slim

New Xbox 360 won't red-ring even if it wants to

Even if your new slim Xbox 360 console malfunctions, you won't be getting the now-infamous "red ring of death" error. That's because Microsoft has actually eliminated all of the red LEDs from the system's internal make-up. Instead, any sort of problem with the console will now be displayed using various combinations of green lights, GameSpot reports.

While we're relieved to witness the end of those dreadful red flashing lights, we're still skeptical about the new 360's reliability. Microsoft made a point to mention the new system's "whisper quiet" operation, … Read more

The 404 604: Where oh no, I've said too much (podcast)

Unfortunately, Natali Del Conte is still posted up in the West coast covering E3 2010, but the three of us are still in New York and today we're talking about a New York assemblyman whose mission is to ban the iPhone 4's FaceTime videochat application from the road.

New York State Democratic assemblyman Felix Ortiz wants to make it illegal for drivers to use FaceTime in the car based on the principle that "any object which distracts a driver's attention while they are driving should be banned regardless of whether it is a cell phone or … Read more

The case of the missing Xbox 360 Blu-ray player

When Microsoft unveiled its new Xbox 360 at E3 on Monday, not many people were expecting the company to include a Blu-ray player, and we didn't get it. However, when you look at the specs and $299 pricing for both consoles, the most obvious omission--and the thing that seems to separate the two systems--is that Blu-ray player.

Yes, you can nitpick about things like the PS3's free online play vs. the Xbox 360's $50 yearly fee for Xbox Live Gold (360 fans like to say you get what you pay for) and which industrial design is superior (… Read more

Xbox 360 Slim unveiled, available this week; $299

The Microsoft E3 2010 press conference has just wrapped up and the company finished things with a bang, debuting a brand new slimmer and edgy all-black Xbox 360 with a 250GB hard drive and built-in Wi-Fi.

More shocking, Senior Vice-President Don Mattrick announced that this redesigned Xbox 360 will be available in stores this week for $299. Also noteworthy was the mention of a "whisper quiet" operation, which is an acknowledgment to the current 360's loud jet-engine fan system.

Judging from our product shots, the slim Xbox 360 features an on-board digital optical audio out; a standard … Read more

Reports: Natal dubbed 'Kinect;' new Xbox 360 on deck

Microsoft's E3 press conference isn't scheduled to start until Monday morning in Los Angeles, but it appears that at least two of the bigger secrets may be out of the bag. Separate leaks indicate the final name for the Project Natal motion controller (along with a slate of games) and the possibility of a revised Xbox 360 console with a newly designed enclosure.

Project Natal redubbed Kinect: First demonstrated at 2009's E3 show, Microsoft's camera-based Project Natal motion controller will be officially dubbed "Kinect," according to an article in USA Today. It was long … Read more

PS3 Slim laptop, this time in blue!

A while back, we told you about modder Ben Heckendorn's unique PS3 Slim-turned-laptop. Well, now Heck is back with a bruising twist on that creation: a black-and-blue version.

The laptop has a 17-inch, wide-screen 720p HDMI display; built-in stereo speakers and a headphone jack; USB connectors; lots of air vents; and "stylish pin striping to make games run at blast processing." Granted, you'll probably need to sell your level 80 World of Warcraft characters if you want the master modder to build you one of these, so you might just consider taking a look at the … Read more

PS3 finally ready to yield profit for each sold

As recently as February, Sony was still losing around $18 per every PlayStation 3 sold. A whole three and a half years after the console's November 2006 launch, it appears a new component will finally allow for a profit to be made on each system.

Thank a cheaper, cooler, 40-nanometer RSX graphics chip for the reduced production cost. Even better, the chip will require less overall power to run (about 15 percent), which is ultimately good for your wallet. These consoles with updated chipsets will be available in stores as they are manufactured.

Microsoft has gone through a similar … Read more

Hori's PS3 Slim dock adds LCD display

Designed to piggyback off a Sony PS3 Slim, the Hori HP3-87 dock provides a compact 11.6-inch LCD screen for playing games and watching movies. The LED-lit panel has a 1,366x768-pixel resolution complemented by built-in stereo speakers, as well as multi-AV and component-video inputs to hook up the console. As a bonus, this dock is compatible with Sony's DVR and digital TV tuner box, dubbed Torne. At the moment, Hori is releasing the HP3-87 only in Japan from May 27 for $280. We'll let you know when and if we hear of a broader release.

While this … Read more

Top 10 must-have features for Xbox 360 Slim

All signs point to "yes" for an Xbox 360 console refresh after what appears to be a leaked motherboard photo surfaced on a Chinese gaming forum.

We first dropped the notion of such a move last August; we're hoping Microsoft uses this opportunity to address a number of complaints, annoyances, and other hiccups most of us have experienced during the first 4.5 years of Xbox 360 ownership.

Nothing has been confirmed by Microsoft yet, but we'll probably know more in June when the company hits the stage for its annual E3 press conference.

Make sure … Read more

Xbox 360 Slim coming?

Update: Microsoft announced an updated version of the Xbox 360 on June 14, 2010. The new model has a smaller chassis, 250GB hard drive, and built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi, but no Blu-ray. See the Xbox 360 Slim product page for additional information.

A recent post on the A9VG forums has led many to believe that what you see above is the new "Valhalla" motherboard for the Xbox 360 console. Underneath that fan heatsink is supposedly a CPU/GPU combo chip that will allow for the overall size reduction of the board.

Sony was able to breathe new life … Read more