In an attempt to get people hyped about the update that is clearly not happening this week, Microsoft has launched a website that tells you all about the New Xbox Experience. The whole feel is meant to give you that dashboard style look. What’s cool is that each section offers an in depth look at some of the new features, such as Avatars, Parties, and all of the new social content that they’re planning on bringing over to Xbox Live. Unfortunately there still isn’t a date available for when this will all launch, but again, it’s not happening this week.

Keep an eye out on your Xbox and definitely check out the site if you’re curious to see what exactly they have in store for you.

Tags: avatars, major nelson, microsoft, new xbox experience, parties, social content, xbox live

For those of you wondering why your Xbox Live and Zune service are currently down, we’ve got some bad news for you. There are no updates at all coming for the Xbox Live or Zune service with the schedule maintenance time. That means that all those lovely places you like to visit like Zune Social, Zune.net forums, the Zune Marketplace, and all Xbox Live services will be offline for up to 48 hours (just 24 for the Xbox Live time).

It’s always amusing how upset people get when it comes to simply maintenance time. For once, there isn’t anything hidden behind this. Microsoft just decided to make sure things start working a little better.

Tags: microsoft, outage, service, xbox, xbox 360, xbox live, Xbox360, XboxLive, zune, zune marketplace, ZuneMarketplace, zunephone

The rumors and gossip surrounding this topic are starting to get a little thick. But hopefully we can take the words of HP’s Chief Technology Office Phil McKinney stating that HP funding the development of a rival operating system to Vista “makes no sense”. Especially when their goal has been “innovating on top of Vista.”.

But the confusion comes from the fact that BusinessWeek has reported that there are people within HP who are “exploring the possibility of building a mass-market operating system.”. The rumors also state that the OS would be based around Linux, but much easier for the average user to grasp.

Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Tags: businessweek, hp, linux, microsoft, phil mckinney, vista

While the iPhone and iPod Touch are the current glory hogs of the portably media player market as of late, Zune is still kicking around out there. We’ve got unconfirmed reports that there have actually been two new Zunes being released in the near future, the Zune 120 and the Zune 16GB model. Both offer an increased storage and slightly different look, but is that enough to keep Zune fans with Microsoft?

These are leaked screenshots compliments of Gizmodo. Check back for more details as we find out when and where we’ll be able to see these PMP’s live and with our own two hands.

Tags: iphone, ipod touch, microsoft, zune, zune 120, zune 16gb

With the App Store breaking over 2,000 apps available for download, we’ve already seen several issues arise from rights holders asking for apps to be removed and way over priced apps being banned. But just recently, Microsoft has made a decision to let developers make apps that integrate with their Xbox Live service under the condition that they do so for free. Right now there are three apps that handle this, and one of them has decided to turn a deaf ear to Microsofts demands. iLive, the worst out of all the Xbox Live iPhone apps is still charging $1.99!

We’ll have to wait and see what Microsoft does about this, considering they’re the ones providing the information for this app to pull from.

Tags: app store, ilive, iphone, microsoft, xbox live

If you’ve been a fan of gaming for awhile, you’re probably familiar with Microsofts brand SideWinder. While SideWinder hasn’t really had anything noteable come from it in the past several years, the good old [nostalgic] boys over at Microsoft have decided to add another peripheral to their line up.

The SideWinder X6 is reportedly one of the best designed gaming keyboards to date. The entire keyboard has been redesigned from the ground up and even includes a switchable key pad. You can easily set those additional keys to macros for non-gaming purposes as well.

But you can’t simply by the SideWinder X6 keyboard without at least checking out the 2,000 DPI last tracking engine, six DPI on the fly adjustable, 9 customizable button X5 mouse.

At $79.95 for the X6 keyboard and $59.95 for the X5 mouse, these bad boys are definitely worth it.

Read the rest of this entry…

Tags: Gaming, microsoft, sidewinder, sidewinder x5 mouse, sidewinder x6 keyboard

Rumors have turned into reality as the 60GB Xbox 360’s are starting to enter the retail world. Anywhere from Amazon to Circuit City seem to be getting at least indications that they’ll be receiving them in the upcoming weeks, but there isn’t much to go off of as to an official over all release.

Microsoft’s Major Nelson has stated that there isn’t going to be an over all launch for the 60GB’s, they’ll just slowly trickle their way out and become common place on the store shelves. Unfortunate for those hunting for them, who care for everyone else.

Tags: 60gb xbox 360, amazon, circuit city, major nelson, microsoft, xbox 360

As many of you gaming fans out there know that while the Xbox 360 controller worked great and had a lot of cool functions it just wasn’t very pleasing to the eye. In reality it was down right boring, that was until just recently. Microsoft the makers of the Xbox have chosen to incorporate cool colors into their controllers.

While you still will only have the three colors to choose from, flashy red, bright green and the dull and normal black, there might be more colors to come in the future. The game will continue to come packaged with the old dull black controllers but for about $60 you can purchase one of the other two colors that are available to date. Xbox players show your true colors!

Tags: consoles, microsoft, video games, xbox 360

We all know that our beloved electronics are energy hogs. So what if your PS3 costs more to run than your fridge? It’s got Metal Gear Solid 4!

It appears that Sony Ericsson is doing what it can to save the world, winning Greenpeace’s Greener Electronics Guide award for most environmentally-friendly electronics company.

The company was the only to score more than 5 out of 10 on a scale that factored companies on recycling programs, use of harmful chemicals and energy waste. Microsoft and Nintendo both scored below a three on the scale. At least Sony is winning one aspect of the video game console war!

Tags: greener electronics guide, greenpeace, microsoft, nintendo, ps3, sony, sony ericsson

Possibly spoiling one of Microsoft’s announcements at the upcoming E3, a K-Mart scan has shown an Xbox 360 price drop.

The $299.99 price for the 20GB version is down from the $349.99 price point, which may be enough to sway gamers who’ve been afraid of the dreaded red ring of death.

Await Microsoft’s official announcement at E3 this July 14-17 in Los Angeles and be prepared to not be surprised.

Tags: e3, microsoft, price cut, xbox 360