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Xbox 360's ESPN3 app updated with more voice control, split screen and more
The PlayStation 3 may have NFL Sunday Ticket but the Xbox 360 still has exclusive access to ESPN3's slate of games, shows and replays, and today the app was updated with a new look and a few new features. Viewers can designate their favorite sports and teams to bring related content right to the front, while a new mini-guide gives easy access to other streams while you watch. If you're trying to keep track of more than one game there's also support for split screen viewing (with independent control of each stream) and upgraded voice control for Kinect owners. Other tweaks include a college football scoreboard to keep track of all the games at once, reminders, live alerts on score changes and the addition of ESPN's BottomLine. Unchanged is the restriction that you need to subscribe to a TV provider that includes ESPN3 in its package, but if you do have the service (and shell out for XBL, of course) it should be available the next time you load up your console. Check out the YouTube videos embedded above and after the break along with a press release for a runthrough of some of the new features.
Steelers win Madden 11 Super Bowl simulation
Computers can be used to calculate all sorts of truly helpful data ... or they can be used to simulate the Super Bowl. If you're going to use processing power to predict the outcome of a sporting event, then you'd better be pretty darned accurate if you hope to maintain any semblance of a reasonable use of life (it still takes human people to run, recap and even report on -- hi there! -- the simulation). EA Sports' Madden games have at least been that, accurately calling the winner of six of the last seven Super Bowls. This year, Madden 11 sees the Pittsburgh Steelers defeating the Green Bay Packers 24-20 in Super Bowl XLV, which sounds like a good enough guess. But now, do you put money on that? (After the break, delve into the video highlights and box score ... of the simulated game.) Also vying for "reasonability" will be this Thursday's Madden Bowl XVII (wait -- there have already been sixteen of these?). The annual tournament of NFL players gamers whose seasons have been reduced to playing as themselves will be broadcast live on ESPN3 (on your Xbox Dashboard) at 9PM ET, February 3. Hey Niners fans, did you know Alex Smith* has won a record two Madden Bowls? That's the same number of Super Bowl rings that Roethlisberger has -- well, until Sunday's victory, according to Madden. [*Update: Oops! Sorry to get your hopes up San Francisco faithful -- it's Alex Smith the tight end (currently playing for the Cleveland Browns) who holds the Madden Bowl record. Alex Smith the quarterback has never participated in the event.] %Gallery-115477%
ESPN kicks off Winter X Games 15 broadcasts in HD, 3D & on mobiles tomorrow
After kicking off its original 3D productions with X Games 16 last summer and airing X Games 3D The Movie back in '09, ESPN is preparing to cover Winter X Games 15 all weekend across its various platforms as well. The schedule is set for 24 hours of HD sports broadcasts on ESPN and ESPN2, while ESPN 3D is set up for 18 hours of action across nine individual windows. ESPN3 is also getting in on the action with 34 hours of coverage including 10 hours of exclusive coverage and streaming video, while ESPN Mobile TV is carrying 23 hours of coverage and owners of Android or iOS devices can snag the Winter X Games app for even more information. Along with 56 HD cameras and 13 3D cameras, the I-Movix ultra slow motion camera from the Beijing Olympics will be back in action as the Mega Mo providing replays captured at 4500 frames per second. Check the press releases after the break for more details and all the schedules and the above ESPN 3D spot.
ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater now available online for Time Warner & Brighthouse
Time Warner and Brighthouse customers have had access to the main ESPN channel on their PCs for a few months now and today it's been announced ESPN2, ESPNU and the new ESPN Buzzer Beater (think RedZone or GoalLine, but for college basketball) channel have been added to the mix. All are available on ESPNNetworks.com just like the main ESPN feed, with access from mobile devices still touted as "coming soon." Sure, most of us have ESPN3 access already (and, unlike Time Warner and Brighthouse subs can get it on our Xbox 360 already) but being able to pull in the linear channels from anywhere could have its advantages (as seen in the ad below,) is anyone calling up their provider and asking for ESPNNetworks yet?
ESPN3 on Xbox 360 coming to Time Warner, Brighthouse customers soon
Despite an agreement to bring ESPN3 and even internet streaming of ESPN's live cable channels on Time Warner Cable and Brighthouse, so far that courtesy has not extended to the Xbox 360's ESPN3 app. Our friends at Joystiq pointed out an ESPN page indicating it is "working to grant ESPN3.com on Xbox Live access" so it should hopefully be live sooner rather than later, however it appears subscribers will need TV and internet service to access the streams.
Microsoft: Xbox Live Gold subscribers use service 3 hours per day
Dennis Durkin, COO and CFO of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, wants to keep you engaged. In his presentation at the BMO Capital Markets Annual Digital Entertainment Conference in New York today, Durkin highlighted how the social Xbox Live ecosystem, in conjunction with content provided by both Microsoft and third-party partners, is designed to provide ceaselessly entertaining ensnarement. More than half of Xbox Live's 25 million users are paying subscribers, which means that over 12 million players make use of the service's online multiplayer and non-gaming offerings, like the streaming ESPN3 service. "Those are very, very engaged customers, which is a good business," Durkin said. On average, paying subscribers use Xbox Live for 3 hours a day. Before you calculate how many Black Ops matches fit into that period, keep in mind that users spend forty percent of their Xbox time using non-headshot services -- like listening to music on Last.fm, watching a movie on Netflix or rapidly exiting the Facebook app that they accidentally clicked on. Keeping users "engaged" and interacting with the system is "really, really key for any business," Durkin said. He also pointed out that Xbox Live's digital transactions business (think: downloadable content, Games on Demand) is actually bigger than its subscriptions business. Again, Durkin emphasized that good content was crucial in keeping players connected, "and our marketplace allows for that." And to keep you engaged, Microsoft needs to keep its content-creating partners engaged too. "Obviously, the majority of the revenue that we get in this segment of our business, we share with our partners." [We had a "circle of Live" joke here to cap off the ecosystem discussion, but we deleted it.]
Microsoft planning ESPN-branded Xbox 360? Update: Nope!
Well, well, what's this? We were just sent this obvious mockup of an ESPN Xbox 360, which our tipster found just hanging out on a Microsoft PR server. Now, this could just be a branding exercise or the remnants of a failed idea, but now that ESPN 3 is live on the Xbox 360 Fall 2010 Dashboard Update, it makes sense for the two companies to explore a branded console -- we know a lot of college students (and Engadget editors) who'd love to ditch their cable and still get ESPN through their 360s. We'll see what comes to pass -- and if Microsoft wisens up and tones down that red. Update: Microsoft's PR team just pinged to say that this was indeed just a promotional mockup. Sad faces all around, sports fans. Here's the statement: The custom ESPN console was an asset designed to celebrate the launch of ESPN on Xbox LIVE. There are no plans to manufacture an ESPN-branded console for sale at retail.
Xbox Live Fall 2010 Dashboard Update preview: ESPN, Netflix search, Kinect, and more! (Update)
Shortly before Kinect hits store shelves on November 4th, Microsoft plans on rolling out the Fall Update to Xbox Live -- even sooner for those who signed up for the preview program. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise, really: even without the numerous leaks, the fall update is a longstanding tradition for the almost five-year-old console, and the company devoted a large chunk of its E3 2010 presentation to talk about the biggest additions. That includes Netflix search (finally!), Zune music, and an entertainment hub for a certain worldwide sports broadcaster... ESPN. We've had a chance to spend some time at home with the Fall Update, follow us after the break for our full impressions! Update: As both Joystiq and a number of tipsters have alerted us, Microsoft has pulled the large, wooden lever in its dark underground lair that allows for the Fall Update to trickle out and assimilate itself into the consoles of those smart enough to sign up for the preview program. If you receive a prompt upon signing in, rejoice! If not, well, have patience! P.S. - Looking for more? Our BFFs at Joystiq have compiled a series of exhaustive videos chronicling the Fall Update. Check it out! %Gallery-103613%
Xbox Live Update Preview Program sign-up sheet now accepting gamertags
Want an early glimpse of ESPN for Xbox Live? How about an upgraded Netflix, Zune music, or some shiny new visuals? Just like last year, Microsoft's resident Xbox 360 spokesman Major Nelson has made the call for sign-ups in the Update Preview Progam, which as the name suggests will get you on the list for potentially some early playtime with the upcoming Dashboard update. Just follow the instructions to get in the virtual queue, and sorry, this isn't gonna get you any closer to Kinect. Productivity notwithstanding, what do you have to lose?
ESPN's blowing out the first HD British Open
Look, broadcasting the World Cup in 3D was impressive, but since most of us here are still HDTV-only, it's much more likely that you'll check out some action of The Open Championship this weekend, presented in HD for the first time ever. Just as promised, the entire affair is in HD (some AVSForum posters say they can still detect a few SD cameras in use, so beware) this year with all four rounds on ESPN (with HD available on ESPN networks in Latin America as well, plus The Open Highlights on ESPN UK which is apparently the only highlights show of the championship in the UK that is in high definition) and ESPN3. Check the press release after the break for the rest of the schedule and details, we'll be updating our list of events still in SD -- with this and the WNBA draft gone, seriously, Formula 1, IT'S JUST YOU LEFT NOW - FIX IT.
Kinect, the new Xbox 360, and ESPN: highlights from Microsoft at E3 2010
My, what big showing you have there, Microsoft. We're still recovering from today and yesterday's big Xbox 360 Kinect unveiling party, but let's take a brief trip down short-term memory lane. First, Project Natal became Kinect, unveiled a handful of interesting / guaranteed-to-embarrass uses, and solidified its November release date. Then ESPN3 made an impressive debut on Xbox Live. Finally, the piece de resistance, a slimmed down Xbox 360 250GB that came (almost) out of nowhere and hits retail as soon as physically possible. Everywhere Microsoft was this past 24 hours, so were we: Liveblog Live from Microsoft's E3 2010 keynote! The new, slim Xbox 360 Xbox 360 250GB first unboxing! Xbox 360 naming guide: the new Xbox 360 vs. the Xbox 360 Original New Xbox 360 gets official at $299, shipping today, looks angular and ominous (video hands-on!) New Xbox 360 250GB now available for preorder at GameStop, Newegg and Amazon Xbox 360 Arcade to eventually be replaced by $199 new Xbox 360; data transfer cable will be $20 Kinect The new Xbox 360 Kinect port, up close Kinect priced at GameStop: $149, $399 for Elite bundle Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 launches on November 4 Microsoft Kinect to go on sale in November, somewhere Microsoft Kinect gets official, Video Chat announced Video Kinect: video chat and stream sharing over Xbox Live and Live Messenger Kinect in the flesh! Microsoft demos new Kinect dashboard and voice contro Other news of import Zune music heads to Xbox 360 ESPN3 comes exclusively to Xbox 360 Netflix for Xbox 360 adds search in November Galleries Eyes-on More eyes-on Press shots Unboxing Kinect in the flesh! Kinect press shots Liveblog highlights
ESPN3 comes exclusively to Xbox 360
The recently relaunched ESPN3 online portal is coming to Xbox 360 , as just announced during Microsoft's pre-E3 press conference. Trey Wingo and Josh Elliott from SportsCenter are on stage demonstrating with footage from a USC / Ohio State game, and of course it has built in Kinect controller support. 3,500 live sporting events, instant replays, highlights, polls all at your fingertips or by the sound of your voice. The PiP stuff will be familiar to fans who have already indulged online, but with the new control aspects (and of course, HD streaming) it could give a reasonable alternative to the existing channels. The usual requirement of Xbox Live Gold just like Netflix, Facebook, etc. is present, but beyond having a TV provider / ISP that's signed up for the package, there's no additional charge. Update: Wondering if you'll have access? Check the list of ESPN3 affiliates to see if your ISP is playing ball.
Interview: Chuck Pagano talks ESPN 3D, mobile streaming
During our time at ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut this past week, we were able to peek inside every nook and cranny of the company's technological side. We discovered some pretty remarkable things about the culture and attitude toward innovation, and while the bulk of that discovery will be seen in a forthcoming Engadget Show segment, we couldn't help but share some insight from a kind fellow who has been deeply involved in the blinking lights portion of ESPN from day one. We sat down for a brief one-on-one interview with Chuck Pagano -- ESPN's executive vice president of technology -- following the outfit's 3D launch, and while we were both bitter over the 1-1 result in the South Africa vs. Mexico match, he was understandably excited about the future of his firm's latest channel. For Chuck's take on 3D, the move to HD and the impending arrival of ESPN streams on your phone, be sure to grab your best reading glasses and click on through.
PlayOn adds ESPN3 streaming for your World Cup viewing pleasure
PlayOn's apparently been hard at work to make sure it's worthy of the new premium pricing, and now is ready to offer ESPN3 among the channels it shunts from PCs to connected TV devices including the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. That means if you have a provider who offers ESPN3 and a TV that doesn't have a cable box on it for some reason, but does have one of the supported devices, you can stream the game live or watch archived videos from the site whenever you please. Of course, ESPN3 and PlayOn's other notable service, Hulu have both been the subject of rumors indicating they'll be available directly on consoles. Any announcements are potentially due in a few days at E3 2010, but the 14-day trial period should give plenty of time to see if any new deals appear on the horizon -- or if your team doesn't make it past the initial group phase.
ESPN360.com turns into ESPN3 tomorrow - more HD, DVR, social networking features on the way
Get ready for a shift in ESPN's online offerings, tomorrow the video streaming arm of its empire changes names from ESPN360.com to ESPN3.com. New features immediately available on The Tres include new viewing modes for events including split-screen and picture-in-picture, updated scoreboards, Facebook and Twitter tie-ins and live chat with other viewers, while it also plans to launch more HD-quality video streams during the NBA Playoffs, World Cup and U.S. Open Tennis events later this year. It should be available to customers on AT&T, Verizon, Cox Communications, Comcast, RCN and many other networks, a quick revamp and positioning next to the two top dog channels may be just what it needs for us to consistently see what's available on the desktop and not just the television. Check after the break for a few of the TV spots that will be promoting the change.
