May 2006 - Posts
Hey Everyone,
I am still around. Just decided to take a little break from everything. Should be getting into the swing of things again. I do have like 150+ emails/PMs to handle, with a bunch of people needing to be added to the 100% achievement clubs I run at the Xbox.com forums.
Peace.
Major, aka Larry Hryb, was able to get a quick 5 minute interview with THE man from Microsoft, Mr. Bill Gates.
Major said he was nervous, and I don't blame him.
[MP3 Version]
[WMA Version]
This will likely be my last post for the day, until atleast 8pm EST. I am packing up and going home for the summer!
My buddy Surly Duff (Mike), a fellow Xbox MVP, has talked to me about Tony Kornheiser and Pardon the Interruption, the TV show that Tony does with Mike Wilbon.
I truly do love the show. They say exactly what should be say, regardless of the topic.
Well anyways, Mike is a big Kornheiser fan, and was able to go to a taping of the show. He decided to blog about it.
Its a great read, so head over.
Announcement trailer is on the Xbox Live Marketplace.
Alrighty, so we all know. Sony has a 2 SKU offering, with a $499 (20GB) version and a $599 (60GB) version...but are there more differences between the two?
HDbeat thinks so:
So...what does this mean? Does this dual HDMI port PS3 only have one? Or, is that supposed to be an Extra...but, wouldn't that still take away one? The Xbox360 has 2 SKUs. There are 2 differences. The Core comes with SD cables, and no HDD. But you can buy the HD cables, and you can buy the HDD. For what will total ~430. So...you are getting an Xbox360, which I think will be right there with Sony (don't count that CGI), for $70 cheaper. Go figure.
So....quick recap. $499 for a PS3 (which didnt impress me at their keynote) with a 20GB HDD.
IGN has more
Just a recap I got from Major's blog:
- Adidas Gamerpics (Free, all Regions)
- Test Drive Unlimited Demo
- A bunch of trailers
- 'X-3' gamer pictures
To reduce the load at Majornelson.com, I took the images and placed them in this post.
Xbox.com has a content timeline for the week of E3. Now, it does not include the not announced material that you see in this list.
Personally, when I get home from school, I am going download crazy (got some good broadband at home). I am in love with the way that Microsoft has decided to use the marketplace. Forget about reading trailer reviews, or getting low quality video. I am getting HD videos that I can play on my HD TV at home. Rock on Microsoft!
[Xbox.com, Bring E3 Home]
So, the school year is ending soon. My mother is coming up on Wednesday morning, right after my Economics final, and we are going to pack and go home that day.
Its been fun here, but, I really love it back home. So ill probably shut down until Wednesday night...except for big info from E3 2006.
If I don't have the info make sure to drop by Xbox.com and Majornelson.com, as well as Gamerscore Blog for info.
Mr Deap, on the Xbox.com forums, has captured some of the quaterfinal round for us. Man, these guys hold the correct racing line and are flying around the track.
[Via Xbox.com forums]
Ok...some may have seen that post on Xbox360fanboy.com, talking about a "points fraud". I just wanted to toss out the word coming from JethroXP, part of the Xbox Live Operations Team. Quick summary: Microsoft is on top of it all, all those affected do not need to call and they will be refunded the amount they were unknowingly charged while being able to keep the points. Here is Jethro's post (click to enlarge):
Edit: Added link to Xbox360fanboy post, and had to take image off. You can find his post here.
Edit 2: Changed credit card to points in the first line.
Sorry about the poor appearance my blog is in right now. I am finishing up my year at college, and am writing papers/studying. I felt I needed to redo the look of the blog, so I started...but I just dont have the time. Hopefully tonight ill be able to finish it up.
So, Xbox.com and the new My Xbox have not been up for more than 30 minutes, and XUG already has a new feature, which ties into messaging.
Check out StonyArc's gamer profile at Xboxusersgroup.com. While limited to just the profile and the leaderboards at XUG, as of right now, the feature will also be implemented on the gamercard. Now, at XUG, I don't think future to them, is that far away.
Great work XUG!
So the rumors flew, right out of the building. Yes, this downtime for Xbox.com, Xbox live and the Xbox.com forums, were for...maintenence. Well, the team has worked hard and did add new features. You can now access your messages.
Now here comes the difference between silver, web only and Gold. Gold can received AND send messages, while silver and web only can receive.
- All My Xbox users (Xbox Live Silver and Gold users as well as those who just signed up here on Xbox.com) can now read text messages in the My Xbox Message Center. So someone can send you a message from their Xbox 360™ console and you can read it on your PC.
- Xbox Live Gold members can compose and send messages in the My Xbox Message Center. The character limit is the same as on the Xbox 360 console: 250 characters.
- Xbox Live Gold members can send messages (up to 200 per day) to gamers who are on their friends list.
- Xbox Live Gold members can send messages (up to 25 per day) to other gamers not on their friends list.
- All My Xbox users can block communications with other gamers. Designate a gamertag as blocked and you won't get any more messages from them. Change your mind? Unblock a gamer simply by sending them a message.
Ive put some images up, of the interface on my flickr account.
The wonderful Trixie has more information in an article at Xbox.com. Give it a good read.