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Xbox One storage is expandable with external hard drives

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Storage, Video Games

Xbox One external storage

The Xbox One will ship with a 500GB internal hard drive, and we've found out that the drive is "locked" inside the console. In other words, unlike the Xbox 360, users are not able to swap out the Xbox One hard drive for a larger unit. What happens if you run out of space, then? After all, the Xbox One will install every game to the hard drive, and the games are definitely going to be bigger now that they'll be on Blu-ray.

Luckily, the solution is easy. Microsoft included USB 3.0 on the Xbox One, and says that you can connect an external hard drive to the console, and it can be used for everything that the internal hard drive can be used for. So go ahead and grab an external terabyte or two and load up--adding extra storage is as simple as plugging it in.


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Sign up for Xbox One pre-order notification, save $10 on console

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Video Games

Xbox One pre-order notification microsoft store $10

Now that Microsoft has shown off the new Xbox One, many are wondering when they'll be able to get their hands on it, and at what cost. All the company was willing to tell us was that it will be available for purchase later this year. Don't worry, though, the company also has a pre-order notification list going right now through the Microsoft Store. Simple sign up with your email address, and you will be notified when pre-orders are going to be open. Even better? You'll also get a $10 online store credit just for signing up, as well.

Read More | Microsoft Store

Microsoft announces the Xbox One

Xbox One

At today's #XboxReveal event, Microsoft announced the Xbox One. Don Mattrick took the stage and said that Xbox One is a truly "all-in-one" box that is "simple, instant, and complete." From the looks of the device, it sports a dual-toned black color scheme with a slot-loading (goodbye, tray!) Blu-ray drive. We also get the standard Xbox power button with the ring of light surrounding it. 

When looking at the Xbox One hardware, it looks akin to an older set-top box. It's pretty wide and pretty tall, likely because of all the high-end guts on the inside. Speaking of specs, the Xbox One has 8GB RAM (up from 512MB in the Xbox 360,) an octo-core processor, and ships with a 500GB hard drive. A Blu-ray drive is included as mentioned, along with USB 3.0 and 802.11n Wi-Fi (no 802.11ac for a console that will likely be around for 5-8 years?)

Click to continue reading Microsoft announces the Xbox One


Watch This Live: Microsoft reveals the new Xbox One

Microsoft Xbox reveal #XboxReveal

Microsoft is set to reveal the new Xbox One this morning, with the event kicking off at 10:00am PDT / 1:00pm EDT/ We've got the video for you below after the break--just hit play when it's time!

Click to continue reading Watch This Live: Microsoft reveals the new Xbox One


OUYA Android game console now up for pre-order on Amazon

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Google, Video Games

OUYA pre-order

OUYA, the Android-based home game console that took Kickstarter by storm, is now available for pre-order on Amazon for those who missed out on the campaign. The cost is $99 for the unit, which includes the OUYA console and one controller. The draw of OUYA is that anyone can develop and publish games for the console, and there's no huge financial barrier to entry for devs. This could mean that there will be just a bunch of random stuff, but it also means that you'll have more developers working on quality games--and for the first time on a home console, you'll likely see games as inexpensive as the ones you play on your iOS and other Android devices. OUYA is powered by a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and 1 GB RAM with 8 GB of storage and 1080p output. Pre-order it now for $99 and it'll deliver in June, and don't forget to grab an extra controller.

Read More | OUYA pre-order

PlayStation 4 reportedly introduces ‘new styles of play’

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: PlayStation 4, Rumors, Sony

Playstation 4

While Sony Computer Entertainment is readying its unveil of the PlayStation 4 on February 20, we'll have to take what we can get in the meantime. This little kernel of information, however, might say a lot about what to expect (and not expect) on the 20th.

According to an anonymous SCE official, the PS4 will try its hand at becoming more of a home entertainment hub than ever before, and that its main selling point will be its new styles of play. It seems Sony might be taking a cue from Nintendo, focusing on outside-the-box innovation, rather than just internal hardware specs.

As a home entertainment "nerve center," the PS4 will emphasize the ability to connect and share with mobile devices, perhaps through cloud-based gaming. The console is reportedly going to release by the end of the year.

Read More | Edge

How to hack Wii U GamePad to work as PC controller [Video]

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Mods/Hacks, Nintendo, PC, Wii U

Wii U GamePad Mod PC

The Wii U is in line for its time in the hacker spotlight, with the Wii U GamePad hacked to work as a simple PC controller. The modder, Chris Manning, learned the GamePad's input by connecting the Wii U browser to a site running a custom script. He was then able to map the GamePad inputs to keyboard functions. While it doesn't support touch screen at the moment, Manning told Kotaku that he plans to integrate it in a future update, as well as attempt to crack GamePad streaming. Check out the video below to see how it works, and then grab the files to perform the mod yourself.

Read More | Kotaku

Nintendo drops price of Wii console to $129.99

Nintendo Wii price drop

The Nintendo Wii U console is set to drop in just 34 days, and Nintendo is looking to spend this last month enticing buyers with a $20 price drop on its current Wii console. The Nintendo Wii is now priced at $129.99 and includes two games: Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort alongside a Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk, all in black. Expect to see the package in stores by October 28th.

Read More | BusinessWire

Sony announces an even smaller and lighter PS3 Slim

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Hardware, PlayStation 3, Sony

PS3 Slim 2

Seems like Sony is obsessed with slim, and really, who isn't nowadays? Accordingly, Sony's new iteration of the PS3 is about to lose even more weight compared to the previous PS3 Slim model. Yes, you read that right. This is Sony's second attempt at trimming the fat from its current generation home game console. Why is Sony doing this for a stationary device? No clue. Perhaps, it's for those who like the flexibility of taking their console to different rooms throughout the house. The new PS3 Slim boasts a 25% smaller footprint and is supposedly 50% lighter than the current slim model. Moreover, there are two storage capacities and it comes in white and black. These newer models will ditch the slide-in disc drive and will instead use a slide-out tray. Consoles are expected to go on sale in the fall: A 250GB model will go on sale September 25th for $269, which will include Uncharted 3. The 500GB model will include Assassins Creed 3, which will be available October 30th for $299.

Perfect, just in time for a PS4…JK.

Read More | PlayStation Blog

Big Picture Mode brings Steam into the living room

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: PC / Laptop, Software, Video Games

Steam Big Picture Mode

Steam Big Picture Mode has arrived, bringing a long-awaited Steam interface to the television. You'll need to have a PC connected to your television to take advantage of the software while we wait with hope for a dedicated Steam game console. Steam Picture Mode offers users all the same features that they're used to--playing games, buying games, and the like. There's also a built-in web browser, and all-new controller input support. This is all about bringing the Steam experience into the living room, where people prefer playing games. This is PC-only for now, but the Mac version should be arriving soon.

Read More | Valve via Kotaku


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