Over the past week, the successor to the XBOX has been the talk of the gaming world. First, questionable XBOX 2 specs are leaked. According to the "leaked" info, the XBOX 2 will have a 3.5GHz IBM Power PC Processor, a 500MHz ATI graphics processor, 256MB of RAM, and a 12X DVD drive (but the XBOX isn't supposed to be a computer, right?). Then a report was released that the XBOX 2 would not be backwards compatible with any current-gen XBOX games.

Finally, Microsoft jumped in and basically stated that nothing has been announced yet in regards to the new console, codenamed "Xenon". However, they did not confirm or deny anything. Well, after speaking with a few major developers over the past couple of days, it is beginning to sound like those leaked specs are a reality. Many are reporting that the games currently in development for XBOX 2 are in fact expected to run on a machine similar to what was leaked.

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Congratulations again to everyone who participated in the Gmail contest and won. Now it's time to give away some gear!

We will be running a two week contest, and at the end, the winner will receive his or her choice of either an iSkin eVo or a Gmail account. The second place winner gets the prize that the first place winner did not choose. Click for contest info.

Click to continue reading Gear Live Giveaway: iSkin eVo and Gmail

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Apple recently released the 40 GB (Gigabyte) iPod, making it the device with the largest hard drive space in Apple's popular MP3 player line. With so much going for it, is it finally time for you to become the latest adopter of Apple's iPod? Check out our review, then decide.

Click to continue reading Apple iPod 40 GB Review

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Although both companies will deny it vehemently, it is obvious that Google's Gmail service has caused Microsoft and Yahoo! to re-evaluate their email services. In response to Gmail's 1 Gigabyte Email service, Yahoo! recently upgraded their service from 4 MB to 100 MB. Now, Microsoft has announced that their Hotmail service will be upping their threashold from 2 MB to 250 MB. Both Yahoo! and Hotmail will also give users the option of upgrading to 2 GB of space (twice what Gmail offers) for about $20 per year.

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Ok, so you have been hearing about Microsoft's answer to all the Spyware, worms, and viruses appearing on Windows XP systems forever. Windows XP Service Pack 2 is near completion, and is scheduled to be rolled out at the end of July (barring any further delays!). If you would rather try it out now, you can download and install the latest Release Candidate of Windows XP SP2 right now.

Remember, this is just a Release Candidate, not the final version. Install at your own risk.

Click here for Windows XP SP2 RC2 installation instructions.

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SpaceShipOne flew into orbit, and thus into the history books as the first non-government funded craft to enter zero-gravity space. Mike Melvill piloted SpaceShipOne, mentioning that it was "a hell of a view", as well as "a religious experience". After landing at the Mojave airport, Melville and SpaceShipOne were greeted with cheers and questions about the $10 Million "X Prize".

The X Prize will be awarded to the first non-commercial craft which flies into orbit twice within a two week period with at least one live person, and the weight of at least three average people in the cabin. Obviously, this may mark the beginning of a new millenium space race. Get ready to go where no common man, other than Mike Melvill, has gone before.

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So, a group of major consumer electronics hardware and software companies have formed a new group whose aim to is help standardize interconnectivity between devices in the home. Samsung, Microsoft, Intel, IBM, Nokia, HP, Fujitsu, Philips, NEC, Kenwood, Sharp, and Sony are just a few of the companies that have gotten together for the Digital Living Network Alliance.

At a San Francisco press event, the DLNA released their Digital Home Interoperability Guidelines. The group will develop workshops, and is currently developing a certification program. Products that meet DLNA standards will be certified, which then allows them to display a soon to be released DLNA logo.

Click here to read more.

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Sendo has launched an amazing little cell phone in five European countries including France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and The Netherlands. The Sendo X uses the Symbian 60 platform, and is filled to the brim with state of the art features. The Sendo X can record VGA video, as well as take pictures (with a 4x zoom and red eye reduction). The phone also has built-in photo editing software, allowing you to spruce up your pictures before sending them off to friends.

Read more at DMEurope.com

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Chances are, if you have been downloading your music legally, you have been doing so through an American-based company's program or website. Apple iTunes, Wal-Mart Music Downloads, MusicMatch, and Napster are names we hear often when it comes to getting your digital music online. The great thing about these music stores is that you get instant gratification - pay for your music and download it within seconds...but now there is an even cheaper way. Click for more.

Click to continue reading AllOfMP3 Offers Cheap Downloads From Abroad

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Chances are good that you have seen a blog (especially if you are visiting Gear Live!). The popular practice of posting an online diary full of personal thoughts, or focused on a particular subject can't avoided these days. Well now, get ready for the moblog (mobile blog). Recently, moblogging has come under a level of controversy with many saying they can easily become an invasion of privacy. Click for more.

Click to continue reading Moblogging: Web Revolution or Invasion of Privacy?

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