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Internet Explorer Coming to Xbox 360
It wasn’t headline news, but buried in the middle of Microsoft’s Xbox SmartGlass reveal was the long-awaited news that, finally, an internet browser would be appearing on the Xbox 360. The Wii and PS3 have had the feature for years, but for the longest time Microsoft seemed unwilling to cross that line. Well, they have…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 4, 2012 -
Here’s Usher Nailing (And Whiffing) Some High Notes at Microsoft’s E3 Press Conference
Press conference musical performances are always a bit mortifying for all involved. The stage sucks, the audience isn’t there for music, and no one’s been drinking. (Well, almost no one. These are journalists, after all.) Usher’s performance for Dance Central 3 at the Microsoft E3 press conference was no different. As Mike Fahey pointed out,…
By Kirk Hamilton Published June 4, 2012 -
Five Minutes of Impressive Halo 4 Gameplay Footage
Forget shaky-cam beta stuff, here’s five minutes of direct-feed, singleplayer gameplay footage of Halo 4, direct from Microsoft’s E3 press conference earlier today. I don’t know whether it’s the improved visuals or the new developer (or both!), but for the first time in a long time this looks almost as though it’s a truly new…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 4, 2012 -
‘Xbox Music’ Brings a Music Store and Subscription Music Streaming to Your Xbox 360
Today at their E3 press conference, Microsoft announced a new music app for the Xbox 360 called “Xbox Music,” which will allow users to buy and stream music on their Xbox 360, which can be accessed from any screen. Users can download music from a new music store, or subscribe to streaming channels or artist-based…
By Kirk Hamilton Published June 4, 2012 -
Forza Horizon’s E3 Trailer Cruises Past Some Eyeballs
Forza is one of the few first-party franchises Microsoft bothers maintaining these days, at least for more serious gamers, so you can bet they were showing off a Forza Horizon trailer during the company’s E3 presentation. Here it is. Congratulations if you got past twenty seconds, because as soon as I hear someone say “throw…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 4, 2012 -
Dance Central 3 Unveiled, Here’s the First Footage
Everybody’s favourite – or secretly favourite – Kinect game, Dance Central, just got its second sequel. The third game in the series sees players taken back in time, dancing to tracks from 70s right through to the present day. It also introduces a new game mode called “Crew Throwdown”, which “pits two teams of up…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 4, 2012 -
Xbox Smart Glass Lets You Control Your Xbox With Your iPhone
Microsoft demonstrated their Xbox Smart Glass tech today at E3, linking consumers’ smartphones and tablets to their Xbox games and media. Not only does Smart Glass manage video playback across devices and add extra content to video, but it also makes your currently existing touch device into, essentially, a remote control for your console and…
By Kate Cox Published June 4, 2012 -
Xbox Smart Glass Makes Your Phone an Interactive Map of Westeros While You Watch Game of Thrones
Microsoft demonstrated their new Smart Glass tech today at E3. And sure, it’s cool that you can watch a video on your iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or computer, tell it to pause, and resume seamlessly on your Xbox later. But what’s really cool? Having an interactive map of Westeros pop up on your phone, tablet,…
By Kate Cox Published June 4, 2012 -
We’re Liveblogging the Microsoft Press Conference
Greetings from E3 2012! We’ll be live-tweeting from each of the major press conferences, so you can follow along with each one. Here, Tina Amini, Jason Schreier and Mr. Mike Fahey will be in the house kicking off E3 at the Microsoft press conference. Refresh the page to get the most up-to-date updates, and of…
By Kirk Hamilton Published June 4, 2012 -
Zeno Clash II Will Punch You in the Face, Co-Op Style
Like Zeno Clash? With Zeno Clash II, the first-person melee brawler is getting a sequel that promises a bigger world, populated with crazier enemies and more punches. The open world game features a new “lock-on” function during fights as well as role-playing elements to gain more strength or defense. Zeno Clash II will also feature…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 4, 2012 -
Microsoft Wants to Stream Console Games to Phones, Turning Handhelds Into “Xbox Live Companions”
Kotaku has learned from a reliable source that, either at E3 or in the very near future, Microsoft plans to unveil a new feature known as Xbox Live Companion. Not to be confused with its social and marketplace app Xbox Companion, Xbox Live Companion is a system where developers of Xbox 360 console games can…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 3, 2012 -
The Wii U Hardcore Controller Looks Familiar
Today, Nintendo revealed a brand new game controller for the Wii U. It’s aimed right at the hardcore. And boy, talk about déjà vu. Dubbed the Wii U Pro Controller, it looks very much like the Xbox 360 controller—not just in color, but also, in shape. There are shoulder buttons and what look to be…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 3, 2012 -
Hey, More (Awful) Halo 4 Gameplay Footage [Update]
So, there’s a very private Halo 4 beta going on right now. Some terrible footage leaked out a few days ago, and today, there’s some more for you to take a look at. On the plus side, this clip is almost watchable! In the first video, the users were so paranoid of Microsoft spotting their…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 1, 2012 -
Report: Microsoft’s ‘Smart Glass’ Will Let You Send Movies and Music from your iPhone to your Xbox
According to an Examiner report, a recent Microsoft presentation has indicated that the company will be releasing an application called “Smart Glass.” That report is backed up by Engadget, who say they saw a similar presentation. “Smart Glass” will allow AirPlay-style content sharing between mobile devices and Xbox 360s, including allowing tablets and phones to…
By Kirk Hamilton Published June 1, 2012 -
Did We Get What We Were Promised From Last Year’s E3?
The Big Three make a bunch of promises every year at E3, during the big press conferences they throw at the start of the week. In 90 minutes or two hours, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo show off their newest hardware and biggest games. We hear all kinds of guarantees: here’s a game coming this fall.…
By Kate Cox Published June 1, 2012 -
How to Keep Up with E3’s Biggest News Right Here on Kotaku
Electronic Entertainment Expo. E3. Say it with me. It’s going to be one hell of a week for us here at Kotaku, as we’ll be scrambling to cover every corner of the convention center bringing you news, impressions and possibly some silly pictures. I don’t know yet. It’s not E3 time yet, stop asking me…
By Tina Amini Published May 31, 2012 -
One Year Later, Did Microsoft Keep Their E3 2011 Promises?
For the fourth year in a row, we’re comparing E3 hype to gaming reality. On Tuesday, we looked at Sony. Yesterday, we investigated Nintendo. Today, we wrap up with a look at Microsoft’s E3 2011 promises. Last year, Microsoft may as well have called their press presentation the Kinect Hour. While the Xbox 360 itself…
By Kate Cox Published May 31, 2012 -
Xbox Bundle Includes 250GB Console, Forza 4, Terrible Wheel
Microsoft announced a new hardware budle yesterday that includes a 250GB Xbox 360, a copy of Forza 4 and one wireless racing wheel. Which you can use as, I don’t know, a doorstop or something. [Microsoft]
By Luke Plunkett Published May 30, 2012 -
New Satellite Will Begin the Kinect Space Program
A pair of satellites, both based on cheap, consumer electronics components, will be launched in the coming year, part of a project run by a British university and tech firm. One has parts from a Google Nexus phone, and will be launched later this year, but the second satellite is more up our alley. It’s…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 29, 2012