Want a 360? Hand in that spare firearm

Want a 360? Hand in that spare firearm - Xbox 360 News - Australia's PAL Gaming Network: "Reuters reports that police in Mexico City have come up with a novel attempt to reduce gun crime in the more vice-ridden parts of the Mexican capital - they're offering a free computer to those citizens who turn in high-calibre weapons (such as machine guns), and a Xbox 360 to anyone who hands in a smaller firearm. Cash is also an option.

The program kicked off yesterday in the notorious Tepito area of the city, and organisers already have 100 computers and consoles to give away to those who give up a weapon. If it works, then the same program will be introduced in nearby Iztapalapa which, much like Tepito, isn't exactly the kind of place you want to be hanging around in at night.

All weapons that are handed in will be mercilessly crushed by the army."

Dean asks: What makes HDMI so great?

Dean asks: What makes HDMI so great? - Xbox 360 Fanboy: "Journalist for the Mercury News and all around Xbox guru, Dean Takahashi, recently raised an important question. The question: who really needs HDMI? Of course, Takahashi is referring to the Xbox 360 Elite and its inclusion of an HDMI interface. Who better to answer the question than Kasey Holman, senior director of Corporate Marketing, HDMI Licensing, LLC. She couldn't be biased at all, right? Obvious sarcasm aside, Holman made the following arguments for the greatness of HDMI.

1. HDMI provides the best video quality as there are no loss conversions involved, unlike component. The all digital signal will create sharper pictures without the ghosting or softness found through component. Smaller, high contrast details like text display this most prominently.
2. HDMI provides superior digital audio (it supports up to 8 channels at 192kHz, uncompressed).
   
3. HDMI is the future standard of High Definition content. Within a few years, content producers may activate a usage restraint token that won't allow High Definition playback over unprotected interfaces (i.e. component).
4. Through an HDMI connection, the Xbox 360 will automatically detect the best settings for each television to which it is connected. In other words, users will no longer have to manually adjust resolutions and aspect ratios. These adjustments will be mad automatically according to the TV's specifications.
5. HDMI sends both audio and video through the same cable, eliminating the need for separate cables. Of course, users of optical audio will beg to differ, but it does simplify things like System Link play.

There you have it, 5 reasons HDMI owns component. Anyone out there picking up the Elite solely for HDMI?

Battlestations Midway Downloadable Content Available

Battlestations Midway Downloadable Content Available - Xbox: "Battlestations: Midway fans can quench their thirst for fresh naval action as two new historical battle maps and brand new vehicles are now newly available on Xbox Live (r) Marketplace for the Xbox 360(tm) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

The new battle maps reenact two epic battles from the Pacific war: The Battle of Sibuyan Sea and The Raid on Truk. Both maps and five new vehicles are now available to download for 400 Microsoft points."

Xbox 360 120 GB HDD Content Revealed

Xbox 360 120 GB HDD Content Revealed - Xbox: "FFollowing the official announcement of the Xbox 360 Elite and the standalone 120GB hard drive, we asked Microsoft what content will be included with the new massive storage unit.

Microsoft let us know that every standalone 120 GB hard drive and Xbox 360 Elite hard drive will have the full version of the Xbox Live Arcade game Hexic HD as well as a variety of dashboard themes and gamer pics. The stand alone 120 GB hard drive will be preloaded with between 3-5 game demos depending on the region as well as an assortment of Xbox Live Arcade games demos and HD game trailers.

Trailers

• Forza 2 customization and damage videos
• Halo Wars
• Fable 2
• Halo 3 TV Ad
• Halo 3 Trailer
• Halo 3 et tu brute video
• Accessories TV Spot
• Wireless World Video
• Holiday ’06 Accessories Video

Full Games

• Hexic HD

Playable demos

• Assault Heroes
• Cloning Clyde
• Geometry Wars
• Marble Blast Ultra
• Small Arms
• Feeding Frenzy
• Uno
• Pac-Man
• Street Fighter II
• Lumines Live!
• Zuma
• Heavy Weapon
• Lego Star Wars II
• Lost Planet (multiplayer Live)
• Madden '07
• Fusion Frenzy 2
• Call of Duty 3

Plus several themes and gamer pics

The 120 GB hard drive that is included on the Elite console will be preloaded with the same content as the 20GB hard drive on the Xbox 360 Premium Edition:

Videos

• Step into Liquid
• Justice League
• The Goal 2/3
• Adidas Clip #1
• Adidas Clip #2
• UFC All Access
• Viva Piñata
• Warren Miller - Extreme Sports

Full games

• Hexic HD

Playable demos

• Lara Croft Tomb Raider™ LEGEND
• Kameo™: Elements of Power™ (2nd Demo)
• Burnout Revenge™

Plus several themes and gamer pics

Shivering Isles Screenshots

Shivering Isles Screenshots - Xbox: "Shivering Isles is the official expansion for the award-winning The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, is now shipping to retail stores throughout North America for Windows. Shivering Isles is also available on Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft via Xbox Live online entertainment network.

Shivering Isles features more than 30 hours of new gameplay and allows you to explore an entirely new plane of Oblivion – the realm of Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness. Shivering Isles adds to the existing world of Oblivion so you can continue playing with your existing save game/character, or create an all new character just to explore the new content. "

Valve: PS3 Online is 'Kind of Scary'

Valve: PS3 Online is 'Kind of Scary' news from 1UP.com: "'PS3 is brand new and PS3's online is kind of scary so we're hoping that EA is going to be a strong partner for us. (laughs) It's always the scariest thing when it's not all yours. With the PC it's all ours, Steam is all ours, code's ours, game's ours. On 360 we're making it, we've made it before, we know what the Live thing is, although it's Microsoft's so we kind of know it. PS3 we're not building it, we haven't made a PS3 title before, and we don't really know what PS3 online really is. It's always the devil you don't know that you're the most scared of.'"

More Xbox 360 Elite media trickles in

Earlier this morning Microsoft officially announced the Xbox 360 Elite system and from what we can tell, it's getting a mixed response. Some of you feel that it's an unnecessary slap in the face to early adopters while others are pumped to welcome the new black hardware into their homes. So, we felt it was our duty to gather more information, pictures, and videos of the 360 Elite and further educate everyone. Then, we can all make an informed opinion and decision. Thank us later. Click through the links below to experience complete Xbox 360 Elite learnification.

• Channel 10 has an interview and Q&A with the Elite's main man Albert Penello.
• Major Nelson's special mid-week Elite podcast.
• Take a look at up close and hands on photos.
• Official press photos of all the black happiness.
• Read about all the Elite details over at Xbox.com.
• 120GB HDD info (it includes a migration cable).

More Xbox 360 Elite media trickles in - Xbox 360 Fanboy