Thanks to the FCC, we now know there’s a new 120GB version of the Zune due to come out from Microsoft. Aside from the larger drive, it appears the Zune 120 will be functionally and physically the same as the Zune 80. No word on pricing or availability but it’s a safe bet that the Zune 120 will be around $299. If Microsoft wants to try and encourage sales of the Zune, it might be a good idea to drop the price of the Zune 80 and make the Zune 120 available for $249. Nice thought right?

[Check it out via ZuneSphere, BGR]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Zune 120, FCC

The Xbox 360 will soon become a platform for change. That’s right - Microsoft and Rock the Vote have formed a partnership to reach out to the many young adult Xbox 360 owners out there and get them to register for the upcoming fall Presidential elections. Starting on Monday August 25th (which also happens to be the first day of the Democratic National Convention), Xbox 360 owners will be able to use their Xbox 360 to register to vote, participate in presidential polls, and voice their opinions to presidential candidates through an exclusive forum via the console and Xbox Live. This marks the first time that Rock the Vote has joined forces with an entertainment partner so it’ll be interesting to see if this results in higher registrations and ultimately higher voter turnouts.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Xbox 360, Rock the Vote

Microsoft has announced two new SideWinder products - the SideWinder X6 Keyboard and the SideWinder X5 Mouse. The SideWinder X6 is apparently the first ever gaming keyboard to feature a switchable key pad that can be attached to either side of the keyboard. The keypad is ideal for both gaming and productivity as it can be used as a regular numeric keypad for business use and a programmable macro pad in gaming mode.

Features of the Microsoft SideWinder X6 gaming keyboard include the following:

• Can store up to 90 macros per game
• Backlighting
• Mode switching lets gamers manually switch between standard mode and either of two gaming modes
• Automatic profile switching detects the application that is running and applies the custom profile
• Cruise control feature which continues an action without the user having to continuously press a key or a set of keys. Use this for up to four keys at a time
• In-game macro record button lets gamers record any sequence of keystrokes - even chat messages. Macros are stored on the hard drive
• WASD gaming keys have front-face lighting for visibility
• Quick-launch key gives one touch access to Windows Vista Games Explorer
• Two color adjustable backlighting

Features of the SideWinder X5 Mouse include:

• Nine-button gaming mouse with vertical side buttons
• Adjustable sensitivity up to 2000 DPI
• Five customizable buttons
• Quick-Launch button launches Windows Vista Games Explorer

The SideWinder X6 Keyboard and the SideWinder X5 Mouse will be available in September with the keyboard going for $79.95 and the mouse going for $59.95. Both products are available for pre-order on Amazon.com now.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, SideWinder X5 Mouse, SideWinder X6 Keyboard

Looking for a new webcam for your notebook or desktop system? Check out LaptopMag’s review of the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 webcam on their website. The VX-5000 features:

• VGA Optics
• 1.3 megapixel sensor
• Built-in microphone
• Video effects
• Superior low-light performance
• Flexible base
• Available in three colors - Fire Red, Cool Blue or Lucky Green
• Optimized for Windows Live
• Windows Live Call Button
• LifeCam dashboard
• One-touch blogging
• 3 year warranty

Here’s what LaptopMag thought of the cam:

Microsoft’s $49.95 LifeCam VX-5000 is the most attractive webcam we’ve seen in awhile, and it delivers smooth video quality and decent 1.3-MP photos, to boot.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 Webcam

As most of you know, when it comes to game consoles, it’s all about content. No matter how incredible the console might be, if the games aren’t there, there’s very little reason to purchase the console. A perfect case in point - the Xbox 360 in Japan. Up until recently, the 360 has performed very poorly in Japan - the traditional home turf to the Sony Playstation console and now, the Nintendo Wii. However, during the week ending August 10th, Microsoft sold roughly 24,962 Xbox 360 consoles while Sony sold 9,673 consoles. Why the increase? Content folks.. content. Bandai began selling the game Tales of Vesperia which sold over 100K units in the first week alone. You can expect Tales to show up in the U.S. on Aug. 26th.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360, Japan, Tales of Vesperia, Bandai

Those of interested in knowing more about the next version of Windows (known so far as Windows 7) will be happy to hear that the Windows 7 Engineering Team now has a blog up on MSDN called “Engineering Windows 7″ or E7 for short. The blog will be hosted by two of Windows 7’s senior engineering managers - Jon DeVaan and Steven Sinofsky.

While you won’t find any information about what new features will be found in Windows 7 as of yet, the first posting on the blog does mention two important upcoming dates - the Professional Developers Conference (PDC) on October 27th and the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) the following week. You can expect more detailed in-depth technical information regarding Windows 7 to be revealed at these events.

Finally, Steven and Jon had this to say:

“Starting from the first days of developing Windows 7, we have committed as a team to “promise and deliver”. That’s our goal—share with you what we’re going to get done, why we’re doing it, and deliver it with high quality and on time”

[Check it out via News.com]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Windows 7, Engineering Blog, MSDN

Feel like putting your mod skills to the test? How about getting your hands on a Lian Li PC-XB01 Xbox 360 Modding Case. Yup.. that’s right - this is a brand new case for the Xbox 360. You’ll need to gut the innards of your Xbox 360 console and move them into the PC-XB01. So why do this you might ask? Well if you’re sick of having a loud Xbox 360 console AND you want something that looks more like a PC - then the PC-XB01  might be just what you’re looking for. It’s constructed out of brushed aluminum and will provide a cooler and quieter system overall thanks to better airflow and the use of a large 120mm case fan inside. Even the DVD drive will be quieter inside the PC-XB01. 

Specs on the PC-XB01 include the following:

• Measures 160 x 250 x 415mm
• Black aluminum chassis
• One external 5.25 inch drive bay
• One internal 3.5 inch drive bay

If you’re not sure that you’re up to the challenge of putting together this system, then check out the online guide for doing so here at Lian Li’s website. It doesn’t seem that bad at all.

Now remember - the resulting system will be larger than the original Xbox 360 console.. but it’ll probably be quieter and cooler running. Finally - it’ll certainly draw the attention of visitors to your household!

[Check it out via CrunchGear]

Technorati Tags: Lian Li PC-XB01, Microsoft Xbox 360

Guests staying at select Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Seattle Sheraton Hotels will now be able to experience first hand the new Microsoft Surface computer. Sheraton Hotel & Resorts and Microsoft announced today that the Surface would be placed in the lobbies of the Sheraton Boston Hotel, Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, Sheraton Gateway San Francisco Airport Hotel and Sheraton Seattle Hotel with each system offering a customized version of the Surface applications. Thanks to touch-based “surface computing”, these table-like systems will provide entertainment and information about local attractions in their respective areas to multiple customers at the hotels. Three of the applications that you’ll find in these Surface systems include:

• CityTips. At the guests’ fingertips are the Surface 360-degree satellite maps and tools to search for local restaurants and bars, entertainment, recreation, shopping, transportation and services, such as banks and pharmacies. Guests can discover all a city has to offer by simply moving their hands across Surface.
• Sounds of Sheraton. Microsoft Surface also serves as a lobby-based digital jukebox, enabling guests to create personal music playlists by choosing selections from Sheraton’s exclusive offering of Sony BMG artists, including John Legend, Kenny Chesney and Lauryn Hill.
• Sheraton Snapshots. Guests can explore Sheraton hotels and resorts throughout the world by simply browsing the Surface photo library of Sheraton resorts and hotel properties to help them plan for future business or leisure travel.

The Sheraton locations that will feature the Microsoft Surface are as follows:

• Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers – 811 7th Ave. 53rd St., New York
• Sheraton Boston Hotel – 39 Dalton St., Boston
• Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers – 301 East North Water St., Chicago
• Sheraton Seattle Hotel – 1400 6th Ave., Seattle
• Sheraton Gateway San Francisco Airport Hotel – 600 Airport Blvd., Burlingame

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sheraton Hotel & Resorts, Microsoft, Microsoft Surface

That my friends is a very limited edition The Dark Knight Xbox 360 console which was spotted in Taiwan recently. I’m not even sure why I bothered to post a picture of this system since there’s practically no chance that anyone will even get their hands on it since Microsoft made a super limited number of them. Heck - you’re better off modding your own Xbox 360 to look like that (or better of course).

[Check it out via GearFuse]

Technorati Tags: The Dark Knight, Xbox 360

Just when you thought Microsoft’s moves with the Xbox 360 console were over.. come new rumors courtesy of Ars Technica that the console may be headed for further price cuts this fall. According to a source known only as “the mole” (ha..), the Ars Technica piece states tat possible early September price cuts would be as follows:

• Xbox 360 Arcade would drop to $199 (no hard drive on this model)
• Xbox 360 Pro with the new 60GB HDD would go to $299
• Xbox 360 Elite with the 120GB HDD would drop to $399

Most importantly, a drop to $199 for the barebones Xbox 360 would mean this would be the first next generation console system to crack the $200 dollar price barrier (albeit by one dollar). Now would this actually spell additional sales for the Xbox 360? Considering all the new enhancements coming to the Xbox 360 this fall, a price cut would certainly make things more enticing for the Xbox 360 console. Not only would it attract new first time buyers, it could see repeat purchases from folks who already have an Xbox 360 and would like to get another one for say.. the bedroom.

[Check it out via News.com]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Xbox 360