05/23, 5:31am
Xbox 360 ITC ban caused by H.264 patent infringement
The Microsoft Xbox 360 S is to be banned from sale in the US following an International Trade Commission ruling. In a court document released on Monday, ITC Judge David Shaw recommended the sale of both 4GB and 250GB versions of the console be blocked. His recommendation related to a ruling made last month that Microsoft was infringing on four patents owned by Motorola relating to the H.264 video format.
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05/18, 2:41pm
Annual promotion starts May 20 in US, today in Canada
In an effort to push new PC sales, Microsoft is launching it's annual back-to-school Xbox promotion. Starting May 20 in the United States, purchasers of Windows 7 PCs worth more than $699 can receive a 4GB Xbox 360 console for free. Canadian purchasers can buy today, and spend $599 or more to get the same Xbox. End dates vary according to participating retailers' guidelines.
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05/16, 6:30pm
Venstar Wi-Fi key for thermostat allows for cloud-based control
Venstar has outed its Skyport Wi-Fi key for the ColorTouch thermostat. The key connects the thermostat to Skyport Cloud Services, run by the company, allowing users to monitor and adjust the thermostat from a phone or tablet. The key is a $100 upgrade to the $300 thermostat, with iOS, Android, and Blackberry apps free to download.
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05/15, 1:40pm
U-verse for Xbox 360 removed from sale temporarily
AT&T has stopped sales of the U-verse bundle for Xbox 360, citing work to “improve and enhance” the functionality, according to a message on its website. The bundle will not be up for sale again until the new functionality is added, a representative has told Multichannel.
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05/08, 12:53pm
Joule accessory will measure, record heart-rate
Microsoft is preparing an addition to its Kinect accessory for the Xbox 360 that will track a user's exercises across multiple Kinect games, The Verge learned from its sources. Called Play Fit, it will upload numbers to online storage and thereby be accessible from anywhere. A new hardware accessory will be made available as well, dubbed so far as the Joule.
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05/07, 7:30pm
Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle subsidized by 2 year contract
The previously speculated Xbox 360 bundle deal from Microsoft has been confirmed to exist. A voucher for the bundle has appeared on the Microsoft Store website, showing a 4GB Xbox 360 complete with Kinect for $99 and a two-year, $15-per-month Xbox Live Gold subscription.
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05/02, 11:50am
By Justin King
Microsoft is reportedly preparing to offer a $99 Xbox 360 bundle that will include the Kinect sensor, subsidizing the upfront cost and tying buyers to a two-year subscription. Unnamed sources have told The Verge the company will require an agreement that works like a cellphone contract, requiring buyers to pay a termination fee to cease monthly payments before the end of the term.
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04/28, 5:35pm
Lenovo investment Eedoo makes costly motion gaming
A recent Lenovo investment, Eedoo, is drawing criticism for the upcoming launch of China's first mainstream motion gaming system, the CT510. Pitched as a family entertainment system, the system is conspicuously like Microsoft's Kinect add-on for the Xbox 360 but is intended more as a general device with HD movie playback, karaoke, and motion-driven exercise apps. At $600, however, it costs more than the $399 US price of Microsoft's most advanced Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle.
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04/27, 8:15pm
Roku set-tops to get TWC live TV streaming
A leak late Friday has revealed that Time Warner Cable is planning to offer live TV on media hubs. The Engadget tip had Roku being the first of multiple devices that would stream IP-based TV. The Roku implementation wasn't clarified, but would presumably go through a custom Roku channel.
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04/27, 9:30am
Foxconn central China plant sees protest
Foxconn saw a return to protests Friday after about 200 workers in the central China city of Wuhan threatened to jump off a roof in protest over working conditions. The details relayed to Reuters from the Information Centre for Human Rights framed the dispute as one over "workplace adjustments" for newcomers. One concern had been sub-par wages.
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04/26, 12:40pm
Special edition hardware first online, then off
Both the look and the release date for the Xbox 360 Celebration Pack were briefly visible online today, as Amazon.co.uk accidentally posted the information online. VideoGamer.com discovered the online leak, now removed, which revealed a Union Jack-skinned console, Kinect sensor, and controller.
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04/25, 10:15am
Woodstock music to have Facebook link, more
Microsoft's restarted music plans will see them escape the platform and feature limits of the Zune Music Marketplace, according to new leaks. Tipsters for The Verge had the service, codenamed Woodstock, being available not just to Windows, Windows Phone, and Xbox users, but Android and iOS as well. It would also be playable on the web, although without needing a plugin.
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04/23, 7:05pm
Motorola gets early blow against Microsoft
Motorola landed a major early victory in its dueling lawsuits with Microsoft on Monday after the International Trade Commission ruled (PDF) that Microsoft had violated four of its patents. The initial findings would effectively ban the Xbox 360 for its use of the H.264 video format, a claim it has leveled against other Microsoft products as well. As a first ruling, it's not automatically in effect and faces a review by a panel, due in August, before it's enforced.
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04/23, 4:30pm
Netflix Q1 beats estimates but takes on Comcast
Netflix was aggressive both in performance and in political stance with its quarterly results on Monday. Despite anticipating significant losses, it lost just $5 million as part of its push to the UK and other countries where the consensus had been closer to a $16.9 million hit. Its revenue at $870 million, while down from the fall, was up 21 percent over a year earlier, reflecting the much larger number of subscribers.
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04/20, 2:30pm
NVIDIA to bring out Xbox 360-beating mobile GPU
NVIDIA will release a mobile graphics chip that has more processing power than the current Xbox 360 sometime later in 2013 or 2014, the company said in ap presentation handed out to the media. The slide's projection for console performance does drop off at 2012. The solid lines represent estimated performance, with the dotted ones standing for trends.
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04/20, 11:05am
Skype seeks development engineer with Xbox focus
The Skype team is looking to bolster its ranks by posting a job listing which references the Xbox gaming console. Based in its London office, the position tells little about exactly how the video, voice, and text chat service will integrate into the platform hasn't been revealed. The Software Development Engineer will contribute to the development of experiences on Xbox, the listing reads.
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04/19, 4:15pm
Microsoft bounces back in fiscal Q3 2012
Microsoft saw its Windows unit partly return to form on Thursday as it once again reported gains. Following Windows division losses in the fall, the group has seen its revenue go up four percent to just over $4.6 billion. The segment succeeded mostly on the back of business desktops and infrastructure, Microsoft said, suggesting that home users and pro notebooks were still struggling.
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04/16, 11:50pm
Apple continues ongoing 3D camera tech
Apple job listings have shown that Apple is still actively researching 3D visual display and capturing technology that would extend to its iOS devices. An iOS Software Engineer position is looking for a doctorate holder who can handle "cameras and surfaces in a 3D environment" as well as "multi-view stereo and 3D reconstruction." Although it's unclear how long the same technical requirements have existed for the job, employees have been mentioning work in 3D imaging for at least two years.
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04/16, 11:00pm
Netflix may spur FCC action on Comcast neutrality
A commentary by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings may have brought official FCC scrutiny on Comcast for its cap exemption of Xfinity TV on the Xbox 360. He argued that Comcast was violating net neutrality principles by giving its own service a 'free' pass while applying the cap to competing services, including not just his own Netflix but HBO Go and Hulu Plus as well. After being asked by the Wall Street Journal, the FCC said it "takes seriously" allegations of violations like these and was following what was going on.
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04/13, 11:10am
NPD data shows Xbox 360 out front again
New NPD data published late Thursday gave the Xbox 360 not just a sustained lead in March but a rare milestone in hardware overall. At 371,000 units, Microsoft's console stayed in the lead for overall sales for the 15th consecutive month. The $430 million spent on the hardware and its games, however, was also larger than the combination of money spent supporting the Nintendo Wii and Sony PS3.
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04/11, 7:25pm
Microsoft gets reprieve from Motorola ban in US
Microsoft scored an important win in a Seattle courtroom by successfully getting a temporary block on any Motorola bans of its products. The temporary restraining order prevents Motorola from securing a ban on Windows or the Xbox 360 until the court believes it has made a sincere effort to license its H.264 video patents under FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) terms. Microsoft's maneuver both stops anything in the immediate trial and in other lawsuits or trade disputes.
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04/09, 10:55pm
Xbox 360 can now get HBO shows on Comcast
As promised, Comcast on Monday switched on its HBO Go support for the Xbox 360 on Monday. Viewers who have a Comcast cable subscription and the console can sign in and watch nearly all of HBO's catalog on-demand. Unlike the Xfinity TV app, though, viewing counts towards the 250GB data transfer cap.
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04/09, 1:20pm
Netflix update brings Kinect controls, more
Microsoft and Netflix have delivered a new update for the Xbox 360 that brings new functions to the app, the former's Larry Hryb revealed. The revamped media streaming client includes the ability to skip forward an back through movies and shows with buttons. Users with Kinect can also perform this using their voice or by waving their hand.
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04/06, 5:00pm
HBO Go gets clearance for Comcast owners at last
Comcast sent word Friday of plans that confirmed rumors of imminent HBO Go on Xbox 360 support. Gamers would get access to the premium cable channel's on-demand shows in streaming form "early next week." The sign-in for HBO Go will be the same as for the already-active Xfinity TV.
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04/04, 2:55pm
Comcast, TWC near deal on HBO Go at last
HBO Go is close to overcoming its absence on Comcast and Time Warner Cable, sources hinted Wednesday. Multiple people linked to the talks explained to the New York Times that the cable providers were "close" to a deal. Comcast could be active as soon as this week, while Time Warner Cable's timing wasn't as certain.
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04/03, 7:15pm
Nintendo pinning hopes on tablet shape over speed
Nintendo's upcoming
Wii U console may be less powerful than its predecessor. Citing developers, GamesIndustry.biz reports that, although the tablet-like gaming device may support full HD imaging, its graphics processing power may be less than that of the current generation of gaming devices. This could prove a disappointment to avid gamers when the system is released later this year.
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04/03, 8:10am
EU antitrust investigations start over Motorola
The European Commission quickly acted on earlier hints on Tuesday and formally started two antitrust investigations versus Motorola. The two pursuits will look into whether Motorola was abusing its standards-based patents against Apple and Microsoft. The claims would check whether Motorola was trying to squeeze Apple over 2G and 3G licenses for iPads and iPhones, as well as similar tactics over H.264 video in Windows 7 and the Xbox 360.
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04/02, 3:55pm
Microsoft teases special-run Xbox 360 gamepads
Microsoft gave Xbox 360 gamers a bonus on Monday by previewing a new and possibly limited-run Xbox 360 gamepad. The Special Edition Chrome Series Wireless Controller covers the entire top surface of the gamepad in a chrome-effect surface, either in blue, red, or silver. They all share the same transforming directional pad that Microsoft first showed in 2010 and is designed to help fans of fighting games that want a different response.
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04/02, 12:40pm
Microsoft ends deal with Arvato over Motorola suit
Microsoft in a retaliatory move against Motorola ended teamwork with Germany company Arvato for software distribution. The move reported by Germany's Deutsche Presse-Agentur would see about 50 people lose their jobs as Microsoft relocated distribution to the Netherlands. The Windows developer argued that Motorola's H.264 video patent demands made staying in Germany untenable.
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04/02, 7:40am
EU says Motorola tactics vs Apple may be flawed
Motorola could be subject to the same sort of investigation of patent abuse that Samsung is facing, European Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said in a speech during a stop in Washington, DC. He was "considering" an investigation in order to provide "more clarity" in the competitive space, AllThingsD heard. Companies like Motorola and Samsung could potentially misuse their ownership of standards patents by demanding high rates under the threat of a product ban, regardless of their public commitments to FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) terms.
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03/27, 10:55pm
By Justin King
Comcast and Time Warner cable subscribers are reportedly blocked from accessing HBO Go content via Xbox 360. Many cable subscribers who were already paying for HBO service through Comcast and Time Warner were surprised to find that their cable providers have yet to participate in the HBO Go program.
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03/27, 10:00am
MLB joins cable on Xbox 360
Microsoft took its promised Comcast Xfinity TV and HBO Go support live on the Xbox 360 Tuesday with the extra addition of MLB.tv. Akin to the ESPN app, it gives users the option of watching live and on-demand events, albeit live only for out-of-market games. Kinect owners have the extra advantage of motion and voice commands that can sometimes speed up the action.
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03/26, 7:55pm
Comcast and HBO get long awaited Xbox 360 apps
The long-expected Xbox 360 apps for Comcast's Xfinity TV and HBO Go should go live on Tuesday. Tips sent to GigaOm were short on details, but it's believed the HBO app was going live to make sure it was ready for the Game of Thrones second season premiere on April 1, as hinted by studio co-president Eric Kessler. Comcast's timing wasn't explained, but might be following the same reasoning.
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03/23, 7:55pm
Xfinity TV on Xbox 360 near ready
Comcast has slipped out through a support page that it's currently beta testing its Xfinity TV app for the Xbox 360. The service as it stands will give Comcast subscribers who sign in access to a large but incomplete pick of Comcast's usual access. It should include the four core broadcasters and build in major premium providers like HBO, The Movie Channel, and Comcast's own Streampix, but it won't have many mid-tier TV networks.
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03/21, 12:15pm
BSkyB tries Internet TV to catch other viewers
Satellite TV provider BSkyB threw itself into contention with Internet video providers on Wednesday through its own pure Internet TV service. Called Now TV, it will supply on-demand movies, sports, and other forms of entertainment both to computers as well as game systems, smartphones, and tablets. The aim was to catch the 13 million UK residents who didn't have traditional paid TV, CEO Jeremy Darroch said at The Guardian's Changing Media Summit.
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03/19, 10:15pm
Player can be controlled using gestures, voice
The BBC has finally brought its iPlayer streaming video player to the Xbox 360 for UK residents. The app enables users to access many of the latest BBC television content, along with the company's radio stations and select programs from other broadcasters.
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03/15, 7:30pm
Shows interface in preparation for April 1 launch
HBO has begun its marketing push in anticipation of its
April 1 introduction of support for HBO Go on the Xbox 360. As part of that campaign, the video content provider has created and uploaded a video "tease" on YouTube (below). Showcased in the video is the Xbox's ability to use Kinect voice commands to manage the service's user interface.
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03/09, 3:55pm
Nielsen shows Apple infiltrating gaming
New Nielsen data has shown that cross-platform gaming is seeing heavy inroads, including from Apple. About 24 percent of US homes used at least two gaming platforms, but diversity was especially high among those who had a traditional handheld. In homes where a Nintendo DS or Sony PSP was was used by a child under 12, 66 percent also had some kind of iOS device.
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03/09, 1:55pm
NPD sees big rebound in February
Results posted late Thursday by the NPD Group chalked up a significantly improved February for gaming following a bleak January. Console hardware sales were up 87 percent over what they were in January, to $381.4 million, helped not just by 426,000 Xbox 360 sales but also by the PlayStation Vita. Sony had just four days of hardware sales that weren't directly quantified, but they were enough that the increase would have been a more modest if still healthy 62 percent.
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03/08, 11:20am
Epic Games pushes for faster PS4 and next Xbox
Epic Games is concerned that Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony might let Apple take over in gaming by being too conservative with their hardware, the developer's VP Mark Rein said in a discussion this week at the Game Developer Conference. The Bulletstorm and Gears of War creator told CVG his company was "constantly pushing" hardware designers to make high-end systems to give a clear incentive to pick their systems over what Apple makes. Rein liked Apple, but he didn't want TV gaming to disappear by eroding the gap in experiences.
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03/07, 7:55pm
Ad-supported content available for free
Vevo has brought its music video library to the Xbox 360, enabling users to access more than 45,000 titles. The content is available in HD resolution and for free, through an ad-supported app that supports Kinect navigation.
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02/28, 4:40pm
Bundle includes two games
Microsoft today announced an Xbox Special Edition 4GB Kinect Family Bundle. The package features a glossy white console with matching controller and Kinect sensor. Included are two game compilations, Kinect Sports and Kinect Adventures.
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02/28, 2:55pm
Job ad hints DirectX 11 coming to next Xbox, PS4
Games developer Bethesda, which created Skyrim, is looking to hire a "Future Generation Console Programmer," according to a job posting. The description suggests the ideal candidate will have DirectX 11 experience, suggesting either Sony, Microsoft, or both will support the add-on in their next home gaming consoles. The company is also seeking programmers with experience on the Xbox 360 and PS3 platforms.
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02/28, 3:25am
Xbox 360 gets HBO Go support soon
Microsoft's long-promised HBO Go support for the Xbox 360 was confirmed late last night as arriving on April 1. Americans with the current-generation Xbox Dashboard interface will have the option of watching the network's shows through a signed-in console, whether or not they're at home. The timing dovetails with the start of the second season of Game of Thrones and serves as a catch-up service.
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02/23, 4:20pm
HTML5 may get pseudo DRM with proposal
Google, Microsoft, and Netflix have put forward a proposal that could add a level of copy protection to HTML5 audio and video. Encrypted Media Extensions would let apps on the web and elsewhere use keys to control who has access to a given media stream. It would allow any format that would work in HTML5 as long as the format itself can support some kind of key or bit.
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02/21, 11:10am
Nintendo Wii U may become general-purpose
Nintendo might transform the Wii U into a full media hub if mentions of early discussions are accurate. AdWeek had heard this weekend that Nintendo had been in talks with "several major media companies," including music and sports providers in backroom CES chats last month. The console designer was even said considering a cable TV deal with Comcast, similar to the Xbox 360's live TV.
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02/17, 7:20pm
Microsoft tries rework of Zune music strategy
Microsoft is looking to redo its music service strategy, leaks uncovered Friday. Those said close to major label discussions told CNET that Microsoft was aiming for a mix of streaming and downloads. The focus would be on the Xbox and an unnamed Windows Phone, possibly made by HTC or Nokia.
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02/16, 3:40pm
Razer outs Mass Effect 3-themed gaming gear, more
Gaming peripherals maker Razer has just introduced its Mass Effect 3 branded gear. Developed by and licensed with BioWare, there are seven peripherals in total. This includes a gaming mouse, mouse pad, gaming keyboard, Xbox 360 controller, Xbox 360 headset, iPhone 4/4S case, and messenger bag. All the peripherals are based on Razer's existing products.
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02/16, 8:30am
PS3 4.11 and Xbox 360 update appear
Microsoft and Sony unintentionally posted simultaneous updates for their game systems overnight on Thursday. The Xbox 360 has received its promised fix for a color space issue, where certain apps and video playback would distort the colors. The upgrade is required to keep using Xbox Live and will translate to individual apps.
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02/14, 4:30pm
Microsoft job posting hints next Xbox to get 3D
The next Xbox console may have 3D gaming capabilities, with the latest evidence supporting this likelihood coming in the form a recent job posting for a position in Haifa, Israel. The Algorithm Research & Development Engineer for the Xbox team would work to design and implement code for a "state of the art" 3D imaging system. The position calls for working closely with the Redmond, Washington-based team with both hardware and software development in mind.
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