Spring Cleaning for Xbox 360

Major info update to the rumored update to the Xbox 360 Dashboard.

Also, check my new reader feed at right and watch the videos of the new features!

Spring Cleaning for Xbox 360: "Microsoft updates Xbox Live in a dozen handy ways. First details and images."

Amazing Oblivion Domino Video

This was posted on Digg.com and I couldn't resist posting it here too. This guy must have worked super hard on this. There is simply no easy way to do what he did. All the objects, save the room itself, had to be placed by hand!

Dashcode Included with MacBook

I'm not sure if this was on purpose to get people tinkering, but it certianly has done that. On the Tiger install disc included with Apple's new MacBook notebooks users can find (or just download from numerous mirrors) a new unrelease program called Dashcode.

Dashcode is a simple enough program that helps users create widgets for Mac OS X's Dashboard. I poked around with it a little myself, but knowing nothing about code and not having much time today I didn't get far. From the sound of things it is a little buggy, but works well enough. Hopefully we'll hear more official news from Apple soon.

Dashcode Included with MacBook: "In November there were reports of an upcoming Apple development tool for creating Dashboard Widgets. The new application was called 'Dashcode'. A few screenshots circulated around the web, with no details on release timeframe. The Da..."

Xbox 360 Dashboard Due For Update

Here's some good news from M$ about the Xbox 360 Dashboard and the rumored update. It was supposedly going to ship on the 23rd of May, but that obviously didn't happen so here's hoping it comes in a few days or weeks.

Major updates include changes to the DVD playback, booting directly to the dashboard option, and FINALLY an option to have downloads runing in the background. You should hopefully be able to play a game, watch a movie, or mill around the dashboard while your download continues. Currently, if you leave the progress bar blade your download is cancled until you resume it. This is a feature I have been DYING for!

Xbox Live Due For Update: "Microsoft to update the dashboard, DVD playback."

A look at Apple, Nike's new Nike+iPod

Apple today unveiled a joint venture with Nike called Nike+iPod. It's a cool looking idea that integrates your workouts with your iPod Nano and can be a personal coach. I hope they can put this into other types of training instead of just running. Lately, I've been looking into gyms and workout options for the summer. My overall goal for this summer is 40lbs. I'm already getting started and have lost 5lbs in just under two weeks! Eating healthy or simply put, no Vermillion junk food runs, fast food, or Joan's "home cooking" and getting out more and working is really helping.

A look at Apple, Nike's new Nike+iPod: "As noted this morning, Nike's Air Zoom Moire is the first footwear designed to talk to Apple's iPod ..."

Video Games ARE Good For Children

Finally! Though, if you read the story it talks about a 14 year old who was playing Manhunt. I played that game when I was 19 and I felt dirty after playing it. No one under the age of 20...or anyone for that matter...should play THAT violent of a game! Though it was a cool concept, I will never look at Brian Cox that same.


"Playing computer games may actually be good for children, according to a government study that found no proof that even violent games triggered aggressive behaviour."

read more | digg story

IGN posts their Best of E3 2006

I'm not in complete agreement, and it seems they aren't either. They have their Best of Xbox 360 set up and things don't line up in the Best of Overall list. Oh well, good stuff was had...well, at Nintendo and Xbox 360's booths. Check out IGN's take.

http://games.ign.com/articles/709/709355p1.html

The Top Five Xbox 360 Games

Cool news I spotted from IGN. Each year after E3 the editors wrap up their thoughts after some time to think. Here are three lists from the IGN staff of their picks of the top 5 Xbox 360 games at E3 2006.

I'd have to say, my #1 is Gears of War so far...though Lost Planet is a lot of fun!

The Top Five Xbox 360 Games: "The fully recovered Xbox 360 team picks their favorites games of E3. Which made the grade?"

Apple debuts new MacBook laptop

Well, this wasn't too much of a surprise. What does surprise me is the complete drop of the 1.83ghz MacBook Pro. I have a computer that after 90 days was dropped from the line! It also has a second issue now. My LCD is uneven and the right side of my screen is darker than the left!

Apple debuts new MacBook laptop: "Apple today unveiled the newly designed MacBook, its new consumer notebook featuring the Intel Core ..."

Apple updates iLife '06 applications

This is GREAT! Apple did a major update to their iLife '06 Suite. I love this. Check out my personal page that was created with iWeb!

http://www.usd.edu/~ggriffit/

Apple updates iLife '06 applications: "Apple today released updates to its iLife '06 applications, including iDVD 6.02, which addresses iss..."

Xtreme firmware for TS-H943 Xbox 360 released!!!

This is kind of a big deal. Microsoft said before the Xbox 360 came out that it was going to be nearly hack proof. Well, a company like M$ saying something like that just got the hackers and modders even more ramped up. I've seen a few videos on the net of people cracking into the Xbox 360, but this looks like the first official firmware hack that would flash your 360 into doing something it's obviously not supposed to. While novel, I'm not about to risk my $400 console on what some kid wrote up online.

Xtreme firmware for TS-H943 Xbox 360 released!!!: "The long awated xbox 360 firmware is now available for download for anyone who is willing to flash their drive!"

PS3 Playstation 3 System Interface

So Sony demoed their interface for the PS3 at E3. I found this video on YouTube.com and wasn't terribly impressed. Maybe you will be, but all I see is a PSP interface plus a few minor tweaks.

E306 Sadly Ends

Wow, it's been a good E3. I have not attended, but I have rounded up a lot of good stuff in my google reader feed. I didn't star everything E3 related, but some of the cool stuff I tagged. I'd have to agree with the most of the people that I've talked to and comments that I've read summarizing the Sony Playstation 3 debut was less than stellar. Their controller was less than exciting, the games they showed were nowhere near the level they should be to have a November release, and their online service was a cheap knock off of the great service that is Xbox Live.

I'm usually the last to say anything good about Microsoft, but the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live have been amazing! Daily updates with trailers of the games on the show floor and a few playable demos made it feel like I was practically there without ever leaving my living room. Kudos!

Check out IGN.com for some good coverage. Also, if you're into the Xbox 360 scene hit up MajorNelson.com and read his blog. For LOTS of good media from E3 check out Xboxyde.com and Playsyde.com. Lots of fun stuff happened and I'm not really going to talk about it other than check out the Lost Planet Demo on Xbox Live!

Intel debuts 'Core 2 Duo' brand

This is cool news. The 'Merom' (codename) is going to become the Core 2 Duo. It's supposed to be a 64-bit Dual Core processor. Hopefully the MacBook Pro's will get upgraded at WWDC to using these...maybe a new machine again! Also, with the MacBook's rumored to be nearing their release my speculation doesn't sound too far off.

Intel debuts 'Core 2 Duo' brand: "Intel today will introduce a single brand name for its next generation notebook and desktop chips. F..."

PS3 Dev Units Pic

She's not super pretty, but it exists! The PlayStation 3 Dev kit...sort of in the wild. Check out the IGN story about it.

"An American spy was kind enough to hook up with a couple of photos showing off the PS3 development kits as they've never been seen publicly before. Also, note all of the USB and dip-switches on the units"

read more | digg story

Apple pulls ahead of Dell, again

Good Story. It happened once before, and now Apple is once again worth more than Dell! They keeping yo-yoing, but Apple is on their heels. Macnn says that the introduction of the Intel Core Duo machines like that MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Mini that have the ability to run Apple's software Boot Camp. Boot Camp lets these Intel based machines (that are blazingly fast) run Windows XP faster than most PCs!

Apple pulls ahead of Dell, again: "Apple has once again pulled ahead of Dell in overall marketcap value, as Dell waits for Microsoft's ..."