E32008 -- Engadget

E32008 posts

Nintendo failed to notify third-party devs of MotionPlus prior to E3

by Darren Murph posted Jul 23rd 2008 at 10:52AM

We weren't terribly impressed with Nintendo's recently unveiled MotionPlus add-on, but we're even more disappointed by this. Reportedly, scads of third-party developers revealed at E3 that the Big N's latest Wiimote accessory was just as much a surprise to them as it was to any of us. In other words, Nintendo didn't bother giving its external devs any advance notice in order to get the ball rolling on compatible titles, or so it seems. Unfortunately, this also means that we probably won't see any MotionPlus-ready games hitting shelves from anyone not named Nintendo for months to come, but it's not like Wii Sports Resort can't hold our attention for a solid year, right?

[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]

PlayStation video download service is live

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 16th 2008 at 12:35AM

The long delay until Sony launched its video download service (actually more like a few hours), is over. HD and SD rentals, and SD purchases from an assortment of movie studios is now available in the Playstation Store by selecting the video button at the top left. Need to know what's available in your region but aren't near your PS3? Check out the website for a list of what awaits.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Engadget & Joystiq live from Sony's E3 2008 keynote

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted Jul 15th 2008 at 3:56PM

10:23: We're en route to Sony now, stay tuned!

11:11: We're waiting outside the entrance. Tons of people in front of the entrance to the show. Veronica Belmont is getting tons of fan response for Qore. People are taking pictures with her.

11:25: We've just taken our seats at Sony's conference in front of what could only be described as a wall of screens: 7 main screens and roughly 64 smaller screens. OMG, Vaio LCD's everywhere. You'd think this was a Sony event.

Continue reading Engadget & Joystiq live from Sony's E3 2008 keynote

Sony cutting 80GB PS3 price to $400 in September, ditching backwards compatibility

by Nilay Patel posted Jul 15th 2008 at 3:46PM

Sony just announced at E3 that it's cutting the price of the 80GB PS3 to $400 in September, and that the new model will have the "current functionality" of the 40GB PS3. So it's really more like the 40GB PS3 is getting a capacity bump, since we're taking that to mean backwards compatibility is going out the window. That also means that the 80GB PS3 now costs the same as a 60GB 360 and an Xbox Live membership, which should make the decision a little harder for some people. We're also wondering if that's the end of the line for PS3 backwards compatibility entirely -- we have a feeling launch consoles are about to get a little more precious.

Playstation Network gets movie / TV download service, single sign-on across devices

by Nilay Patel posted Jul 15th 2008 at 3:03PM

Sony just announced at E3 that Playstation Network users now have the ability to rent and purchase moves and TV shows. Like, immediately -- the service is getting flipped on tonight. It's not just Sony content, either: Fox, MGM, Lions Gate, Warner, Disney, Paramount, Turner, and something called Funimation are signed up from the get-go. Video will be available in both SD and HD, and TV pricing starts at $1.99. Movie purchases will run $9.99 - $14.99, while rentals will be $2.99 - $5.99. What's more, the content is "portable," meaning that videos downloaded on your PS3 can be watched on multiple PSPs. It doesn't look like movies can be purchased in HD, but downloads are progressive so content starts playing a minute after you hit begin the download.

PSN users will also get a single persistent sign-on across every device that can access the network: PS3, PSP, PC. It's not clear whether those aliases will carry over into games themselves or if friends lists will start working across devices as well, however. The integration is scheduled to happen for this fall, though, so you might want to go and grab your handle of choice relatively soon.

Engadget & Joystiq live from Nintendo's E3 2008 keynote

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted Jul 15th 2008 at 1:00PM

7:55 am PT: We're just outside the Kodak Theater waiting to get in! In the meantime, have you prepped your bingo card? We were so close yesterday.

8:12: We're inside the Kodak Theater, waiting to be let in - a Nintendo representative encouraged us to grab some food and, after a brief period spent searching, we informed her that there was in fact no food. None. Anywhere.

8:40: And we're in!

Continue reading Engadget & Joystiq live from Nintendo's E3 2008 keynote

Nintendo announces the Wii MotionPlus at E3

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jul 15th 2008 at 12:46PM

We knew this one was coming, but we didn't know the details. Nintendo busted out the new MotionPlus Wiimote add-on at its E3 keynote today. The device, which attaches to the rear of the controller, will be used to tighten up and refine motion sensing on the Wii, and its tweaks will be levied in a new game that the accessory comes paired with called Wii Sports Resort. The console-maker says the MotionPlus brings 1:1 sensing to the Wii, which will enable detailed control heretofore unseen on the system. We're getting more info (and hopefully a hands-on with the little guy at some point) so stay tuned.

Logitech introduces PS3 Driving Force wireless steering wheel

by Nilay Patel posted Jul 15th 2008 at 4:01AM

Logitech's put out a couple PS3 driving wheels, but the new Driving Force Wireless is the company's first wireless driving controller for Sony's console. The 2.4GHz wheel features a one-piece design with an expandable lap rest so you don't need to clip it onto a table or desk, and there's the usual wheel-mounted d-pad and buttons. Should be out in August for a cool Benny.

Microsoft details other 360 improvements, including hard drive game installs

by Paul Miller posted Jul 14th 2008 at 3:58PM

Microsoft sure had itself a doozy of a press conference this year, but there's still more in store for Xbox 360 users than what was detailed during the keynote. First off, with the upcoming update, Microsoft will let users store and play back games from their hard drives. You'll have to have the disc in your drive for piracy reasons, but it won't be spinning during game play, which means quieter gaming and quicker load times (and more 60GB sales, we thinks, how convenient). Next up, Microsoft will let users make Xbox LIVE Marketplace purchases on the web, which are then automatically downloaded to your 360 for your enjoyment when you get home -- or walk across the room. The old "blades" Dashboard interface will be moved to the new Xbox Guide, which will provide a quick way to access everything on your 360. Finally, the 360 will support the 16:10 aspect ratio over VGA or HDMI, and work in 1440 X 900 and 1680 X 1050 resolutions.

Microsoft brings Netflix streaming to the Xbox 360 for Live Gold members

by Nilay Patel posted Jul 14th 2008 at 2:51PM

After months of speculation and rumors, Microsoft just announced that it's partnering with Netflix to allow Xbox 360 owners to stream movies from their Netflix queues for no extra charge. Microsoft says the 360 will be the only game system that allows Netflix access for no additional cost -- which isn't entirely accurate, since it sounds like only Live Gold members will get access. Streaming movies can also be shared with your Live party, allowing you to watch content together. Users will have instant access to their Netflix instant access queues, but it's not clear what resolution the content will be streamed at -- we'd guess it's roughly the same DVD-quality res that Roku's Netflix streamer is getting for now, but hopefully that'll change when the service launches in the fall with the new dashboard.

Engadget & Joystiq live from Microsoft's E3 2008 keynote

by Ryan Block posted Jul 14th 2008 at 2:50PM

We're here! The line is already mad long, but we must admit, it feels great to have E3 back at the convention center.

9:47 am PT: Alright! We're waiting in line for the MS press conference! We're feigning excitement through gratuitous use of exclamation points!

9:49 am PT: An MS representative asks us if we have our "passports." We assume she means our press badges and isn't about to whisk us to another country. Mind you, we've always wanted to see the Swiss Alps. Oh, and the chocolate and... okay, we're getting sidetracked.

9:51 am PT: So, if you were trying to spot us in this line, we'd be the ones holding laptops in one hand and typing with the other. We keep bumping into the person in front when the line comes to a halt, what with our eyes glued to our screens. Also, person behind us. STOP READING OVER OUR SHOULDERS. ALSO, YOU SMELL BAD.

Continue reading Engadget & Joystiq live from Microsoft's E3 2008 keynote

Microsoft announces Lips karaoke game with motion-sensitive mics

by Nilay Patel posted Jul 14th 2008 at 1:49PM

We pretty much knew it was coming, but Microsoft just officially announced the Lips karaoke game official. Just like we'd heard, the singalong title will come with a motion-sensitive mic that lights up in time to your voice. The game interface is somewhat similar to Rock Band or Singstar, where you have to hit various pitches accurately to rack up points -- but in addition to the game content, you'll be able to sing along to your own music off a Zune or iPod.

Microsoft adds Universal, NBC to Xbox Live Marketplace, calls #1 in HD

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 14th 2008 at 1:47PM

Microsoft just announced Universal, and NBC Universal programming is coming to Xbox Live, delivering The Office, Monk, Battlestar Galactica, The Mummy, Bourne Supremacy and others to the service. Xbox Live Video Marketplace now claims over 10,000 movies and TV shows on the marketplace, which it says puts it as the number one HD provider. MGM and Constantin are pushing things forward in Europe, adding 700 new titles to the library starting today. Check out more details from the E3 keynote in the live blog.

Lucid Logix HYDRA tech brings together any GPUs for powerful matrimony

by Paul Miller posted Jul 14th 2008 at 12:54PM

There's a lot of tech speak to cut through, but if Lucid Logix's claims are true, we might be looking at a revolution in the high-end gaming segment. Lucid is building a new "real-time distributed processing engine" system on a chip called HYDRA, which can mix and match any GPU from any manufacturer and work with any chipset, and piles it all together for performance scaling that Lucid claims is "near-linear" or "above-linear." It's the above-linear part that particularly makes no sense -- how can you squeeze more power out of cards than is there to begin with? -- but we're gonna give Lucid the benefit of the doubt for the moment and wait for the benchmarks. HYDRA is slated to come to market in the first half of 2009.

Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus add-on makes the Wii Remote a true 1:1 motion controller

by Paul Miller posted Jul 14th 2008 at 12:19PM

While we saw it hinted at in patents, Nintendo is springing quite the doozy on us at E3 in the form of its new Wii MotionPlus add-on. Perhaps in a preemptive strike against supposed Wiimote competition from the likes of Microsoft and Sony, Nintendo is beefing up its motion support with this add-on, which is supposed to proved "an unmatched level of precision and immersion," with sensors to supplement the accelerometer and sensor bar to provide 1:1 motion -- as in, I move my arm this much, my character moves his arm that much. So far that's all we know about the unit, Nintendo will be detailing more at its E3 media briefing tomorrow.

[Thanks, Erie T.]