Its the week video gamers wait for all year - with birthdays and Christmas as exceptions - E3 is happening out on the west coast. The big news is that Nintendo has already pulled a fast one by releasing a "pre-direct" video (gotta love Japanese literalness) with the company president showing off their new gaming console, the Nintendo U. As for Sony and Microsoft, do not expect much - or anything at all - about next gen consoles.  A Playstation4 or Xbox720 are most likely a year out, but maybe one or both of them might try to squirt water on Nintendo's week by at least sneaking something...


 QuickView | Read Full Article

It is fully expected that Microsoft will announce a Xbox360 budge package, complete with Kinect sensor and 4GB drive for only $99 starting next week. The hitch?  You also are then tied to a monthly subscription fee of $15 for Xbox Live for two years.  Rumors are that the $15 per month will give you access to a Gold level subscription and possibly some streaming content.  There will also be an early termination fee and if you're attempting math in your head this deal is equal to about $459 over the course of two years versus $420 if you'd just bought the $299 bundle with a two years of Gold. Microsoft...


 QuickView | Read Full Article

**update**  It was supposed to start pushing out this morning but hadn't at the time I've written this... Microsoft's Larry Hyrb has been tweeting updates all day and you should follow him @majornelson to get the most up to the minute info..   Microsoft wants you to know that if you have an Xbox360, hold on, because you're getting an update that they promise will make you feel like it's a whole new console. The new dashboard, rolling out on Tuesday the 6th, follows the largely loved Metro design seen in Windows Phone 7 and will be seen in the future Microsoft 8 OS.  Much of what...


 QuickView | Read Full Article