In December, Microsoft released a $2,999 Xbox 360 HD DVD emulator that allowed developers to test HD DVD projects on the 360 from a USB drive or networked PC. It was an easy way to check how a project would run on the console without printing endless discs (aka coasters, aka microwave fun).

Now, because timing is everything, Microsoft has released their emulator to the public free of charge (go forth and do with it what you will). Developers who already paid for the program will be refunded.

Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator - Now Free [A Dullard's Guide via Gameguru]

My dogs have expressed little interest in my lamentations on the subject of HD DVD and my brother even less. While I don't realistically expect more from this audience, the allure of large numbers compels me to share these final thoughts on the demise of HD DVD.

I'll start with the admission that I am one of the early a-duh-pters that has the HD DVD add-on for the XBOX 360. That doesn't make me a MS fanboi, I would instead describe myself as an evil-company-hateboi. And if you want proof that I'm not in MS' camp just talk to me someday about Vista and its wonderful support of earlier versions of Office.

Now that Microsoft has officially announced the death of their HD DVD add-on for the Xbox 360, the only thing left to do is to sweep the technological corpses out of warehouses. So here's the big deal we warned you about back in January—Microsoft is officially dropping their HD DVD add-on price to $50 starting tomorrow (though many retailers have already jumped the gun). So buy one, keep it sealed and in 100 years, you might have a collector's item (or just a very nice e-paper weight).

Microsoft Drops HD DVD for Xbox 360 [AHN]

Don't trash those Xbox 360 HD DVD players just yet! You can use them for other things. Site TeamXbox has a lighthearted look at ways to get the most out of your obsolete peripheral. They include: paper weight, cup holder, chair leg balancer, door stop, mouse pad, Xbox 360 Power Supply platform, straight edge ruler and book end. This list makes us feel way better and happy that all Microsoft's effort was not in vain. Click through the gallery below to see the HD DVD player in action.

Ways to Extend Xbox 360 HD DVD Player's Life [TeamXbox via Hatimaki]

So, HD DVD is dead. But, Microsoft is having a hard time moving on, it seems. Soon after the Toshiba announcement, Xbox Japan said the death of HD DVD is something it "will examine from now." By "examining," Microsoft must mean continuing to push its HD DVD player! Reader Nathan sends us these pics of Microsoft's out-dated peripheral pimping via Xbox Live — at at the "new, low price" of US$129.99. What a deal! Just think, buy one now and watch the same HD DVDs over and over again for the years to come. Thanks, Microsoft!

Think that Toshiba's killing off HD DVD means curtains for Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD DVD player? Probably! For those who cannot put one and one together, Xbox Japan is here for you. To be vague. And evasive. Regarding Toshiba's decision to kill off its HD format, the console's PR mouthpiece says this about the future of its Xbox 360 HD DVD player:

It's something we will examine from now, and there's nothing to announce at the moment.

Gaming's biggest diversion of the last year has finally come to an end. Today, after the stock markets in Tokyo and Osaka closed, Toshiba announced that HD DVD was no more. The company will cease developing, manufacturing and marketing HD DVD players and recorders. Yes, the format war is finally over, and Sony's Blu-ray has emerged victorious. From the press release:

Toshiba will begin to reduce shipments of HD DVD players and recorders to retail channels, aiming for cessation of these businesses by the end of March 2008. Toshiba also plans to end volume production of HD DVD disk drives for such applications as PCs and games in the same timeframe, yet will continue to make efforts to meet customer requirements. The company will continue to assess the position of notebook PCs with integrated HD DVD drives within the overall PC business relative to future market demand.

This decision will not impact on Toshiba's commitment to standard DVD, and the company will continue to market conventional DVD players and recorders. Toshiba intends to continue to contribute to the development of the DVD industry, as a member of the DVD Forum, an international organization with some 200 member companies, committed to the discussion and defining of optimum optical disc formats for the consumer and the related industries.

In case you're still holding out hope that somehow, someway HD DVD will make a last minute comeback and triumph over blu-ray as the high definition DVD format of choice, then has Microsoft got the deal for you. Effective today, the MSRP of the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on is dropping from $179.99 USD to $129.99. The price drop effects the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. As Microsoft's Larry Hryb points out, once you figure in Microsoft's ongoing five free HD DVD movie offer, which is still in effect until the end of this month, they you've got one hell of a good time to get in on the Betamax of the 21st century!

Xbox 360 HD DVD Player price drop (now US $129.99) [Xbox Live's Major Nelson - Thanks Scott!]

Transforming from my week with Gizmodo covering CES, I bring a little perspective from the buzz of the CES press rooms, several high ranking media journalists and at least one adult film director of the year: HD DVD really is dead. Microsoft may not be going Blu-ray just yet, but Warner is gone from HD DVD and it really will cause a ripple through the industry.

You may be enticed into picking up an HD DVD player (like that Xbox 360 peripheral), especially since we're sure to see loads of deals cropping up in the next few months. But if the pulse of the press is right, which I guarantee it is, HD DVD has been diagnosed with an incurable disease begging for medicine you shouldn't subsidize. Save your money; avoid the heartbreak. Don't fall for the last push of a dead platform. HD DVD is officially a "no buy." As for Blu-ray, the PS3 is still the best deal on the market.