Sony Unveils Tiny PS Vita TV Gaming Console, Budget Living Room Entertainment

At the Tokyo Game Show 2013 keynote, Sony has introduced an unexpected new miniature gaming console painted all in white - the PlayStation Vita TV. When connected to a TV or any other external monitor using HDMI, the PS Vita TV will let you play all Vita designed games and can be wirelessly controlled using Sony's DualShock 3 controllers. Like its portable handheld brother, the PS Vita TV features the same user interface found on the PS Vita and doubles as a entertainment set-top-box with features like Sony's Video and Music services as well as Hulu and other online media services. So really Sony created an even tinier Roku/Apple TV competitor only with gaming functionality that's already rich with established Vita titles. 

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Xbox One, The New Next-Gen Entertainment Console

Microsoft seized today with its special unveiling event where the company announced its impressive next-generation gaming console, the Xbox One. A redesigned "all-in-one" living room entertainment console meets set-top box built from the ground up, packing a slot-loading blu-ray drive you'll only need to be using once to play games. The Xbox One downloads the game data automatically while you play onto its non-replaceable 500GB hard drive (expandable using external storage) the first time you insert a disc so it'll be playable without it from there on.

Powering it is an AMD and Microsoft developed 8-core processor with an on-board GPU chip and 8GB of RAM. The One's Windows operating system is a combination of three OSs engineered to respond intuitively and powerful enough to run apps alongside a game simultaneously without loss in performance. The Xbox One instantly powers up with a Windows 8-like home screen interface ladened with TV, movie, music and app integration with instant switching from one place to another.

Microsoft has also designed a new Kinect 2 motion sensor that'll accompany the new Xbox One which boasts a 1080p wide-angle camera with heart rate monitoring capability, gesture recognition and voice recognition so you can interact with it thru various voice commands like powering the console on just by saying "Xbox on", which will also turn on your TV. Voice commands are snappy to deliver instant results even when wanting to bring up a certain channel without having to use your TV remote.

Switching between inputs is a thing of the past now that the One features several USB 3.0 ports and HDMI pass-thru which enables you to watch live TV right on your Xbox while your TV, TV provider box and Xbox are interconnected. Built-in WiFi naturally of course. And yes you can game without being online.

With a new sleek console comes an improved wireless controller that utilizes Kinect to automatically recognize which individual has picked up the controller to bring up a personalized player experience on-screen. The new Xbox One controller sports a more ergonomic shape and is fitted with newly designed thumbstick shape and grip texture as well as vibrating impulse triggers with force feedback, and several more improvements - notably a built-in rechargeable battery. The new impulse triggers are perhaps the most impressive new feature to come with the new controller where you'll be able to feel the tightness of a car breaking and the vibration of a motor thru increasing throttle.

The best gaming controller just got better with over 40 technology innovations. New Impulse Triggers deliver precise fingertip feedback for more realistic experiences. We have streamlined the thumbsticks, D-pad, and contours for improved precision and comfort in your hands. Simply put, it is the best controller we've ever made.

The Xbox One runs four times quieter than its predecessor thanks to its redesigned cooling system. Microsoft confirmed that it will not run Xbox 360 game discs. 15 new game titles were also announced including an exclusive launch of Call Of Duty: Ghosts, Forza Motorsport 5, Fifa 12, NBA Live 14, Madden NFL 25, EA UFC and more.

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GameStick, The New Portable Console Controller

We've seen numerous gaming consoles brought up by independent companies looking to rival the big guys at Sony and Microsoft, with the power of less costly consoles and games. The GameStick is a unique, $79 portable-sized gaming console powered by Android Jelly Bean that fits into your pocket. It's a dual analog stick controller and a console all in one package, and it connects to your TV using a small HDMI dongle which then wirelessly pairs up with the GameStick console controller over Bluetooth. So while it's not the next PlayStation Vita, it is the next modern portable TV gaming console. 

The hardware is able to support full 1080p HD streaming of content, and it consists of an Amlogic 8726-MX processor with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of flash storage, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0. Gamers will of course have direct access to the Android ecosystem of affordable games, and as many as 200 titles which are fully compatible with the GameStick. Although the GameStick features very little on-board flash storage, users will also have access to cloud storage for games. The company behind the GameStick console controller are working with developers to bring more compatible content that is both free and affordably priced. No word yet on battery performance or access to movie and music content via the Android marketplace.

Where can you get one? You guessed it, it's available for pre-order now on Kickstarter.

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief

Kinect Prices Announced and New Xbox

 

After Amazon, BestBuy and Wal-Mart all listed the price of the Microsoft Kinect as $149.99 for ages, Microsoft has just announced the official price of Kinect at $149.99. (Shocker!) Microsoft also announced a new Xbox 360 4GB console that has all the features like a the new design, built-in Wi-Fi,  touch-sensitive buttons and 4GB of internal flash memory. This version of the xbox can be bought for $299 or you can get it in a new bundle with Kinect and Kinect Adventures for $299. This bundle will start shipping on August 3rd.

Press Relelase:

New Xbox 360, Kinect Sensor and “Kinect Adventures” — Get All Your Controller-Free Entertainment in One Complete Package

Microsoft announces pricing for Kinect and a new Xbox 360 4GB console.

REDMOND, Wash. — July 20, 2010 — Microsoft Corp. today announced an all-in-one opportunity to jump into the controller-free fun of Kinect this holiday: the all-new Xbox 360 4GB console, the revolutionary Kinect sensor and “Kinect Adventures” packaged together for $299.99 (U.S. ERP). With “Kinect Adventures,” players will make their way through 20 adventures, navigating roaring rapids and ducking and dodging through mountaintop obstacle courses and other exotic locations — no controller, wand or balance board required. In addition, existing Xbox 360 console owners can purchase the Kinect sensor with “Kinect Adventures” for $149.99 (U.S. ERP). The sensor, which will work with each of the 40 million Xbox 360 consoles currently in households worldwide,(1) is uniquely able to track your full body movements, respond to your voice and deliver a multiplayer experience right out of the box.

In addition, the new Xbox 360 4GB console, which begins shipping on Aug. 3 in the U.S., will be available for $199.99 (U.S. ERP). With a sleek new design, the Xbox 360 4GB console looks great and includes built-in Wi-Fi N, 4GB of internal flash memory, touch-sensitive buttons and a black matte finish. (2)

“Kinect for Xbox 360 offers tremendous entertainment value for the whole family,” said Dennis Durkin, Xbox 360 chief operating officer. “With full body, voice and the ability to play games with your friends right out of the box, Kinect is the most unique, complete and affordable way for everyone to enjoy controller-free fun and entertainment.”

With more than 15 games available at launch, living rooms will become fitness rooms, dance clubs and sports stadiums. Kinect games, including “Kinectimals,” “Kinect Sports,” “Kinect Joy Ride” and MTV Games’ and Harmonix’s “Dance Central” will retail for $49.99 (U.S. ERP). In addition to games, Kinect changes the way you experience entertainment by putting your favorite movies, TV programs, music and live sports from ESPN all in one place. Begin a movie by simply saying, “Xbox, play,” or browse through a music list with the wave of a hand. Kinect also creates new ways for friends and family to have fun together. With Video Kinect,(3) share a smile with friends and family, as you open a window into living rooms around the world.

“I think Kinect is a major leap forward in the gaming experience that will appeal to both mainstream and casual gamers,” said Michael Gartenberg, partner, Altimeter Group, and author of the Engadget Entelligence column.

Starting today, select retailers are taking pre-orders for the Xbox 360 Kinect Console Bundle at $299.99 (U.S. ERP) and Kinect for Xbox 360 at $149.99 (U.S. ERP). Pre-order Kinect or the Xbox 360 Kinect Console Bundle today, and at launch receive a token to download three exclusive game levels for “Kinect Adventures,” the game included with Kinect.(4) Those wanting more information or to pre-order now should go to http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy

 

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Source Microsoft via BGR

New Xbox 360 Slim 250GB Gets Unboxed

 

The first unboxing of the new Xbox 360 Slim is underway. Engadget has posted pics and also a video of the unboxing. It looks like the huge and chunky power brick is still with us. Unboxing video will be up shortly.

Source Engadget

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief