gaming experience, and we work directly with our partners to only deliver experiences that are relevant to the LIVE community. Silverlight will help make those ads a more organic part of the dashboard, like we've done with some of the NXE slots in the past. No one on the team wants to turn the dashboard into something that looks like like Shibuya Crossing. That's just not good for anyone.
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Adam Thole's Tilt Board v3 - Schematics and Board Layout
>> From adamthole.com:
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The link gives you the schematics and PCB board layout for the Tilt Board v3. They were created using the program Eagle CAD 5.4.0 which is available to download from here. Eagle CAD is an excellent (and low priced) program that has a free version available. The zip file contained in the link above this post contains two files. The .sch is the schematic and the .brd is the board layout. For an excellent tutorial on how to use Eagle CAD software check out this tutorial by Spark Fun. If you don't want to mess with learning Eagle CAD but you still want your own board you can order as many as you want from Batch PCB. They are who I ordered my prototypes from and are a really cool company.
Please feel free to use these files for any personal use. I am making them available to help others learn more about electronics. They may not be used for commercial purposes.
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Full Story: adamthole.com
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BenHeck's Xbox 360 Portable Revision 5
>> From benheck.com:
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A few months ago I announced that I would be building a few more Xbox 360 portables, and well, here's one now! While it looks similar to the previous model it's once again a from-scratch redesign and has the following features:
* Built-in Ethernet port, finally.
* Built-in WiFi adapter, as usual.
* Digital pushbutton volume control rather than a clunky knob. I used a different audio amp as well, and it sounds a lot better.
* Flush-mount DVD door and side panels (such as the memory card slots)
* IR sensor for the remote control.
* Two user USB ports.
* More air holes!
* Jasper motherboard.
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Full Story: benheck.com
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Get Creative with Microsoft Research’s New Xbox LIVE Community Game “Kodu Game Lab”
>> From the press release:
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Have you ever wanted to create your own video game? Now is the time to put your imagination to the test. Microsoft Research's new game lab "Kodu Game Lab" launches on Xbox LIVE Community Games today, giving aspiring game makers of all ages the chance to bring their own game creations to Xbox 360. For just 400 MS Points, or $5, anyone with a passion for game creation can harness the magic of programming and game development at every level.
Built using Microsoft's XNA Games Studio, "Kodu Game Lab" is a pick-up-and-create toolset where any aspiring game creators can build their own unique world using a simple image-based creator menu that makes game-making easier than ever. With almost 200 different programming features to choose from, and the ability to share games with anyone on your Friends List, the opportunities are endless.
In addition to a simple image-based user menu, "Kodu Game Lab" enables game creation using only an Xbox 360 controller, right from the comfort of your couch. "Kodu Game Lab" comes equipped with a bridge and path builder, a terrain editor to build unique playgrounds, co-op gameplay for up to four players and 20 different characters with a range of abilities.
What's more, "Kodu Game Lab" keeps minds active by developing logic, problem-solving and creative thinking skills since it was originally designed as a learning tool for kids.
"As a programmer, I wanted to help create something that unlocked the magic of Xbox 360 in the same way that I was able to unlock my computer as a child and bring my imagination to life through games," Lead "Kodu Game Lab" Programmer Matthew MacLaurin said. "We had such success with bringing 'Kodu Game Lab' into classrooms and after-school programs that we wanted to offer it to any wannabe programmer or creator through the Xbox LIVE Community Games Channel."
Just in time for summer, "Kodu Game Lab" finds its home among some of the freshest, most diverse and creatively independent games showcased on Xbox LIVE. Get ready to create!
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Last.fm on XBL: free to gold subscribers, 3 hours per month for others
>> From joystiq.com:
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Microsoft announced at their E3 keynote last month that Last.fm would be coming to Xbox Live. We can share one tidbit: today we spoke with Christina DeRosa, a general manager for XBL, and she let us know who the service will be available to.
"Silver users will be able access what we're considering a trial period of three hours a month, which comes with video advertising. Gold users will have unlimited ad-supported access, so they can use it 24 hours a day. There will also be a premium offering on a subscription basis from Last.fm, that will be commercial free and will also have more sophisticated personalization features, like Loved Tracks."
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Full Story: joystiq.com
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Xbox Live To Get Rich Media, Silverlight Ads Later This Year
>> From paidcontent.org:
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While Microsoft is beefing up Xbox Live with social networking tools and more video content for gamers, it's also adding a plethora of new ways for advertisers to reach them. The newest option will be IAB-standard rich media ads, which the company plans to roll out later this year, according to Mediapost. The addition of rich media support--including Microsoft's Silverlight--will make it easier for agencies to create multi-platform campaigns (online, mobile and Xbox Live) without needing to develop separate creative just for the Xbox.
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Full Story: paidcontent.org
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Xbox 360 Will Fall to Third Place Thanks to Japan, says Pachter
>> From industrygamers.com:
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As part of an absolutely massive 210-page report from Wedbush Morgan Securities on the future of the video game industry, analyst Michael Pachter has predicted that Japan will be the Achilles heel for Microsoft, enabling Sony's PS3 to overtake Xbox 360 on the global market. Wii, however, will maintain its leadership role until the end (with a little help from a new "Wii HD").
"We think that the PS3 will capture significant market share, primarily due to Sony's victory in the high definition DVD format war, and will end up in second place by 2015. Although Microsoft's Xbox 360 enjoyed a first mover advantage, we think that its market position will fade to third place due to lack of penetration in Japan. We expect the Wii to capture 49% share of the U.S. and European market by the end of 2009, followed by the Xbox 360 at 29% and the PS3 at 22%. By the end of 2011 (the extent of our current forecast), we see Nintendo 'winning' the console war by maintaining its share, with 48% of this market. We expect Sony to pull even with Microsoft, each with 26% market share. Notwithstanding the projected finish, we truly believe that all three manufacturers should be considered 'winners', with Microsoft selling twice as many Xbox 360s as Xboxes and building a robust Xbox Live business, and with the other two companies generating significant profits from their respective shares. These estimates do not include console sales in Japan, which we expect to be dominated by Nintendo with over 65% market share through 2011."
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Full Story: industrygamers.com
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Xbox 360 Natal kits with THQ's developers, Sony PS3 'wands' not yet
>> From mirror.co.uk:
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In an interview with G4's The Feed, THQ CEO Brian Farrell said the company had had Microsoft Xbox 360 Project Natal kits "for some time... four, six weeks, however long they've been available."
Farrell said that THQ had only had "discussions" with Sony over its PS3 wand kits and "don't have any of the actual, hands-on dev kits yet."
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Full Story: mirror.co.uk
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Xbox users in France to get Canal Plus films, soccer
>> From edge-online.com:
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The Canal+ Group has teamed up with Microsoft to offer French Xbox 360 owners a range of its pay-TV content.
As well as access to around 6,000 titles, including 3,000 films, the service will feature coverage of top flight French, English, Spanish, German and Italian football, plus the Champions League.
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Full Story: edge-online.com
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Arstechnica Mole: Elite to replace Pro Xbox 360 this fall?
>> From arstechnica.com:
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Our favorite inside source has given us a heads-up on what to expect from both Sony and Microsoft this year in hardware packages and pricing.
Expect the Xbox 360 Pro to disappear in July or August, but you're going to see some solid bundles to get those systems moving off store shelves. The Halo 3/Fable 2 bundle the Mole previously tipped us off to shows that Microsoft is willing to put some good games into the box to get people buying.
So what are we going to do without the Pro systems? Nothing. The Elite units, with the 120GB hard drive, are going to become the Pro-level system after an early September price cut. We'll be on the lookout for another holiday bundle as well, and that should hit around October.
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Full Story: arstechnica.com
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