Microsoft Launches New Xbox 360 Console for Families

Just in time for holiday, Microsoft Corp. today released a new Xbox 360^® console that delivers games and content to everyone in the family for an incredible value of $279.99 (U.S. estimated retail price)*. Available in stores beginning today, Xbox 360 Arcade console is the first Xbox 360 console to include five family-friendly games, a wireless controller, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connection to enable high-definition output if desired and 256 MB of memory useful for storing games and entertainment content. At $279.99, the Xbox 360 Arcade console will include five best-selling games: “PAC-MAN Championship Edition” (NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.), “Uno” (Carbonated Games), “Luxor 2” (MumboJumbo), “Boom Boom Rocket” (Electronic Arts Inc.) and “Feeding Frenzy” (Sprout Games).

“As families gather together this holiday, it’s the perfect time to launch a new low-priced, high-value Xbox 360 that plays games, TV shows and music for everyone to enjoy,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing, Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “In addition to offering an incredible all-in-one package for families to get right into the fun, the Xbox 360 Arcade system features the industry-leading Family Settings, which allow parents to control what their kids are watching and playing — and we know how important that control is to families around the world.”

Karen Dodge, senior vice president and chief merchandising officer at Toys “R” Us, added, “We are excited to offer this new gaming experience to our customers — children and families — who can now enjoy the fun of Xbox 360 together. Many of this holiday season’s hottest items provide Internet connectivity, and with the online entertainment options available through Xbox LIVE^®, Xbox 360 Arcade offers families a great mix of online content and traditional gaming in one console.”

source- Microsoft Press release

The second Xbox 360 revealed: codename Zephyr

Microsoft released a newer version of Xbox 360 codenamed Zephyr.These updates would include a 120GB HD, a slightly cooler 65nm processor, and HDMI capabilities, finally HDMI with 1080p, it will be wonderful. Now none of these rumors have been confirmed by MS yet, but the guys over at engadget say all of this gossip is coming from a credible source. We hope the "Zephyr" will come in around the same price, but I highly doubt it. With the ps3 prices skyrocketing look for the new 360 to match it in price. I think Microsoft can really feel the Sony guys running for the hills. If this "update" comes out within the next 6-7 months I can really see a lot more market share moving toward MS, and away from Sony.


source-http://www.engadget.com

CrackDown Will Include A Halo3 Beta Key..!

Buying a copy of Crackdown for the Xbox 360 (that’s specially marked), can get you a Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta key. It’s nice to see Microsoft using Halo’s popularity to promote software developed by other companies (Real Time World in this case). For all of you who are looking forward to playing Crackdown,this is some incentive to pickup your copy as soon as the game releases in February 2007.
Here’s a little about the game from the Xbox website:
“Crackdown pushes the action-driving hybrid genre into the next generation with the first ever truly 3-D playground. Enforce justice by any means necessary in Pacific City, a crime-ridden urban center primed to explode and ready for you to explore. Enter an interactive world where anything can be used as a weapon as you clean up the streets the only way you know how. Your way.”
Source: Tv18