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Xbox One System Update Preview

This is a big month for Xbox One as we launch some of the features you’ve asked for most including better multitasking while gaming, more ways to stay connected with friends, new options for accessing your media, and more. Over the past couple months, we’ve been rolling out some great new features to Xbox One through our system updates, and we have been thrilled with the positive feedback we’ve received from all of you. Keep it coming! There’s more new features rolling out to Xbox Live members in our preview program starting today, and over the next week or so, in two major themes.

New Snap and Friends functions

  • Snap Updates – We’ve updated the Snap Center to include quick access to many of the things our fans wanted faster access to when playing a game – Friends, Messages, Game DVR, clock, and battery indicator – as well as making it easier to close and open new snap apps when playing a game. A double tap of the Xbox button on your controller will bring up a menu that allows you to open a new app in snap mode, close the current snapped app, or switch focus between your game and your running snapped app. Additionally, two apps have been optimized for Snap mode:
    • Friends Snap App – Access your friends list without leaving the game. Quickly check your friends list to see who’s online right now and take actions like send message, invite or join.
      Messages Snap App – You’ll be able to open, read and respond to messages in Snap mode, and messages will now be displayed in a threaded conversation view.
    • Achievements App – Updated to enable sharing of achievements you’ve unlocked with captions, see a list of friends who have unlocked specific achievements, and an updated achievements Snap landing page that that shows Achievements on recently played games, when a user is not actively playing a game.
  • Friends section – The new Friends section enables you to see at a glance what’s going on with your friends. You can stay up-to-date with their current activities, the most popular games your friends are playing, and a Gamerscore leaderboard to see who has improved their Gamerscore over the last 30 days. The new Friends section has been available for select preview members for a few weeks and now we’re bringing it to everyone in the program, with plans to roll out this feature for all Xbox One owners with the October system update.
  • New SmartGlass features – You can now see a list of your top games in your profile. You can also see a list of your friend’s most popular games in the Friend’s section of SmartGlass.

Improvements for TV and video

  • Media Player DLNA and MKV support – Members of the preview program who have also downloaded the latest version of the Media Player app will now have support for DLNA streaming. With this update, you will be able to easily access and play music, watch photo slideshows or movies stored on home media servers and devices that support the DLNA server protocols. Additionally, you will now be able to playback MKV files stored on a USB device or a device on your home network that supports DLNA streaming.
  • Live TV Trending – Within the next week, you will be able to see what Live TV is trending based on your country and OneGuide settings. A new tab will be available in OneGuide that displays the top 10 most watched TV shows, with the list filtered down to the shows that are currently available to you based on your OneGuide settings. You will be able to tune to a specific show by pressing the A button. The Live TV Trending list will be updated approximately every minute, so you can easily discover shows that are popular with other viewers. This feature will initially be made available to preview users in the U.S., Canada and the UK.
  • Xbox One Digital TV Tuner – Previously announced in August, this new accessory will be available for purchase in UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain on October 21. This USB-attached TV Tuner will enable users to watch TV on Xbox One, and pause Live TV for up to 30 minutes. There are a limited number of preview participants in this program due to hardware requirements needed for testing.
  • Stream TV to SmartGlass – If you have an Xbox One Digital TV Tuner, you will be able to stream TV across your home network to your smartphone or tablet using the Xbox SmartGlass app. You can also pause, play, rewind and change channels, without interrupting gameplay.
    • Live TV MiniGuide – For markets where OneGuide is available, a new MiniGuide on the bottom of the screen will display details about the TV content that is currently playing. You can quickly change channels, see what’s on other channels, and tune to the previous channel or other recent channels.
    • OneGuide in 12 new countries – Live TV listings and schedules will be made available to preview members on Xbox One and SmartGlass for Belgium, Chile, Columbia, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and Russia in the next few days.
    • Internet TV Apps – Apps with live TV channels can now include their TV listings within OneGuide. In addition, other Xbox TV features such as channel changing using speech and Miniguide will work with these apps. These features are enabled automatically the first time you sign into a supported app. The first app to support this feature in preview will be Zattoo, a TV provider available in several European markets. We will be sharing more details soon with members of the public preview.
    • Universal Remote Control in SmartGlass – If you are in one of those 12 countries, you will also be able use your mobile device to control your Xbox, TV, and/or Cable/Satellite box.

Other user requested features

  • Updated Devices & Accessories page – To access the new page, go inside Settings, where you can Find, Assign, and Update Xbox One accessories. You can now more easily “assign” accessories to specific users, such as assigning a headset to a specific gamer.
  • Firmware updates – You can update the firmware for an individual device. And, you can also more easily find (or identify) a controller by making it vibrate.
  • Hide Games & Apps on your console – You can now hide items in the “Ready to install” list under My Games & Apps. This is a per-console setting and items will reappear in the list if they are installed again from the Xbox Store. To access the shortcut to temporarily show “hidden” items, press X while holding down both triggers and it will show all hidden items until you exit My Games & Apps.

These new features and updates are rolling out to all Xbox One preview program members starting today. We are looking forward to bringing Xbox One to new markets this month, and can’t wait to hear from fans in those markets who get to pick up and play Xbox One for the first time. Plus, these new features will be available in all of our new markets for Xbox One owners who join the preview program.

Nintendo to disappear?

Are Nintendo consoles going to disappear just like Sega did in 2001 within the next 5 to 10 years? Maybe around 2016? I think so. I do not think you will see them completely disappear, I see them taking the same route as Sega and moving towards all software instead.

Why do I think this? Well read and think about this. Microsoft has the Project Natal addon for its Xbox 360 coming out later this year in 2010. Project Natal is going to be able to do much more than the Nintendo Wii will ever do and just possibly any new console Nintendo ever pushes out, could do.

Microsoft Xbox Video Games are just so much superior than Wii’s little games, mainly arcade titles remade, Wii Resort, Wii Sports, etc. Exclude Xbox Live for a moment, any game hands down beats the Wii down. We all know this, yes, there are different groups of gamers that love Wii games over the 360. That is all understandable, I am not arguing this anywhere. But that group of people is much smaller than the larger group for Xbox 360 (or even PlayStation).

I am not bashing the Wii or Nintendo, I can see how it looks like I might be. But I have always loved Nintendo, maybe not so much now a days as I do towards the Xbox 360. I just for see them eventually disappearing such as what has happened to Sega in the console market. We have, or at least I and many others, grown up and seen great fun consoles disappear and in a short period of time to never live a “full life”.

Nintendo has Zelda, Mario and other great, lovable and never, ever forgettable characters but will they always be there to save the console? I do not think so. Yes, the Nintendo Wii has sold many, many consoles. There is no doubt about that or looking at those stats, that you would think Nintendo would disappear from the console market. But I at least, am one of those people that just think it could inevitably happen.

Kids love the Wii and it is a great party system to kids and teens. Sometimes even adults. Maybe I am looking at the Nintendo from a pro gamer aspect and then thinking it can not survive, while part of that may be true, I think you need to hit that pro gamer market and older markets to further survive. Everyone grows up, so I think that everyone that is growing up with the Wii, will eventually need to be hit as well or they may lose them too and come to a drought in between generations.

Xbox 360 Launch Console vs Xbox 360 Elite Fall 2009

On Saturday, August 29th, 2009 my Xbox 360 Pro Launch Console received the dreaded E74 error message. Which is basically right next to the RROD error. My Xbox 360 Launch Console is obviously out of warranty and I was not going to pay $99 to get rid of the launch console to only get a refurbished one sent back to me that could possibly get this again. Plus, the launch console is too valuable to me for various reasons.

Anyways, here is what I have noticed with the Xbox 360 Elite Fall 2009 build. The console is obviously quieter, without a doubt. I forget it is on, which is even better when you are using it to play movies. I never really had a problem with it while playing video games. I also noticed that game discs load much faster than before with the launch console. Then there is the Jasper CPU which you will not really notice but it is better than the Falcon CPU they used in the launch and early on system consoles. These 360’s should not be prone as much to the RROD’s or E74 error messages either.

If you are looking to get an Xbox 360, definitely by the Fall 2009 consoles or any other ones with later build dates. If you some how have waited this long to get an Xbox 360 because of hearing people with RROD/E74 problems, then you should not of waited but no need to wait any longer now either.

Microsoft Xbox Fails with Hard Drive Migration Kit’s

Microsoft Xbox is really starting to fail at the moment. Why? Because of their Xbox 360 Hard Drive Migration Kit’s. You can NOT find these in-stores. You can only order them for approximately $14 through them by calling them. I would really, really like to know why is this? and what genius thought of this. Because he or she is not only a fucking moron but should be fired. Maybe I am sounding a bit harsh but not really, read on.

Here is my problem: Xbox 360 dropped their prices this past Friday. On Saturday my launch system console received the E74 error message. Coincidence? I would think not. My Xbox 360 is obviously out of warranty since it’s a launch system console, almost 4 years old in just about 2 1/2 months. I do not want to just give away my launch system for $99 only to get a refurbished one so instead I decided to order the Xbox 360 Elite Fall 2009 edition from Amazon.

Here is where my problem gets worse, I want to transfer my 20GB HD over to my new 120GB when I get it tomorrow. I would love to start using the 120GB HD right away. It is almost for sure I will not be able to tomorrow and I will have to wait at least a week. No store sells the Xbox 360 Hard Drive Migration Kit. How ridiculous is that? I am so, so surprised no one on eBay is selling them either because 99% of people should not need them after they have used it. Yes, you can find third-party ones from Hong Kong on there. But the disc to transfer probably will come in PAL format, be unreadable and I am not waiting weeks for it to get here from Hong Kong. So that is not an option, the only legit one I found is from Canada and that will still take too long to get here.

So to end this, Microsoft Xbox, you should really think about putting the Hard Drive Migration Kit’s in-stores. Why you don’t all these years is beyond me. Especially since you sell them WITH separate 120GB hard drives in which my case, that would be a huge waste of money since I have a 120GB HD coming with the console. Also the fact that I have seen that it does have its own packaging so why even bother making packages for it if you still have not put them in-stores? You may as well just not do that to make it look pretty and throw them in a box when you ship them to someone.

Sheila (Microsoft Ad) is Stupid

First you will need to watch the video:

After having watched it, what are your thoughts? Honestly, every Microsoft Ad they have put out is just dumber and dumber. This one just adds to the collection of them.

Apparently 2GB of ram is not enough for her. It is not like she is going to be doing much with it anyways or her “video editing”. Come on now Microsoft. Hands down Apple is going to win for video editing for majority of the laptops out there.

Also stop flaunting HP laptops so much, it is not like everyone does not know that HP is paying you to have these customers walk out with them. I am not saying HP’s are bad but seriously there is Toshiba, Dell and more you could. These videos just tell lies for the most part.

Fallout 3: The Pitt DLC Date Announced

Bethesda’s new DLC for Fallout 3, The Pitt, will be released on March 24th, 2009 at a Microsoft Points price of 800 just like its previous release of Anchorage at that same price.

The Pitt takes place in Pittsburgh, this is the second of three DLC announced for Fallout 3, the next one should be arriving sometime next month. Check out more information on The Pitt at the source link.

Source: Neowin.net

Halo Wars Review

I decided to pick up Halo Wars, especially since it is an RTS and I like a new RTS from time to time. I am not a huge Halo fan but here it can easily be ignored. If you do not know if it has a story to it or not, it does when playing campaign mode and so far it seems to be great as well as they did a great job with the videos. From what I understand it takes 20 years before Master Chief.

After putting about 5 hours into it already and nearly done with ACT 2. I decided to take a break and write a review on it. This is a cut down RTS in my opinion compared to the Command and Conquer series on Xbox 360 and Civilization Revolution on Xbox 360. But if this scares you, it should not, there is little worrying to do here unlike in both of those games (I know there are a few more RTS on 360 but I have yet to play them) where you have a lot to do, control, build, defend, etc.

There is a lot here not only in Single Player but in Multiplayer as well, so if you are worried about putting this game away on the shelf after becoming bored of it, you should not worry unless you are that type of person then maybe you will just want to rent it. Online will give you many more hours to play out of this once you are finished with playing Campaign. You obviously can play Campaign further more on the harder difficulties like Legendary.

You also have Skirmish mode as well, very popular in RTS’s so nothing new there, I have yet to try that mode though, still playing through the Campaign. As long as people buy and continue to play online, online should be fun for those people that are into it. I doubt I will venture off into it yet alone play it a lot, I have many other games to play before this online anyways.

The menus and online (matchmaking) is just like Halo 3, so those that are coming from the Halo series to this, especially to try out this RTS because remember, Halo 3 is a FPS and this is an RTS. Totally different games if you did not know this yet.

Controls are and work great. I have no problems with them as I know many people always are fearful about how the controls for an RTS are on a console. They are much better and not as many either compared to the Command and Conquer series and others. You have your simple controls here like LB to select all units anywhere on the map and RB to select only units shown on screen. You press A or hold A to select a number of units, I am not too happy with when you hold A to select units as it creates a large circle after holding it more than about 2 seconds. Press B to not select anything, move your units with X and Y to use the units special ability.

There are not many problems I have come across except that sometimes your units block your path, I have had this happen a lot especially when you set down Cobras and clearly other units would be able to get past but they do not. They sometimes eventually find an alternative (takes a while) if there even is one. There is not much else I have run into that bugs me.

I love when you are given Spartans to control, they are awesome to have especially when you have a large group of them. They can not, they will go down as will Forge but as long as you have other units to go by him when his health is halfway again then you will never fail a mission unless you are trying to protect or accomplish something or whatever else going on.

To end this now, I am really enjoying the game. I think if you are new to RTS games and really want to try one out, this is definitely the game for you. I give it 4/5 stars.

Overpriced Xbox Live Arcade Games

Before a lot of games were already overpriced at 800 MS points. Now it seems that rate is jumping to 1200 MS points. I just checked out a game called Death Tank, just a game to play for a little bit, different and some fun. Yes, I could play the trial but why bother? I am limited with no achievements and pretty much, fuck that.

But there is no way in hell I am paying 1200 MS points for a fucking arcade game. Are you nuts? I do not get it. I have not looked into who makes the pricing for these games, if it is part Developer, All Developer, part Microsoft, all Microsoft, I have no idea but why? You literally would see an increase of money yet alone people purchasing the game if you priced this game at either 200 or 400 MS points (at most).

A lot of these arcade games are not worth more than 400 MS points. There are many reasons to this, a lot of these games are just flash games you can play online for free. Now obviously there are many reasons as to why some do not want to do this and what not, to each there own. I am not saying they need or should be free on Xbox Live either but lower the pricing and you will still make money. Do not be greedy because that is what you are being right now.

I would of bought Death Tank for 200 or 400 MS points. But sadly you priced it at 1200 MS points so you will not be getting a sale from me. Even if it were 800, sadly, not, even though you have made it multiplayer, I can not justify the purchase myself. This sadly goes to other unnamed arcade games out there that are overpriced. I do not buy many arcade games not just for this reason but just because I have many regular Xbox 360 games to play already. But every now and then, it would be nice to play an arcade game and/or with friends.

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