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Microsoft shows off ESPN and NFL apps for Xbox One, Yahoo and ESPN fantasy football likely for 2014
It should be obvious by now that Microsoft is doubling-down on sports apps. The company recently confirmed that ESPN is coming to Xbox One, and it inked a deal with the NFL to bring fantasy football to both Xbox and Windows. Until now, details have been scarce, except that Microsoft's partnership with the NFL would include not just fantasy games, but also Surface apps coaches could use on the sidelines. Finally, though, Microsoft is giving us a proper walk-through: it's showing off ESPN and NFL for Xbox One, NFL for Windows 8, and not one, but two coaching applications. And according to company officials, that's just the beginning: David Jurenka, Director of Sports for Xbox Entertainment Studios, tells us his group would also like to port over Yahoo and ESPN's fantasy football apps, ideally sometime in 2014. In the meantime, those NFL and ESPN apps will hit the Xbox One in November, around the time it goes on sale, but we've got a sneak peek after the break. Oh, and even if you don't plan on upgrading, you might still want to pay attention: NFL for Xbox 360 and Windows 8 are both available now.
Fantasy Earth Zero launches a brand-new amusement park
There's always time to step away from the potentially needless slaughter that punctuates most MMOs and go relax in a more neutral setting. Even if the game in question is the PvP-heavy Fantasy Earth Zero, there's plenty of opportunity to take a bit of time away from combat. That's why the game has just launched the new Galm Amusement Park, complete with plenty of opportunities for players to partake in a new minigame, Dream Gacha. Located on the same island as the La Velza Colosseum, the amusement park allows players a chance to take a look inside the dreams of the five national leaders and see what's on their minds. A full guide to locating, playing, and winning the minigame is available at the official site. There are also a number of additional events taking place at the new park, including a free coin giveaway running until the 16th. Fantasy Earth Zero players would be well-advised to take a moment away from the game's battlefields for a bit of relaxation in the new park -- after all, the continent will still be around for you to conquer tomorrow.
Sideline Cinq USB companion monitor hands-on
We don't normally get adrenalized with LCD monitors, but when they get a dash of that DisplayLink magic then it's another story. Enter the Sideline Cinq -- a 10.1-inch, 1024 x 600 vibrant LCD (with SD card reader) that needs just one USB cable for both data and power, plus it's kosher with both Windows and Mac. Sure, the Cinq looks bulky, but at 15.6 ounces you'd likely need some serious lottery luck for it to cause any damage. There's also a stand to avoid the attachment's sticky tape mess on your machine -- you can go landscape or portrait. The only grumble we have is that it needs a non-glossy option. $249 and the Cinq's yours in Q3, or $199 if you pre-order from Sideline's site. Now, how about three of these for some hardcore flight-sim sessions? %Gallery-82506%
MOTO techs out NFL coaches with RAZR-inspired headsets
Motorola has just announced plans to upgrade the NFL's current communication systems with two new technologies aimed at coaches and sideline crews as part of an ongoing collaboration between the football league and electronics-maker. The first upgrade is a coaches headset that takes its design cues from the company's RAZR2 phones, and is a lighter, thinner and more ergonomically advanced model -- so when the boss-man is screaming down the line for a new defensive strategy, an uncomfortable or awkward headset won't interfere with his rage. Additionally, Motorola is replacing the decades-old "phone tables" with its Sideline Communication Center, which will standardize communication throughout the league, and should vastly improve coordination of Gatorade dumping.
