November 28, 2005

Microsoft plans 300,000 Xbox 360s at Europe launch

Microsoft plans to only have about 300,000 units of its new Xbox 360 console available for the European launch.

Industry analysts' estimates of 300,000 Xbox 360s available at launch "were not far removed from reality", said Chris Lewis, the Microsoft executive responsible for the Xbox in Europe, in German weekly financial newspaper Euro am Sonntag reports Reuters

Xbox 360s sold out in many US stores after the launch there on November 22 and are still in short supply, with the console selling at a premium to its $400 (233 pound) retail price on Internet auction sites.

November 24, 2005

Xbox 360 owners reporting problems with the new video game console

Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday said some Xbox 360 owners are reporting problems with the new video game console.

"We have received a few isolated reports of consoles not working as expected," Microsoft spokeswoman Molly O'Donnell told Reuters in a telephone interview.

According to postings found on www.xbox-scene.com, users are reporting that systems crashing during regular play as well as during online game play using the Xbox Live service.

Problems included screens going black and the appearance of a variety of error messages.

Read More at Reuters

Microsoft sells Xbox 360 console at a big loss

According to researcher iSuppli, Microsoft will sell every Xbox console at a big loss.

An up-close look at the components and other materials used in the high-end version of the Xbox 360, which contains a hard drive, found that the materials inside the unit cost Microsoft $470 before assembly. The console sells at retail for $399, meaning a loss of $71 per unit -- and that is just the start.

Other items packaged with the console -- including the power supply, cables, and controllers -- add another $55 to Microsoft's cost, pushing the loss per unit to $126. These estimates include assumptions that Microsoft is getting a discount on many components.

via BusinessWeek

November 22, 2005

The Xbox 360 Hunt

If paying $2000 for a system that should cost a maximum of $600 sits well with you, I have some good news. Ebay has tons of Xbox 360s most of them over $1000 dollars.

Xbox 360 at ebay
Best Buy Xbox 360 Inventory Locator

Xbox 360 reviews

Xbox 360 reviews

Xbox 360: Good, but not great - CNN
Xbox 360 Reviews Bonanza - 1up
Xbox 360 first impressions - Hartware.net
Xbox 360 Review - GameCloud
The Xbox 360 isn't just a home entertainer -- it's also an invitation to conjure a slather of potentially revolutionary applications - Business Week
Microsoft's got game - Fortune
The online aspects rock, but you'll want to upgrade to take full advantage of Microsoft's console. - Pc Mag

Zero Hour : Xbox 360 Launch

Xbox.com has video and pictures of the Xbox 360 launch event. Enjoy

Xbox 360

In a recent Fortune feature, Peter Lewis asks if gamers should you wait for the Sony PS3?

So should you wait a year for the PS3 or buy the Xbox 360 today? Current Xbox owners are likely to upgrade to the 360, and current PS2 owners will probably stick with Sony. New gamers, however, have little reason to wait nearly a year for the PS3, and Microsoft is almost certain to gain some ground on Sony.

Here is a round-up of the Xbox 360 lovefest

Xbox 360's Thrills Are Many but They Don't Come Cheap [LA Times]
The games to get for the Xbox 360 [Chicago Tribune]
The new Xbox 360 is the stuff of dreams, but most new games aren't up to the challenge [San Fran Chronicle]
Initial Xbox 360 reviews good not great [TheRegister]
Gates: Xbox Live Will Become Windows Live [Spong]
Microsoft XBox 360 raises games stakes [TheBusiness]
The Xbox 360 rush is on [CNET]
PC and the New Power Generation: Xbox 360 [IGN]
Microsoft Xbox 360 Media Center Extender [PCMag]

Round up via Gizmodo

November 20, 2005

Don't buy the Xbox says The New York Post.

"Don't buy the Xbox," says The New York Post, and no that advice did not appear in the PageSix Gossip column... What can I say

Err.. what did Bill do...

Read More Xbox 360 so so reviews

November 16, 2005

'other people' Unpacking the Xbox 360

Kotaku : Unpacking the Xbox 360
Gizmodo : Unpacking the Xbox 360
anandtech : Unpacking the Xbox 360

November 14, 2005

18 Xbox 360 games on launch

Microsoft Corp. today announced that 18 Xbox 360 games, spanning all the popular genres, and 13 Xbox 360 accessories will be available when the video game and entertainment system launches in North America on Nov. 22.

More