Hacks

It looks like the speed at which Xbox hacks will be released could be unprecedented.

TechWeb has published an article about the Xbox 360 will be an attractive console for hackers. The article seems to focus mainly on the negative aspects of a system being hacked by talking about the recent PSP trojans that have been ruining systems.

source: joystiq

Joystiq tipster, Brad, is reporting that the Xbox 360 kiosk at his local Wal-Mart has been shutdown. After talking to the manager, Brad was told that the Xbox 360s built-in Bluetooth (360 doesnt use Bluetooth…?) was causing major problems with the stores PA system. Whats going on?!

Don't like the way the Xbox 360 looks? Well then you can just change it. Lik-Sang already has Xbox 360 custom face plates for sale. Click on the image for more info.

Microsoft has announced that the Xbox Live service as well as Xbox.com will be down from 24th to 25th October, 2005, to prepare for the launch of Xbox Live on Xbox 360.

source: Prodigious Gaming Apparently Microsoft will be releasing two Xbox 360 packages for launch later this year. The basic package will retail for $299 - it lacks a hard disk and will not include a wireless controller. The other package will retail for $399 - it includes a 20GB hard disk, one wireless controller, a wireless headset, ethernet cable and remote control. No release date has been revealed, but a mid to late November date is expected.

source: ign - Wade Steel The first ever conviction for modifying a gaming console has been secured in the UK, with a 22 year-old Cambridge graduate receiving 140 hours of community service and a bill for about $1,500 in court costs, according to a report at GamesIndustry.biz. The man was found guilty under the EU (European Union for those of you who don't pay attention to these things) Copyright Directive which makes it illegal to circumvent copy protection systems on hardware such as gaming consoles. The per

Another article from Joystiq.com talks about Microsoft's plans to enter into the digital music retailing sector by positioning the Xbox 360 to be the center of everyone's digital world. This could be very true but I think it will be due to all the added functionality that hackers will add.

Microsoft has finally decided to jump on the digital music bandwagon, appointing Xbox boss Robbie Bach to head the questionable project.

Joystiq.com did a recent article about the launch titles for the Xbox 360, the real story in this article though is the announcement of hidden features on the Xbox 360 that wont be unlocked until about 1 year after it's initial launch.

Gamesindustry.biz is running an article titled "Microsoft warns of possible Xbox 360 shortages". It details how MicroSoft thinks that the Xbox 360 will be so huge that they won't be able to meet demand. I think this is just a publicity stunt to hype up their next system before launch. Sony said some similar things about the PSP before it launched and they had more then enough, which is how it should be I hate having to stay up all night in long lines just to get a product because not enough were made.

source: botros.net Some information has been released regarding what will be included in the Xbox360 package bundle. Apparently with the console you also get one wireless controller - without the "Play n Charge" kit. HD component/power cables are included. S-video and VGA cables will also be available at launch. There hasn't been any mention on whether or not a demo disc will come with the bundle. See the story below for pics of the upcoming Xbox360 accessories.

source: botros.net Xbox360 accessories are starting to be seen around the Internet. Below are some screenshots:

source: fonix.com Fonix Corporation is a communications and technology company which provides integrated telecommunications services and sophisticated speech recognition through Fonix Telecom Inc. and The Fonix Speech Group. They've combined with Microsoft to deliver voice command solutions to the Xbox360; this also provides new interface possbilities for developers and gamers.

There is an interesting article at the scoop with regards to the embedded OS that the Xbox360 will run on. They have compiled a bunch of speculation and insider info to a well thought out theory. It looks like the Xbox360 will run on its own OS which has roots in the previous Xbox operating system. The original Xbox OS was derived from Windows 2000. So you could say that the Xbox360 OS is the grand son of Windows 2000.

Update: Well shortly after posting this, it was announced in a press conference Monday evening that the Xbox360 will be backwards compatible with "selective" Xbox titles. Not all, but most titles will be supported. More to come.

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I realized the other night - now correct me if I'm wrong anyone - but Microsoft has released no information towards whether or not the Xbox360 will be backwards compatible with your old school Xbox games. Can anyone confirm this?

Microsoft has launched their official Xbox 360 website xbox360.com following last nights unveiling of the Xbox unfortunately I missed the airing of it last night but luckily it willy be on again this weekend in Canada.

engadget is reporting some possible Xbox360 specs - whether or not they're true, we'll find out come this Friday.

engadget is reporting that they've mysteriously obtained a photo of the actual Xbox360 - apparently taken with a camera phone at the Microsofts Xbox360 Revealed launch party in Los Angeles.

Click on the images to see full size picturesHere are some pics of the wireless controllers for the upcoming Xbox360. They seem to be sticking with the white theme from the previous pictures of the Xbox360 posted earlier.

HackIIS6.com has an interesting contest going on with the prize being an xbox. The contest is just like the name suggests hack their IIS6 Server @ hackiis6.com to win. See their webpage for more details about what qualifies as a hack.