REDMOND, Wash., March 28: Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced the upcoming availability of Xbox 360TM Elite, a new model of the video game and entertainment system that will include a 120GB hard drive, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port, a high-definition cable, and a premium black finish for the console, Wireless Controller and Xbox LIVE® headset. Xbox 360 Elite has enough space for a library of Xbox LIVE Arcade games and thousands of songs, as well as downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The new 120GB hard drive also will be sold as a stand-alone accessory to give current Xbox 360 owners greater choice and flexibility in their games and entertainment experience. Additional Xbox 360 Elite accessories, such as the black Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit and the Xbox 360 rechargeable battery, will be available separately. The Xbox 360 Elite and its accessories are expected to begin arriving in U.S. stores on April 29.

• Xbox 360 Elite console.
  The console is equipped with a premium black finish and three powerful core processors capable of producing the best in HD entertainment (up to 1080p), 16:9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti- aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound, HDMI output and DVD playback with upscaling capabilities right out of the box.
• Xbox 360 120GB hard drive.
  The 120GB detachable hard drive allows gamers to save their games and store television shows, movies, music, pictures, trailers, levels, demos and other content available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.(3) The hard drive is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $179.99 (U.S.).
• Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (black).
  This award-winning, high-performance wireless controller, now in black, features the Xbox® Guide Button for quick, in-game access to friends and music. It has a range of up to 30 feet and a battery life of 30 hours on two AA batteries. It is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.).
• Xbox 360 headset (black).
  Now available in black, the headset lets gamers strategize or trade taunts while playing games and send voice messages to friends on Xbox LIVE.
• Xbox 360 HDMI cable.
  New to Xbox 360, HDMI allows consumers to get HD video (up to 1080p) and multichannel surround sound, all from one cable.
• Xbox LIVE Silver Membership.
  With this, gamers can chat with friends online, collect achievements and gamerscores, send and receive voice and text messages, and access Xbox LIVE Marketplace content such as game demos, HD movies and TV, as well as the best in downloadable games from Xbox LIVE Arcade.
• One-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold.
  An Xbox LIVE Gold Membership provides a complete online entertainment experience. Those who subscribe to this premium service can engage in competitive online multiplayer matches, tailor their matchmaking via feedback and accomplishments, chat with more than one person at a time, and take advantage of unique privileges in the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and Xbox LIVE Arcade.

The following accessories for the Xbox 360 Elite console will only be sold separately:

• Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit.
  Complete with a charging cable and a black Rechargeable Battery pack, the Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit allows gamers to recharge their Xbox 360 Wireless Controller without interrupting their gameplay. it is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $19.99 (U.S.).
• Xbox 360 rechargeable battery (black).
  The rechargeable battery pack provides more than 25 hours of gameplay per charge. It is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $11.99 (U.S.). 

So does "360 Elite" have the quieter DVD drive and the cooler / more effecient chipset?

Just before today's launch announcement, we interviewed Albert Penello, Director of Global Marketing for Microsoft's Xbox 360, and asked about the processor inside the Xbox 360 Elite, upcoming partnerships for the Marketplace Live download service, and future plans for IPTV.

Gizmodo: So it's pretty much the same innards, except for that HDMI connectivity and a 120GB hard drive?

Penello: Right. It still plays all the same great games that the core system plays and the regular Xbox 360 plays. It's just the black finish, the HDMI and the upgraded hard drive, right. And obviously it also includes the cable, which we feel is important -- to make sure that no matter what HD interface you have on your TV, when you take the console out of the box, we provide you with the cable that you need.

Source: Gizmondo

Nothing more than a spray painted 360 with HDMI and a 120 Gig HD..... LAME ! ! ! ! ! !
( I still need the HDMI port though, so it looks like I'm shelling out another $500. )

      - Jay

Back in January I mentioned a possible Xbox 360 "version 2", with a 120 Gig hard drive and HDMI output; Codename Zephyr. Well, even though Microsoft has attempted to keep this bad boy a secret, reports of the new model of the Xbox 360 being in may retailers computer systems continue to pop up all over the place.

If the 'Zephyr' is just a rumor, and Microsoft refuses to confirm the existence of an HDMI enabled Xbox 360, I find it rather amusing that even the EB Games / GameStop magazine, Game Informer, has now reported on it. Heck, many retailers have actually stated that the new Xbox 360 SKU was in their system, it's scheduled for a May 1st launch, and it's priced $479.99 (USD).

So I guess, Wal-Mart, EB Games / GameStop, and BestBuy magically invented the new SKU, and decided $479.99 was the perfect price to put on a fictitious piece of hardware. I'm sure that Microsoft's IPTV on Xbox 360 announcement at CES this year, and the comment "The new stuff we're bringing in Spring adds more functionality and integration" by Major Nelson in his latest podcast have nothing to do with the new Xbox 360. [/sarcasm]

'Zephyr' is now 'Elite'?
(I'll belive it when I see it!)

I've had numerous discussions, some fairly heated, with various people regarding the HDMI / 120 Gig version of the Xbox 360.

[Nerd Voice]
"OH dude, you know that Microsoft is re-releasing the Xbox 360? It's going to have HDMI output, a 120Gig hard drive, HD DVD, liquid cooling, and a extra processor all for the same price!!"
[/Nerd Voice]

My response: No, I don't believe for a  second that Microsoft will force the consumer to have an HD DVD player, nor do I believe they would want to pass the cost of adding an HD player onto the consumer. You're insane if you think the price will remain the same after adding 100 Gigs of disc space and an HDMI output... you're also insane if you think they're going to add liquid cooling or another processor. I'm going to ignore the whole 'liquid cooling' garbage, but I will say that adding an cardinal processor would then make all current 360's inferior... that's not going to happen, because it's a console, not a PC! HDMI and a larger capacity hard drive are merely accessory options and won't affect game performance on the console. What I do believe is that the new 360 will come with HDMI and a lager hard drive. I also believe that the core system will be phased out after the new version launches, and the premium system will replace it.

Now it's time to sit back, relax, and wait. Once the 'Zephyr' hits store shelves, I'll finally be able to get 1080p out of my Xbox 360, HD DVD Player and HD TV! (My HD TV only supports 1080p via HDMI.) I won't say 'I told you so', but I'll sure as hell be thinking it while I'm enjoying the Xbox 360 in 1080p! Until then I'll be the guy saying; "Is it May yet?.. Is it May yet?... How 'bout now?"

      - Jay

Rumor: Sony To Unveil PlayStation Home

Sony, when contacted earlier today, said they do not comment on rumors or speculation.
Playstation Home sounds like it could be an interesting, lo-fi, killer app, as described by our source.

"Basically, you get to make an avatar for your console (like a Mii) and this avatar has a room. As you play games and accomplish certain tasks, you will receive items with which to adorn the room that are specific to the game (achievements). The kicker is that this is going to be a new requirement for every PS3 game..."

 

(Source: KOTAKU)

Sony Blackballs Kotaku (UPDATED)

 

"Brian, This is an email I was really hoping I would never have to write, but it is what it is. When I came on board here at Sony, I made every effort to be as inclusive as possible to media and the blogging community in an effort to improve previously damaged relationships. This included getting people access to executives, opening our events to more individuals and personally responding as quickly as possible to inquiries. This was done in good faith with the thought that the people I was working with would operate with the same integrity and courtesy I think I demonstrated when I was a reporter. Basically, I went out on a limb for a lot of people -- people SCEA PR and SCEA management had written off. I caught a lot of flack for it from folks, but I felt strongly it was the right thing to do.
I am very disappointed that after trying to work with you as closely as possible and provide you and your team with access and information, you chose to report on this rumor.... I can't defend outlets that can't work cooperatively with us.

So, it is for this reason, that we will be canceling all further interviews for Kotaku staff at GDC and will be dis-inviting you to our media event next Tuesday. Until we can find a way to work better together, information provided to your site will only be that found in the public forum.

Again, I take absolutely no joy in sending you this note, but given the situation you have put me into, I have no choice."

Dave Karraker
Sr. Director, Corporate Communications
Sony Computer Entertainment America

 

(Source: KOTAKU)

 

Breaking: Sony Settles With Immersion, Enters Into Business Agreement

"Force feedback specialists Immersion Corporation and Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) have announced that the two companies have decided to settle their patent litigation at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The two companies have "entered into a new business agreement to explore the inclusion of Immersion technology in PlayStation format products." 

(Source: GameDaily Biz)

 

"I believe that the Sixaxis controller offers game designers and developers far more opportunity for future innovation than rumble ever did. Now, rumble I think was the last generation feature; it’s not the next-generation feature. I think motion sensitivity is. And we don’t see the need to do that. Having said that, there will be specific game function controllers, potentially like steering wheels that do include vibration or feedback function — not from us but from third parties" - Phil Harrison (Vice President of SCEE)

Yeah, that's what I thought... it's definitely doubletalk. Kind of like the how the Emotion Engine was so revolutionary, and was such a huge talking point while the PS3 was in development, as well as during the launch of the console.... now they're removing the Emotion Engine chips from all North American / Japanese conoles to reduce costs.  uuggghhh.. I'm so tired of SONY trying to spoon-feed consumers crap... here's the 'leaked' keynote speech regarding the demise of the Emotion Engine and other garbage, so you can read it for yourself:

Details from Phil Harrison- Sony Computer Worldwide Studios
Keynote at GDC March 7th 2007:

Anouncements:

Firmware update available on the 8th for North America/Japan and Asia. European PS3's will be preloaded with this latest update.

Features of this latest firmware include:

More refined PS Store frontend
Playstation Network integrity enhanced
Wallpapers from pictures
Ability to change background colours
Sony Connect Store for music and movies added to the PS Store. Hundreds of trailers/full films/song videos and mps3's available for download.
Playstation Card option in PS Store enabled.
Playstation Lifestyle- Similar to my space/youtube. User generated content and experiences are the key.
+ more.

Removal of Emotion Engine chips in PS3's in NA and Japan to follow in April. Reason for this is to reduce costs and focus on enhanced opportunities via software. Benefits include the ability to upscale selected PSone/PS2 games to 1080i/720p.

Lots of development talk.
Release dates for key games. Warhawk in June/July 2007. Heavenly Sword delayed. Killzone and MGS4 in late 2007.

New content on PS Store available on the 8th:

Tekken 6 trailer
Lair demo & trailer
Rainbow Six Vegas demo
EA: Skate trailer
Battlefield Bad Company trailer
Warhawk demo
Virtua Fighter 5 demo
Virtua Tennis 3 demo & trailer
GRAW 2: trailer
Mortal Kombat 2 game
Killzone trailer

Killzone demo for May.

More details. Stay tuned on the 7th.

(Source: Neoseeker.com)