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Latest Gear Live Videos
New Xbox Live Hard Drive Pack Shipping on Nov. 4th
Posted by Ponzi Black Categories: Accessories, Microsoft, Storage, Video Games,

A new Xbox Live pack is coming to the US next week on November 4th. The pack is mainly for those who don’t yet have a hard drive on their Xbox 360, but is a decent upgrade if you have the original 20GB hard drive, and are in need of more space. The $99 bundle includes a 60GB hard drive, Xbox Live headset, and 3-months of Xbox Live Gold. The upgrade comes just weeks before the new Xbox Live Experience dashboard upgrade on November 19th. The hard drive should allow much more storage if you plan to use the Netflix subscription service on your 360 and want to store all of your media which also debut’s on the 19th. There is also a $30 upgrade option for the 20GB hard drive being offered due to the New Xbox Experience requirements which will not work if you lack a hard drive.
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| Gamestop
Gallery: New Xbox Live Hard Drive Pack Shipping on Nov. 4th
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Microsoft Officially Outs Xbox Bundles
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Microsoft, Video Games,
News from the Tokyo Game Show includes Microsoft’s formal announcement about their Xbox 360 holiday bundles. As part of their new Xbox Experience, the Arcade comes with Sega Superstars Tennis (plus bonus games) for $199.99, and the Pro at $299.99 includes LEGO Indiana Jones and Kung Fu Panda. Go for the deluxe Elite at $399.99 and get the same two games. From the titles chosen it appears obvious that they are aimed at the younger crowd that have yet to discover the “experience.”
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| Xbox
Gallery: Microsoft Officially Outs Xbox Bundles
Windows 7 officially named Windows 7
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Software,

So, you know that follow-up to Windows Vista that Microsoft has been working on for the past couple of years? They’ve been calling it Windows 7 for a while now, but we just thought that was going to be its codename. As it turns out, Microsoft just announced a few hours ago that Windows 7 is the official name of the next version of their operating system. Why not go with another cutesy name like Windows ME, XP, or Vista? Well, they say this is the seventh release of Windows, and that it “just makes sense.” Well, we guess it does. If you’ll be at WinHEC or PDC, you can plan on getting Windows 7 pre-beta code from Microsoft to play with.
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| Windows Vista Team Blog
Gallery: Windows 7 officially named Windows 7
Microsoft and Washington Sue Scareware Businesses
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Microsoft,

Microsoft and Washington’s Attorney General Rob McKenna have filed suit against two Texas businesses that scare people into buying a Registry Cleaner XP service for $39.95. The action has been filed under the Computer Spyware Act. The Branch Software and Alpha Red messages resemble system warnings. McKenna is hoping that the lawsuit will make the “spyware purveyors” to cease the practice and pay customer restitution.
McKenna says the action “has yanked the fear factor dial out of the hands of businesses that use scareware as a marketing tool and have spun it toward them.”
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| Space Mart
Gallery: Microsoft and Washington Sue Scareware Businesses
Special Edition Gears of War 2 Zune on its way
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Microsoft, Portable Audio / Video, Video Games,

Remember when Halo 3 was on the horizon, and Microsoft hit us with a Halo 3 Zune? Well, they’re doing it again, but this time with the Gear of War franchise. Gears of War 2 is set for release early next month, and to capitalize on the hype, Microsoft is bringing you a special edition Gears of War 2 branded Zune. This Zune 120 is laser-etched with a “Crimson Omen” on the back, and comes pre-loaded with 244 pieces of GoW2 content - we are talking soundtrack, concept art, behind-the-scenes videos…the works. If you’re a Gears fan, and you are in the market for a Zune, you may just want to wait for this one to land. So, when will it be available? On Gears of War 2 launch day, of course. You can pick it up, alongside the game, on November 7 for $280.
Gallery: Special Edition Gears of War 2 Zune on its way
Microsoft Launches New Commercials
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Videos,
Thank goodness Microsoft realized how silly their latest Seinfeld/Gates TV ads are and have moved on to the next phase of “Life Without Walls” in new ads, billboards, and other media sources. The company will also be launching Web and TV ads called the “Real PC,” using both celebs and “little people” who declare “I’m a PC.” We certainly hope that this commercial blitz is more successful. By the way, we just caught one. No Seinfeld, just Gates. Take your last look.
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| I4U News
Gallery: Microsoft Launches New Commercials
Free Wi-Fi access for Zune at McDonalds
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,
Now that you know about the new Zune and are thinking about grabbing one, here’s another reason. Microsoft and Wayport, the network provider of McDonald’s, have made a deal to give Zune owners free WiFi over the next three years. You may not be able to check your email, but you can order tunes to go with your fries. This works on pre-existing Zunes as well. Sony’s Mylo COM-2 and Zipit Wireless Messenger Z2 can also receive the WiFi.
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| Gearlog
Gallery: Free Wi-Fi access for Zune at McDonalds
Zune 3.0: All the details
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Features, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Software,

Okay, we’ve been hitting you with snippets of Zune news all day, especially as it pertains to the hardware. Now it’s time to break down all the changes that the Zune 3.0 software is bringing, both from the hardware side of things, as well as the software client side of things. On the hardware side of things, we are seeing new features like support for games, the ability to buy songs tagged while using the FM radio, and the ability to browse and download from the Zune Marketplace directly from the device itself. Over on software, we see a bunch of improvements to the client that are all focused on music discovery and helping you experience your music library in a whole new way. A lot of the changes seem geared towards Zune Pass subscribers (which, by the way, we think is the best deal in music). Click on through for an in-depth look at all the important changes that Zune 3.0 brings.
Click to continue reading Zune 3.0: All the details
Gallery: Zune 3.0: All the details
Zune 120, 80, 16, and 8 comparison gallery
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Features, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Okay, so the new Zune 3.0 software is live, and we have new Zune hardware to go along with it. We figured we’d bring you a look at the Zune 120 and Zune 16 that just came out, as compared to last years Zune 80 and Zune 8. The changes in the hardware are all cosmetic, which to us meant that the best way to show it to you guys was in a gallery. As you will see, this years Zune are focused on gloss and sheen, as opposed to last years matte two-tone look. Hit the Zune comparison gallery for all the shots.
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| Zune 120 and 16 vs Zune 80 and 8
Gallery: Zune 120, 80, 16, and 8 comparison gallery
Zune 3.0 software is live
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Music, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Software,

For all you Zune fans out there, you will be pleased to know that the Zune 3.0 software went live this morning, and is ready for your consumption. The update brings a slew of new features to the table, with a lot of them being firsts in the industry (we’re looking at you, iTunes). What you’ve got is the desktop software update, alongside a firmware update for the actual Zune devices as well. And just like last year, the updates work on all previous generation Zunes as well - at no cost to you (we’re looking at you iPod touch!).






