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Microsoft's rumored tablet may be a Barnes & Noble collaboration with Xbox Live video streaming
Rumors swirling around Microsoft's mystery event on Monday have repeatedly centered on a tablet, but if TechCrunch sources are right, Microsoft may only play a partial role in the project. The unveiling, according to the claims, may instead be a tablet, e-reader or a crossover of the two built in teamwork with Barnes & Noble -- a company that just recently established a vague partnership with Microsoft after many months of legal wrangling over Android and the Nook. The slate may not include Windows 8 RT at all, despite earlier assertions, but that's not to say that Microsoft wouldn't be breaking ground in other areas. One of the reported insiders believes it could be the first device without the Microsoft badge to get Xbox Live video streaming, which might explain Redmond's eagerness to turn Xbox into a general media brand at its E3 keynote. It's still very much unknown if there will be any hardware at all, although decisions to host the event in the media capital of Los Angeles and detach the invitation from any existing Microsoft division provide at least indirect support for the notion. Whatever happens, we'll be there tomorrow to give you the lowdown.
E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup
E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted. We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.
NBC Universal hops on the Xbox 360 bandwagon in the UK
Finally making its way over to the UK, NBC Universal films can now be enjoyed by one and all in the region via Xbox Live. Announced at a London event by UK Head of Xbox Neil Thompson, gamers in the UK will find Universal Pictures films are already available on the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, with such notable classics as Animal House, Scarface, Cheech and Chong's Next Movie, and Shaun of the Dead leading the charge. As you likely already know, the U.S. has had access to NBC Universal films for some time now, so it's nice to see the UK finally catch up to us.
Warner pops extras into digital edition of Nancy Drew: Drew's Clues
One of the criticisms leveled at digital distribution over old fashioned discs is a lack of extras, but Warner Bros. has something for that with its latest release, Nancy Drew: Drew's Clues. Available digitally (VOD, Amazon Unbox, iTunes, Xbox Marketplace) from the same day as the DVD release, viewers can either get the regular movie, or the Drew's Clues edition with "Movies that Pop" pop ups for trivia facts, quizzes and behind the scenes info. This is aimed primarily at the teen-girl sleepover crowd, and while the regular flick is out in HD on all services, Drew's Clues is SD only, plus, to watch it both ways, you would have to rent (and pay for) both versions separately. Key advance that increases the appeal of downloads, or one more reason to take the remote when you leave your tween home alone, we can't decide. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Via Variety]
Robot Chicken: Star Wars debuts on U.S. XBVM
We have exciting news for Robot Chicken fanboys today as the special Robot Chicken: Star Wars episode is available for purchase exclusively through the U.S. Video Marketplace. We say exclusively because you can't purchase the episode stand alone or on DVD anywhere else. And really, if you have your DVD pre-order already in we'd probably recommend canceling it. Not only will you have to wait until May 20th for Robot Chicken: Star Wars to hit DVD status (ouch!), but you'll also be paying a lot more. Right now you can get the episode from the XBLM for the standard 240 Microsoft point price tag saving you about $7. May the force be with you!
Paramount movies coming to UK Xbox Live Video Marketplace
While Australian rumors of integrated HD DVD drives and Blu-ray add-ons continue to swirl, Microsoft continues to expand the other way to get HD movies on its console, adding Paramount movies to Xbox Live Video Marketplace in the UK. Coming nearly a year after Paramount jumped onboard the U.S. version, licensing complications continue to delay service rollout in other countries. No word about Canada or other European Xbox 360 owners left with their faces pressed against the glass, waiting for Transformers downloads to their HDTV, but UK gamers can rejoice in 380 Microsoft Point (3.23 GBP) rentals hitting February 19.
Sundance short films coming to Video Marketplace
If you'd like to give your Xbox 360 some culture, you may be interested to know that the Sundance Institute will be releasing 45 of the short films from this year's Sundance Film Festival on the Xbox Live Video Marketplace. The films are to go on sale Friday, January 18 for the attractive price of 160 Microsoft Points (about $2) each. Keep in mind that these are being offered as permanent downloads, not rentals. Not only do you films at a super low price, but you get to show your significant other (or would be significant other) that you really care about the arts. Not bad. Find descriptions of all 45 films after the break.
