Unpacking and Installing the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Features, Video Games,

Over at PlayFeed, we have posted up a ton of images of the new Xbox 360 Controller for Windows, including screen captures of the installation process - that thing they charge you an extra $5 for above the price of the exact same controller without the installation disc. Be sure to hop on over to PlayFeed to check out the images along with very early impressions.

Read More | PlayFeed

Xbox 360 Controller for Windows Installation Images

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Features, PC, Screenshots, Xbox 360,

So, check it. We just picked up an Xbox 360 for Windows controller the other day - you know, the one that is the exact same wired 360 controller that will be available for the Xbox 360, but at a price of $5 more because it comes with Windows XP installation software? Yeah, that’s the one. Nonetheless, we figured we would give you all a peek at exactly what your extra $5 gets you as we snapped images of the controller along with the installation process, which you can check out after the jump. By the way, we tried out the controller on Half-Life 2 and Battlefield 2 - no dice. The games need to be updated to add support for the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows. I expect that will happen fairly soon. For now, enjoy the photos.

Click to continue reading Xbox 360 Controller for Windows Installation Images

Samsung SyncMaster 970P 19-inch Display

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: PC / Laptop, Peripherals,

Samsung has just introduced one of their latest flagship displays in the SyncMaster 970P. The SyncMaster 970P is a high-end dual interface 19-inch monitor that is built and designed for performance. The unit is offered in a silver and white colored cabinet, and incorporates Samsung’s Patterned Vertical Alignment (PVA), the latest technology advancement in liquid crystal cell structure for improved viewing. The monitor features a fine pixel pitch of 0.294mm and a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024. The 970P also allows users the option of using a digital or analog interface for viewing images and text delivering a maximum of 16.7 million colors. Street price for these set to be $549 USD.

Read More | Samsung Press Room

Xbox 360 Controller for Windows Now In Retail Stores

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Video Games,

The PC version of the Xbox 360 wired controller is now available at stores like Best Buy, RadioShack, and OfficeMax. The catch is that you have to be persistent with some of them about the fact that it is okay for them to sell the item. Earlier at Best Buy, I had to break it down old-school to the Media Supervisor about the difference between the Windows version and the official Xbox 360 versions as far as street dates go. Read on for more on that, as well as how to check local Best Buy inventory online.

Read More | PlayFeed

Grab An Xbox 360 Controller for Windows At Best Buy

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Xbox 360,

The Xbox 360 Controller for Windows is floating around at various retail outlets like Best Buy, OfficeMax, and RadioShack. The controllers are the wired Xbox 360 USB controllers, but cost $5 extra as they include a software CD to get Windows XP to recognize it. Blatant rip-off aside, if you want to get your hands on one, I recommend using Best Buy online. The controller is hard to find, but if you go to any product page on the site, you can add the controller to your basket by entering the following into your address bar and pressing enter:

javascript:fnAddItemToCartWithAccessories(‘1124432 188134’,‘7477349’

Then, choose In-Store Pickup and see if any stores near you have them in stock. If so, make the purchase, and go pick up your controller. I actually had trouble picking mine up, as when I arrived at Best Buy I was told they were not going to give it to me until November 22nd’s launch. They refused to budge until I spoke with the Media Supervisor and schooled her on how this was not the same SKU as the actual Xbox 360 wired controller, and that the Windows team just released this version early.

Can Microsoft Create An iPod Killer?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Portable Audio / Video,

My friend Chris just wrote up a lengthy diatribe about how the iPod just blows away just about every PlaysForSure device, and what Microsoft needs to do to get back into the park to play ball with Apple:

Microsoft *MUST* take control of this situation if they’re ever to come close to competing head-to-head (or hand-to-hand) with the iPod. As it stands, every single Windows Media Device (PlaysForAlmostSure or not) is downright pathetic. Not just pathetic - laughable. Apple controls the process from end-to-end, and that’s why it’s such a fantastic non-sucky experience for most folks. Microsoft, on the other hand, lets the vendors decide what’s best. OH MY GOD!!! Wake up, people!

If you have a much better, cleaner, faster, meaner, more awesome piece of media management software, I’ve yet to see it. The most frustrating part of operating in the world of Windows is having to deal with all these craptastic vendors who think their stuff is awesome. Ever *TRY* to use Creative software before? OH MY GOD!!!

Here’s what you do, Microsoft - you take it all in-house again. And before anybody starts shaking their finger at such a “monopolistic” move, remind them who has the lion’s share of the portable media device market today. You’re *ALL* getting your asses handed to you right now, and the only way to shake things up is to provide fair competition in the marketplace. In this case, I believe it’s imperative that Microsoft set the quality bar for others who develop for Windows platforms.

While I don’t completely agree that all PFS DAPs suck - just take a look at the iRiver H10 - he makes a great point. Microsoft should at least be a contender in this race, shouldn’t they? Is it too late?

Read More | Chris Pirillo

eBay Now Only Allows Paypal Payment Service

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Internet,

Okay, so we all know that Google is set to unleash their online payment system, probably called Google Wallet, any time now. Coincidentally, eBay has just updated their “Safe Payments Policy,” which includes the following statement:

Not permitted on eBay.com: Sellers may not solicit buyers to mail cash. Sellers may not ask buyers to send cash through instant cash transfer services (non-bank, point-to-point cash transfers) such as Western Union or Moneygram. Finally, sellers may not request payment through online payment methods not specifically permitted in this policy.

Basically, they are saying that if you are a seller, you can ask for check, money order, or Paypal payment (including credit cards) - you can not ask your buyer to pay you through Google Wallet when it launches. Odd - my experience with Paypal, along with horror stories from others, lead me to believe that if you were creating a “safe payments” plan you would stay the hell away from Paypal. What’s that? Oh, yeah - eBay owns Paypal. I get it now.

Read More | eBay

Doom Movie Impressions

Posted by Jesse Easley Categories: Movies,

Well, the Doom Movie has finally hit theatres and I went and checked it out.  Needless to say, the movie was about as good as the Super Mario Brothers Movie.  It has many things that tie in well with the game series, from the sounds of opening doors to the Computer Systems used as locks. Also, just like any other hollywood video game adaptation, there was the stuff that was changed. The Demons of Doom weren’t from hell, they were instead genetic experiments gone bad. Sound familiar? The movie itself is very slow paced.  A good chunk of it is spent with all the Marines roaming the corridors of the UAC Base looking for the “missing scientists” and hearing creepy noises only to find absolutely nothing.  Without destroying the movies lack of story, I’ll simply state that the best parts of the movie were the 3 minutes of the first-person style view and the credits.

Griffin Announces iTrip for iPod nano

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Portable Audio / Video,

Early this morning Griffin announced the latest addition to their iTrip FM transmitter line - the iTrip for iPod nano. In the new nano version of the iTrip, the unit now uses the iPod’s high resolution LCD for the display of FM frequency information. The other major visual change is the “sled” design. The nano actually slides into the iTrip, almost like a portable, full-body dock. The iTrip for iPod nano also has Griffin’s SmartSound technology built-in, first seen in their SmartDeck device. This feature automatically adjusts the volume of the iPod over the iTrip for optimal listening. Here is the official feature list, straight from Griffin:

• On-screen tuning
• Supports US, International and Japanese tuning modes
• Stores last 3 used station presets
• Selectable mono/stereo modes
• Charge and sync iPod nano while iTrip is connected

The iTrip for iPod nano is scheduled to hit stores in November at a price of $49.99 USD. If you would rather pre-order, check out

Griffin’s order page.

Read More | iTrip for nano Product Page

Asus W2V 17-inch High-End Notebook

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: PC / Laptop,

Asus has a high-end laptop that they are aiming at those with deep pockets in the W2V. The machine packs a 17-inch display, along with Bluetooth, a dual-layer DVD burner, and a 128MB ATI X700 integrated video chip. The Asus W2V (W2U00V) notebook will go for 4,000,000 Won, which equates to around $3,800 USD. No word on when it will be available for purchase.

Read More | AVing