Nerdy Nigel » Xbox

Australia Gets Elite on August 30th for 729.95AUD

Nerdy — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 02:42:22 +0000

Well it’s finally coming to Oz. Microsoft has confirmed release on the 30th August for a whopping $729.95AU. Kind of seems like a waste of money considering the impending release of the Premium and maybe Core with HDMI outputs in Australia. The only benefit in purchasing an Elite is the 120GB hard drive which due to Microsoft restricting movie sales to Xbox Live users in America is also a waste of space. I think I will just hold out until I can purchase a Premium with a HDMI output.

More here
http://xbox-scene.com/

Xbox 360 Firmware Update

Nerdy — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:33:07 +0000

For those few people who are not banned yet. C4E has finally released a firmware that defeats all known Xbox 360 checks for original game disks.
Currently there are firmware updates for all version of the Samsung and Hitachi drives.

You can find out more at http://xbox-scene.com

May 2007 Dashboard Update Released

Nerdy — Wed, 09 May 2007 09:29:46 +0000

It’s finally been released by Microsoft. You will eventually be prompted to install the update upon signing into LIVE. You will not be prompted for installation in the middle of a game.

One very nice feature in the update is the low power download mode. If you are downloading something when you switch the console off the xbox will go into low power mode which is indicated by the power light blinking slowly. When the downloads are finished the xbox will turn itself off.

More information in the offical press release here:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/apr07/04-08MessengerXboxPR.mspx

May 2007 Dashboard Update for the Xbox 360

Nerdy — Wed, 09 May 2007 03:03:19 +0000

Major Nelson has finally confirmed that the May 2007 update for the Xbox 360 is about to hit. The LIVE Operations team expects to start rolling out the update after 0200PT or for us Aussie’s at 7PM tonight (Wed 9th May 2007).

The release wil include:

Beginning May 9th, Xbox LIVE, the most interactive gaming and social network available, is once again expanding with the arrival of Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360. This new feature, available as part of the Xbox 360 Spring Update, will connect people across Xbox 360 consoles, Windows PCs and Windows Mobile devices. Xbox LIVE members will be able to socialize with people on their unified friends list, including their contacts from the more than 260 million Windows Live Messengers across the world. With Instant Messenger, Xbox LIVE members will have the ability to:
* Chat via instant messenger with up to 20 contacts in a single conversation, and have up to six different conversations at the same time with people on PCs, mobile phones and other Xbox 360 consoles.
* Instant message while playing games, listening to music or watching movies or TV shows downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
* View at a glance if friends on Windows Live Messenger have gamertags and add them to a unified friends list.
* Utilize the virtual keyboard on the Xbox 360 to text chat or connect a USB keyboard to the console. Launching later this summer, the Xbox 360 text-input device accessory will connect directly to the controller to support instant messaging.

In addition to the availability of Instant Messenger on Xbox LIVE, the Xbox 360 Spring Update will bring with it hundreds of other features and enhancements to the console. Here are just a few:
* On-screen pop-ups that immediately display the name and gamerscore value of a just accomplished Achievement, allowing gamers to see their progress without leaving or pausing the game.
* An even safer way to communicate through Xbox LIVE with enhanced family settings that enable different default settings for video chat and voice chat.
* A new, standalone Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade houses all Xbox LIVE Marketplace content in one easy to navigate space.
* Xbox LIVE Arcade enhancements that showcase what games friends are playing directly from the friends list. Boasting about high scores, comparing progress and checking out leaderboards are all easier now as well.
* Faster access to free, trial version of Xbox LIVE Arcade games through an improved Auto Downloads feature.
* The ability to fast-forward, pause and rewind video as it is being downloaded on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
* Owners can now set their consoles to turn off after downloading content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace to help save energy, and download speeds have been increased.

If you are running the Hitachi hacked firmware it is recommended not to update to the new dashboard unless you flash back to your original firmware. If you are using the Samsung drive make sure you update to the latest Commodor3Eva release.

Xbox 360 Elite Released Early

Nerdy — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 03:15:44 +0000

The Xbox 360 Elite was meant to be officially released on the 29th April 2007 but it looks like Wal-Mart couldn’t hold back and have started selling them.

The Xbox 360 Elite comes with:

The long awaited HDMI port
HDMI Cable
120 GB Hard Drive
Audio Break-out Dongle
Standard Composite/Component/Audio Cable
Black Wireless Controller
Black Wired Headset

As to whether or not us Aussie’s will recieve the wired headset in out kit is another question.

More pictures here.

The Elite is meant for release in Australia in winter.