Xbox 360 News

Codenamed Xenon, the multicore PowerPC CPU that IBM designed for the Xbox 360 boasts a number of unique features that set it apart from any microprocessor seen to date. The present article covers these features in detail, from the processor's triple-core design, to its caches, deep pipeline, lack of an instruction window, and expected performance. Before we talk in detail about the way that IBM put together the Xenon CPU, we should first discuss Microsoft's vision for the role that Xenon should play in powering the next generation of games. Thus Part I of this series will be devoted to exploring the types of applications for which the Xbox 360 was designed, with a particular emphasis on 3D gaming and the real-time procedural synthesis of in-game geometry.

Today EliteTorrents.org, ET, were shutdown by a joint operation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, both under the department of Homeland Security.

The operation was known as Operation D-Elite and involved the execution of 10 search warrents across the Unites States and the take over of the EliteTorrents server. Operation D-Elite targeted the administrators and "first providers" or suppliers of copyrighted content to the Elite Torrents network. Per the FBI press release, "The content selection available on the Elite Torrents network was virtually unlimited and often included illegal copies of copyrighted works before they were available in retail stores or movie theatres.

For example, the final entry in the Star Wars series, "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith," was available for downloading on the network more than six hours before it was first shown in theatres. In the next 24 hours, it was downloaded more than 10,000 times." ET was a ratio based membership torrent site that often had 0day releases, and in the case of Star Wars Episode III, PRE-0day releases, which may have ultimetaly led to their being targeted and their shutdown. Following today's crackdown another ratio based membership torrent site removed themselves with the following message on their site, "Thanks for being a part of bit-ance.net, your data has disapeared and so have we

Impress’ PC Watch has published the second part of its interview with Ken Kutaragi, in which the father of the PlayStation discussed the true purpose of the PlayStation 3, explaining that the next-generation console is “more than just a game machine”.

AnandTech.com has an interesting overview article. It puts lots of information released over the last few weeks in one nice article with lots of own pictures. It talks not only about the hadrware with:

-The Xbox360 Hadrware and Design where Microsoft told AndaTech the Xbox360 will be quieter than the current Xbox and that the backside design isn't final yet (outputs ports).
-The Xbox Wireless Controller that will be lighter than the current S-Controller and with a new connector on the backside (Microsoft is being very quiet about it atm).
- The Removable HDD adapter that was still empty in the mockup AndaTech got to see but that will probably be a custom interface to a 2.5" HDD.

But also about the new Xbox 360 Dashboard with:
-The new Xbox Live with the 'invite' pop-ups that can display in the middle of a game - AnandTech has screenshots of this.
-The GamerCard that displays the player's reputation (measured in stars), the GamerScore (counter of all achievements across all on- and offline games), the Zone (defines what sort of player you are) and an avatar (the can also be a picture taken with the Xbox360 camera)
-The Xbox Live Messaging that will not be compatible with 'e-mail' as MS didn't want spam on the Xbox 360. You'll also be able to keep a friends list and see what they are doing or which game they are playing.
-The Xbox Live MarketPlace where you will be able to download or purchase new content (demos, themes, levels, etc.)
-Xbox Live Arcade with 'old school' games. The article also talks about the different devices you'll be able to connect with the Xbox 360 like digital cameras, mp3player, Ipods and also about Windows MCE PCs where the Xbox360 will act as a Media Center Extender.

Xbox 360 Interface in Action:
BetaNews.com posted a 2nd article about the Xbox 360 Interface/Dashboard (Video). The first article already had some interesting info and pictures of the Xbox360 dashboard, but now you'll also get videos of Xbox Live and Xbox Live Messaging!

InterVideo has announced that Microsoft Corporation has chosen InterVideo to be the provider of its DVD playback software for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The partnership with Microsoft and InterVideo marks a significant step in PC/CE convergence, combining both video game consoles and home entertainment center together.