It's called the "Courier", and is a cross between a tablet PC and, well, a Nintendo DS. or anything else that uses a stylus, really. As you can see, it functions like a notebook, flipping open into "pages", with input able to be driven either by touch-screen or by using a stylus.

Allard, who was one of the key players in the birth of both the original Xbox and the 360, is "spearheading" development of the Courier, which for us, is reason enough to be interested.

But then, there's also the device. A large touch-screen device with a stylus and two screens? There's the potential for this to be a HD DS-type device if anybody ever takes gaming on the platform seriously. Like, Panzer General on this? I'd be in heaven.

More pics and info over at Gizmodo.

Courier: First Details of Microsoft's Secret Tablet [Gizmodo]

In a patent that surfaced last week (but was submitted in 2007), J Allard is listed as one of five inventors on an application for a device that is, well, a magic wand. That's even how it's explained in the patent. As something capitalising on the fact "a number of communities or demographic segments are enamored with the idea of magic".

So what is it? The "wand" is a small, hand-held controller that's designed to operate, well, everything. Like a universal remote, except instead of just running your entertainment system, it would run your entire house. Devices listed in the application as examples include thermostats, "media devices" and computers.

Oh, and game consoles.

The "magic wand" would contain accelerometers for motion control, as well as biometric measures to identify (and customise) the device depending on who was using it. It would also pack a camera, a laser, a transmitter and a gyroscope, meaning it could control - or at least communicate - with pretty much everything in the house that needs controlling.

How this would work for games remains unclear, as more recent rumours surrounding Microsoft and motion-controlled gaming have suggested the company prefers camera-based control to the use of a peripheral.

It's also important to remember, this is just a patent application. Just because Microsoft applied for a patent doesn't mean they're actually going to make the thing.

But hey, E3 is only a couple of weeks away, so any questions you have might be answered then. And if not then? Then maybe later! Maybe.

UPDATE - Reached for comment, Microsoft would only respond with, yes, "no comment".

Patent 20090121894 [USPTO, via TechFlash]

Yes, the former Xbox pin-up boy, who played a big part in the launch of both Microsoft consoles, has been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Boston University, where he once (presumably) majored in geek makeovers. In case you were wondering, the honorary doctorate doesn't mean J passed any extra tests or skipped any classes in the last year or two; it just means BU are honouring his contributions to his field.

Joining Allard on the list are some lofty alumni, including Steven Spielberg and Celtics legend Larry Bird, both of whom also are due to receive honorary doctorates.

While we're glad to see J again, we're actually happier at the news of Bird receiving a doctorate of any kind, because it now means we might finally get that long-awaited basketball game sequel, Dr. J vs Dr. Bird.

Word Out! [BU Today, via Giant Bomb]

J Allard gets a new job [ZDNet, thanks Marc!]

What I want to do at E&D [the entertainment and devices division] is build an entertainment service that can connect, that has a screen and buttons and a speaker, so you can watch what you want, where you want, how you want.

If you are in an MP3 aisle, we want to be the connected MP3 player. That's mainly connecting artist and audience together, mostly around the culture of music. Yes, we'll do video. Yes, we'll do games. But the heart and soul of that brand is music.

Xbox is the most connected game experience. When you go down the gaming aisle, you'll see we can do things others can't do. We keep hitting on the idea of connections.

Today we have Xbox live for $50 a year. We have Zune Pass at $15 a month. We don't have a rationalized premium version yet. Fast forward a little bit, and you can image a menu like DirecTV. There is basic, there is enhanced, there is movie pack and NFL Sunday ticket.

Allard discusses topics such as the "billion dollar decision" to include a hard drive as standard with the original Xbox, pushing voice chat features via Xbox Live, and the beating of acceptance expectations for Live. He also touches on future Zune and Xbox 360 integration, including theoretical Xbox Live Marketplace to Zune transfers, plus the online enabled evolution of games.

I found J's thoughts on the Wachowski brothers attempts to expand The Matrix franchise to as many mediums as possible. Something tells me we'll see more of that kind of brand extension in games sooner rather than later.

Live is 5: J Allard [Xbox]

I love games and maybe for someone with a 40-minute commute, it might be an interesting scenario. Thus far, the market really hasn't proven out that it is a great scenario. Customer satisfaction with what has been done isn't that high.

The other challenge is with the platform. The games that you bought in your fifth generation don't run with your sixth generation. ... The rate of innovation, turnover, and variety of form factors makes it a tricky proposition. That said, we have a lot of flexibility and a lot of magical software. What we've done with XNA is an incredibly portable environment designed to abstract some of the hardware differences. We'll see where that takes us. We're always thinking, but the Zune isn't playing Halo 3 anytime soon.

These developments will surely come give Microsoft enough time, but quite simply, the Zune 2 gave us nothing new to expand the stagnant but promising 360 media experience. And sure, a couple of classic games tied in with XBLA titles never hurt anyone. Maybe for an extra 100 points or something?

Because if the Zune is really expected to compete with the iPod in the next decade, Microsoft only need look to Live.

Zune Q&A with Microsoft's J Allard [via nextgeneration]

True. One can easily argue that no one needs a Blu-ray player. One could also argue that some gamers do need wi-fi built in if they want to get online with their consoles. Paying $99 (or £59.99, if that's your thing) for an Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter is also kind of a huge bill to foot for some.

But Dan's definitely spot on with another topic. With an Xbox 360 Core priced at the same point as the Wii in the UK, it's sure to help Christmas sales. You know what else would help? J Allard's Xtreme Fitness in the works with a snazzy mountain bike controller. Could be huge.

Why we dropped the 360's price [MCV]

Thanks, Protector one!

Which is why I am starting an entirely inappropriate internet campaign: bring back J. When the Xbox originally launched, the then chubby exec was everywhere. Jallard got thinner, cooler and more eXtreme as the Xbox 360 launch drew near, and then POOF, he was gone — off to work on the Zune or something. Right now, he's probably holed up, working on Microsoft's answer to the iPhone. A waste! We don't want a Microsoft iPhone. We want J saying stuff about the Xbox 360, riding mountain bikes and being eXtreme. Sure, Allard might be a phony or whatever, but he's quotable and wears hoodies! Best of all, we've actually creeped him out. Think we'll be able to creep out Moore's replacement? Ha! J's the Prodigal Son, Microsoft, and it's about friggin' time he came home.

Sign below to show you're support for The Return of Jallard:

Microsoft is sick of the Xbox's hardcore gaming image. (An image the company helped foster!) Says Albert Penello, director of Xbox global platform marketing:

I don't want to be pigeonholed as a hard-core machine.

If we don't make that move, make it early and expand our demographic, we will wind up in the same place as with Xbox 1, a solid business with 25 million people. What I need is a solid business with 90 million people.

Microsoft Goes After Casual Gamers [Bloomberg]

Here they are, the finalists for the Halo 3 Beta shirt contest. Now, since we've got two shirts, we need two winners. So it's up to you, the commenters, to vote for the two entries you like the best! Note: Commenters who dip into little Mr. Critic territory and start degrading finalists will feel the brunt end of the ban stick. Many thanks to all who entered and good luck to those who made it this far! Hit the jump for the finalists. Voting ends at midnight tonight EST. Brian Ashcraft

Finalist 1

Sean writes:

I have been working on this costume for quite a while, but the energy sword is brand new. The armor is made from fiberglass reinforced fabricated polystyrene... and yes I made it entirely myself... The sword is fully functional and even pulses slowly, like the game model.

Finalist 2

Adrien writes:

haha, here's a costume made out of post it notes. no you can't us the "i didn't have the money" excuse next halloween.

Finalist 3

Omer writes:

Me and my friend's custom made suit, with a FAN inside! :D

Finalist 4

Daniel writes:

The armor that I made is constructed of cardboard, duct tape, plastic, acrylic paint, and cloth. It is made to be worn with black clothing, and comes with a MA5-C Assault Rifle that magnetically "clips" to the back. The lights featured on the Master Chief's armor are represented by glitter-glue, giving the appearance of being on. The helmet houses a cradle that fits a Bluetooth headset, providing the ability to make and recieve calls with the costume on.

Finalist 5

Ben writes:

Attached is my entry for the Halo T-Shirt contest, enjoy!

Finalist 6

Jim writes:

Here's me in my get-up w/ J allard and Peter Moore at the Halo 2 Launch!

Finalist 7

Clint writes:

I saw your article about the Halo 3 Beta shirts giveaway and thought I'd enter the Mjolnir armor I made. It took me all last summer and part of December, but I was able to finish it and take it for a test run through my local EB Games. :D

The Seattle Times has the long version, a chronicle of the interns pitch to J Allard and their move from Microsoft wageslaves with a love for Voltron to real-deal developers at Carbonated and Turn 10 Studios. As far as I'm concerned, side-scrolling shooter development should be a Microsoft intern requirement, not some feel good story. Michael McWhertor

What I did last summer [Seattle Times]

In-between-stage J Allard non-sequitur aside, the big Spring update hits Xbox LIVE tomorrow, bringing Windows LIVE Messenger to the Xbox 360. What does this mean? People on LIVE can instant message with folks PCs and cell phones. Here's the full skinny, via Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog:

• Chat via instant messenger with up to 20 contacts in a single conversation, and have up to six different conversations at the same time with people on PCs, mobile phones and other Xbox 360 consoles.
• Instant message while playing games, listening to music or watching movies or TV shows downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
• View at a glance if friends on Windows Live Messenger have gamertags and add them to a unified friends list.
• Utilize the virtual keyboard on the Xbox 360 to text chat or connect a USB keyboard to the console. Launching later this summer, the Xbox 360 text-input device accessory will connect directly to the controller to support instant messaging.

Oh, and that's not all. The update will do other things as well. After the jump! Brian Ashcraft

• On-screen pop-ups that immediately display the name and gamerscore value of a just accomplished Achievement, allowing gamers to see their progress without leaving or pausing the game.
• An even safer way to communicate through Xbox LIVE with enhanced family settings that enable different default settings for video chat and voice chat.
• A new, standalone Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade houses all Xbox LIVE Marketplace content in one easy to navigate space.
• Xbox LIVE Arcade enhancements that showcase what games friends are playing directly from the friends list. Boasting about high scores, comparing progress and checking out leaderboards are all easier now as well.
• Faster access to free, trial version of Xbox LIVE Arcade games through an improved Auto Downloads feature.
• The ability to fast-forward, pause and rewind video as it is being downloaded on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
• Owners can now set their consoles to turn off after downloading content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace to help save energy, and download speeds have been increased.

Spring Update [Gamerscore Blog via Major Nelson]

That's what Entertainment & Devices Division president Robbie Bach told eWeek recently when they interviewed him about his slice of the business, which also includes the Zune.

Calling the Xbox 360 the "hardest piece of consumer electronics hardware to produce in the world" Bach says the division will be moving into the black when they start to break even on the hardware later this year and see growth from Xbox Live and peripheral sales contributing to positive cash flow.

Looks like J Allard was right! Damn, that dude's got quite a noodle on him. Michael McWhertor

Microsoft Poised to Rule Entertainment, Devices World [eWeek]

While not as good as J Allard's eXtreme make-over (nothing is!), Sony Computer Entertainment honcho Kaz Hirai does look, well, different. While heading up Sony Computer Entertainment America, Hirai was known for his loud, open collared shirts, but kiss them good bye now that he's back in Tokyo. Just check out this portrait shot SCE is releasing. Yes, "Kaz" is no more. Meet Kazuo Hirai. Brian Ashcraft

New Hirai [Game|Life]

If you should be unlucky enough to have your 360 choke on a red ring of death, Microsoft will ease your faulty console suffering in a few new ways. One, shipping for all repairs is now free. Two, should your console need a paid repair after your warranty has expired, you'll receive a new one year warranty guarantee on that repaired console. Three, you'll probably get your original console shipped back to you. Four, soothing massages from J Allard.

Additional bonuses on the service front include faster returns—within five business days upon receipt of your dead Xbox—and an increase in and better training for customer service reps.

Killer. Now, please fix the hardware so this is all unnecessary, and I'll buy one. Michael McWhertor

Xbox 360 Warranty and Service Enhancements [Xbox.com]

So you sent Cliff an email? I was gonna say that we should also try to recruit Jallard. Since Microsoft released that brown thing, he's been out of the public eye. I'll send him an email for him to ignore. Don't know his email address, though. (Hence, the headline.)

But seriously, it would be great if we did get Cliff to play. Otherwise, we're gonna get our asses handled to us by Giz.

Job applicants are starting to roll in. All of them seem super impressive. Pleasant surprise.

...let's see...

Oh, that new comment feature (in which you can reply directly to people) is super cool.

What you missed during the night:

• Nintendo's release schedule for 2007 and beyond.


• Xbox modder doin't time.


• Like curry? Erotic in-game curry?


• Microsoft *hearts* January.

Okay, I must get ready for my day trip to Tokyo! Tomorrow, Plunkett will be covering a PS3 media day in Sydney, so he should have a series of interesting posts. Did we ever get him business cards? Or will he just be scribbling "Kotaku" on scraps of paper?

279 days ago, give or take a few hours, J Allard should have appeared on stage at Microsoft's 2006 E3 press conference wearing a dreadlock wig. He should have done this after losing a particularly bad bet to Newsweek's N'Gai Croal.

For those of you not up on this fascinating bit of game lore, here's the story from N'Gai's mouth:

The following May, Microsoft hosted a small dinner at Morton's steakhouse in downtown Los Angeles for a handful of journalists attending that year's E3 trade show in Los Angeles. The Xbox side included Allard, Xbox Live marketing manager Aaron Greenberg, and PR maven David Hufford; on the media side, Game Informer editor-in-chief Andy McNamara, G4 producer Tom Russo and Business 2.0 writer and TV host Geoff Keighley were among the invitees. As the steak was consumed and the wine imbibed, the subject of Ken Kutaragi's new baby—set to be unveiled in less than 48 hrs—naturally arose once again. And within a few minutes, it was clear that our positions hadn't changed in the slightest.

So fueled by the liquid courage of Morton's finest Cabernet, we gentlemen decided on a friendly wager. The bet: whether the PSP would reach worldwide shipments of 10 million units within the same 12 month span of time it had taken the PS2, give or take 3 months. We took the pro; Allard, the con. If we were correct and the PSP hit its mark, Allard would wear a dreadlock wig for the entire month of May, including the week of E3 2006. But if Allard were right and the PSP missed our agreed-upon milestone, he would get to shave our dreads. Onstage. During the Xbox E3 2006 press conference. In front of 1,500 attendees. (Did we mention that wine was involved?)

Naturally, what happened in Los Angeles didn't stay in Los Angeles. Word spread among the folks at Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, other publishers and among a few of our fellow journalists. During a September 2004 interview with Kutaragi in his Tokyo offices, Molly Smith, then head of U.S. PR, asked us to tell her boss of our wager. We did. He chuckled. We asked him whether he thought our six-year-old dreads would be safe from the covetous Allard. He looked us dead in the eyes and said "Yes." And just ten months after the PSP's December launch in Japan, Kutaragi was proven correct, leaving our prized dreads intact.

While Croal would have most assuredly manned up and gotten shaved in front of a hooting crowd of Microsoft employees and journalists, it looks like Allard ducked out of the show entirely.

But to be clear, the bet has him wearing that wig for an entire month, and we saw him at the hotel prior to the show, wig-free.

It is time, Allard, to put your money where your mouth is. I don't plan on letting this go until I see a picture of you in front of a sizable crowd wearing said wig. Do the right thing, you know you've gotta. Brian Crecente

Double Life: The Level Up Staff Looks Back, Wistfully, At Its First 100 Posts [Level Up]

Ps. Happy 100th Level Up, consider this our present.

Microsoft's J Allard isn't only too cool for periods and shift keys, but also hair. Even fake hair is too cool for J. And when manly things like HONOR and PRIDE are on the line, J says "meh."

Backstory: 2003. Newsweek N'Gai Croal is doing something I'm legally not allowed to (talk with Jallard). A gentleman's agreement was reached. Recalls Croal:

The bet: whether the PSP would reach worldwide shipments of 10 million units within the same 12 month span of time it had taken the PS2, give or take 3 months. We took the pro; Allard, the con. If we were correct and the PSP hit its mark, Allard would wear a dreadlock wig for the entire month of May, including the week of E3 2006. But if Allard were right and the PSP missed our agreed-upon milestone, he would get to shave our dreads. Onstage. During the Xbox E3 2006 press conference. In front of 1,500 attendees.

Sony hit that mark, E3 came and went and Jallard balked. Just like every time he wusses out when we try to contact him. Remember J, we don't think you are a COWARD or a LIAR for not holding up your end of the deal. A former fatty, yes, but yellow? Nooooooooooo. Brian Ashcraft

J Allard Won't Wear A Wig [Newsweek via Game Break]