Most Recent: Xbox 360

MS @ E3 12: Internet Explorer finally coming to Xbox 360

Posted on June 4, 2012 by John Scalzo

Years after Nintendo and Sony brought web browsing to their consoles, Microsoft has just announced that Internet Explorer (with Kinect-browsing options and a special Bing search engine) will be released for the Xbox 360 this year. And it actually looks pretty slick.

The browser also connects with the Xbox SmartGlass app on your browser or phone for touchscreen-like control.

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MS @ E3 12: Xbox SmartGlass will make your life better

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Can you imagine your life without your smart phone or tablet? Neither can anyone at Microsoft. They’ve developed Xbox SmartGlass, which will marry your smart devices to your television in a way that’s almost uncomfortably intimate. Watching a movie on your tablet or phone but you’re home now and want to switch it to your television? Just one button press will do it. Your device now has information about the movie, such as the cast and crew and other details.

Going even further, you can watch “Game of Thrones” on your television while you follow the characters on a map of Westeros on your smart phone or tablet. That’s a level of intimacy I’m not sure I’m ready for.

On top of that, game developers showed what they would do with this kind of technology, including a neat program that lets you draw out plays for Madden NFL 13.

“Everything is better with SmartGlass,” which will be ready this Fall, compatible with “the TV, phone, and tablet you already own.” Now your TV can be smart, too!

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MS @ E3 12: Xbox Music promises 30 million tracks

Posted on June 4, 2012 by John Scalzo

Microsoft is planning to launch a new music service for the Xbox 360 (another one?) called Xbox Music. According to , Xbox Music will include “more than 30 million tracks.” The service will offer all the features of a standard music player including your most played songs, recommendations, and what your friends are listening to.

The service will also be usable across Xbox 360, Windows Phones, and Windows 8 desktops and tablets.

Isn’t this just Zune Music with a new name?

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MS @ E3 12: Your Xbox is about to get more bro-friendly with new sports options

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Now, Microsoft is rolling out even more Xbox “entertainment” features, like a new Kinect-enabled voice-activated search option with Bing. You can even search in multiple languages, as Spencer showed us by searching genres and films in both English and Spanish.

They’ve also added more content, with Nickelodeon, Paramount, Spanish-speaking Univision shows, and, “for the core gamers,” Machinima. Sports is also getting better on the Xbox (thank goodness!): the Xbox will have the NBA and the NHL Game Center, and will also have more ESPN than ever before with 24/7 access to live games via ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, and ESPN U.

Microsoft is also changing the way you exercise with a new fitness option, Nike+ Kinect Training. Congratulations, Xbox! You are now one step closer to being the Wii.

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MS @ E3 12: Forza Horizon will blow your mind

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Microsoft showed off the latest in the Forza racing franchise, Forza Horizon. It’s ludicrously gorgeous. The cars are beautiful and smooth, the backgrounds are breathtaking, and while it’s not yet showing off the lighting and weather effects of Gran Turismo 5, it was just a quick trailer. Add in some dubstep and any game instantly becomes more appealing, making this trailer one of the best we’ve seen so far.

Forza Horizon will be released on October 23.

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MS @ E3 12: Gears of War: Judgment coming next year

Posted on June 4, 2012 by John Scalzo

Microsoft just showed the debut trailer for Gears of War: Judgment at their E3 Press Conference. The game is looking pretty sharp as we see Augustus “Cole Train” Cole and Damon Baird lay waste to a whole horde of Locust.

We’ll have the trailer up soon, but we did learn that Gears of War: Judgment will launch sometime in 2013.

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MS @ E3 12: EA Sports brings Kinect to FIFA 13, Madden NFL 13

Posted on June 4, 2012 by John Scalzo

Microsoft has ceded the stage of their E3 Press Conference to EA Sports, and the publisher is showing off the Kinect features of FIFA Soccer 13 and Madden NFL 13.

In FIFA, players will be able to set up passes and formations and even talk to their players on the field. But watch the potty mouth, as the Kinect sensor will pick up bad words and the on-screen referees won’t hesitate to hand out a red card for the offense.

The publisher showed off Madden with a little help from Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana (who’s apparently a traitor to his Sega roots). Players will be able to call plays, audibles, and targeted receivers. They’ll even be able to hike the ball with a “Hut, Hut, Hike!”

Montana was impressed.

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MS @ E3 12: Fable: The Journey makes an appearance

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Nicole Kline

The Kinect is getting a lot of airtime at this press conference, especially with Fable: The Journey.

Announced at last year’s E3 Expo, the new trailer showed a fantasy setting interspliced with a live-action player casting spells at enemies. It looks like players are going to get a major workout here, tossing fireballs at enemies and just generally getting their Harry Potter on.

Fable: The Journey will be available this Fall.

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