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Week of October 16, 2005
Panda Software: Xbox 360 May Be Target For Trojans, Viruses
>> From techweb.com:
[QUOTE]
Panda Software said that over the last several days, it has tracked a trio of Trojans that aimed to reduce Sony's PSP (PlayStation Portable) and the Nintendo DS game consoles into expensive bricks. In order for the malicious codes detected so far to reach one of these consoles, users would have to voluntarily run applications from unauthorized sources.
Xbox 360 is much more Internet-centric than other consoles," argued Patrick Hinojosa, the chief technology officer of Panda, in an interview. "It has a lot more online capabilities, and because of that I think that malicious code will be more prevalent than on other systems."
While he doesn't see a risk in the Xbox 360-Windows XP Media Center connection -- the two devices don't share a similar operating system -- Hinojosa expects that hackers will post code online disguised, for instance, as a game crack. "It may not happen in the immediate future, but I think it's a potential danger," he said.
In part, the fact that xBox has a Microsoft nameplate will draw attackers. "There's a certain segment of people who just don't like Microsoft, and the numbers in the black hat [hacker] community are even greater."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: techweb.com
Xbox-Scene Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Saturday 22 October 2005 21:19 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
The Xbox360 A/C Adapter and Interferences Saga Continues *updated*
>> Skyypunk, an Xbox-Scene forum member, posted a picture of an opened Xbox 360 Wal-Mart kiosk. Some pictures surfaced yesterday giving us hope the Xbox 360 might have smaller A/C adapter after all. But the picture below shows the Xbox 360 Kiosks still use that huge A/C adapter we saw before with demo units and with beta/final dev kits.
While the Xbox 360 consoles in these kiosks are final, there's still a spark of hope the retail package of the Xbox 360 will ship with a smaller A/C adapter.
*UPDATE* mrbelvedere, another Xbox-Scene forum member, is working at Wal-Mart and confirmed the big A/C Adapter aswell ... He posted a few pictures too:
After the rumor on joystiq about interferences between the Xbox 360 (custom wireless 2.4Ghz interface?) and other devices in the Wal-Mart store we received 2 more reports:
* From Skyypunk on forums: "My local walmart (Ypsilanti, MI) also had their 360 shut off. They said that when it was on, it interfered with their wireless scanners"
* From darksar by e-mail: "I work at a walmart and we had to turn it off because it was interfering with the hand scanners working properly, couldn't connect to the system and when they did connect they had problems printing to the wireless printers we use."
For now all this stays a rumor ... as soon as we get more details or some kinda official/confirmed info about this we'll let you know.
Xbox-Scene Forum Discussion: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Saturday 22 October 2005 17:53 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
USA: HD Era mandatory in 2009?
>> From gamespot.com:
[QUOTE]
In his evangelization efforts to help hype the Xbox 360, J. Allard has repeatedly spoken of the "HD Era."
This week, the public found out when the HD Era will be enforced--by law. Yesterday, a US Senate panel approved legislation that specified an April 7, 2009, deadline for television stations to switch entirely to HDTV digital broadcasts.
The Senate Commerce Committee voted 19 to 3 to approve the transition, as well as open up funds to help consumers pay for the conversion. The proposed legislation would see $3 billion of federal money allocated to owners of pre-HDTV sets to help them pay for converter boxes.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamespot.com
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(Saturday 22 October 2005 00:54 EST) - (Category: OffTopic) - (Posted by::
)
XLink Kai System Updates
>> The XLink Kai(info) network has been updated today. The update rolls out updates to both the Orbital servers as well as the Kai Windows Client.
New features include:
* new Orbital feature: Persistent Authentication - orbs retain authentication info and remain available even if the authentication server is offline.
* client update - detection of new Xbox MAC addresses
* client update - attempted fix to halo2 voice issue - let us know once you all have the update
Official Site: http://www.teamxlink.co.uk
Download: The client will auto-update when you launch it
More from Xbox 360 kiosks: final PSU picture? and more...
>> * Joystiq.com has a new picture of what could be the PSU used in the Xbox 360 demo units inside the Kiosks - if true it certainly looks smaller than the devkit/beta A/C adapters:
[QUOTE]
Maybe we can finally put that Xbox 360 power supply issue to rest with this photographic evidence captured by Joystiq reader XeqtioneR. That's a whole heckuva lot smaller than the monstrous brick that we were seeing earlier. Then again, this could just be the power supply for some other kiosk component, like the display. Our man notes that this was bolted to the back of the Xbox 360 kiosk.
More Pictures: xeqtioner.net
[/QUOTE]
* GameSpot.com reports that after the Wal-Marts earlier this week, the GameStop stores are getting demo kiosks too:
[QUOTE]
Today GameStop followed suit with its own kiosks for the concave console. According to one GameStop employee, a company e-mail sent out to the near 2,000 stores stated that Xbox 360 stations would begin appearing at the outlets starting today, with the goal being that each store have a station within a month. Consistent with reports, GameSpot was told that playable demos of Call of Duty 2 and Peter Jackson's King Kong would be included.
It's unclear at the time whether this will also include EB Games stores, which were recently acquired by GameStop in a merger. "At this time, we are not informed of what happens with EB's stores," said the GameStop employee.
[/QUOTE]
* Joystiq.com has a 2nd somewhat strange article. It's a rumor with a big 'R' ... but we'll just share it with you ...
[QUOTE]
Joystiq tipster, Brad, is reporting that the Xbox 360 kiosk at his local Wal-Mart has been shutdown. After talking to the manager, Brad was told that the Xbox 360's "built-in Bluetooth" (360 doesn't use Bluetooth...?) was causing major problems with the store's PA system. What's going on?!
[/QUOTE]
Read More: joystiq.com[PSU], gamespot.com, joystiq.com[Bluetooth], xeqtioner.net
More Playable Xbox 360 Titles at IGN Live
>> From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
IGN Entertainment has announced more Xbox 360 titles to be playable at "IGN Live," the ultimate gamer festival taking place October 22-23, 2005, at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Confirmed XBox 360 games at "IGN Live" are Call of Duty 2, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland and Need for Speed Most Wanted. Also scheduled is Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie, with more to be announced.
But that's not all. "IGN Live" is also scheduled to showcase XBox 360 demos of Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie and Gears of War (to be demo'd by Epic Games CEO, Marc Rein) within the state-of-the-art Dolby HD Theater, using cutting edge sound and video technology. Fans can also catch a number of exciting movie and game trailers at the Dolby HD Theater, available only at "IGN Live."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: teamxbox.com and ignlive.com.
New Skinless XBConnect
>> From xbconnect.com:
[QUOTE]
Due to popular demand, we have designed a skinless version of XBConnect(info). This version has a cleaned up interface and is targeted at those that have low to mid range PCs. XBC will now load much faster, use less resources, and will get along with desktop skinning programs.
We have also been getting geared up for the Xbox 360 launch. In anticipation of this, we have added some new networking code to XBC. We hope this will make the transition much easier when November comes around.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.xbconnect.com
Download: here
Quake 3 Xbox W.I.P. update: No public betas, Public release soon
>> Here's a Work-In-Progess update from Carcharius who's working on a Quake 3 engine port to the Xbox. From carcharius.xbox-scene.com:
[QUOTE]
Since I announced that I was working on this project I've had loads of people requesting to ‘beta test' the port.
To all of those people I say thanks for the offer, but there won't be any early versions being sent to you.
In my experience requests like these are, more often than not, just somebody trying to get hold of a copy so they can either leak it to the world at large before it's truly ready, or just show off to their friends etc.
Very rarely does any quality beta testing information come back in these situations.
Now, I have sent a few copies of an early beta out to people from the xbox scene that I trust and have worked with in the past. So there are people pointing out to me what's good and what might be improved upon.
Until I decide to do a general release those are the only people that are going to get any advance versions, so please stop asking.
Time for a bit of good news - I know when it's going to be released! :)
More precisely, I know when I would like to release it and am working towards getting the first public beta ready for then.
I'm not going to tell anyone what that date is, so don't ask! ;) Rest assured, there is a date and it's not all that far away.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://carcharius.xbox-scene.com
Xbox-Scene Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
Thanks to JayDee for the news.
Xbox360 More Powerful Than ATI X1800 At HDTV Resolutions
>> A member of Beyond3D talked with a representative from ATI where they discussed the differences between the Xbox 360 'Xenos' gfxcard and ATI's latest flagship x1800 PC gfxcard. Here's what the ATI representative said:
[QUOTE]
At lower resolutions say 640x480 or HDTV then the xbox is most likely faster due to it's slightly higher shader power and high framebuffer bandwidth. But at higher resolutions 1600x1200 it could possible go to the X1K. They both have similar performance. In the end it comes down to the type of application.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: beyond3d.com (news via gamersreports.com)
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(Thursday 20 October 2005 20:35 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Allard: Live is a Gateway for Innovators
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Speaking to UK online site CVG, J. Allard said, "If you're a crazy new developer with a risky idea, how do they get it out in a world of 10 million dollar production budgets in a risk adverse industry? Our answer: Live Arcade - make a level, put it up there and see what happens, maybe you'll get signed to a publisher after that to make a million dollar version of it at retail and dole it out month over month. It's good for innovation."
Allard stressed the importance of Live to Microsoft's strategy in the console market, "Maintaining the lead in online is critical, it's one of the biggest drivers of growth and innovation."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz
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(Thursday 20 October 2005 16:01 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Wall-Mart Xbox 360 Kiosk Pictures and Video!
>> We already reported yesterday that Wal-Mart installed playable Xbox 360 Kiosks in many of their stores (JoyStiq has a list here of Wal-Marts with Kiosks. UPDATE: You can see the location of all Wal-Marts will Xbox 360s on this google map).
Inuyasha152/Vic posted some pictures and a video of the Kiosk on our forums:
[QUOTE]
Just got back from Wal-Mart, got a pretty good amount of pictures and let me tell everyone, the Xbox360 OWNS! I was going to get a bunch of more pictures of the dashboard, but unfortuneatly they said they would kick me out of the store because your not allowed to bring cameras in and take pictures... oh well.
Anyway I would like to bring up this Xbox-Scene article[about: Big A/C adapter].
It seems the adapter DOES appear to look like that, as in a few pictures of the Xbox360 you can see a black box, with a lock on it, I believe the A/C adapter is in that. (or maybe just an alarm?)
Please enjoy the pictures, sorry if some are bad quality but my camera isn't really the greatest. Anyway here's a link to the all the pictures, thanks to Team-XMG for hosting the photo's!
[/QUOTE]
  Top and Bottom of the Xbox 360 Kiosk ... must give neckpain if you play too long ;)  left: "Insert your memory unit to download bonus content"
right: this that the rumored huge A/C adapter in the back?
News-Source: forums.xbox-scene.com
Download Start-up Animation Video (3.11MB): here
See all pictures: team-xmg.com (or our mirror)
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(Thursday 20 October 2005 11:07 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Gates predicts disc-free future for Xbox 360: No HD-DVD, No Blu-Ray
>> From xb360info.com:
[QUOTE]
Gates' comments on the future of the HD DVD and Blu-Ray formats in a recent speech at Howard University were particularly interesting, pointing to a future where optical discs would become obsolete and content delivery would take place via the internet.
In his words: "The format that's under discussion right now, HD versus Blu-ray, that's simply the last physical format we'll ever have.
Even videos in the future will either be on a disk in your pocket or over the Internet and therefore far more convenient for you."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: xb360info.com
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(Thursday 20 October 2005 00:32 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox Live and Xbox.com Going Offline for Xbox 360 Upgrade: My Xbox
>> From the pressrelease:
[QUOTE]
On Monday, October 24, Xbox Live and Xbox.com will be offline for servicing and unavailable for approximately 24 hours.
Simultaneously, the Xbox.com forums will be shut down in preparation for their grand re-opening.
On October 25, when both Xbox Live and the Website are back online, Xbox.com will be sporting a whole new look-redesigned, revamped and ready to kick into high gear with the launch of Xbox 360. Xbox Live, will also be ready to support all the great new Xbox 360 features.
Approximately one week later, the My Xbox portion of Xbox.com, as well as the new forums, will be unveiled. For more details about My Xbox click here.
My Xbox is a seamless integration between Xbox 360, Xbox Live, and Xbox.com. It reflects the friends you add, achievements you earn, and games you play on Xbox.com in real time. You'll be able to compare your achievements with any other Xbox Live member just by logging in to My Xbox on Xbox.com. (Remember, achievements are new and can only be earned by playing Xbox 360 games.)
[/QUOTE]
Read the full press release on xbox.com.
More info about 'My Xbox': xbox.com, majornelson.com and ign.com.
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(Wednesday 19 October 2005 22:42 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Forza Texture Tool v1.1 and Forza Decal Browser v0.8
>> * Forza Texture Tool 1.1
This is a very basic texture extraction tool. Given paintjobs from your
livery folder, it can convert the textures to DDS files, which can be
edited with Adobe Photoshop, given the right plugins (nVidia has a good
DDS plugin that can be used with Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro).
This is a major update as this is the original texture tool but it has been updated to sign the edited template with the Real Authkey! So instead of injecting templates to use with your patched XBE's, you may now inject and use with your retail disk or on XBOX Live!
Official Site/Download: http://www.forzacustoms.info
Xbox-Scene Forum Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
* Forza Decal Browser v0.8
Right now it simply allows you to browse the TGA files in a directory where you have extracted them using ForzaBinDump.exe Transparency is supported by the browser. You can even change the background color of the full size image. (ONLY for viewing purposes.) I still have a lot of ideas and plans for this project and it will ultimately be MORE than just a decal browser.
Official Site/Download: http://www.forzacustoms.info
Xbox-Scene Forum Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox 360 pre-orders hit ebay
>> From theinquirer.net:
[QUOTE]
Xbox 360 pre-orders are already being sold on e-bay, with some reaching prices as high as $1,500.
It was only a matter of time before the obligatory new console price gouging began. And, with Microsoft itself predicting disappointment for many would-be buyers, it's no surprise that pre-ordered 360s could fetch such remarkable prices.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: theinquirer.net
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(Wednesday 19 October 2005 16:24 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Microsoft Announces Company’s First Cross-Platform Gaming Controller
>> We already reported yesterday that the wired Xbox 360 controller poped-up at retail, today Microsoft confirmed it with a press release:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft Corp. today announced the retail availability of its first cross-platform game controller and the latest addition to the Microsoft Game Precision Series. The Xbox 360 Controller for Windows delivers the precision and control that will set the standard for next-generation game controllers.
The Xbox 360 Controller for Windows works with Windows XP-based PCs and the Xbox 360 system, with a comfortable, enhanced ergonomic design, force feedback vibration support and a familiar button layout across both platforms.
The Xbox 360 Controller for Windows retail product will include a driver for Windows XP-based PCs. The wired Xbox 360 Controller, which comes with the core Xbox 360 system, will also work on Windows XP-based computers after users download the available driver from Microsoft. The Controller has a 9-foot breakaway controller cable that plugs into a standard USB port.
The Xbox 360 Controller for Windows is widely available in North America for an estimated retail price of $39.99 (U.S.)* and will be released soon in Europe and Asia.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: pressrelease.
Download the XP drivers: microsoft.com
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(Wednesday 19 October 2005 13:30 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360s playable at Wal-Mart today? Confirmed.
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
A reader in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin wrote to tell us that his local Wal-Mart has a playable Xbox 360 on display with demos of Call of Duty 2, Kameo, and King Kong. There are also looping videos of other games. We called that Wal-Mart to confirm and were told by the person working in electronics that this is in fact true. According to him, "Wal-Marts are going to be the first stores to have Xbox 360s." He said that a Microsoft representative came by and just decided to set up an Xbox 360 in Sun Prairie.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: joystiq.com (including list of Wal-Mart stores that have the Kiosk)
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(Wednesday 19 October 2005 12:33 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Analyst lowers 360 sales projections
>> From gamespot.com:
[QUOTE]
In a memo sent to investors this morning, Mike Wallace of UBS Securities recast his estimates of Xbox 360 units that will make it on to retailer shelves this holiday season. Wallace adjusted his estimates southward by almost 50 percent, from a previously stated 2.5 million units to 1.5 million units.
By region, Wallace sees 350,000-400,000 units shipping in North America on its November 22 launch date. Over the course of the remaining five weeks of 2005, he sees the North American market peaking at a total of 800,000-1 million units on store shelves.
Looking toward the January-March quarter next year, Wallace predicted an additional 500,000 units per month for the US market.
In the other markets, Wallace expects around 400,000-500,000 units to be in the retail channel in Europe when the Xbox 360 goes on sale on December 2. In Japan, where the console debuts on December 10, he foresees an initial batch of about 100,000-200,000 units. Wallace predicted no significant postlaunch influx of consoles in either market by year's end.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamespot.com
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(Wednesday 19 October 2005 00:30 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Channel 9 Xbox 360 Media Center Demo Video
>> Jeff Henshaw and David Alles posted a video about the Xbox 360 and Media Center "Living room of the future" on Channel9, the Microsoft MSDN blog:
[QUOTE]
This is the first of a series of videos we'll have on the Xbox 360 over the next few months.
You might think that the Xbox 360 is only a game machine. But, here you'll learn it's a lot more than a game machine and that when you plug a Media Center and an Xbox 360 together you get a new kind of entertainment system.
Here, Jeff of the Xbox team, and David, of the Media Center team, tell you about their team's work and the future of media in your home.
If you already have a Media Center, you'll want to get the new Update Rollup 2, released yesterday. It lets you use your Media Center together with the Xbox 360.
[/QUOTE]
Go download this 22mins video on channel9.msdn.com.
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(Tuesday 18 October 2005 23:28 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
id Software about the Xbox 360 on G4tv
>> From majornelson.com:
[QUOTE]
The four key owners of id Software were on G4tv last night, and they had some interesting quotes that I thought I'd highlight in case you missed them:
John Carmack: "Xbox 360 has far and away the best development tools"
John Carmack: "[talks about software development support]...and the hardware is comparable"
Geoff: "So you don't think PS3 is going to more powerful [than Xbox 360]?"
John Carmack: "PS3 is probably marginally more powerful, in terms of raw flops and graphic operations, but that's not really the best way to look at things. When you look at these development cycles that stretch over years and years, being 20% easier to develop on is much more important than being 20% more powerful."
John Carmack: "I make little nitpicky decisions about say, well, I prefer the symmetric approach that MS has over the asymmetric Cell approach, but you can do great games on either one of them, and I make fundamental decisions based on development tools and depth of documentation, which Microsoft has been superior on."
[/QUOTE]
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(Tuesday 18 October 2005 21:15 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360 controllers pop up at retail
>> From cgonline.com:
[QUOTE]
We were lucky enough to get our hands on our very own Xbox 360 controller this morning. We managed to pick the unit up at a local retailer, a fact that was news to the representatives at Microsoft. As the Xbox 360 controller uses a USB connection, it appears that the Windows side of the company has already launched a Windows version that from what we can tell is the same controller, plus software for PCs.
You might keep an eye out on the Windows accessory aisle of you local retailer if you want to get your hands on one early.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: cgonline.com.
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(Tuesday 18 October 2005 19:30 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360 will support AAC format - there’s a catch
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
Last week, I forwarded a number of your questions about the Xbox 360 to Major Nelson (aka Larry Hryb, director of programming for Xbox Live):
* Support for unprotected music in MP3 and WMA formats from most portable music players (list in development)
* Support for protected music from certain players (list in development)
* Support for unprotected music from your iPod in AAC format with free download (Silver or Gold Account) from Xbox Live Marketplace (requires an Xbox 360 Hard Drive or Memory Unit). Note: Does not support music that was downloaded from the iTunes music store because it is copy protected [And herein lies the catch: AAC files originating from the iTunes music store will not be supported]
* Use wireless or wired home network to listen to protected and unprotected music from your PC running Windows XP or Windows XP Media Center 2005
[/QUOTE]
Read More: joystiq.com
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(Tuesday 18 October 2005 18:41 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
HEX168 Web Site Updated: Win 360 Xbox 360's
>> From planetxbox360.com:
[QUOTE]
Hex 168 has been confirmed as official, with the site being updated at noon today. Basically "Professor Jason Q. Lutz" has posted more pictures of the mysterious Hex 168 sign, and is asking users to submit their own sightings. The reward? 360 x Xbox 360's!
User's have until midnight on November 4 2005 to complete their entry, and their "Hex entry" can be in either video or still picture format.
Up for grabs? Well it's significantly better than Origen, 360 (three hundred and sixty) packages containing the following:
"Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming console, three Xbox 360 game titles (Perfect Dark Zero, Project Gotham Racing 3 and Kameo: Elements of Power) , a one (1) year membership to Xbox LIVE, and a three day/two night trip for the winner to an Xbox 360 event. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of Grand Prize: $1,500."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: planetxbox360.com
Contest Site: http://www.hex168.com
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(Tuesday 18 October 2005 17:07 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Rumor: 40GB and 80GB HD on Xbox 360
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
We've been tipped off that Xbox 360s shown at the Digital Life show this past weekend at the Jacob Javitz were sportin' 40GB and 80GB hard drives. We can't confirm it with photos or anything, but according to our observant tipster one Xbox 360 was shown to have 38 GB of space remaining when a Microsoft representative navigated a "memory" section for a few brief moments.
This is not to say that the Xbox 360 will ship with anything other than the 20GB drive that has been announced. We confirmed with Microsoft that the console will launch with only the 20GB hard drive initially. This is more about evolution of the console post-launch.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: joystiq.com.
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(Tuesday 18 October 2005 13:59 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Akira 2 SE ModChip
>> Team Akira sent us informed about their new Modchip 'Akira 2 SE' that will be available soon.
NEW FEATURES:
* New Improved Code (Added Bank switch and Mod disable)
* New Improved ISO 9002 Quality (Black PCB with Gold Plate)
* No more switch installs!
* Button Controllable Bank switch (No more internal switching!)
* Button Controllable Mod disable (No switch or extra pic chip!)
* Smart XX Style LPC Rebuild for 1.6x installs.
* No DIP Switches
* Allows 2 Banks of 256K or 1 x Bank of 512K (Special Mode).
* Akira Recovery flash bios 1.0-16b with new installer flash mode.
* Recovery bank can be overwritten if required to allow 512K bioses.
* LFRAME Safe design.
* More Compact Size.
* 3 wires for install only (Easy solder pads on reverse side of chip).
* Legal design - Comes shipped with Akira bios which contains no copyright code or any anti protection methods which break any law.
* Ultra Low pricing for an amazing ISO 9002 quality 'loaded chip'.
Standard Akira 2 SE Features:
* Works for all models 1.0 - 1.6x Worldwide:
* Allows use of 3rd party bios i.e M8 + X2 5035 (256k or 512K)*
* All other features are bios dependable, has ability to run any 256K or 512K bios.
* Can boot Xbox Linux (www.xbox-linux.org)
They also released a new custom version of the cromwell based Akira flashbios with 'Multi flashing Support'. Source code will be released under GPL.
What's new/fixed:
* Added Support for more flash types including SE type 39VF040 SST
* Added Multi Flashing support for hotswap flashing via CD-ROM
* Added Multi Flashing support for hotswap flashing via HDD
* Added counter for Multi flash options.
Here are some exclusive pictures we received from them
Official Site: http://www.akirachip.com
Download Akira FlashBios: here
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2005-10-17 CVS build
>> A new CVS compile (by T3CH) of XboxMediaCenter(info) has been released.
This T3CH-compile is a BAREBONE package (with just a few thirdparty scripts and with just the default skin) compiled with XDK v5849.
Here's the added features, for all the fixed, changed and updated stuff check the full changelog since the 2005-10-09 CVS release:
* added: new visbility condition, system.hasalarm(alarmname). for use in skins.
* added: new builtin command xbmc.cancelalarm(alarmname)
* added: A .sid codec for paplayer (Commodore 64 Music). Based on libsidplay2+resid.
* added: Support for Direct3d DrawIndexedPrimitive from plugins.
* added: More DirectX exports.
* added: Watched/UnWatched filtering in Video Library views (Thanks to MercuryInc)
* added: my programs bookmarks now support multiple paths defined in the true xml way, like this:
<bookmark>
<name>Games</name>
<path>E:\games</path>
<path>F:\games</path>
</bookmark>
* added: Playlists in My Music Library now act as folders. The items are displayed in the order found in the playlist. Since no tag data is read for these items yet, they are not sortable, and only displayed by filename.
... check the full changelog here.
Keep in mind this is a CVS snapshot of the current development tree. It's not a official (stable) point release. Use only if you know what you are doing.
You can add more scripts and skins yourself if desired. You can download them from allxboxskins.com, xbox-skins.net and xbmcscripts.com.
Official Site: http://www.xboxmediacenter.com / http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbmc
Full Changelog/Xbox-Scene Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK)
Download SourceCode: here
PrimoTechnology Interview with Peter Moore
>> And it looks like there's no stop to the flow of interviews with top Microsoft execs the last few weeks. Here's another one with Peter Moore, Corporate Vice President and Xbox Worldwide Marketing/Publishing. This one is a 6minutes video-interview by at this year's Digital Life tech expo in New York City (october 14-16).
Here's a small except of the shortened transcript:
[QUOTE]
* Larger or External USB Drives?
The compatibility with a Windows Media Center system means, theoretically, you can have 200GB+ of space for your new 360. However, there are currently no plans to have an XBOX 360 hard drive that's bigger than 20GB. It may be implemented several years from now, if such an upgrade is warranted, but for now the team believes that 20GB is more than ample. Files can be transferred and deleted and added just like on a regular PC.
* Connectivity with Windows XP and Vista
While you can, in fact, stream content from a PC running XP to the 360 via your home network, Microsoft believes the real focal point should be Media Center Edition and that pure entertainment is key. USB expandability is also integral, while Vista, which will have a strong entertainment component, is also highly compatible with the 360.
* Online Distribution
While we've seen the 360's ability to download new content and features, there are currently no plans to stream full-length, new releases. The real focus has instead been on XBOX Live Arcade; those "bite-sized" classic titles accessible right from the dashboard. This is partially an effort to widen the demographic for gaming and make it even more mainstream in the coming years.
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Go download the video interview on primotechnology.com.
News via gamersreports.com.
Xbox 360 to be Playable At IGN Live Oct. 22-23!
>> From gameinfowire.com:
[QUOTE]
IGN Live was already set to be huge, but now we have even more exciting news to announce. IGN's first live event October 22-23 at the Anaheim Convention Center will feature playable XBox 360 titles on the show floor. Yes, that's right: all those who come will be able to play XBox 360 before everyone else--one month before the XBox 360 hits store shelves!
Confirmed XBox 360 games at IGN Live include THQ's The Outfit and EA's Need for Speed Most Wanted, though rumor has it there may be even more titles to be announced.
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Read More: gameinfowire.com
Event Info: http://live.ign.com (Oct. 22-23 at Southern California's Anaheim Convention Center. Tickets start at $15)
More About Xbox 360’s A/C adapter
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
We weren't able to verify this at the Xbox 360 Press Event last week (cords & plugs were neatly concealed for aesthetic purposes), but rumors continue to pile up that the Xbox 360's power adapter is, well, what you see above. Of course, most (if not all) of the Xbox 360s that are out in the wild (and show up in these photos), are actually dev kits and don't reflect what the consumer is going to unwrap out of the retail box. We do know that Microsoft has cut down on the console's weight problem by externalizing the A/C adapter, but dag, you could so some serious damage with that thing!
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Read More: joystiq.com
National Instruments Solution to Test Xbox 360 Controllers
>> From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
National Instruments announced today that Microsoft Corp. selected an NI LabVIEW and PXI-based test solution for its Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system controllers. The virtual instrumentation solution, originally developed in Microsoft's design validation lab, was recently deployed to the production line for the functional test of every Xbox 360 controller.
"With an industry-standard platform based on Microsoft Windows, PXI and NI LabVIEW, we developed a high-performance, low-cost test solution that resulted in a 50 percent reduction in our overall test time." said Rob Walker, development manager, Xbox Accessories.
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Read More: teamxbox.com
SeattlePI J. Allard Interview
>> Yet another interview with J. Allard, Microsoft Corporate Vice President and Chief XNA Architect. This time done by the Seattle Post Intelligencer at the San Francisco Xbox360 Press Event last week. Here's a short excerpt:
[QUOTE]
* Q: The settlement with RealNetworks includes them making casual games for your Xbox Live online system. What type of presence do you expect them to have?
* Allard: The RealNetworks guys have done a good job with the RealArcade thing -- had a lot of successful games published on the PC in the casual space. But we haven't worked together with them yet on the console space, so we're looking forward to it. We haven't announced or determined the final list of games, but hopefully it's just the beginning of good things to come.
* Q: Are you going to have a PS3 with a machine-gun bullet through it?
* Allard: If they ever ship the thing, something might happen to one or two of 'em. Right now it's just shootin' at Web pages.
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Read the whole interview on seattlepi.nwsource.com
Mimesis: New Site, v2.0 WIP, Contest and Map Challenge
>> From projectmimesis.com:
[QUOTE]
Well today is a pretty big day around here!
The new site that angrycamel has been working on for a while now is finally live, so with that comes the official announcement of the upcoming Mimesis(info) v2. We cannot say a definite release date at this point, but we promise it will not be long.
Another HUGE news item is the start of our first contest to raise funds for bandwidth costs of the project. For the next 30 days you will have the opportunity to donate and earn a spot in the drawing for a brand new 30GB iPod Video! Tell your friends, tell everyone, because you will not find a better deal on this hot new handheld anywhere. The highest donation over $25 is guaranteed to win the iPod Shuffle regardless of the main drawing for the iPod Video.
More Info: http://projectmimesis.com/donate.php
Do we have any star wars video game fans out there? It looks like Uber_n00b, from the Mimesis Forums, is on a roll with figuring out the formats of two Star Wars(info) Xbox titles. Let's hope that he can get those mapped out by the time we release v2!
Last but not least, we have started a map mod challenge in the forums that is open to all Halo 2 modders. We challenge you guys to blow our socks off with a completely unbelievable mod to be released on the same day as Mimesis v2! There are a couple very promising mods in the works already, and we are all on the edge of our seats to see what comes of the challenge.
More Info: http://projectmimesis.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=409
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Official Site: http://www.projectmimesis.com
More Pictures of the Mysterious Sign Appear
>> TeamXbox.com posted a follow-up to the story about those mysterious "Hex168" signs that have been appearing spontaneously on several locations in USA and what looks like a new viral marketing campaign related to the Xbox 360:
[QUOTE]
Today, we were contacted by anonymous person who provided us with more pictures and further details on what exactly "The Beginning is Nigh" means.
The sign is a puzzle, and it is a promise: "I will bring them together to witness the New Beginning before the rest of the world. And I will reward them with a physical manifestation of the power of this sign."
This unidentified person told us that the photos have not been altered in any way. He said: "the sign is real, and it is out there..."
Finally, the person who contacted us revealed that at noon on October 18, "the true purpose of the sign will be revealed, and the truly committed will have their chance to experience the New Beginning before the rest of the world."
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Check out the new pictures on TeamXbox.com.
Xbox-Scene Discussion Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com.
sXb - help find good naming scheme
>> From keckstar.com:
[QUOTE]
Not being able to come up with a naming scheme for sXb has been a pain from the start [slackware linux for xbox, see: sXbonastick(info), sXbig(info), sXb mini(info), sXb new(info)]. So, I would like for anyone with a good naming scheme idea for sXb to email me: keckstar -AT- keckstar.com
We still will always want to keep sXb as part of the name, but a scheme is needed to differentiate between the releases.
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