Here’s an interesting device for fitness oriented folks out there. Qmotions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Actiga, is launching a new game controller called the FunFitness which turns boring exercises into fun video racing games. The FunFitness controller measures running or biking body movements and then translates these movements into a video game. This means you can turn something like running in place or riding a stationary exercise bike into a full fledged gaming experience.

According to Qmotions, the FunFitness is easy to install and requires no tools at all. All you need is a stationary bike, a PS2 or Xbox, and a compatible game. Some of the games which will work with the FunFitness include:

• MTX Moto Trax
• Need for Speed Undergroud 1 & 2
• Need for Speed Most Wanted
• Gran Turismo 1,2,3, & 4
• NASCAR Sim Racing
• NASCAR Chase for the Cup
• ToCA Race Driver 1 & 2
• Midnight Club 1,2, &3

You can see a video of the controller in action here. Qmotions expects to launch the FunFitness during the second half of 2008.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Qmotions FunFitness, Racing, Xbox, PS2

Microsoft has released a new backwards compatibility update for the Xbox 360 console; adding support for over 80 original Xbox games that were previously unsupported on the 360 console. All supported games are capable of running at resolutions up to 1080i with anti-aliasing enabled. You can see a complete list of Xbox games playable on the 360 console here.

There are two ways you can get the update. You can either insert an original Xbox game into the 360 console OR you can download the update from Microsoft and burn it to a disc. Check out this page for additional information on the latter procedure.

One final note - remember that you’ll be able to purchase and download several Xbox original games via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace starting on December 4th. Games available via the Xbox Originals program include:

• Burnout 3: Takedown
• Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex
• Crimson Skies
• Fable
• Fuzion Frenzy
• Halo
• Psychonauts

[Check it out via CrunchGear]

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360, Microsoft, Backwards Compatibility Update,

December 4th is shaping up to be a fun day (well at least to me). Battlestar Galactica Razor is coming out on DVD (the 2 hour episode just ran over the holiday weekend and it utterly rocked). For HD DVD fans, the first season of Battlestar Galactica will be coming out for HD DVD on the fourth also. Finally, something with far wider implications, Microsoft will be releasing the Fall Dashboard Update on December 4th for the Xbox 360 console. One of the new features coming out with the Fall Dashboard Update will be the “Friends of Friends” feature which allows you to check out the friends list of fellow Xbox LIVE members right from the Dashboard.

Once the update rolls out on December 4th, the new default setting on Xbox LIVE will be active, allowing members to see friends lists of other LIVE members. You can always opt out of this feature by going to www.xbox.com/fof . In fact, you can change your settings today by selecting one of three options available for your Xbox LIVE gamertag:

• Everyone (only available to members 18 and older)
• Friends only (available to members 13 and older)
• Blocked (available to all members, and automatic for anyone under the age of 13)

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Xbox, Xbox LIVE, Friends of Friends, Fall Dashboard Update, December 4th, 2007

Xbox Live’s Major Nelson had the opportunity to interview J Allard today over at the Major Nelson blog here. It’s a great interview and gives you some insight into the early days of Xbox Live. It’s actually pretty neat to hear how Allard pushed to have Ethernet support built into the original Xbox console (as opposed to a modem port like some people wanted). You’ll also hear the kind of low expectations the company expected out of Xbox Live.. and how they were all pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Finally, hear some of the stuff coming down the pipe for Microsoft Zune and the Zune Marketplace as well as J Allard’s thoughts on DRM.

{Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Major Nelson, J Allard, Xbox Live, Microsoft Xbox

We’d like to wish Microsoft’s Xbox Live service a very happy 5th birthday! The online gaming service began five years ago on November 15th, 2002. Now five years later, Xbox Live has more than 8 million members actively engaged in some sort of activity - whether it’s downloading multimedia content or playing other gamers on the Internet. If you have an Xbox console, head on over to Xbox Live and join in on the celebration. Check out Xbox.com for more information as Microsoft will be celebrating the anniversary with all sorts of events.

Fans of some of the original classic Xbox games will be happy to hear that these games will now be available for purchase over Xbox Live. The current set of original Xbox games include:

• Burnout 3: Takedown
• Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex
• Crimson Skies
• Fable
• Fuzion Frenzy
• Halo
• Psychonauts

If I didn’t already own Halo, I’d actually consider purchasing the game via the Live network!

Now in other news, starting today and for the next day or so, you can download the game Carcassonne for free over Xbox Live. Connect your Xbox 360 console and begin the download!

Microsoft will also be giving away free themes starting today. Themes include Live is 5ive Theme, Return to Castle Wolfenstein LIVE is 5ive theme, Gears of War Live is 5ive theme, Ghost Recon 2 Live is 5ive theme, Halo 2 Live is 5ive theme, and MechAssault Live is 5ive theme.

Finally, every Xbox LIVE member that has been with the service for all five years will be getting a gift of 500 MS points as well as other exclusive content.

Check out Xbox.com for more details!

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Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Xbox Live, Live is 5ive

No, it’s not a price cut to the Xbox 360 console but rather a price cut to the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. Microsoft announced that they would be dropping the price of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player from $199 to $179 here in the U.S. only starting on August 1st, 2007. In addition, Microsoft will add five free HD DVD movies for anyone purchasing the add-on drive between August 1st and September 30th. The announcement came today at Comic-Con International 2007 where Microsoft also announced several another Xbox LIVE marketplace and HD DVD related news items.

Microsoft also announced that the movie 300 from Warner Bros. would be coming to Xbox Live platform starting on August 14th in HD format. Microsoft is also working with Warner Bros. to bring other titles to Xbox Live marketplace.

In advance of the season 1 Heroes release on HD DVD, Xbox LIVE members will be able to download the show’s pilot episode for free in high definition for a limited time. Xbox LIVE members will also be able to download trailers, teaser scenes, and other promotional materials related to Heroes Season 1.

Finally, details on the five free HD DVD movies offer - you will be able to choose five HD DVD titles from a selection of 15 popular titles through a mail-in offer. This is basically an extension of the Toshiba “Perfect Offer” to the Xbox 360 HD DVD player.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Xbox 360 HD DVD player, HD DVD price cut