GeekSugar

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.

Xbox Live May Be Growing Faster Than Cable

Kristen Hawley — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:30:14 PDT

Microsoft's Xbox 360 is a popular gaming system, but fans can use for much more than games given its streaming capabilities and Internet connectivity. Xbox Live, Microsoft's Xbox content service, now has 25 million subscribers worldwide, which is officially more than top cable company Comcast. This is bad news for the cable service, which has been seeing a recent decrease in subscriptions, down to 23 million subscribers nationwide.

Find out why Comcast should continue to worry after the jump.

Microsoft Introducing Browser-Based Store For PC Gaming

Kristen Hawley — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:45:09 PDT

Starting Nov. 15, Windows users will be treated to a brand-new version of Microsoft's Games For Windows Marketplace, a browser-based store for purchasing digital copies of video games.

Over 100 game titles will be available at launch including popular favorites like Fable III, Gears of War, and Halo. Windows users can access the store from any PC and enjoy fast transfer and fewer clicks to purchase a game. Plus, the improved store features easier navigation and search and dedicated publisher pages for finding new titles.

Access the store via your Xbox Live gamertag, Zune tag, or Windows Live ID, and also use it to make new purchases and access prior purchases. Users should also keep an eye out for special "Deals of the Week," heavily discounting and promoting popular titles.

Microsoft Raises the Price on Xbox Live

GeekSugar — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:45:02 PDT

If you've got an Xbox 360 (and quite a few of you do), you know that it can do a lot more than just play games - an Xbox can be like your own personal media center.

If you are in fact an Xbox lover, it's likely that you've signed up for an Xbox Live account, which lets you download cool arcade games, demos, previews, access multiplayer games to play with friends online, stream Netflix movies and TV, and lots more. But for new and old subscribers alike, using your Xbox to its full potential is about to get a bit more expensive. Find out why after the break.

Windows Phone 7 Gets Laundry List of Xbox Live Games

GeekSugar — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:47:42 PDT

Mobile gaming just got a lot more exciting - Microsoft recently announced its lineup of games coming with the upcoming Windows Phone 7, which includes a large number of Xbox Live games. We already knew that you could hook up your Xbox Live avatar to the Windows Phone 7, but Microsoft wowed the crowd at this year's GamesCom 2010 in Germany with the sheer number of games that will be made available to mobile gamers. Looks like Microsoft is ready to take on the iPhone (or the PSP?) in the mobile gaming arena.

Not only will you have access to a ton of Xbox Live games, but you'll be able to try them before you buy, see live Xbox gaming leaderboards, and play along with your pals in turn-based multiplayer so you don't have to game alone. Additionally, your Xbox Live friends, achievements, and messaging will be made available right from the Windows Phone 7 when it hits this holiday.

Want to see a few of the Xbox Live games you'll be able to play? Then just keep reading!

How Many Hours a Week Do You Game?

GeekSugar — Sun, 02 May 2010 07:00:04 PDT

Although my job sometimes requires me to play video games (tough, I know), I find that my game time decreases during the Spring and Summer months. Maybe it's the warmer weather, or the fact that it's traditionally a dry spell in the gaming world, but I'd say that I log a good three to five hours a week playing video games; hardly any of that time is spent playing online.

But a recent study shows I'm in the minority. According to the report, out of the 20 million gamers that have online accounts, most Xbox Live gamers spend an average of seven hours a week playing games, while PC gamers log in six hours, and only 5.5 hours for PS3 gamers. Although that may not seem like a lot, after you factor in work, sleep, and errands, it certainly seems to take up a big chunk of your free time. Well, for me anyway. It got me wondering - how many hours of your week is devoted to playing video games?

Source: Flickr user Dave_B_

Virtual Dating For Gamers . . . Sort of

GeekSugar — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 04:47:46 PDT

If you're a lonely gamer who just wants to chat with a girl who knows the ins and outs of Gears of War 2, then listen up - GameCrush is for you. A virtual dating service for gamers, GameCrush lets you chat with an attractive lady during a face-to-face online "Playdate" - either a simple flash-based duel for six minutes, or partner up for a multiplayer game over Xbox Live for 10 - for a small fee of $9. Great for gamer guys (and gals!) who don't get out much and have an Xbox Vision cam.

Choose between two categories to set the tone for your date session ("Flirty," "Dirty," or both!) and then when it's all over, rate your playdates on their level of "game skill," "flirtiness," and "hotness." I'm not kidding, this is all real. And ladies, if you want to make a few bucks on the side (not that I'm suggesting it, of course), each Playdate-ee gets 60 percent of the date fee.

Daily Tech: Sony Debuts Festive DSC-TX1 Cameras

GeekSugar — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:10:07 PST

SonyStyle Japan is getting these snowflake-engraved TX1 cameras - Engadget
The Xbox Live Avatar Marketplace pet shop opens tomorrow -Kotaku
Consumer Reports ranks Verizon as the top wireless phone carrier in the US - The New York Times
Check out some child-friendly earphones - CNET
A groom updates his Facebook and Twitter profiles at the altar - TechCrunch
Microsoft launches its own Google Maps competitor - Gizmodo
Log in for your chance to win a HP Envy Laptop - GeekSugar
Submit your Cool Captures for your chance to win a CanvasPop print - GeekSugar

Check Out the Fall Xbox Live Update This Monday

GeekSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:40:39 PDT

Get a sneak peek at what's in store for the Fall Xbox Live Update preview this Monday, where you'll get to check out all of the new fabulous features. Things like being able to change your Facebook and Twitter status straight from your Xbox 360, 1080p video streaming, the ability to create Netflix parties, free music from Last.fm, and a viewing of Games on Demand - coming in early August.

Just make sure you sign up here to get in on Monday's preview!