You are here: Home / Archives for xbox

Kinect for XBOX 360 Getting Ready for Launch

July 27, 2010 By Ramon B. Nuez Jr. View Comments
kinect_thumb.jpg

Yesterday Microsoft invited us to a private preview of Kinect for XBOX 360 — at the beautiful MPE Penthouse. Now we have been invited to a handful of private previews this past year. What made last night such a pleasure was being able to see a very polished Kinect sensor. We were met by a handful of Microsoft Entertainment and Devices representatives — they were very eager to show off all the refined features. Throughout the salon Microsoft had a number of Kinect stations setup for demonstration. We started off the night with Video Kinect.

kinect Microsoft explained that XBOX movies can be accessed either through NetFlix or Zune – which supports 1080p streaming and 5.1 surround sound. The Kinect philosophy is – “a controller free experience.” So after a number of hand gestures Harry Potter begins to play. As the movie starts you immediately see a scroll bar pop up. This scroll bar is controlled by simple hand gestures – which allow you to stop, fast forward, play and rewind a movie. It was impressive to watch how easy and accurate the sensor was.

Please ready the rest at the Huffington Post.

GD Star Rating
loading...
Filed Under: Featured Content, XBOX Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Sneak Peek at XBOX’s Project Natal

February 26, 2010 By Ramon B. Nuez Jr.
project_natal_sensor

I was invited to a private Project Natal sneak peek. The event was held at the beautiful EZ Studios in New York City. I met with a member Project Natal product team. She gave us a brief explanation of the Natal vision and gave us only a few technical details:

  • RBG camera
  • depth camera
  • Current games will not be compatible with Natal

Read more at The Huffington Post…

GD Star Rating
loading...
Filed Under: Featured Content, Home Tech Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Netflix Will Not be Streaming 1080p This Year

February 9, 2010 By Ramon B. Nuez Jr.
Netflix-logo-with-reflection

The prices of HDTV’s has fallen significantly over the past few years. So much so that mainstream shoppers have been purchasing HDTV’s in record numbers. Due to the rapid adoption of High Definition Television’s and the death of analog HD broadcasting — media companies like Netflix are pumping out (digital) HD content. Today, 1080p is the most sought after resolution for broadcasting as it is considered “full high definition.”

Read complete story — Huffington Post

GD Star Rating
loading...
Filed Under: Featured Content, New Media Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Microsoft Bans 1 Million Xbox Live Users

November 12, 2009 By Ramon B. Nuez Jr.
microsoft

“All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and that modifying their Xbox 360 console violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live,” Microsoft said in a statement on Wednesday.

microsoftThe timing of this announcement corresponds with the release of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.” This is one of the most anticipated Xbox games of the year. COD is a very profitable franchise for Microsoft and means big sales during the holidays; as such Microsoft is coming down hard on pirated copies. This is self evident by the actions Microsoft took this week. They explained that anywhere between 600,000 and 1 million players who use Microsoft’s Xbox Live gaming service will be cut off from the service. Why? Because gamers have modified their 360 or played games that were illegally downloaded from file-sharing sites, according to Microsoft.

In its Xbox Live “Terms of Use” Microsoft says that players are to use “only authorized software and hardware to access the Service,” and that they agree that their software and hardware “have not been modified in any unauthorized way.” Microsoft takes piracy and hardware modifications very seriously. I understand the consumer argument “but it’s my 360.” In Microsoft’s defense – we are using their services so we have to play by their rules.

GD Star Rating
loading...
Filed Under: Featured Content, Game Consoles Tagged With: , , , ,

Game Smart With 360 Family Settings

October 30, 2009 By Ramon B. Nuez Jr.
family

kidsgames

We need to monitor our family’s media experience. Parents must take an active role in ensuring that our family’s experience is age appropriate. The Xbox family understands these concerns and they give parents the controls necessary to manage the media experience.

This is why Microsoft and Best Buy, which is the nation’s largest children’s media advocate, is encouraging families to Get Game Smart. This is a new public service campaign designed to help parents and kids maintain an open dialogue about age-appropriate media use.

The 360 Family Settings Allow You To:

  • Create and manage a Child’s Profile
  • Limit the amount of time the console is used via the Family Settings
  • Block video games and movies based on ESRB and MPAA rating systems
  • Block online access entirely
  • Manage and approve a child’s Friend’s List
  • Block specific online users
  • Block visibility of your child’s account to online users
  • Restrict or Block the use of the Xbox Live Vision Cam
  • Restrict online purchases
  • Restrict the type of advertising your child sees, based on game and movie preferences

These are the top 5 tips for managing media use from Get Game Smart:

  • Get on the same page with your kids about healthy media habits
  • Encourage balance with activities that keep your kids active and busy
  • Set priorities – school work and sports come before video games
  • Get involved – play video games with with your children to learn about their behavior online
  • Set limits – use game rating to select age appropriate content

Ultimately, it is our responsibility to protect our children and not technology. We must talk to them and encourage them to speak to us. I understand that most families have working parents. That just means we must be even more diligent with the conversation with our children.

GD Star Rating
loading...
Filed Under: Home Tech Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

How XBOX Is Helping Doctor’s Without Borders

October 28, 2009 By Ramon B. Nuez Jr.
doctors

doctors

On Tuesday, October 27th, Xbox 360, MTV Games and Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment hosted a Family Game Night at NYC’s Element Night Club.The event was designed to bring families together so they could enjoy a night with The Beatles; well virtually at least. It was a real pleasure watching kids and parents alike jam with “The Beatles: Rock Band.” The Rock Band library currently has 45 Beatles songs plus all the newest songs from the complete “Abbey Road” album. We also had the exclusive opportunity to preview “LEGO Rock Band” before its release on November 10th.

The guest of honor was Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The Microsoft family is offerings a charitable partnership with MSF. The charity single of “All You Need Is Love” was released exclusively through Xbox LIVE. All proceeds from the song will benefit Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

So while the kids jammed and the parents reminisced about younger days – I had the great honor of speaking with Matthew Spitzer – President of the US Board of Directors. Dr. Spitzer joined MSF in 1999. Throughout that time he has been passionately involved with MSF – establishing primary care services in Tibet, working as a field coordinator in Sierra Leone, coordinating a response to the epidemic dengue in Cambodia to finally becoming president.

It was an excellent conversation. I have to admit that my knowledge of MSF was limited. After Matthew took the time to explain what MSF does – I had a much more complete understanding of their mission. What resonated with me the most was that MSF operates independently of any political agendas. They are simply focused on helping the people.

It was great to hangout and watch famlies jamming to the Beatles. It was a pleasure to speak with Spitzer and to learn about all the good that MSF is doing around the world. This is one of the best events that I have attended this year.

GD Star Rating
loading...
Filed Under: Home Tech Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Xbox LIVE Preview Program Begins

October 23, 2009 By Ramon B. Nuez Jr.
controllers

controllersAs I mentioned in a previous post, Xbox Live is dropping three new services before Christmas: Twitter, Facebook and the Zune Market Place. Before Microsoft drops these new services they would like to give  some of us a preview of Twitter, Facebook and Zune. Now, I am going under the assumption that we have all at least heard of Twitter and Facebook? The Zune Market Place may not be as familiar to many of us.

As a point of education or clarification here you go:

Twitter

  • Twitter is a free service that enables its users to send and read messages. These messages are text-based. They are then displayed on the author’s Twitter profile page and delivered to the author’s friends.

Facebook

  • Facebook is a website where users can add friends and send them messages and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. Additionally, users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school and region.

Zune Market Place

  • The Zune Marketplace is an online music, video and podcast store.

If your kids have not signed up already then the preview is closed – at least for now. Larry Hryb, Director of Xbox LIVE Programming, explained that Wave 1 of the Preview Program is well underway. Those who don’t receive invite in a day or two can expect to receive it in later waves. There is no word yet when those next waves will begin.

So why am I taking the time to explain this? Well first I wanted parents to be aware of these new services. Second, I wanted you to be familiar with the new services. As responsible parents we want to understand what are kids are doing and who they are doing it with. Today’s technology makes it so easy to communicate and share information. It’s our responsibility to monitor each of those communications channels and make sure that we are comfortable with context.

GD Star Rating
loading...
Filed Under: Home Tech Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Top Console Bundles For The Holiday’s

October 19, 2009 By Ramon B. Nuez Jr.
courtesy joystiq.com
Dad’s know when the holiday’s are approaching. The family starts leaving bread crumbs to their holiday wish lists. It always seems that the holiday’s come sooner and sooner each year. As dads we want to give our family what they want – we love seeing them happy. Unfortunately, the economic realities are tough to forget and in some instances impossible to over come. Microsoft’s President of Entertainment & Devices Division, Robert Bach, said that many families will simply buying a family present this year; due to the poor economic times. I think that is a great idea.
Great deals are often tough to come by in this industry, which is why we want to keep you up-to-date concerning awesome savings like these:
Sony PS3
It appears that this deal will only be while supplies last. The 160GB PS3 bundle which features a copy of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and a voucher for a downloadable game. Now this setup would normally run you $499.00. Due to this deal you can pick the 160GB PS3 Bundle for $299.00. Currently, the 160GB PS3 is has the largest hard drive in the PS3 family.
XBOX 360
Microsoft is offering the Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Value Bundle. This setup includes a premium Xbox 360 Elite console and two games – LEGO Batman and Disney’s PURE. These games are family friendly. In addition to the two free games the 360 comes with a 120GB hard drive. The Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Value Bundle will be available for $299.
Latest Drop Dates:
If you have a few more bucks in your pocket you maybe interested in these consoles:
Sony is set to release the new 250GB PS3 on November 3. The price tag is $349.00 and it can be pre-ordered at Amazon.
On November 10, Microsoft’s 250GB Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 bundle is set to arrive. It will run you $399.99.
courtesy joystiq.com

courtesy joystiq.com

Dad’s know when the holiday’s are approaching. The family starts leaving bread crumbs to their holiday wish lists. It always seems that the holiday’s come sooner and sooner each year. As dads we want to give our family what they want – we love seeing them happy. Unfortunately, the economic realities are tough to forget and in some instances impossible to over come. Microsoft’s President of Entertainment & Devices Division, Robert Bach, said that “many will be simply buying a family present this year; due to the poor economic times.”

Great deals are often tough to come by in this industry, which is why we want to keep you up-to-date concerning awesome savings like these:

Sony PS3

It appears that this deal will only be available while supplies last. The 160GB PS3 bundle features a copy of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and a voucher for a downloadable game. Now this setup would normally run you $499.00. Due to this deal you can pick up the 160GB PS3 Bundle for $299.00. Currently, the 160GB PS3 has the largest hard drive in the PS3 family.

XBOX 360

Microsoft is offering the Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Value Bundle. This setup includes a premium Xbox 360 Elite console and two games – LEGO Batman and Disney’s PURE. In addition to the two free games the 360 comes with a 120GB hard drive. The Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Value Bundle will be available for $299.

Game Rating

Title: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune

  • Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
  • Rating: Teen
  • Content: Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence
  • Platform: PlayStation 3

Title: LEGO Batman: The Videogame

  • Publisher: Warner Bros.
  • Rating: Everyone 10+
  • Content: Cartoon Violence
  • Platform: Windows PC, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3

Title: Pure

  • Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios
  • Rating: Everyone
  • Content: Mild Violence
  • Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Title: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2

  • Publisher: Activision
  • Content: Mature Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
  • Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Latest Drop Dates:

If you have a few more bucks in your pocket you maybe interested in these consoles:

Sony is set to release the new 250GB PS3 on November 3. The price tag is $349.00 and it can be pre-ordered at Amazon.

On November 10, Microsoft’s 250GB Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 bundle is set to arrive. It will run you $399.99 and it can be pre-ordered at Amazon.

GD Star Rating
loading...
Filed Under: Home Tech Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Top 5 XBOX 360 Family Friendly Games

October 18, 2009 By Ramon B. Nuez Jr.
family3

playingvideogamesXBOX claims to have over 200 family friendly games. So it would appear that Family Game Night will never be boring. I have listed these games because they are all time favorites. Additionally, they are not wallet busters – they are relatively inexpensive. I am not advocating for anyone to be a Scrooge, especially with the holiday’s around the corner, but let’s face it money is tight. The financial restrictions that many families are facing today is very real. I am not a Microsoft fan boy by any stretch. I just believe that Microsoft is demonstrating how the XBOX and Microsoft LIVE can be used to promote family fun with little to know financial impact.


These are my Top 5 Family Friendly Games:

Game: Cars

  • Cost: $19.99
  • Description: Help Lightning McQueen win the Piston Cup Championship and cross the finish line first in this family classic.

Game: LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

  • Description: Follow Dr. Jones’ escapades through the jungles of South America to the mountains of India, LEGO-style!
  • Cost: $19.99

Game: LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga

  • Description: Play through the events of all six Star Wars movies in this family favorite with new levels, characters, and features.
  • Cost: $29.99

Game: LEGO Star Wars II: Ther Original Trilogy

  • Description: Combine the fun and creativity of LEGO with the epic story and heroic characters of the Star Wars universe.
  • Cost: $19.99

Game: Spider-Man: Friend or Foe

  • Description: Defeat your most famous enemies, like Venom and Green Goblin, then add them to your epic team of playable allies.
  • Cost: $19.99

Game: Cars
Cost: $19.99
Description: Help Lightning McQueen win the Piston Cup Championship and cross the finish line first in this family classic.
Game: LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Description: Follow Dr. Jones’ escapades through the jungles of South America to the mountains of India, LEGO-style!
Cost: $19.99
Game: LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
Description: Play through the events of all six Star Wars movies in this family favorite with new levels, characters, and features.
Cost: $29.99
Game: LEGO Star Wars II: Ther Original Trilogy
Description: Combine the fun and creativity of LEGO with the epic story and heroic characters of the Star Wars universe.
Cost: $19.99
Game: Spider-Man: Friend or Foe
Description: Defeat your most famous enemies, like Venom and Green Goblin, then add them to your epic team of playable allies.
Cost: $19.99
GD Star Rating
loading...
Filed Under: Home Tech Tagged With: , , ,