Connect360 Now Brings DivX, Macs and 360s Together

I'm a big fan of my Xbox 360 and I'm a big fan of my Macbook Pro. But the two weren't really meant to...mate...if you know what I mean. Nullriver's Connect360 is a third party program that's been around for a while, solving problems of cross-species media compatibility and bringing Mac OS X media to the Xbox 360. And now Connect360 has been updated to support DivX and XviD formats. Also, contrary to popular believe, your Mac won't get "cooties" by interfacing with a Microsoft product.

Connect360 [via tuaw]

Xbox 360 DivX/XviD Tested, Approved

Our friends over at Gizmodo got up early this morning to put the Xbox 360's new DivX and XviD support through the paces. They confirmed that, yes, burned media plays back just fine without being copied to the hard drive. And the software supported every file they threw at it with ease. The only catch is that once in a while the aspect ratios get wonky—something that you see in all types of media products but proves annoying nonetheless. Still, they put the experience at "90% of the way there." And since much of the gaming industry never gives anything 100% anyway, that's basically a 95% or better.

Xbox 360 DivX/XviD Playback Tested (Verdict: It's Almost Perfect) [gizmodo]

Xbox 360 Getting Video Ads?

Last Friday, Microsoft released a the comprehensive listing of changes in the newest Xbox 360 update (hit the link below for all of the technical dorkdom you can stand). Gaygamer skimmed the massive list and noticed something peculiar:

Added support for Audio Mute/Unmute for video ads.

Xbox 360 Fall Update Video Walkthrough, XMB Anyone?

Here's a sizable walkthrough of the upcoming Xbox 360 fall update. One detail we didn't quite catch in the press release was the new Marketplace Spotlight area (50 seconds in). It looks...ummm...familiar, to say the least. No, I'm going to go ahead and say more. It's XMB. Plain and simple and reactionary (naysayers may point out that it's similar to the new Zune, which naysayer naysayers will say ripped off the PSP).

That's not to say it looks bad. In fact, Spotlight does look highly functional and intuitive, and its separate tab for free content will be welcomed by cheapos such as myself. So it's a pretty clear improvement in my book. But I never expected when I woke up this morning that I'd see Microsoft's dash copying Sony's. Seriously, this is the sort of flame bait one can only dream about.

Xbox 360 Fall Update, Details Announced, Brings DivX

We've already covered details at least twice about the upcoming Xbox 360 fall update, but Microsoft has just released the (almost) final, mega press release with all the details. The big news? DivX support. Here's the complete list of updates, with brief descriptions for easy digestion:

- Xbox Originals: Download Xbox classics.
- Xbox LIVE Arcade Hits: Games like Lumines LIVE! available for less.
- Inside Xbox: News ticker.
- Enhanced online profile: Let people know, does your personality match your Zodiac sign?
- Expanded Friends List access: See friends of friends.
- Enhanced Parental Controls: family timer.
- New video features: They promise, among other things, "advanced codec support." Could this mean DivX? UPDATE: YES! But only for Divx 5.0 and newer files.

Pretty ho hum in my book, other than the DivX support. Here's the full press release:

Xbox 360 Fall Update Coming Dec 4th, Adds Social Networking

The Xbox 360 Fall Update will be coming Dec. 4th, and its biggest new features is "Friends of Friends." Now you can check out the friends of anyone on your friends list, ala Facebook. To limit who can see your friends list, there will be a "Friends List" setting right on the dash. It will have three settings for those allowed to see your friends that can be set now on Xbox.com:

-Everyone (only available to members 18 and older)
-Friends only (available to members 13 and older)
-Blocked (available to all members, and automatic for anyone under the age of 13)

Apparently, along with Xbox Originals, there will be more features in the update (*cough* DivX please *cough*) announced at a later date.

Image from [nataliedee.com] Here's the full press release:

IPTV Not Hitting 360 With Fall Update

Xbox 360 Fall Update to Bring Parental Timer

Rumor has it that the bi-annual Xbox 360 firmware update set to hit this fall will bring with it a number of interesting updates, chief among them a new Parental Timer.

Sources tell me that the update will allow people to set a password protected usage timer on their Xbox 360s. In other words, parents or loved ones will be able to limit the amount of time someone can game on the system during a given time period.

Personally, I think this is a brilliant idea and I can't figure why no console has done this before (that I know of). I'm fairly on top of things when it comes to my 6-year-old and his gaming habits. In fact I set up his 360 on the television in my loft office, so typically I'm right next to him when he plays. But, it's easy for me to lose track of time and even easier for him to. We use a system that requires him to do math, reading or writing homework to earn television time and video game time. Now I can just add this little timer to the formula and allow it to track just how much time he has left.

Brilliant, simply brilliant.

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against MS For Bricked 360s