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Enhanced Bing voice search for Xbox to debut this fall

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Video Games,

bing voice search

Earlier this week during the Microsoft E3 Media Briefing, the next version of Bing voice search for Xbox 360 was shown off. We were able to see searches performed in both English and Spanish in order to find video content to watch.  You are able to use your voice to search for genres (like comedies, horror, etc.) as well as for specific titles. Bing will then search across all video services, showing you the results that it finds in a grid. So if you look for Rango, it'll show you that you can rent it, but also that you can watch it for free as part of your Netflix subscription. Bing search will also allow you to search for YouTube content as well. This will all come as part of the fall 2012 dashboard update, supporting six languages in the US, and hitting dozens of other countries as well.


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Microsoft brings back ‘buy a PC, get free Xbox 360’ deal for students

Buy PC free xbox 360

Once again, Microsoft is going to be offering a free Xbox 360 for students who buy a qualifying PC. The computers start at $699, and when purchased at certain retailers, a 4 GB Xbox 360 will be thrown in gratis beginning on May 18. Up in Canada, students are welcome to the same deal, and the PCs start at $599. Participating retailers include Dell, Best Buy, Newegg (see our Newegg promo code thread,) Fry's Electronics, Staples, Future Shop, the Microsoft Store, and more.

Wanna save even more cash? Wait to make the purchase until June 2, when the Windows 8 upgrade program is set to launch, allowing PC buyers to upgrade to Windows 8 for just $15.

Read More | Windows Team Blog

Survey says Xbox 360 failure rate falls to 10 percent

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hardware, Microsoft, Xbox 360,

Xbox 360 RROD

Improvements to the Xbox 360 have apparently cut down on the number of "red ring of death" reports, but the console still requires more repairs than its competitors, according to data from PCMag's Readers' Choice Awards.

Approximately 10 percent of those polled for the survey reported having to take their Xbox 360 in for repairs over the last year, which was twice the rate of its competitors. However, that was a significant improvement over last year, when that number was 23 percent.

Many Xbox users are familiar with the console's "red ring of death," which replaced the glowing green center on the device's power button when the Xbox was on its last legs. Last year, former PCMag Editor Lance Ulanoff experienced the phenomenon after his son completed a Red Dead Redemption marathon on his Xbox 360. Though some Twitter users helpfully suggested that placing it in the freezer for a few minutes would solve the problem (really), he opted to send it in for repairs.

Last year, Microsoft unveiled a "slim" version of its Xbox 360 console at E3, which featured a redesigned case with a bit more ventilation than the original console. It included built-in 802.11n networking and a 250GB hard drive for $299.

Click to continue reading Survey says Xbox 360 failure rate falls to 10 percent


320 GB Xbox 360 hard drive now available for pre-order

Xbox 360 320GB hard drive

If you've got one of the newer Xbox 360 S consoles and are starting to feel the squeeze of having a lack of hard drive space, perk up! Microsoft is getting ready to release a 320 GB hard drive for the console, a 70 GB improvement over the 250 GB drive that ships with the console. You can pre-order the new drive from Amazon now for $126.


Microsoft sending upgraded Xbox 360 consoles to users with disc issues

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hardware, Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,

Xbox 360 replacement

Microsoft is offering a small number of Xbox 360 owners replacement consoles and a free year of Xbox Live as compensation for a firmware glitch, according to a report.

According to Kotaku, some customers have received emails stating that consumers can trade in their defective consoles in return for an upgrade.

Microsoft also confirmed the report via Twitter, in response to the posting of a screenshot of the letter by user Avery Penn.

However, the email from Microsoft appears to anticipate problems with the console, as Penn told Kotaku that his console is still able to read the discs. "The email was most likely referring to the Xbox LIVE update which is being phased in between May 19 and May 30 – an update which reflashes the DVD drives to a new stock firmware, and adds support for new XGD3 disk format," Kotaku added. "It's this update that allows an extra GB of usable storage on game discs."

Click to continue reading Microsoft sending upgraded Xbox 360 consoles to users with disc issues


Deal of the Day: Xbox 360 Slim 250GB $40 off

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hot Deals, Microsoft, Video Games,

Xbox 360 250gb sale

Today’s offers the 250GB slim console at the lowest price we’ve ever seen it. Using the Dell promo code, you get the console for $259.99, which is $40 less than the $299 it typically sells for. We think this may be a one-day sale, so if you’re interested, get on it!

Save $40 on Xbox 360 slim 250GB console

Don’t forget, if you’re looking for other deals, be sure to check out our Newegg Promo Code thread.


Deal of the Day: 10% off Xbox 360 4GB slim

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hot Deals, Microsoft, Video Games,

Xbox 360 4gb promo codeToday’s goes out to all you gamers looking to pick up an console. Dell has the 4GB model available at a 10% discount, saving you $20 off the price of the system.

Save 10% on 4GB Xbox 360 slim console

Don’t forget, if you’re looking for other deals, be sure to check out our Newegg Promo Code thread.


Deal of the Day: Xbox 360 S deals

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hot Deals, Video Games,

Xbox 360 halo reach limited bundle

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that some of the most popular posts involve video game console sales, so today we bring you a trio of those as it relates to the newly redesigned console. For those who just wanna dip their toe in the water, or want a second console, we’ve got a promo code that saves you 15% off on a new 4GB Xbox 360 slim. If you want something more substantial, we’ve got another coupon code that saves you $40 on the 250GB model bundled with Madden NFL 11. Finally, for all you Halo fans out there, we have yet another coupon that saves you $50 on the limited edition Xbox 360 console that ships with , two wireless controllers, and includes a year of Xbox Live. Here are the deals:


Deal of the Day: Xbox 360 Halo Reach Limited Edition Console

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hot Deals, Microsoft, Video Games,

Xbox 360 Halo Reach limited edition

We know that a lot of you are exciting about , but for those super-fanatics, Microsoft has a limited edition Xbox 360 Halo: Reach console that we are featuring in the for today. This is the new slim console, but rather than black, it’s silver. Along with the console, you also get a copy of Halo: Reach, and two wireless controllers along with headset. The console typically sells for $399, but with the you get $30 off the cost, which makes this thing a fantastic deal considering you are getting $419 worth of hardware and software in the package, and that the console is limited edition. You can order it now, and it will ship on September 14th alongside the release of Halo: Reach.

Save $30 on Xbox 360 Halo: Reach limited edition console bundle


Xbox 360 S 250GB Hard Drive available for $129.99

Xbox 360 S 250GB hard drive

If you’re like me and were really looking forward to purchasing the cheaper, less hard drive-y S for $200, then you may want to think twice. While the price tag is very attractive, purchasing one with a hard drive from the get go will cost you $30 less than buying the low end model and then upgrading to hard drive space later. Having a lot of hard drive space is essential for those looking to purchase many of their games and movies through games on demand and the Zune marketplace. Things can get messy quickly when you have to think out of the box to fit all your favorite downloads onto your memory impaired console. But if your’re content with only having 4GB of internal memory, and constantly switching out flash drives, then by all means don’t pass up the $200 console. The 250GB hard drive is currently on the Gamestop website, and is popping up in Gamestop stores around the country.

Read More | Gamestop

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