The new X-Com looks like a classic monster movie, focused around an X-Filesy black oil that jumps around and infests people. Weapons seen in the trailer range from old-style handguns and shotguns to crazy lightning guns cobbled together from alien technology. It appears you’ll be playing the role of a muscley g-man, blasting aliens and taking black-and-white photos of unexplained phenomena. Presumably for the lab techs back at Area 51.

I do have my worries about XCOM. Researching alien tech and designing new weapons and defenses was a big part of the original X-Com. The trailer hints at this, but I get the feeling their version of “research” will be heavily shotgun-based.

We’ll see more of the new X-Com at E3 2011 (this trailer is a slightly updated version of the one they had under wraps at E3 2010) – hopefully including some gameplay.

[Via IGN's YouTube Stream]

The Wii portion of the press conference was confined to new exclusive titles; Nintendo has a tremendous amount of positive sales wind at its back and it doesn’t feel the need to change the hardware at all. Short term I agree with them; over the past six months the Wii outsold Microsoft and Sony combined, and the $199 Wii has a decisive price advantage over the Xbox 360 plus Kinect (likely at least $299 for the Arcade version, and possibly more) and Sony PlayStation 3 plus Move controllers (at least $379). Nintendo doesn’t need to do anything to the Wii this year, but it will need to overhaul the Wii in 2011 or 2012 to remain relevant as a majority of households have HDTVs and Microsoft can further cost reduce the Xbox and Kinect.

While Nintendo is leaving its console alone, it is making significant advances in 3D portable gaming. The 3DS extends Nintendo’s leading portable franchise by adding a glasses-free 3D screen in addition to the 2D touchscreen on today’s version. The 3D effect was excellent, though it does not work off-angle and it can be adjusted or turned off entirely. In my brief look, 3D did appear to significantly enhance gameplay, and the top screen can also be used to watch 3D content from Hollywood. Dual 3D cameras around back can be used to take 3D pictures, and the 3DS has been upgraded with an accelerometer and gyroscope to enable iPhone-style games. The 3DS still lacks cellular data connections, but its WiFi capabilities will include background connectivity to enhance gaming with interactivity and enable content downloads without user intervention.

I was extremely impressed with the 3DS; by providing a unique gaming experience it exemplifies how to compete against multifunction gadgets with a single-purpose device. The problem with the 3DS is simple: timing. Nintendo did not announce pricing or availability, though it did say it expects to ship the 3DS by the end of the fiscal year, or March of 2011. That would miss the critical holiday 2010 sales season, and gives Apple a chance to steal sales forward with the iPod touch, which is already a big hit among younger gamers. Worse, Apple is expected to upgrade the iPod touch line this fall, and a camera, gyroscope, and retina screen could all be part of that offering. Still, while Apple may erode Nintendo’s total available market, there should still be room in the market for a general purpose multimedia device and one dedicated to unique gaming experiences.

During the Analyst Q&A session, I was fascinated by the parallels between Nintendo and Apple. Both have fairly rigid product development approaches, and rarely alter their plans in response to competitors. They both focus less on a piece of hardware than on creating a compelling and cohesive user experience thanks to a combination of software and hardware that are developed at the same time (surprisingly, this approach is actually quite rare in consumer electronics). In the games business, hardware and software are typically developed by separate companies, but Nintendo is fully willing to compete with its third party software developers and its own titles are the most significant part of its business model.

Of course, there are differences, too. Apple’s reach is far more expansive, touching on computing, telephony, music, movies, and web services, while Nintendo has a laser focused on gaming. Apple is building multi-purpose devices and is now extremely dependent on its third party developer community for iOS apps. Nintendo’s devices tend to be more focused (not quite single-purpose, but close) and while Nintendo pointed out that the 3DS has the best third party support it has ever seen for one of its platforms, that’s an anomaly, not the rule. Both companies are extremely profitable, and while the first question of the day (mine) was around 3DS launch timetables, the second question was one that Apple frequently gets from the financial analyst community: what does Nintendo intend to do with all of its cash?

One of the first big stories of the week was the iPad email security breech. The breach was carried out by a security firm called Goatse. Early in the week we also heard grumblings that iOS4 might be getting direct to Facebook video uploads. That would be a welcome feature for Facebook addicts.

The iPhone 4 went up for pre-order in the UK unlocked and SIM free. Lots of us here in America are counting the days until we can get similar deals. Apple updated the Mac mini on Tuesday giving the little machine HDMI, a GeForce 320 GPU and a new unibody chassis. The machine now starts at $699.

Microsoft unveiled the new Xbox 360 dubbed the “Slim” by most fans with a larger HDD, new hardware, and a smaller chassis. The machine is already available to purchase. Microsoft has announced the official launch date of the Kinect accessory, which was previously known as Project Natal. Kinect will ship on November 4.

Nintendo rolled out the 3DS officially at E3. Some specs for the little device were already known, but we got our first official look at the thing on Tuesday. Sony unveiled the official details of the PlayStation Plus service at $49.99 for a year. The service gives buyers access to DLC and more.

The PlayStation Move controller was officially priced at $49.99 on Tuesday. The Move is the motion control system for the PS3. Apple released the latest version of OS X making version 10.6.4. The release fixed bugs and offered Safari 5.

The iPhone 4 sold out in both the US and the UK. The sell out doesn’t mean you can’t pre-order still, it only means the ship time is pushed back. The Goatse security person who hacked the AT&T email site was arrest over drug charges. The FBI found the drugs while searching his home in relation to the AT&T hack.

We learned for sure this week that the iPhone 4 and iPad microSIM cards can’t be shared between the devices. That eliminates the chance of using the iPhone 4 card for data on your iPad. Apple announced mid-week that over 600,000 iPhone 4 orders had been placed. The number set a new record for Apple.

Nintendo offered the full specs on the 3DS Thursday. The design can still change but specs include WiFi, two cameras, an SD card slot, and more. We offered up a video unboxing of the new HTC Wildfire Thursday. The handset has a 3.2-inch screen Android 2.1, and a 5MP camera.

AT&T is getting its own version of the Galaxy S smartphone. The AT&T version will be called the Samsung Captivate. Apple announced that the session videos from WWDC were available online for devs. You have to be a registered dev to access the video. Sources announced Friday that Apple is thought to be shipping 1.2 million iPads per month. That is a ton of iPads for sure. Thanks for reading!

The Best of R3 Media

Nexus One, with Froyo, Launches in Korea: While the rest of the world waits for an official release date for Android 2.2, affectionately called Froyo, it seems like those in Korea, with wireless coverage from KT Wireless, may not have to wait any longer. Because it looks like Google is set to launch the Nexus One with Froyo right from the start. Which hopefully means that the release is right around the corner for the other Nexus One owners out there. We can keep our fingers crossed, at least. [via Android Community]

Nintendo 3DS Not Arriving in the UK Until 2011: You’ve got to hand it to senior executives at companies, they can just say whatever they want, whenever they want. Even if it’s bad news. For example, thanks to a senior exec from Nintendo, it looks like the 3DS, the new 3D mobile gaming platform from Nintendo, won’t be making it to the United Kingdom by the end of 2010. Apparently, it’ll make an appearance in those parts some time in the beginning of 2011. So, 3D fans out there, start counting down the calendar! [via SlashGear]

iPhone 4 Launching with 512MB of RAM: Truth be told, Apple’s never very open about the internals of their hardware. At least, not when it comes to their mobile phones. Sure, they’ll tell you how many gigabytes you’ve got, or the screen resolution, but if you want to know the RAM, you’ll have to wait until someone starts tearing them apart. Not this time, though. There’s confirmation out there that the new iPhone from Apple is going to have 512MB of RAM, which means double that of the iPad and iPhone 3GS. [via SlashPhone]

The Dredge ‘Net

Windows Embedded Handheld is Windows Mobile 6.5: While Microsoft focuses on Windows Phone 7, there’s still that lingering feeling that Windows Mobile isn’t completely dead. And, sure enough, it looks like Microsoft feels the same way. So much so in fact, that they’re launching Windows Embedded Handheld, which is built from Windows Mobile 6.5 technologies. They’re doing this, in hopes that they can speak to enterprise customers, so that when they launch a new enterprise-based Windows Phone 7 later in the year, or maybe even in 2011, they’ll be able to make the transition more comfortably. In the mean time though, Motorola’s launching a Windows Embedded Handheld device later this year (odd, we know), but it doesn’t quite yet have a price. [via Laptop Mag]

Camper for iPhone 4 Already on Premises: Well, this may be the most ridiculous thing we’ve heard all day. Despite the fact that the iPhone 4 won’t be out for another 7 days (by the time of this writing), there’s already someone out there, ready and willing to get their hands on that Retina Display. Unfortunately, there’s no word on where this is, but we’re hoping it’s not somewhere too populated. Sitting out there for that length of time probably means a lot of people will poke and prod him, and we wouldn’t want that. [via Engadget]

HP Slate: Windows 7 or Not? This is getting frustrating. When the HP Slate was debuted, it had Windows 7 on it. Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, had his fun on a stage showing it off, saying that it was the slate of all slates (or tablets). Well, considering HP just bought Palm, the house that built webOS, there’s some questions regarding the launch of the Slate, and what it means for its Operating System. On Thursday, speaking at the Untethered conference, Personal Systems Group CTO Phil McKinny said that using an existing OS on a new design, such as a tablet, means failure usually. In the same breath, he began talking up the goodness that is webOS. As for Windows 7? When asked directly about the future of it on the Slate, McKinny said that he couldn’t elaborate on the subject until after the acquisition by HP was completed. Very, very curious, to say the least. [via Ubergizmo]

Neil Thompson spoke to AfterDawn, and outlined Microsoft’s outlook on the third dimension of gaming. Simply put, it looks like it’s just too expensive at this point in time. Microsoft apparently looked at the cost of entry into the living room, and when 3D is going to become mass-market. When they crunched the numbers, they figured out that Kinect, and the natural User Interface that they are creating with the motion peripheral is a far more compelling proposition. And they mean that for the next few years, or foreseeable future, instead of going with 3D.

We understand where Microsoft is coming from. While a firmware update from Sony will bring PlayStation 3s into the 3D world, you will still have to put out the money for a 3DTV. What do you think? Should Microsoft be banking on 3D as well?

[via AfterDawn]

And what’s best of all, easily, is the fact that it’s inflatable. You can stow it away anywhere you want, considering it will condense down to an empty shell of its former self. You won’t need the additional steering wheel accessory anymore, either, because the race car comes with its own. And it turns! Sure, the car itself isn’t a rumble seat, so don’t expect the “real experience” here, but you’re playing the Wii, so that shouldn’t be high on your list of experiences, anyway.

It’s compatible with Mario Kart Wii, as well as any other racing title out there. We have to say that this seat may not do much, but what it does do makes it look so good that we can’t help but want one. No word on availability or release date, but as soon as we know something, we’ll be sure to pass it along.

[via GearLog]

The small gaming machine can be fitted with up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM and it offers 7.1-channel surround sound audio along with Gigabit Ethernet. The OS is Windows 7 and the Core i7 CPU can be one of several models up to the Extreme Edition. Storage is up to 2TB with space for two HDDs inside the machine.

The machine comes with a DVD burner stock and can be upgraded to Blu-ray. A USB 2.0 port and USB/eSATA port are located on the front panel of the machine. The computer uses a 500W power supply. The machine measures 8.5″ x 7.5″ x 13.1″. The machine starts at $1899 and will get much more expensive than that when the GTX 480 and high-end CPUs are added.

While the original AX 180 has been one of the company’s most popular headsets, they apparently felt like it was time to cut the cord. And, according to Tritton, it looks like they managed to figure out a way to get the same audio quality into the wireless version that they have in the wired. Which is good news for audio enthusiasts out there that expect the best out of their headsets.

The headset itself is a USB device, so that makes it easy to plug it into your PS3, Xbox 360, or PC. Oh, and now that Macs have Steam, those too. It features as compact receiver, making it easier than ever to plug your headset into whatever gaming rig you have. It also features Tritton’s “Portable Control Unit,” which gives the owner the ability to control the volume of the game, as well as the mic’s volume individually, and on the fly. And, if you’re into that kind of thing, you can flip a switch so that you can hear yourself, too. The wireless version of the Tritton AX 180 gaming headset will be available this fall, and it’ll retail for around $149.99. So, save a few bucks, will you?

[via GearLog]

The console gaming industry used to be a much less competitive field. There was Atari and everybody else. There was Nintendo and Sega, but Sega never really dominated the field or provided much competition, even when its hardware and games library were just as good. Sony changed the face of the industry with its original PlayStation. For the first time, a full-fledged consumer electronics company entered a market dominated by companies with roots in playing cards and pachinko machines.

How competitive is Sony? On the day the Sega Dreamcast was released, Sony announced the PlayStation 2, which didn’t hit retail until much later. Now, Sega makes software.

The biggest problem with the gaming industry is that production costs for games have skyrocketed in recent years as gamers expect more technically advanced games with realistic graphics and physics. Games regularly cost tens of millions of dollars to make, the same as a major Hollywood film, but without the same level of advertising, distribution or even artistic respect that a movie assumes.

For the major software houses, making an exclusive game for a single platform makes little sense, but the differences between the platforms are large enough that titles have to be dumbed-down to fit the lowest common denominator. For some platforms, like the Wii, this is fatal to the most hardcore games, which is why the Wii is saddled with casual titles and a casual reputation. Certainly games for the Wii could be much more intense and engaging, but the audience for those hardcore games flocked to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, instead. Electronic Arts wasn’t even supporting the Wii at launch, but once it’s popularity grew exponentially, EA climbed aboard.

Competition in the gaming industry has done consumers little good. You might expect competition would offer better pricing, more selection and more features. This is simply not the case. Consoles are already sold at a loss for most manufacturers, at least in the early days of a console’s life span. The PlayStation 3 is still costing Sony money for every unit sold, though that money is recouped on licensing.

Consoles already have competition from outside the field. If a gaming console was too expensive, more than $600, for instance, buyers would choose a PC, instead. Consoles are also competing with casual Internet games, cell phones and Apple’s iPhone OS, and plenty other forms of entertainment. There is already a ceiling on console pricing, and competition doesn’t seem to have any effect on the high end. At the low end, competition admittedly drives pricing down so that Microsoft is trying to compete with Nintendo by selling consoles at less than $150. But with enough volume, prices could drop that low on their own.

Competition doesn’t offer gamers more selection. There used to be more exclusives to choose from, especially from third-party developers. Now, there are first party games that are exclusive, and there are third party titles that show up on every single console, for better or for worse. You’re more likely to find an exclusive launch window, where Sony will get a game for the first three months or so, than a truly exclusive game. But even these exclusive deals cost the manufacturers money, and in a market with such tight margins, the extra expense isn’t helping anyone.

Gaming features are not helped by competition. Sure, Nintendo caught the industry by surprise with its popular motion gaming, but now Sony and Microsoft are releasing competing systems. They all work slightly differently, with different controllers and accessories needed. This won’t help the industry, because third-party developers will have trouble porting titles from the Wii, with its nunchuk accessory, to the Playstation Move, with it’s dual controllers, to the Xbox Kinect, which uses no controller at all. On the front end, the action seems the same, as all three rely on the user’s flailing arms and twisting body. But on the back end, it will be very difficult to develop for all three. This means the new systems will rely mostly on first party developer support, which can strain the manufacturer and produces relatively fewer titles.

It’s time to consolidate. It would be better for consumers if there was only one console. The three major gaming manufacturers should band together to create a super-system for the next generation gaming machine.

Sony should build the hardware. Microsoft should build the interface. Nintendo should become a software company, like Sega.

Sony Computer Entertainment, the gaming arm, already has hardware expertise and a huge manufacturing company behind it. The Xbox 360 is a hardware disaster. It’s a nice looking machine, but it was plagued by hardware defects from early on. Microsoft has never released official numbers about how many consoles were killed by the ‘red ring of death’ issue, but some estimates place the number above 50%. In other words, most Xbox 360 units failed.

Microsoft also neglected some important technology with the Xbox 360. There was the original choice of HD DVD over Blu-Ray, which made sense for Microsoft, but now that the war is over, the company’s reluctance to sell a Blu-Ray peripheral is only hurting the market, not helping. The Xbox 360 also neglects Wi-Fi, and Microsoft requires its own first-party Wi-Fi adapter, which costs many times what a similar, unbranded accessory would cost. High-end video and audio outputs were an afterthought on the Xbox 360, but Sony, with its experience in HDTVs and stereo equipment, saw the value in HDMI from the start.

Nintendo has proven that it’s much less interested in hardware, at least in the current generation. The Nintendo Wii isn’t much more powerful than the Nintendo Gamecube. It lacks high-definition gaming and can’t handle the advanced visuals that would transition its games from the realm of casual gamers to the realm of the hardcore. Why can’t titles be both? Why do casual gamers have to suffer through horrible, blocky graphics to play tennis or go bowling? This is a limitation of the hardware, not the games themselves.

Microsoft knows operating systems. The company is on a roll with its current OS lineup. Windows 7 is a hit, and the company also demonstrates solid design in its Zune interface and even the upcoming Windows 7 designs (ignoring the design hiccup that is the Kin). The Xbox 360 interface has always been one of its best features, and gamers took to achievements, gamer scores and the range of Xbox Live capabilities like crazy. Sony has yet to catch up, and Nintendo has effectively stopped trying.

Microsoft also has experience making an OS for another company’s hardware. I would never suggest licensing this gaming OS to all manufacturers, that sort of fragmentation would just return us to our current state, with developers confused and dividing resources unnecessarily.

Finally, Nintendo should do what Nintendo does best: make fun games. Nintendo has never made an inspiring piece of hardware. The controller designs have been completely unfocused until the Wii, but even the Wii controllers suffer from confusing pricing barriers. Do I need a Nunchuk? Motion Plus? Probably, and every player added means a $75 expense just for the additional controllers. Nintendo isn’t known for stellar hardware, it’s known for great games.

Console gaming is already facing tough competition from without. The gaming industry has seen some its worst sales drops in recent months. That’s not individual consoles, that’s the industry as a whole in decline. It’s time to think about how to fix the industry. The competition is no longer between manufacturers, it’s between the console industry and the rest of the entertainment world that’s vying for your dollars. With a single console to get behind, the industry would become a much stronger force to attract gamers of all types.

The Spectre mouse has a special AMP lighting system that has changeable colors and can change those colors to give visual feedback. The mouse features 1000 Hz ultrapolling and has a 5600dpi laser sensor for $79.99. The Marauder is a gaming keyboard with backlit keys, the AMP light system, and in-game macro recording.

The keyboard can record macros to up to ten profiles and will sell for $119.99. The Banshee headset is a large over the ear headset with an integrated mic for voice chat. It uses the same AMP lighting system and has an EQ to individualize the sound to the user’s needs. The headset sells for $119.99.

The Best of R3 Media

The myTouch Slide 3G is Rooted, Here’s How: Android hackers are intense. They just don’t know when to give up. And, when a new device gets launched, you can pretty much expect it to be hacked to smithereens in no time. It’s no different for the myTouch Slide 3G, as a hacker by the name of Eugene373, with some teamwork, have managed to get the deed done. And, if you’ve got a myTouch Slide, then you should head on over through the link, read the instructions, and take your time to get your own phone rooted. [via Android Community]

Parrot AR.Drone is $299 This September: Have you ever wanted to get your hands on one of those unmanned aerial vehicles? Us too. That’s why when the Parrot AR.Drone was showcased at CES this year, we couldn’t take our eyes off of it. And now we’re happy to have an official announcement as to when we can get our hands on one. That day’s going to be some time in September, and you’ll e able to get your hands on it for only $299. This, of course, comes with the ability to download an app from Apple’s App Store, where you will be able to pilot, as well as play games, with your new drone. Check out the link for the full details, plus a few videos to whet your appetite. [via SlashGear]

Sony Ericsson Brings Skype to Symbian: If you’re a fan of Skype, and you’ve got yourself a Sony Ericsson device running Symbian, then you’re in luck. Because SE has gone and made it possible for Symbian devices, such as the Vivaz, Vivaz Pro, and Satio, to get a free application that will make it possible for those lucky owners to take advantage of the VoIP service. [via SlashPhone]

The Dredge ‘Net

PlayStation Move Available for Pre-Order at Best Buy and GameStop: Were you interested in pre-ordering the new PlayStation Move that Sony just made official today? Yeah, we wouldn’t be surprised. And while we’re sure that there’s plenty of other retailers, both online and not, that are going to follow suit, it looks like GameStop and Best Buy are on the ball. You can pick up the Move bundle for only $99.99, which includes the necessary EyeToy/PS Eye, the Move controller, and the Sports Champion title. Unfortunately, it says that you won’t get them until at least November 1st, and maybe all the way up to November 6th. So, you know, do what you want. But, at least you get the ability to choose, right? [via GameStop]

US Apple Stores are Sold Out of iPhone 4s. So is AT&T: We already know that the servers for both AT&T and Apple were having some major issues today, but we didn’t think it would result in something like this. While the whole system was done off and on, and people all over the United States were forced to sit idly by while their computers, or employees at brick-and-mortar stores, told them they would have to wait while things got back together, the iPhone 4 was quickly selling out. And, sure enough, it looks like if you order/purchase your iPhone 4 right now, you won’t be getting it even shipped to you until about July 2nd. Bummer, we know. [via TUAW]

Verizon Wireless Says They’re on Track for LTE Roll Out: Verizon Wireless had a Device Specifications webcast today, and the entire point of it was to talk about LTE, the devices upon it, and where Verizon stands on the roll out process. The company managed to reaffirm that they are right on track, and they are going to still launch the 4G network by the end of the year in upwards of 30 markets. Furthermore, they still believe that by 2013, they are going to possibly surpass their current 3G network in coverage. So, good news all around. Now, we just have to wait and see the first handsets. [via Boy Genius Report]

It’s called PlayStation Plus, just as we had heard, and it’s going to add a lot of different things. As Sony says, customers will get “hundreds of dollars of products” throughout the year, thanks to their position as a Plus member. You will also get early access to betas, which is a good thing.

How much is it going to cost? $49.99 for a year, and $17.99 for three months. But, that’s not the end of the good news. Once you sign up for the first time, you’re going to get your first three months for free. Sony’s making sure that it’s getting full support at launch, too, as there are going to be exclusive demos and trailers, as well as DLC, right out of the gate. And, if you don’t want to sign up for the premium service, you don’t have to. All of your PlayStation Network goodies won’t go anywhere: nothing’s changing about them.

[images via Engadget]

Sony’s PlayStation Move will be hitting store shelves in Europe first, on September 15th. It will then be released to all the welcoming hands of PlayStation 3 owners out there on September 19th in North America. It will retail for $49.99, while the Navigation controller will be only $19.99. There’s obviously going to be a bundle, where you’ll get a PlayStation 3, controller, Move controller, and everything else you’ll need in one box, called the Sports Champion Bundle. Yes, it comes with a game. That’s going to run you a cool $399.99.

If you don’t want to spend that much, you can pick up the Sports Champion bundle with just the EyeToy and Move controller for only $99.99 if you want, to go along with that PlayStation 3 you already own. PlayStation Move titles will be $39.99 on their own. And, just a note that we feel like we should mention, games like Heavy Rain, and Toy Story 3 are all going to get software updates that will make them Move compatible. So, who’s getting one?

First up, is the high-end Spectrum 5xb. Designed for someone who wants to spend the extra money, the 5xb features extra large-sized, hear-through cloth ear cushions, designed to make wearing the headset for extended periods of time comfortable, and not just bearable. It features custom-built soundscape 40mm SunDancer (SCS) speakers, which means that you should be able to pinpoint just where something explodes, or someone’s walking, just through the speakers. The double-braided nylon cord should mean you won’t be losing any quality any time soon, and it dismantles into three parts, making storage easy enough (not that we have any problem storing headphones). The microphone is adjustable and retractable, so you won’t have to adjust your mouth to reach the mic: you can make it work for you. And, thanks to the AudioMixer that’s included in the box, you get an extra control that will adjust volume and your mic level on the fly.

As for the 4xb, this one’s more of the entry-level sort. It has the same extra-large hear-through cloth ear cushions though, but it doesn’t feature the optimized speakers. It does have the same retractable and adjustable mic, though, as well as the AudioMixer. We should also mention that the AudioMixer isn’t only for the SteelSeries headphones, but they make it possible for you to connect any headphones/mic that have a 3.5mm jack into it, meaning you could, potentially, use any headphones you want. Not sure why that’s bundled with headphones, but hey, stranger things have happened. No word on pricing quite yet, but they should be available some time in the third quarter this year.

Press Release:

STEELSERIES INTRODUCES NEW AUDIO PRODUCT LINE AT E3: STEELSERIES SPECTRUM FOR XBOX 360® GAMERS

Three New Products Will Expand the Xbox 360® Line – SteelSeries Spectrum 4xb, SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb and the SteelSeries Spectrum AudioMixer

LOS ANGELES – E3 – June 15, 2010 – Kicking off the Entertainment Electronics Expo (E3), SteelSeries, the leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories introduced a new audio line specifically created for Xbox 360® gamers. Since 2001, the gaming peripherals from SteelSeries have been used by competitive gamers to win world championship tournaments and millions in prize money, all thanks to the extensive testing and product development exclusively done with the best gamers on the planet. It’s with this knowledge and expertise that SteelSeries introduces the first three products of the SteelSeries Spectrum line. The SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb, a premium headset with refined gaming audio designed for both comfort and convenience; the SteelSeries Spectrum 4xb, an entry-level priced headset packed with outstanding sound quality and functionality; and the SteelSeries Spectrum AudioMixer, an accessory that extends Xbox 360 gameplay and communication to any headset with 3.5mm jacks.

“For more than a decade, SteelSeries has created peripherals to meet the needs of the most discerning PC gamers and provide a competitive advantage based on comfort, technology, and design,” said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. “With the new Spectrum line, we’re leveraging what our award-winning PC headsets are known for, which are superior levels of comfort and sound quality. We’ve added unique features, specific to Xbox 360 gaming, in order to meet the demand for premium console headsets.”

SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb and 4xb headsets present players with an advanced soundscape, providing the ability to pinpoint the directional sounds of footsteps and grenade drops without them being drowned out by deep bass sounds from explosions or in-game chat. Comprised of new features intended to enhance a gamer’s audio experience, the headsets include:

Easy access to independent audio and voice controls provides players with complete and intuitive control of volume levels for in-game audio and Xbox LIVE® communication.
SteelSeries LiveMix offers players the quick-button option to improve the balance and mixing of Xbox LIVE chat and in-game audio, so that voice communication is mixed perfectly with or over the sounds of gunfire and explosions, without having to increase the volume of the headset and risk hearing damage.
SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb
Designed as a premium quality, wired headset for Xbox 360 gamers, the SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb has XL-sized, hear-through cloth ear cushions that fit comfortably around the ear. With the custom-built soundscape via 40mm SunDancer (SCS) units, gamers can pinpoint the direction and locations of noises and movement throughout the game. The SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb features a durable double-braided nylon cord and dismantles into 3 separate parts, at the headband and at each earcup making it compact and easy to fit into a carrying case for storage and/or travel.

A retractable, unidirectional microphone is featured on the entire SteelSeries Spectrum headset line, making the voice communication for Xbox LIVE users adjustable, convenient and clear. As a familiar SteelSeries feature, the microphone can be stored in the left earcup when not in use, while a control on the included Spectrum AudioMixer independently adjusts in-game audio and microphone volume.

SteelSeries Spectrum 4xb
As the entry-level, wired headset designed for Xbox 360 gamers, the SteelSeries Spectrum 4xb is a lightweight headset featuring XL-sized, cloth covered foam ear cushions that surround the outside of the ear for long session comfort. The circumaural design enhances the gaming experience through carefully adjusted sound reproduction. Similar to the Spectrum 5xb version, the Spectrum 4xb also features the signature retractable microphone and an optimized soundscape for gaming.

SteelSeries Spectrum AudioMixer
SteelSeries introduces a new Xbox 360 mixer alongside the introduction of the Spectrum headsets. When sold separately, the Spectrum AudioMixer allows any headset with a microphone and 3.5mm jacks to function with Xbox 360 gameplay and Xbox LIVE chat. The mixer is also included in the box for the SteelSeries Spectrum 4xb and 5xb headsets.

The new SteelSeries Spectrum product line will be available in Q3 2010. Be sure to check out SteelSeries.com and follow us on both Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on retailers that will carry Spectrum, as well as promotions, giveaways, and who in professional gaming will be using SteelSeries Spectrum headsets to help them win tournaments.

Reggie Fils-Aime believes that the 3DS is the best way to play 3D games. After all, it’s the solution for your desires to bring 3D gaming with you wherever you go. And, that’s pretty neat. As for specs, you’re getting an upper-screen that’s 3.5-inches. Along the side, you’ll find a slider that will let you adjust the 3D for how far you’re holding the device away from your face, making the graphics all that much better. You can also choose to turn off the 3D effect entirely, if you wish.

The bottom screen is not 3D compatible, and it’s a touch panel. The 3DS is also going to be compatible with Nintendo DSi titles, so that’s another bonus. There’s no mention of pricing or availability quite yet, but that’s coming, we’re sure. Nintendo’s still on stage, talking up their mobile device of the future. So, stay tuned.

Press Release:

NINTENDO INTRODUCES GLASSES-FREE 3D GAMING, AND

UNLEASHES THE INDUSTRY’S BEST FRANCHISES IN ENTIRELY NEW WAYS

A Dream Lineup: Nintendo 3DS, Zelda, Donkey Kong Country, Kirby, Mario, Golden Sun,

GoldenEye, Mickey Mouse, Kid Icarus, Animal Crossing, Nintendogs, PilotWings, Paper Mario …

LOS ANGELES, June 15, 2010 – Nintendo is raising the bar – again.

Nintendo changed the world of video games with touch-screen gaming on the Nintendo DS™ in 2004. Nintendo then pioneered the motion-controlled gaming revolution with the Wii™ console and the Wii Remote™ controller back in 2006. Today the company unveils an even more immersive gaming experience: Nintendo 3DS™.

At the E3 Expo today, Nintendo gave the world the first look at a portable system that lets people view games in 3D, without the need for special glasses. Nintendo also announced a substantial list of upcoming games for Nintendo 3DS, the Wii console and the Nintendo DS family of systems – a lineup that reads like a who’s who of some of the greatest franchises in video game history with a completely new look and feel.

“The additional dimension of depth in 3D makes it easier for players to judge distances while giving developers a new tool to create games and experiences that play with both height and depth,” said Nintendo video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, who pioneered the fully rendered 3D video game world with Super Mario 64™.

Nintendo 3DS comes with a 3.53-inch top screen and a 3.02-inch bottom touch screen. It has three cameras – one inner and two outer – to deliver the 3D effect and take 3D pictures. It includes a motion sensor, a gyro sensor and even a Slide Pad that allows 360-degree analog input. At the E3 Expo, Nintendo showed attendees a range of games and applications for Nintendo 3DS that reinvent some of the industry’s most beloved franchises. These include:

· Kid Icarus™: Uprising, the long-awaited franchise follow-up to the NES™ classic.

· Mario Kart™, which shows off the potential of driving and tossing bananas in 3D.

· nintendogs™ + cats, a new version of the best-selling nintendogs franchise that lets players interact even more with their virtual puppies – and kittens!

· PilotWings Resort™, a flying simulation that lets players soar above Wuhu Island.

· Animal Crossing™, a new installment of the charming community-building franchise.

· StarFox 64™ 3D, a game that demonstrates the true distance and depth of outer space using Nintendo’s well-known franchise.

· Steel Diver™, a new submarine-navigation game from Nintendo.

· Paper Mario™, which brings paper-based 2D environments to life.

Nintendo 3DS also comes to market with the strongest third-party support of any video game system in Nintendo history. Games on display at the Nintendo booth at the E3 Expo include:

· DJ Hero® 3D from Activision

· RESIDENT EVIL® REVELATIONS from Capcom

· The Sims™ 3 from Electronic Arts

· HIDEO KOJIMA’S METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D “The Naked Sample” from Konami

· Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracles (name not final) from LEVEL-5

· RIDGE RACER® (name not final) from Namco Bandai Games

· KINGDOM HEARTS franchise game from Square Enix

· DEAD OR ALIVE® 3D (name not final) from Tecmo Koei Games

· SAMURAI WARRIORS® 3D from Tecmo Koei Games

· Battle of Giants™: Dinosaur Strike from Ubisoft

· Hollywood 61 (name not final) from Ubisoft

A sampling of other Nintendo 3DS games already in planning includes SUPER STREET FIGHTER IV 3D Edition (name not final) from Capcom; Madden NFL and FIFA Soccer games from Electronic Arts; CODENAME: Chocobo Racing® 3D and a FINAL FANTASY ® franchise game and from Square Enix; a NINJA GAIDEN® (name not final) game from Tecmo Koei Games; Saint’s Row: Drive By from THQ; Assassin’s Creed™Lost Legacy, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon™ and Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory™ from Ubisoft; and a Batman game from Warner Bros. Additional games are in development by Atlus, AQ Interactive, Disney Interactive Studios, Harmonix, Hudson Soft, Majesco, Marvelous Entertainment, Rocket, SEGA, Takara Tommy and Take-Two Interactive.

Nintendo also announced a substantial slate of games on the way for its Wii console and Nintendo DS family of systems, with a list of characters and franchises that appeal to all types of gamers.

“If the video game industry had an All-Star team, Nintendo’s games would fill the starting lineup,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “The combination of advanced interface and engaging game play broadens our appeal to all audiences. This is evidenced perfectly at the E3 Expo this year by the incredible new experience and controls that Wii MotionPlus brings to The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.”

Wii:

· The Legend of Zelda™: Skyward Sword: The game marks a turning point for the franchise, as the introduction of full motion controls enabled by the Wii MotionPlus™ accessory synchronizes player movements with Link’s actions while offering the most intuitive play control of any Legend of Zelda game to date. The game is scheduled to launch in 2011.

· Donkey Kong Country™ Returns: The classic franchise makes a return with new levels and updated graphics, but with the same sense of fun and excitement of the original. For the first time in the series, two people can play through the entire game cooperatively. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

· Kirby’s Epic Yarn™: Kirby’s entire immersive world is created from different fabrics and textiles. Kirby himself is made from yarn, which gives him the versatility to take the shape of a car, submarine, parachute or UFO. The game is scheduled to launch this fall.

· Wii Party™: A party game that brings the fun off the screen and into the living room. Players must perform tasks in the real world to achieve success in the game. The game is scheduled to launch this fall.

· Mario™ Sports Mix: A collection of four amazing sports – Mario style. Players can compete with their favourite Mushroom Kingdom characters in basketball, volleyball, hockey and dodgeball. The game is scheduled to launch in 2011.

· PokéPark™ Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure: The first Pokémon adventure game on the Wii console puts Pikachu™ at the center of a fun, expansive area filled with adventure, Attractions and Pokémon. Players take on the role of Pikachu and interact with Pokémon and compete in Skill Games and Attractions, such as races, battles and other challenges, to save the PokéPark from disaster. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

· Samurai Warriors™ 3: Players can choose from more than 35 playable samurai characters, many based on actual figures from Japanese history. Each samurai has different skills and weapons, and each one offers a different perspective on the overall story of the unification of Japan. The game is scheduled to launch on Sept. 27.

· GoldenEye 007™ from Activision: The original revolutionized first-person shooters, and this Wii-exclusive sequel features four-player split-screen competition or up to eight players competing online. It’s the signature GoldenEye experience for a new era, and is scheduled to launch this fall.

· Disney Epic Mickey from Disney Interactive Studios: In this Wii exclusive, players take Mickey Mouse on an epic journey of creativity and discovery. In Wasteland, an alternate world with lands inspired by Disney’s animated films and theme parks, players use paint and paint thinner to change the world and affect the outcome of the game. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

· NBA JAM from Electronic Arts: In this revival of the classic franchise with vintage game play, the Wii-exclusive sequel includes new features that bring outrageous moves and over-the-top hoops action to new levels. The game is scheduled to launch this October.

· Just Dance 2® from Ubisoft: The second installment of the popular franchise features hot dance moves choreographed by experts in every style of music. Up to eight players can compete or, for the first time, two players can dance side by side as a duo. It’s a nonstop dance party only available on Wii this fall.

· Sonic Colors™ from SEGA: In Sonic’s latest adventures, he blasts through obstacles like never before as he uses coloured power-ups to boost his abilities and speed through stages. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

· New Carnival Games® from 2K Play: This sequel to the multimillion-selling original features more than 30 new games and 300 new prizes, plus multiplayer action for every game. Only available on Wii this September.

Nintendo DS Family:

· Pokémon Ranger™: Guardian Signs: The third installment in the action-packed Pokémon Ranger series lets players take on the role of a Pokémon Ranger tasked with protecting Pokémon, people and nature. With new Ranger Signs to call powerful Pokémon, including Legendary Pokémon, and the addition of multiplayer missions, players investigate the nefarious actions of the Pokémon Pinchers, who have been disrupting the peace by chasing and catching Pokémon. The game is scheduled to launch this fall.

· Golden Sun™: Dark Dawn: A classic role-playing game branches out with a new look, countless adventures and heroic battles. The game picks up 30 years after the first two games in the series left off with amazing graphics and beautifully animated summoning abilities that span both Nintendo DS screens. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

· Dragon Quest® IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies™: For the first time, this storied franchise is appearing exclusively on the Nintendo DS family of systems. Character customization, cooperative multiplayer adventuring and an epic story make for a one-of-a-kind experience. The game is scheduled to launch on July 11.

· Professor Layton and the Unwound Future™: This third installment in the series includes more than 165 puzzles and even more animated sequences and voice acting than the previous game. The game is scheduled to launch on Sept. 20.

· Mario vs. Donkey Kong™: Miniland Mayhem: Players use the stylus to draw red girders and control items like ladders, pipes, springs and conveyor belts. The goal is to bring the Mini Toys to the door. Using an intuitive tool kit, players can create new level maps and share them with the public. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

· Super Scribblenauts™ from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment: The sequel to the smash-hit original includes 120 new levels, the ability to use more than 10,000 adjectives, a hint system and a level editor for players to create their own levels and objectives. The game is scheduled to launch in Q4.

· Ghost Trick™: Phantom Detective from Capcom: Players are transported into the spirit world of a murder victim who has lost his memory and returned as a ghost. Players must possess and manipulate objects to solve puzzles and the mystery. The game is scheduled to launch this fall.

· Rock Band® 3 from MTV Games: The franchise makes its first appearance on Nintendo DS with a stylish interface that puts players into the Rock Band universe like never before. Eight play modes challenge players in guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals, and both co-op and competitive multiplayer options are available. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

· Okamiden™ from Capcom: Players use a brush to draw bridges into existence, traverse canyons and connect winding paths through space. This sequel to Okami follows the story of an adorable wolf pup that fights off a new threat that has drained vibrant colours from the world. The game is scheduled to launch in 2011.

· FINAL FANTASY®: THE 4 HEROES OF LIGHT™ from Square Enix: This first original FINAL FANTASY game for the Nintendo DS family of systems uses charming storybook visuals and a fun, intuitive combat system. Players can customize their characters and up to four players can join forces for cooperative play. The game is scheduled to launch on Oct. 5.

· Sonic Colors™ from SEGA: The portable version of the game doubles the excitement and action by using both screens as a giant, unified landscape. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

For the duration of the E3 Expo, Nintendo will provide fans with exclusive videos and Nintendo content on the Nintendo E3 Network. People can visit http://e3.nintendo.com to watch developer interviews, get all the information about new games and see coverage coming directly from the show floor. The same exclusive content also will be streamed through the Nintendo Channel to Wii owners who have a broadband Internet connection.
Remember that Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about these and other features, visit http://wii.com or http://www.nintendodsi.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.4 billion video games and more than 565 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at www.nintendo.ca.

[images via Ars Technica]

[Image credit Reinis Traidas]

It’s not the content. She likes action movies, though for some reason she has an aversion to people getting punched in the face. She doesn’t mind an hour of machine gun fire, but one punch to the face and I know she already hates the movie. Sometimes she laughs at the silly scripts or the cheesy sound effects, but that’s not what makes her detest console games.

A couple years ago, she took an interest in one game and asked if I would buy it for us. Dance Dance Revolution. Not my cup of tea, but I jumped at the opportunity to include her, and I bought the game plus two deluxe foam pads. We played it for a while, but the menu system was fairly difficult to deal with, and the songs get old pretty quickly, so she lost interest. We’ve moved house twice since I last set up the game pads.

That was my first clue. My second came after she visited a friend who showed her the Wii console. She was intrigued. Not enough to give me the green light on a big purchase, but this gave me my second clue. I told her my theory and she completely agreed. Here’s why my wife hates consoles:

Imagine me, a console gamer. I’m sitting on the couch, hunched forward a bit because I’m engaged. There’s tons of action on screen, loud explosions from all sides of my 5.1 surround setup, people screaming and rockets firing. There’s music playing and little British girls with creepy voices. Lots going on, and I’m sitting there literally twiddling my thumbs. Sometimes my index fingers jerk wildly, but mostly I’m just flicking at buttons with my thumbs. I might lean left or right, but the most action you’ll see is when I throw the controller across the room in a rage.

It’s the controller. That controller is the most unappealing part of gaming. I love a good controller. I love instinctively knowing what all 10 buttons, two joysticks and the D-pad will do when I press them. I have a NeGcon controller for my Playstation and it’s a marvel of design. I’ve always wanted a Steel Battalion controller, but I’m not into mecha games. To my wife, however, I’m hunched over on the couch twiddling my thumbs.

New gamers and casual gamers feel the same way. Sure they might play games on their computer, but a keyboard and mouse are familiar and necessary evils for anyone who works behind a desk. But hand them a Dual Shock 3 and they get confused and frustrated. They could learn, sure, and that learning curve might pay off. But if you hand someone a Wiimote instead, they get it right away.

I’m suspicious of the hardcore gamers who are dismissive of motion gaming. Games are an art form, now more than ever, and I’m sure hardcore gamers feel less impressed by games that lack the depth and polish of the best controller-based titles. But part of the art of video games is the physical relationship between the gamer and the action on screen. I think controllers have been doing us a disservice in more ways than one.

A Yoga game on the Nintendo Wii is not interesting enough to get me off the couch. I’m not getting up to strum a guitar (or even a keytar). However, I might stand up to swing a lightsaber, or fire off a Hadouken. So far, motion games haven’t appealed much to me, but I can imagine plenty of concepts where that could change. And that would make all the difference.

It’s time to put down the controllers. Controllers don’t make intrinsic sense for gaming any more than a keyboard and mouse makes sense. The controller doesn’t properly express the relationship between the player and the action on screen. I play games where the subject is slashing through monsters in a dungeon or hiding behind rubble to avoid being shot at by angry lizard monsters from beneath the earth. Why am I twiddling my thumbs?

It’s time to get up and start moving those arms. Jump around. Duck for cover behind the couch. I think casual gamers have had it right all along. We hardcore types have been playing with a bad hand. We’ve been using a paintbrush for sculpting when we really need a blowtorch and a sledgehammer. I like games enough that I’ll live with the controller if the rest of the experience is good, but I don’t think controllers are long for this world.

I’ve heard an argument against motion gaming, and motion computing as a whole, that I think is plain silly. If you use a touchscreen desktop machine like an HP Touchsmart, for a long time, your arms get tired. The first week with a Wii and you might feel some aches and pains. I even remember warnings about health risks for sedentary gamers who now find themselves up and swinging a tennis racket or punching in the air. Can we agree that this is the worst possible argument against motion gaming? Good, let’s move on.

The problem with motion gaming so far has been that Nintendo is its only true champion, but that will hopefully change this year. Nintendo can produce some quality first party titles, but the company doesn’t offer a wide range of gaming experiences. Because of the initial humdrum response to the Wii before launch, the biggest third-party development houses, like Electronic Arts, didn’t start developing games until the console was already a best seller. Even still, there is a perception that Wii gamers are more casual. Because it’s more economical for the big houses to develop for multiple platforms at once, the Wii got the short end of the stick with few innovative titles that take advantage of the motion experience.

I have the most hope for Microsoft’s Kinect device. I like that it’s not tied to a specific controller, but rather it’s the player’s body that controls the action. Nintendo Wii controllers can get very expensive when you buy enough to supply a small group. I have no doubt Sony’s Playstation Move will be even more expensive, as is the way with Sony products. It would be nice if the industry could use a common standard, and I think the controller-free Kinect is the best for consumers and developers. The Kinect will eventually work with Windows PCs, too, which makes it even more enticing.

There will be a place for the console controller for a long time, but its days are numbered. It was never that great to begin with, but gamers were talented enough to master the controls and immerse themselves in the game anyway. Some day our kids will look back and wonder what we were doing, sitting on the couch and twiddling our thumbs. Then they’ll scream and jump behind the couch for cover as the Locust horde opens fire.

The Best of R3 Media

Samsung Galaxy S Pro for Sprint Poses for Camera: The Samsung Galaxy S is a pretty good device. And, by “pretty good,” we mean fantastic. So, to think that Samsung’s created the same device, with all that Super AMOLED display goodness, plus the 1GHz Hummingbird processor under the hood, and added a physical keyboard to the mix, well, that’s almost too good to be true. According to the tipster, it even gets goodies like WiMAX (4G) support from Sprint. So, take that, HTC. No word on release date, sadly, and no mention of pricing quite yet, but we can imagine this going for a pretty penny once it releases. [via Android Community]

Pre-Order Your iPhone 4 Tomorrow: All of the hype out there about the iPhone 4 is just about due to run its course, considering the device is set to launch in just ten days time. And, we’re sure a whole bunch of you out there are getting ready to pre-order it, sitting on your hands, waiting. Well, we’ve got a lovely list for you, telling you where you can visit, pre-order, and set yourself up for a bunch of happiness come June 24th. Walmart, Best Buy, RadioShack, AT&T stores, and Apple Stores all fit the bill. But, hit up the link to find out the details. You won’t be leaving those stores without dropping some cash. [via SlashGear]

Pantech Ease for AT&T Launching June 20th: In a world filled to the brim with smartphones, you have to wonder if there’s a place for featurephones, even with full slide-out keyboards. Well, companies like Pantech surely think there is, and we’re pretty sure wireless carriers like AT&T are willing to assume the same. A featurephone just has to get the message across, and some of them are the best messaging devices out there. With the release of the Ease from Pantech, they’re obviously trying to sneak into that latter category, as they’ve just announced a 3.2-inch touchscreen, full landscape slider QWERTY keyboard messaging device. It features things like an “easy mode,” which makes it have streamlined menus, and larger font and touch-points. It’s going to be available June 20th, for $120. If you’re interested, hit up the link for more details, and a picture. [via SlashPhone]

The Dredge ‘Net

Apple Rumored to Release an iOS App: For some reason, hearing news that Apple’s about to release an application for their own App Store is pretty mind-boggling to us. Maybe it’s just a long-time coming. In any event, right now it’s just a rumor, but it does make a lot of sense. According to those “well in the know,” Apple’s about to release an application into the App Store that would allow current iPhone users to set up Genius Bar appointments at their local Apple Store (which they can also find with the app, too), and “purchase and reserve products including reservations for the new iPhone.” Very, very interesting. That should make reserving your new iDevice all the more easier, so if it comes true, let us know in the comments if you download it and take advantage of the easiness. [via IntoMobile]

Verizon MiFi Hacked Into an iPad: Sure, the iPad 3G, rocking AT&T’s 3G network, is one of the most enjoyed devices out there. Especially when the 3G works. But, for some people out there, they’d rather have the magical and revolutionary tablet from Apple without the hassle of AT&T (especially considering the changes recently made). And we don’t blame them. So, what to do? Why not shove a Verizon Wireless MiFi’s circuit board into your iPad, and make it connect to a whole new network? That’s what one man did, and he managed to make it work quite well. Now his iPad’s a Verizon WiFi hotspot. Pretty great, righht? Check out the link for more details. Though, we should mention that this isn’t for people not comfortable with some hardware disassembling, so, be forewarned. [via DISH TV HD Store]

New Xbox 360 Up for Pre-Order Now: Right now, if you are really interested in picking up the new Xbox 360 that Microsoft announced earlier today, then you can make sure you’ve got one waiting for you in store when it shows up later this week. Pre-order one from your favorite retailer, like Amazon or GameStop, and have it all plugged in and ready to go the same day it arrives. You get the new, shiny black box, the integrated 802.11n WiFi, and that expansive 250GB hard drive all for only $299.99. Good deal, so get on it! [via Amazon; via GameStop]

That means that you should expect to see the new, smaller (slimmer) version of the Xbox 360 in stores by the end of this week, if not sooner. It comes in a nice, shiny black frame, and just by looking at it you can tell that it’s a lot more angular, and in a good way. The new system comes with a 250GB hard drive, as well as built-in 802.11n WiFi connectivity.

So, how much is Microsoft going to charge us? $300. That’s right, they didn’t give us a huge price jump for the new features, or the new aesthetics. $300 will speak volumes to plenty of customers out there, so we’d be surprised if these didn’t “jump off the shelves” when they reach them. Anyone out there already antsy about getting your hands on one?

[images via Gametrailers]

Oddly enough, the initial launch is said to be a North American-based release. However, if a recent tweet from one Major Nelson, of Microsoft, is to be believed, then it looks like it could be a bit more widespread than that.

“#Kinect will launch worldwide on Nov. 4th #XboxE3”

Interesting, to say the least. We expect a worldwide launch, of course, but now we’re wondering just when that will happen. We’re hearing more and more about a worldwide launch, so we’ll have to assume that’s the story (and Microsoft’s sticking to it). As for games? There’s going to be 15 games at launch, which include things like Kinect Sports, and Kinectimals. The conference at E3 is still happening, so stay tuned.

The online portal is, of course, going to support Microsoft Kinect (formerly known as Project Natal), and you’ll also get access to over 3,500 live sporting events. Other features include instant replay (which you can activate by voice control, thanks to Kinect), and you can also access highlights on the fly. There’s HD streaming, which should make plenty of HDTV owners out there happy.

The big question for Microsoft, though, especially when they introduce a new feature such as this, is the cost. Thankfully, all you need is a Gold account for Xbox LIVE, a TV provider/ISP that supports it, and that’s it. It won’t cost you anything extra.

[images via GameTrailers]

The main draw is the inclusion of Sony’s motion-based peripherals, known as PlayStation Move, which would be bundled with the new consoles. Something else to think about, though, are the storage spaces rumored to be the core of the announcement: 250GB and 500GB capacities. Additionally, Sony’s seen fit to change up the WiFi in the home console as well. While the current generation of PS3s utilize the 802.11b/g standard, which is slower than the “newer” n standard, the newer models would incorporate the 802.11n. So, if you’ve got a wireless router with the n standard, you’ll be good to go, and should see faster, and stronger connections to your favorite PlayStation Network.

The source goes on to say that by having a “high-end” and “low-end” version of the release, where Move is still the focus of both consoles, it could “become a success by stealth.” Sure, stealth is all well and good for some folks out there, but we imagine Sony would much prefer a giant splash in the giant ocean known as the video game market. Sony’s conference at E3 is on Tuesday, so we don’t have long to wait at all before we get the final details.

[via CVG]

The Kinect bar – which uses various sensors to track movement – can also be used to share photos and videos (with up to four people in Microsoft’s demo, apparently), but of course its main purpose is gaming.  Microsoft showed various single-player titles, including Kinect Sports which allows you to “kick” or “hit” balls, a Star Wars game where, as you’d expect, you wield a light saber, and Dance Central from MTV Games which requires you to physically mimic dance moves in the correct order.

For those less enamoured of mainstream gaming, Microsoft also showed Kinect working with a yoga title – that could check whether you’re in the correct posture – and “Kinectimals”, a title where you can pet and play with a baby tiger.  Rather than demanding users pick up a traditional pad whenever they want to navigate the menus, Microsoft have developed a gesture/motion controlled version of the Xbox Dashboard.

As for the Xbox 360 Slim, which you can see in the video below, it’s unmistakably a 360 but looks a little more purposeful and Stealth Bomber styled than the current curvy version of the console.  We’re guessing we’ll hear plenty more about it – and Microsoft Kinect – at E3 this week.

[via Engadget and via Joystiq]

Kinect. (Kind of like connect, we imagine. But, you know, not.) Say good-bye to Project Natal, and welcome with open arms Xbox Kinect. Everything else we know about the peripheral, like how it’s supposed to incorporate the full range of motion, as well as your entire body, into the game itself is still there, so don’t think everything’s changed. Just the name.

As for games? Thanks to USA Today, we know there’s upwards of a dozen titles being created for the peripheral’s launch. Of those, you can expect to see a Star Wars title from LucasArts, some kind of dancing game from MTV, a title kin to Wii Sports, called Kinect Sports, and a pet-training project. Games wise, it doesn’t look like Microsoft is aiming to hit the launch day out of the park, but then again, that Star Wars title could be something close to amazing if they get it right. Or, those other titles could just hit the right spot for all the casual gamers out there, and then Microsoft could definitely try for that 5 million Kinect units sold in 2010 goal they’ve got for themselves. Hopefully Microsoft gives a full demonstration of all the launch day titles, that way we know what to expect by the time launch happens.

[via Kotaku]

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that every show is great. In fact, 2009 was arguably a somewhat subdued affair with few major announcements. At the time, game critics said that the big E3, and the one that would come to define the start of the next decade, would be happening in June 2010.

Well, now we’re here. And although we have a pretty good idea of what will be shown, and what will not, it’s quickly becoming clear that E3 2010 won’t be as exciting as some pundits and analysts are saying.

Will it be fun? Sure. Will it have some surprises? Of course. But it won’t be the single savior of the gaming business for the year. It will be a show that, in about a month, we’ll forget all about.

The main reason why is motion gaming.

I’ll be the first to admit that I just don’t like motion control. Although I have owned a Nintendo Wii since launch, the console has never appealed to me. Call me old school, but the way I see it, controlling on-screen action with a remote just isn’t all that exciting. It not only limits what I can do (just try playing a first-person shooter on the Wii), but it makes the game feel gimmicky. And all that fails to mention the fact that third-party developers, so far, have been unable to deliver many viable Wii experiences.

And yet, both Sony and Microsoft plan to unveil their motion-gaming devices at E3. Microsoft’s Project Natal is arguably the more interesting of the two technologies, but I just don’t see that many people caring all that much. Yes, it will be nice to control on-screen action with my body when I have a group of friends over, but I like being able to relax on the couch and just play a game. I don’t want to jump around. I like that the Xbox 360 doesn’t require me to do that.

On the Sony side, the same can be said. But I, and perhaps many gaming fans, will have a little less affection towards the PlayStation move than Natal. Move seems like another Wii experience, since it requires users to hold a wand to control on-screen action. And like Microsoft, I’m concerned that Sony will try to hype it too much, and lose sight of the value of its console.

The main redeeming quality of Natal and Move is that they aren’t required to play games on either console. In other words, there will be both standard PS3 games and Move titles. Not every game will require Move to play. That’s awfully welcome, when one considers that Nintendo requires developers to make games using the Wii Remote.

There’s little debating that motion gaming will lead the E3 charge. But given the recent decline in Wii sales and the fact that most folks just aren’t buying Wii titles that aren’t made by Nintendo, it’s not a stretch to say that, when all the hoopla subsides and we need to take an objective look at E3, we’ll find that motion gaming really isn’t as exciting as we originally thought.

But it’s not just motion. It stands to reason that with Nintendo unveiling the 3DS at the show, 3D gaming will also share some of the limelight of E3. Call me crazy, but 3D gaming seems rather gimmicky. Yes, some gamers will like to play with characters flying around their heads, but for now, save for the 3DS, reportedly, we will be required to wear glasses when trying to play. That’s not convenient. After a while, don’t you think it will get a bit old to have 3D all over the place?

And considering so few people have 3D TVs right now, there will likely be a small portion of the gaming community that will even care that developers are offering up 3D titles for their favorite consoles. It will make all the headlines for sure, but it won’t matter to most.

That’s what I fear most about E3 this year. Rather than focus on the games that players really care about, it will be headlined by motion gaming and 3D — two areas that most players probably won’t care that much about.

The announcement of major titles and brand-new consoles would make E3 exciting; some 3D games and two peripherals that we already know a lot about just aren’t going to do it.

Sorry, but don’t expect much out of E3 this year.

Sources divulged their information to the site, saying that a slimmer ‘box, along with a slimmer price tag, could go a long way to ease the rumored price of Project Natal, which is set to launch later this year. Additionally, bundling a newer model with the motion-based peripheral would probably make more people interested in the purchase.

Rumors, and more rumors, further support the idea that Microsoft is all set to announce the official release date of Natal, along with the planned bundle, at E3. There would be no better place to do it, we imagine, and considering there’s suggestions from the FCC that a new model of the PS3 is on the way from Sony, it may be time for Microsoft to switch things up on their own front. E3′s right around the corner, so stay tuned.

[via Nexus404]

The gaming site goes on to further run through the various rumors about the 3DS, discounting the possibility of an analog stick – they believe any such control would be done via the touchscreen – and mentioning that the Chinese source highlighted the 3DS’ MP3/AAC hardware decoding and onboard media playback.  Meanwhile there’s also talk of a new, proprietary game cartridge, expected to be around the size of a CompactFlash card, as well as backward compatibility with DS games.

A 3D-capable camera has also been suggested – the grey section above the D-pad in the above mock-up – which is expected to be sourced, again, from Sharp and allow for capturing 3D video and stills.  Of course, we won’t know for sure until next Tuesday at Nintendo’s keynote at E3.

Considering Microsoft has all but confirmed that Natal will make its retail debut in October this year, that begs the question of just what sort of scale the motion gaming hardware launch will initially see.  US pricing is apparently to be $149 for the Project Natal camera bar alone (or $299 as part of a bundle with the 360 Arcade).

One possibility is that Microsoft could launch in limited markets initially, broadening availability of Natal in 2011 when production levels ramp up accordingly.  Of course, it’s all speculation at this stage, but we should know more after E3.

Of course, since the AR.Drone was first demonstrated the Apple ecosystem has grown to include the iPad and so, while the thought of an iPhone/iPod touch remote is all well and good, we’re even more excited about the potential for iPad remote control.  Let’s hope Parrot’s engineering teams are busy beavering away at just such a system in advance of E3 2010.