Review: Kinect for Xbox 360

Posted on November 4, 2010 by Chris Morris

For all the media attention and fanfare, you might think Microsoft was launching a new console today. And given what the company is spending on marketing its latest peripheral, you wouldn’t be that far off.

Kinect, a motion sensor device that allows users to play games simply by using gestures and voice commands, hit shelves today – and is predicted by many to become one of this year’s “must have” holiday gifts. Microsoft is so confident in the device that is has raised its internal sales predictions for calendar 2010 from 3 million to 5 million.

But is it any good?

Dreamworks brings MegaMind to Farmville

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Chris Morris

In-game advertising is hardly a rare thing. And film/game tie-ins are pretty frequent as well – but Dreamworks and Zynga are taking things a step further on Nov. 4.

For the first time, a studio will promote its newest film in a social networking game when “Megamind” comes to the insanely popular “Farmville”.

ESPN, Zune arrive on Xbox 360

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Chris Morris

Microsoft’s anticipated update of the Xbox 360 dashboard has gone live, bringing new features to sports and music fans.

The system update, which is mandatory for all users who wish to connect to Xbox Live, brings over 3,500 live and on-demand sporting events per year to the system, courtesy of ESPN3. That partnership will also include scoreboards, voice chat and the ability to “predict the winner” of games via polls.

Take-Two Interactive’s CEO steps down

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Chris Morris

Ben Feder, the CEO of the company behind “Grand Theft Auto,” “Bioshock” and “Red Dead Redemption” is calling it quits.

Feder has announced plans to resign his post at Take-Two Interactive Software on Jan. 1, 2011. Chairman Strauss Zelnick will assume his duties.

Vudu joins the Boxxee bunch

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Chris Morris

Vudu, a staple in many internet connected televisions and Blu-ray players, has added a pair of new outlets to its list.

The Wal-Mart-owned streaming service will be available via Boxee starting next month. That not only means that Vudu will be included in the Boxee Box when it ships to stores, but it will also be available to anyone with a Macs or PC.

Resident Evil creator joins Bethesda

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Chris Morris

Zenimax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, continues to expand its talent pool. Shinji Mikami, creator of the “Resident Evil” franchise, has joined the publisher as part of Zenimax’s acquisition of his Tango Gameworks development house.

It’s the latest in a series of big moves for the company, which in the last year has acquired Arkane Studios and id Software and picked up $150 million in venture capital investments.

Digital registry on the way for content makers

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Chris Morris

The book world has ISBN numbers to help it track how products are doing. But in the film and television worlds, things haven’t been quite so organized.

A group of studios, cable and technology companies are looking to change that, today announcing the launch of the Entertainment Identifier Registry (EIDR) to help track movies, TV shows and other assets. Among the names behind the movement are Disney, Comcast, Universal, Warner Bros., Sony and the MPAA.

PBS joins the iPad parade

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Chris Morris

Add PBS to the networks streaming content directly to the iPad.

The public network launched a free app yesterday allowing users to full-length versions of some of its most popular programs, including “Nova,” “Antiques Roadshow” and “Austin City Limits”. The app also gives a one hour preview for the networ’s upcoming multi-part series “Circus”.

Kindle sales on track for record quarter

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Chris Morris

It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that the Kindle would be a hot seller in the fourth quarter. The combination of the holiday season and a new, lower priced device made it a certain hit.

But no one was expecting it to be this hot.

Are things about to get more reasonable at Hulu Plus?

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Chris Morris

When Hulu announced plans to finally make its streaming service available beyond the PC, people cheered – until they heard the details. Subscribers to Hulu Plus would have to pay a $9.95 monthly fee and still watch the embedded ads in programs? That was a bit much to swallow.

Hulu may finally be about to acknowledge those complaints.

Chris Morris: Journalist

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