Xbox

Need For Speed Most Wanted DLC Released, Ultimate Speed Pack

Game Diary, News & Features

Need For Speed Most Wanted DLC Released, Ultimate Speed Pack

Still need some speed? Electronic Arts delivers in impressive fashion with the Ultimate Speed Pack, which is available for download on $9.99 at PlayStation Store (PS3) and Origin (PC), and for 800 Microsoft points on Xbox Live Marketplace (Xbox 360). This Need For Speed Most Wanted downloadable content (DLC) includes 70 new “speed-themed” milestones and five amazing exclusive cars – Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, Pagani Nonla R, McLaren F1 LM, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, Lambourgini Aventador J. Players also get 25 challenge events for each of these five cars. Players can also nab this DLC pack and Time Saver…

10 Simple Ways to Eat Better in 2013

Health and Fitness

10 Simple Ways to Eat Better in 2013

From now until 2013, we’re going to take a look at some New Year’s Resolutions and a Gear Diary way to help you keep them. New Year Resolution: Eat Better in 2013 I have been very public with my running goals and accomplishments as well as my weight loss this year on Gear Diary, Facebook, and in my daily life. As a result, I have often been asked in every forum ‘how do you do it’? The simplistic and truthful answer is ‘eat less and exercise’. Of course it is never so simple – my exercise routine has me running…

Xbox 360 Thoughts from an Open Source Guy

Gear Bits

Xbox 360 Thoughts from an Open Source Guy

I know!  I know!  How could I, an Open Source guy, send my money to Microsoft by purchasing an Xbox?  Well, when my family is concerned, I need to consider them when purchasing tech. My son wanted an Xbox, so Santa got him one this year — no matter what Dad thinks. So, here are my thoughts about the Xbox system as a whole, from the perspective of an open source guy. Updates Updates Updates I swear my son was about ready to bust when it took HOURS to get the updates installed.  It’s not that there were so many,…

Content is Everything - My Mom's Thoughts on Netflix

Gear Bits

Content is Everything – My Mom’s Thoughts on Netflix

As I have been in Knoxville, TN visiting my folks this holiday season, I have had the opportunity to show my parents Netflix on a TV.  I have not one, but two devices with me that can stream Netflix to a TV.  My Roku 2XS and my son’s new Xbox. One afternoon I was flipping through the Netflix app on the Xbox looking for something to watch, and lo and behold my Mom said one thing: How can they expect me to pay for this when everything is so old? Boom.  There’s the problem. Every streaming service I showed her…

If You Want GOOD Service, Use the Apple Store Instead of Apple Support

Editorials

If You Want GOOD Service, Use the Apple Store Instead of Apple Support

Apple has a reputation and standing as one of the best customer support organizations in all of the consumer world. They top the ratings each year; due to their retail stores, the ability to quickly talk to someone knowledgeable has made using Apple products easier than ever for millions of folks. Truth is, in more than 30 years of owning Apple products starting with the Apple ][+, I have never needed service of any type. I have had a couple of questions, and had to email support about a couple of iTunes issues, but I have never had an actual…

Set Top Boxes, a Gear Chat

Gear Bits

Set Top Boxes, a Gear Chat

Over the years writing for Gear Diary, we often have chats behind the scenes about all sorts of issues.  Some are private and will never see the light of day, but many times what is said ends up in a long string of comments that would make a great post.  This one all started by a gift I received from a friend — a brand new Roku 2 XS — which I love a lot.  I posted in our back channel about it, and off we went.  Joel: Received a Roku 2 XS from a friend of mine. Best thing ever. First…

First Dishonored DLC Released, Dunwall City Trials

Game Diary, Gear Bits

First Dishonored DLC Released, Dunwall City Trials

Dunwall City Trials, the first official add-on pack for Dishonored, is available for download for $4.99 on PlayStation 3 and PC, and 400 Microsoft points on Xbox 360. This Dishonored DLC includes 10 challenge maps (normal difficulty) that will test and track action, stealth, puzzle and mobility skills. Players can also unlock six expert difficulty maps. Player performance is rated on a three star system where each star earned unlocks artwork in the gallery (44 total). Players can also check out their performance on online leaderboards or view the credits of the hard-working folks who created the DLC. New trophies and…

The Ceton infiniTV 4 - The Better Way to Watch TV

News & Features

The Ceton infiniTV 4 – The Better Way to Watch TV

Photo courtesy of Cetoncorp.com If you’re like most Americans, I’ll bet you watch TV on occasion.  Probably more than occasionally.  In my household, we watch TV everyday.  We have hours upon hours of shows that we record on the DVR and we don’t want to be tethered to just one TV in the house.  If you’re like me, you have a multi-room HD DVR hooked up so that you can record shows on one cable box and watch them throughout your house.   You can watch the game in one room and your wife can watch last night’s installment of Honey…

Battlefield 3 Expansion Pack Aftermath Releases

Game Diary, News & Features

Battlefield 3 Expansion Pack Aftermath Releases

Battlefield 3: Aftermath, the fourth expansion pack which features a four new maps (Azadi Palace, Epicenter, Markaz Monolith, and Talah Market), three new vehicles (Barsuk, Phoenix, and Rhino) plus modified military and civilian vehicles. Players can also enjoy the new “XBOW” crossbow weapon, and a new “scavenger” mode where players search for weapons while starting with only a pistol. New assignments, dogtags, achievements, and trophies are also included. PlayStation 3 premium members can get this expansion pack now (associated Battlefield 3 game copy required) while it release for Xbox 360 and PC premium players on December 4. Players without premium…

Windows Phone 8 Launch Event

Events

Windows Phone 8 Launch Event

I’m at the Windows Phone 8 launch event this morning in San Francisco, waiting in the lobby of the Bill Graham Civic Center with roughly 150 other members of the media. There are probably fewer in attendance than originally intended, due to Hurricane Sandy’s grip on the Eastern states, but the mood here is upbeat and we are looking forward to seeing how Microsoft will (hopefully) wow us this morning. I’ll have more soon, we still have 15 minutes before the doors open … And we’re in and seated. Joe Belfiore is on the stage, welcoming us and saying that…

Wreck-It Ralph Promo Videos Cover Video Game History

Game Diary, Gear Bits

Wreck-It Ralph Promo Videos Cover Video Game History

Got game? Take a walk through video game history with the latest promotional videos for Disney’s upcoming animated feature film Wreck-It Ralph. 1982 Litwak’s Arcade Commercial featuring the Original Fix-It Felix, Jr. Game 1997 Litwak’s Arcade Commercial featuring Sugar Rush Speedway 2012 Litwak’s Arcade Commercial featuring Hero’s Duty You can also check out fully playable browser-based versions of the Hero’s Duty and Sugar Rush games on the new official film site. The Wreck-It Ralph video game will release on October 30, 2012 on Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS. Ralph will also be a playable character in the upcoming…

Borderlands 2 Video Review

Game Diary, Reviews

Borderlands 2 Video Review

Type of app: First Person Shooter Platform/where to buy: PC; available at Steam Developer: Gearbox Software / 2K Games Description: Borderlands 2 is a hybrid First-Person Shooter, RPG game focused on over-the-top co-op play, and set in the open-world game environment of the planet Pandora. The second game in the game series, Borderlands 2 raises the ‘loot and shoot’ action of the original game with an even larger and more detailed world to explore, an updated gun system, a new cast of characters and character classes, and integration of storyline with action. Major features: I reviewed the original Borderlands here,…

Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013, a Video Quick Look

Gear Bits, News & Features

Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2013, a Video Quick Look

I’m not big into killing things so hunting – not for me. That being said, I do like a good shooting game. (I mean, the Hit Man franchise?!?! Awesome!)  I got to see Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2013 the other night, and it is pretty amazing. The game has unbelievable graphics, a nice physical rifle to aim and shoot and the addition of heart rate monitors built into the gun itself. Activision’s Press Release puts it this way –“Prepare for a wildly exciting and heart-stopping hunt that challenges gamers like never before!” The impact of the heart rate monitoring is part…

Amazon Deal with Epix Brings Thor, Iron Man 2 and More to Prime Instant Videos!

Gear Bits, News & Features

Amazon Deal with Epix Brings Thor, Iron Man 2 and More to Prime Instant Videos!

As a member of Amazon Prime, I absolutely love the Prime Instant Video collection, finding it has a great selection that just keeps growing and growing in terms of the depth and breadth of movie and TV offerings. But there is always room for more – so I was thrilled this morning to hit the Amazon home page and see not one but TWO new deals: a movie deal with Epix and a TV deal with NBC Universal. From the Amazon home page, here is what they say about Epix: Great news for Amazon Prime members—we’ve just signed two big…

New 'Active Gaming' Doesn't Change Reality of Couch-Bound Stereotype; also, 'Brain Games' Doesn't Work

Editorials, Game Diary

New ‘Active Gaming’ Doesn’t Change Reality of Couch-Bound Stereotype; also, ‘Brain Games’ Doesn’t Work

There are a number of stereotypes surrounding gamers: such as that of the male anti-social, under-hygenic basement dweller toiling away the hours on Dungeons & Dragons fantasy games; or the ultraviolent shooter player who is a bit ‘off’, also an outsider, one round of Doom/Halo/Call of Duty from wiping out his high school/college/post office; and even in the more enlightened recent years there is the image of a few somewhat unkempt and overweight friends on a couch (or couches in different locations connected by the internet) playing a bunch of games. If you look at the LAST console generation –…

With $99 XBOX Subscription Bundle, Microsoft REALLY Enters the Smartphone Gaming Era!

Game Diary, Gear Bits, News & Features

With $99 XBOX Subscription Bundle, Microsoft REALLY Enters the Smartphone Gaming Era!

Image courtesy GamesLive OK, so maybe the title is more than a bit of a stretch, but look at it this way: what product costs more to make than what you pay to buy it, but that lowered cost is subsidized by a two-year monthly contract? A cell phone … and now an XBOX360 bundle including the Kinect according to a report from TheVerge. Check out the details (emphasis mine): Microsoft is planning to launch a $99 Xbox console package with a monthly subscription as early as next week, according to our sources. The software giant will offer the 4GB…