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Grand Theft Auto 4 has been announced, though no mention was made whether it was 360 exclusive. It will be released on October 16th 2007 (how’s that for stretching a release date eh?).

Other Microsoft News: Fable 2 announced, Forza 2, Shadowrun announced, Splinter Cell Double Agent launches on the system in September, HD-DVD player is shown, it will be launched in the Fall. It is 1/3 the size of the 360 itself!

In addition to those announcements, the following games were also announced to be coming to Xbox Live Arcade: Contra, Sonic, Pac-Man, Frogger, Ultimate Mortal Kombat, and Time Pilot.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Tuesday announced a cross-platform gaming service that integrates games played on mobile phones, Xbox 360 consoles and the upcoming Windows Vista operating system.

The “Live Anywhere” service will be available as part of Windows Vista, Microsoft’s next-generation PC operating system. The consumer version is scheduled for release early next year.

“It means that you have one online community,” Gates said in a news conference. “This platform can really unleash developers to do amazing new things.”

The system would extend the company’s existing Xbox Live service for the Xbox 360 console into millions of Internet-enabled PCs and cellular phones. No pricing information on the new service was announced.

Source: The Age

There will be two versions of the Playstation 3.

The first version will cost $599 and will come with a 60GB hard drive. The second version will cost $499 and will come with a 20GB hard drive.

The PS3, which is based on the Cell processor, will play CDs, DVDs and include a Blu-ray drive. It also includes built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as ethernet compatibility. Further, it includes Dolby digital surround sound functionality and supports high-definition video up to 1080p.

The console also can run up to seven wireless controllers at once, and all PS3s will come with a built-in hard drive, either 60GB or 20GB.

Finally, it supports USB, Sony memory sticks, secure digital (SD) and CompactFlash.

In addition to announcing pricing, Sony also said the PS3 would hit store shelves in North America on Nov. 17, six days after its Japanese launch on Nov. 11.

Source: CNet News

Halo 3 has been announced. You can view the trailer at http://www.bungie.net or download it via Xbox Live Marketplace. It looks great from what you can see in the trailer, it is all realtime by the way. I do hope there will not be an issue with ammo in Halo 3 like there was in Halo 2 and how annoying it was and that maybe you’ll be able to use your own weapons more often then the annoying convenient weapons.

Well my first week of my new classes for school are now over with. It went well. This week I have to write a rough draft of an essay among a bunch of other school work too.

The Lakers also lost Game 7 this past weekend, most terrible game ever, I was at work so I am thankful to not have seen how terrible they played. They ended up losing 121 to 90. They should of ended it all at Game 5.

Saw Mission Impossible 3 this past weekend. Wow.. is all I can say. I honestly did not think it would be so good. It was very good, action packed, not terrible at all like I thought it would be. Also from reading forums and reviews around the internet, no one else thought it was bad either. Tom Cruise played well too, even though I dislike mostly everything he has done or said the past year or so, he is still a good actor in my eyes and I will always love his 80’s/early 90’s movies.

Well I finally completed Oblivion (as in all 50 achievements) earlier today. Of course, I am still going to continue playing the game, it’s that addicting and good. I waited to complete the Main Quest (left off at Spies) till the end when I finally had finished every other achievement quest (dark brotherhood, mages guild, etc).

I finally received my ebgames order, it only took them forever to ship it (since last Wed) and thank god I had it shipped it overnight or I wouldn’t see it probably for another week. Also received my books for my school classes today, thankgod, since I needed them this week after starting my new classes.

Monday nights Prison Break episode was very good, as always. Same goes with 24’s new episode. Both episodes next week look even more insane. When I heard they would be breaking on Monday’s episode, I could not believe we would see it this season (heard this a few weeks ago) and wow, so cool.

The Lakers lost last night to the Suns. Bell was thrown out aftering taking down Kobe (clotheslined him) then not long after Kobe was thrown out of the game for what he said to a ref after a call should of been made because of one of his teammates were fouled. They lost 114 to 97. They better win their next game at home or else they go to game 7 away at Phoenix.

Well I finished my final exams this past week. I think I did very good on both of them. Now I start my new classes this week, English Composition and Business Systems Analysis, which I hope won’t end up being that bad or hard.

In other news, Lakers won against Phoenix 99-98. The Lakers are leading 3-1 against the Suns. Kobe hit the buzzer shot in overtime to win the game. Also the Bulls won game 4 against the Heat, 93 to 87, making it a tie at 2-2.

At last, I am on my last week for 2 classes of mine, Network Principles and Database Essentials. I am more worried about my Database Essentials final than my networking class final as I am sure I’ll do good on that.

Then next week I start my 2 new classes, English Composition and Business Systems Analysis. Sorta worried about them both but that is always hot it is when I start new classes.

Last week I received an email from FreePay for a $400 SuperGiftCertificate and immediately redeemed it for 4 $100 BestBuy Gift Cards. Today I received them physically in the mail from FedEx! I am now finally fully done with FreePay. I chose to get the $400 gift card instead of an Xbox 360 because I already have owned an Xbox 360 since release date and who knows when I would actually receive it from FreePay and how far down I am on their list to receive one. Plus now I can get something else instead if I want.

If Philips has their way you may not be skipping through TV commercials much longer. In fact, you might not even be able to change the channel on your TV during a commercial.

Philips has filed a patent application to stop people from changing channels during commercials or fast forward commercials for pre-recorded shows. According the patent application, Philips solution is to use MHP (Multimedia Home Platform) to read flags in broadcasts. If an advertisement is marked as such, your STB (Set-Top Box), DVR or even your TV could stop you from changing the channel or skipping past commercials. MHP software is already built into most digital TV receivers and recorders available today.

Philips knows that the patent would be “greatly resented by viewers” and could even cause end users to believe their equipment is broken. To remedy this, Philips suggests that the flag also trigger a notice on the screen to notify users of what is going on.

The patent application also suggests that end users be able to pay a fee to be allowed to skip commercials. The fee would probably be set by your cable or satellite provider.

As we move into the digital age, it seems more and more that we as consumers are at the mercy of these big companies. This is starting to look like the Telco business. First we have Caller ID, then Caller ID blocking, and now Anti-Caller ID blocking. What’s next, anti-commercial forwarding blocking?

Source: Philips Patent Application

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