GeekSugar

Star Wars LE Xbox 360 Bundle Finally Gets Release Date

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:56:20 PST

The Star Wars limited-edition Xbox 360 Kinect bundle we've all been waiting for finally (finally!) got a release date and price: April 3 for $449. Hurry on over to Amazon where you can skip the midnight release lines and preorder the bundle now.

Not only will this 320GB hard drive Xbox 360 bundle come packaged with Kinect Star Wars (and standard-issue ), but the console itself will be dressed in R2-D2 garb (complete with on/off and open/close sounds), a stormtrooper white Kinect sensor, a C-3PO gold Xbox controller, and a wired headset. Check out more images of the package in the gallery!

5 Fitness Games to Help You Burn Off Holiday Bulge

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:22:56 PST

The family binging events are over, so now it's time to talk resolutions and fighting off some of that bulge you may have picked up during the holiday season. Good news is there are plenty of ways to burn some calories without spending half an afternoon in the gym. Fire up your favorite gaming console and pop in one of these titles that will have you working up a sweat in no time.

Your Shape Fitness Evolved ($34) - Working with the Xbox 360 and Kinect sensor, this game provides a personalized fitness program based on your skill level, but the Kinect actually senses where your joints are to give you proper form tips while you're playing. Add in special martial arts and weight loss classes led by actual celebrity trainers, and you have yourself a pretty amazing fitness game that really isn't a game at all.
The Fight: Lights Out ($20) - I like The Fight (which works in conjunction with the PlayStation Move), and in comparison to other fitness specific video games it doesn't feel like a workout; it just feels like fun.
Get Fit With Mel B ($) - Another PlayStation Move title, Get Fit With Mel B seems like it would be a good alternative to the gym; mostly cause Mel B is ripped, and if this helps her stay fit, it's gotta work for me, right?
Just Dance 2 ($34) - Like DDR before it, the Wii-compatible Just Dance 2 lets you work up a sweat with some awesome moves, and sing along to popular music. It doesn't get any better than that!
EA Sports Active 2 ($45) - I'm already a big fan of the EA Sports Active titles, so pairing it with the Kinect system is sure to give me an even better, more engaging workout experience.

15 Days of Holiday Giveaways, Day 12: Win an Xbox 360 Kinect Prize Package

GeekSugar — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:14:54 PST

It's the holiday season, and we're getting in the spirit with our third annual 15 Days of Holiday Giveaways! Every day for the first 15 days of December, one of the PopSugar Network sites - plus our sister sites PopSugar Shop, Fashionologie, and ShopStyle - will feature a new fabulous giveaway.

For our 12th day of holiday giveaways, we are giving away two Xbox 360 prize packages filled with an Xbox 360 4GB Kinect Holiday Bundle, an Xbox LIVE 12-month Gold Membership, and four games: Dance Central 2, Kinect Sports: Season Two, Forza Motorsport 4, and Kinect: Disneyland Adventures. There are two chances to win this ultimate Xbox 360 prize package, enter now!

This giveaway has ended.

After you enter our giveaway above, don't forget to enter BuzzSugar's giveaway of a year of movie tickets for you and a friend from MovieTickets.com, BellaSugar's giveaway of $2,000 to Saks Fifth Avenue, and Fashionologie's giveaway of a $1,000 shopping spree to Theory. Good luck and happy holidays!

Xbox Live Pushes Major Updates Tuesday

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:17:16 PST

This Tuesday a major change (for the better) takes place on Xbox Live. With a revamp of the dashboard and the addition of media content partners, Microsoft hopes to turn the Xbox into the living room's primary entertainment hub. The free upgrade will push to all Xbox Live accounts Dec. 6, opening the gate to a larger world of media applications to be released in waves.

The initial media partners released alongside the software updates are Today from MSNBC, Epix, and changes to the Netflix and Hulu Plus dashboards. Look for other well-known partners and apps including TMZ, Verizon FiOS TV, Vevo, Vudu, and YouTube (finally!) to hit Xbox Live later this month. As with Hulu Plus and Netflix, many of these programming options will require a paid subscription.

The addition of a smartphone remote and voice-controlled Bing search bring an extra dash of competitive technology to Xbox. The Xbox Companion app for Windows Phone syncs to the larger onscreen console display and searches across the program partners for content, updates social statuses, and does something as basic as fast-forwarding through a movie. Kinect owners can also choose to speak their search queries and navigate the entire dashboard through voice.

Check out a gallery of images highlighting Xbox Live's new features and sleek dashboard here.

7 Ways to Stream Video on the Xbox 360

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:01:14 PDT

Microsoft announced some major additions to the streaming media options available on Xbox Live, which may see the Xbox 360 platform become your main gateway to at-home entertainment. Beginning this holiday season, Microsoft is teaming up with nearly 40 media companies, networks, and web destinations to get global entertainment in one spot. As they say, "Gone are the days of managing a handful of remote controls." Details on exact subscription costs for each service within Xbox haven't been released.

While services and entertainment options vary by region, these six streaming options are bound to make you Xbox's biggest fan.

HBO GO - If you're already an HBO cable subscriber, this will stream your favorite HBO programming directly into the Xbox dashboard.
Hulu Plus - Catch up on a broad selection of network television programming and movies at $7.99 per month.
Comcast Xfinity - Available to Xfinity TV subscribers, Xfinity On Demand brings the most current episode of shows, along with season archives, and movies to the Xbox Live dashboard.
Vevo - Check out the latest music videos without cramming around a computer screen or worrying about software plug-ins.
Verizon FiOS TV - Available in time for the holiday season, Verizon is slated to bring a selection of live TV channels to Xbox 360 that will also be integrated with Kinect.
Netflix - Netflix has long been available on Xbox Live, but it's a classic complement to the slew of new programming on the platform. This may be the call to drop the DVD subscription as well.
Youtube - Don't forget the viral videos. You can still view the buzz-worthy videos of the Internet with YouTube on Xbox.

When the Gaming and Fashion Worlds Collide

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:25:06 PDT

If you spend hours perfecting the moves of Dance Central for Xbox Kinect, know that you're not alone. The craze has spread to the world of high fashion. French label Lanvin took a cheeky turn to promote its upcoming Fall/Winter 2011 collection, by filming models dancing to Pitbull's "I Know You Want Me" from the perspective of the Kinect. Check out the fabulous fashion folk, including singer Karen Elson and designer Alber Elbaz up their Kinect cred. The important question is, what level of difficulty are they on?

Tweet at FitSugar and Win an Xbox 360 Kinect and UFC Personal Trainer Game

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:20:12 PDT

It's the height of bikini season - are you ready to hit the beach? Well, we're here to help you fight your way fit! We're giving away the new mixed martial arts fitness game UFC Personal Trainer and an Xbox 360 Kinect. The game, designed to burn calories and build endurance, was created in conjunction with official UFC Trainers and input from the National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM). You can kick, punch, and game your way into shape. To enter to win, just follow FitSugar on Twitter. Then tweet at us what you're looking to tone with the Kinect workout. Don't forget the hashtag!

First, follow FitSugar on Twitter
Then tell us what you are looking to tone with the UFC Personal Trainer Game on your Xbox Kinect by tweeting at us. Include the following message and hashtag to qualify: "Hey @FitSugar I'm excited to tone my _________ with the UFC Personal Trainer game." http://bit.ly/oRL277 #FitUFCGiveaway

To be eligible, you must be a Twitter user following FitSugar, but hurry - the giveaway ends on July 25! Check out the full list of rules here, and start tweeting!

E3 Announcements: 5 Xbox Games I'm Excited About

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:17:41 PDT

Yesterday's Microsoft E3 press briefing gave us a look at what's to come in the next year for Xbox, and I gotta say - it's looking pretty good, folks. Though the presentation brought a ton of new titles (but very little launch dates), there were some standout games that I can't wait to see more of. Check out which ones below, then tell me your favorites in the comments!

Tomb Raider - This new look at the series takes us back to Lara Croft's origin - when she was just 21 years old, fighting her way through a mysterious island. The demo looked really intense and sometimes even a little bit frightening.
Kinect Star Wars - I perked up when I heard the Star Wars theme music playing during the presentation for this new title. I'm hoping LucasFilm does what it does best to help Kinect Star Wars take off - produce some awesome accessories to go along with it. Hello, light saber!

See the rest of my list after the jump.

5 Fitness Games to Help You Work Your Wedding Day Bod

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 02 May 2011 05:40:17 PDT

You're already stressed out about your wedding day details, but worrying about how you'll look in your wedding gown shouldn't be one of them. The good news is there are plenty of ways to burn some calories without spending half an afternoon in the gym. Fire up your favorite gaming console and pop in one of these titles that will have you working up a sweat in no time.

5 Fitness Games to Help You Work Off Thanksgiving Dinner

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 11:00:58 PST

So you stuffed your face on Thanksgiving, but now you're feeling a little down about your bod. Don't worry - there are plenty of ways to burn of a few calories without stepping foot in the gym. Fire up your favorite gaming console and pop in one of these titles that will have you working up a sweat in no time.