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Microsoft on Wednesday unveiled a revamped Xbox gaming console that includes streaming HD movies from Netflix, a revamped dashboard, and movie and game purchases via Xbox.com.

The upgrade, dubbed the New Xbox Experience (NXE), is available to members via Xbox Live.

“The next time you turn on your Xbox 360, the way you enjoy entertainment in your home will be changed forever,” Marc Whitten, general manager of Xbox Live at Microsoft, wrote in a Wednesday blog post. “The New Xbox Experience will not only be easier to use from the very beginning, but it will give you new ways to connect with your friends and family and offer up more entertainment choices than any other device connected to the TV.”

The Netflix offering will be open to Xbox Live Gold members who also subscribe to Netflix. Users will have access to approximately 10,000 movies and TV shows, including 300 HD selections.

What else is included?

Netflix streaming might not be as extensive as previously thought, however. Sony, which produces the PlayStation 3, is reportedly blocking Xbox users’ access to movies produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Users can still watch these films via the Netflix Web site, but a licensing agreement with Sony for Xbox purposes has yet to be hammered out, according to 1UP.com.

The updated Xbox Live Marketplace will let users browse and buy content from Xbox.com and download it automatically to the console. Users will also be allowed to copy their games and play directly from the hard drive, resulting in faster load times.

Microsoft will also build the dashboard into the Xbox guide. The tabbed interfaces known as “blades” will now include every feature and option, including access to the full games library at any time.

On the social networking front, the Netflix partnership will also enable users to watch movies together through the Live Party System.

Get the rest of this story and view a slideshow of NXE on pcmag.com.

Original post by Chloe Albanesius

Feeling the pains of your monthly utilities a bit more in these troubled economic times? You might want to think about switching off your gaming system every so often. According to a new study issued by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Americans are taking a huge energy hit from consoles that are left on while not in use.

“If you leave your Xbox 360 or Sony Play Station 3 on all the time, you can cut your electric bill by as much as $100 a year simply by turning it off when you are finished playing,” said NRDC’s Noah Horowitz. “With so many struggling in today’s economy-it’s important to realize there are simple steps gamers can take to lower their energy costs. And if manufacturers make future systems more energy efficient, they’ll be doing the right thing for consumers’ pockets, for our clean energy future, and for the environment.”

According to the organization, power saving features implemented by the big three–Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft–could save consumers some $1 billion a year, reducing greenhouse pollution by a rate equivalent to the yearly output of all the cars in San Jose, California.

Original post by Brian Heater

If you are, ever have been, or even know any cheerleaders, you know that cheerleaders eat, sleep and breathe anything cheer-related. I was the captain of my high school cheer squad for two years, and I jumped (no pun intended) at the chance to try out THQ’s All Star Cheer Squad for Wii. Along with Nicole Price Fasig, another PC Mag ex-cheerleader, we went back to the days of “Bring it On” and totally had a cheer-off.

More about All Star Cheer Squad and a cheer-tastic video, after the jump.

All Star Cheer Squad follows a year in the life of a cheerleader hoping to make the squad and eventually become the squad’s captain. The player can participate in practice, learn new cheers, and create his or her own routines. Like Dance Dance Revolution, you have to complete the moves as the arrows scroll over the target.

Just as playing Guitar Hero is in no way similar to playing a real guitar, All Star Cheer Squad is very different from actual cheering. The biggest problem we encountered was that the cable between the Wii controller and the Nunchuk, was too short, making it very difficult to complete the moves. The Wii Balance Board can also be used to get the player’s entire body involved.

Oh, and the game’s chief consultant is world-renowned cheerleading choreographer Tony G from “Bring it On.” That will excite any cheer fan. Make sure to keep an eye out for Nicole Price Fasig’s detailed review of All Star Cheer Squad on PCMag.com.

Original post by Jennifer Bergen

A week after it announced 155 store closures in the U.S., Circuit City on Monday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The electronics retailer “plans to continue operating the business without interruption,” according to a statement.

On Nov. 3, Circuit City said it would shut down 155 stores in 28 states, and reduce its workforce by 17 percent.

The company said Monday that it also laid off an additional 700 people at its corporate headquarters for a total workforce reduction of 20 percent.

The move comes amidst concern from Circuit City vendors about its financial situation.

“Despite aggressive efforts to secure vendor support, vendor concerns about the company’s liquidity and ability to pay for its purchases in this difficult economic climate have escalated considerably since” the company announced plans to shut down some of its stores, according to Circuit City.

No additional store closings were announced, but the company said it reserves the right to “review additional cost-cutting initiatives.”

“We understand how difficult the recent announcements have been on everyone at the company, and we recognize the changes personally affect many people,” James A. Marcum, vice chairman and acting president and CEO of Circuit City Stores, Inc., said in a statement. “In the meantime, our stores remain fully operational, and our associates are focused on consistent and successful execution this holiday season and beyond.”

Circuit City lists its total assets at $3.4 billion and its total debts at $2.3 billion.

In April, Blockbuster announced that it offered to acquire Circuit City Stores for $1.3 billion, but Circuit City declined the offer.

Original post by Chloe Albanesius

The economic downturn has taken its toll on Circuit City. The electronics retailer announced Monday that it will shut down 155 stores in 28 states starting Tuesday, a move that will see a 17-percent reduction its workforce.

“The company expects that impacted stores will not open on Tuesday, November 4, and the store closing sales will begin on Wednesday, November 5,” according to a statement. “The company expects the sales to be completed no later than calendar year end.”

California will see the largest number of store closures, with 24 in cities like Compton, Palo Alto, and Santa Barbara, according to a list released by Circuit City. The company will continue to operate 76 stores in the state.

Georgia will lose 19 Circuit City stores, including four in the Atlanta area. Illinois and Arizona meanwhile, will lose 14 and 13 stores, respectively.

Circuit City currently has a presence in 45 states. After the store closures, California will continue to have the largest number of Circuit Stores, followed by Texas with 55 and Florida with 49.

Texas will lose nine stores in the closures, while Florida will lose seven. Stores that closed had “lower net sales, a lower close rate and a lower gross profit margin rate. [They were] also unprofitable when marketing expenses were allocated to the individual store-level results.”

Meanwhile, the company will not open 10 new stores that had been planned for 2009, and will try to renegotiate the leases on existing stores. “We deeply regret the impact today’s announcement will have on our associates, our guests and the communities where these stores are located,” according to the company.

The company cited several reasons for the store closures, though the recent financial crisis has had the biggest impact.

“Since late September, unprecedented events have occurred in the financial and consumer markets causing macroeconomic trends to worsen sharply,” James A. Marcum, vice chairman and acting president and chief executive officer of Circuit City Stores, said in a statement. “The weakened environment has resulted in a slowdown of consumer spending, further impacting our business as well as the business of our vendors. The combination of these trends has strained severely our working capital and liquidity, and so we are making a number of difficult, but necessary, decisions to address the company’s financial situation as quickly as possible.”

The economic turmoil has prompted several of Circuit City’s vendors to tighten their belts as well.

“Certain of the company’s vendors have set more restrictive payment terms than in previous quarters, including in some cases requiring payment before shipment,” according to a statement. “Vendors also have limited the credit available to the company for purchases, including in some cases not providing customary increases in credit lines for holiday purchases.”

As a result, “the current mix of terms and credit availability is becoming unmanageable for the company.”

Meanwhile, Circuit City claims it has been unable to collect an $80 million income tax refund the company believes it is owed.

In April, Blockbuster announced that it offered to acquire Circuit City Stores for $1.3 billion, but Circuit City declined the offer.

Original post by Chloe Albanesius

Those hoping to get their hands on the latest version of the Nintendo DS before the holidays will have to keep holding their collective breath–unless they′re visiting Japan. Nintendo today told Reuters that the DSi will probably launch in the States by next summer.

The DSi which is slimmer than the current DS Lite and adds a camera and music-playing capabilities, will go on sale in Japan this Saturday for 18,900 yen ($192). Nintendo has shipped 200,000 units for weekend sales, with an additional 100,000 shipping at the top of next week.

Original post by Brian Heater

I’ve always had trouble grasping the purpose of action figures based on video games, but heck, I’m not one to judge. However, the purpose of creating action figures based on a video game based on a real-life marketable skill set adds a whole new level of confusion. That said, I can′t say I’m really surprised to find out that McFarlane Toys has seen fit to capitalize on the massive success of the Guitar Hero video game series.

Just in time for World Tour, the third installment of Guitar Hero, McFarlane is issuing the first series of action figures based on the game. It features characters Lars Ümlaut, God of Rock; Johnny Napalm and Axel Steel–the latter (pictured left) wears a Spawn shirt, a nod to the most popular creation of McFarlane Toys founder, Todd McFarlane.

The 6-inch toys retail for $10 to $13 and will be available at Toy ‘R’ Us stores next month.

So, what’s the next logical step? Might I suggest a Lego Star Wars-style game based on the figures based on the game based on the real-life marketable skill set? Think about the tie-ins!

Original post by Brian Heater

Harmonix and Electronic Arts today announced the release dates for the PlayStation 2, Ṕ, and Wii versions of Rock Band 2.

Both PlayStation versions of the upcoming sequel to the popular music game will arrive on October 19th. The Nintendo Wii version of the game will arrive a few months later, in December. The new Xbox 360 game pack, Rock Band 2 Special Edition Bundle, meanwhile, will arrive in stores the same day as the PlayStation version of the game.

The PS3 software will run $59.99. Both the Wii and PS2 versions will be available for $49.99. The aforementioned Xbox 360 bundle carries a $189.99 price tag.

Original post by Brian Heater

Racing games can be a lot of fun, but my immersion into the experience is diminished greatly when I use a gamepad for the steering. This isn′t even close to way you drive a real car. And although plenty of controller options with many racing wheels are available, each has its own set of drawbacks: Those that merely sit on your lap aren′t precise enough, and the ones that are clamped to a table or a desk are hard to set up; with consoles, you typically have to redesign your living room. Maybe the RennSport Wheel Stand is the answer.

Compatible with all Fanatec racing wheels, as well as with the Logitech G25 and Driving Force series controllers and the Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, this stand supports the wheel while anchoring the pedals to the floor. It offers gamers an adjustable wheel angle, height, and pedal position and even has a shifter mount for Fanatec Porsche wheels. If that’s not enough to get you into your racing game, you can add an accessory race-seat kit that turns this stand into a full racing cockpit.

For now we recommend going with the basic stand, which will be available at the end of the month for $129.95. Racers, start your engines…

Post by Peter Suciu

Original post by Gearlog

Fellow PCMag.com Network site 1Up’s Philip Kollar did the work for all of us: He’s parsed all the info that’s been disseminated so far on the anticipated next version of Nintendo’s beloved handheld gaming console, the DSi, and pulled all the pertinent stuff together.

Such as this: Yes, we′ve all heard the DSi will feature a camera. But did you know it’ll actually have two? And why?

And how about backward compatibility? Which games will you have to give up with the new console?

Get your answers and lots more at 1Up.com.

Original post by Carol Mangis

The Associated Press today confirmed that Nintendo will in fact be releasing a new version of its DS portable gaming system. Set to go on sale in Japan on November 1st, the DSi will retail for 8,900 yen ($180), and will feature, among other things, a built-in digital camera.

According to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, the feature is meant to be “the first camera for children.” The camera will let users mix images, draw on photos, and create new faces.

The DSi is also is also thinner and will feature a larger screen than its predecessor, the DS Lite. As speculated, the latest rev of the portable gaming music will also feature a built-in music player.

The DSi will be available outside of Japan sometime next year.

Original post by Brian Heater

According to Nikkei Net, Nintendo is working on another rev of the popular DS. Due later this year, the newest version of the popular portable gaming platform will be multimedia, incorporating a camera and music. The console will also feature improved wireless capability.

Pictures taken with the DS’s camera “can be used by games, opening up new gameplay options,” according to Kotaku.

The rumored console will be release in Japan first, and will arrive overseas once it has sold “several hundred thousand units.”

Original post by Brian Heater

Microsoft seems to have figured out a game plan that works: Drop your prices, and more people will buy your product. After a price drop to $199 last week, the Xbox 360 has doubled in sales.

The company also happily pointed out that “retailers are reporting that between Friday, Sept. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 7, some Xbox 360 models were selling at six times the rate they were the weekend prior.”

Not a terrible way to begin the push into the holiday season.

Original post by Brian Heater

Between Wiimotes and rumble packs, one thing seems for certain: players are looking at any option possible to get more into their games. A team of Japanese researchers are looking at the next step in immersive gaming, and it just may be ultrasound. The technology adds a sense of tactile feedback to games, without the use of gloves of other devices.

And, of course, they’re looking to commercialize on it as soon as humanly possible.

Takayuki Iwamoto and other University of Tokyo researchers have discovered that the technology can be used to create focal points that are perceived as solid objects. According to the BBC,

The team’s prototype system includes a camera which tracks the position of a user’s hand and shifts the output from the transducers to move the focus around with the hand. The result is a feeling of tracing the edge or surface of the virtual object. At the moment, the system provides a small force only in the vertical dimension, but the team is improving the geometry of the array and the amount of power it can produce so that future devices will provide a stiffer feel and more contoured objects.

The researchers are attempting to harness the technology without risking the potential ear damage that comes with it.

Original post by Brian Heater

I’d say it was just a matter of time, but in all honesty, I didn’t really see this one coming. Combining the popular phenomena of Guitar Hero and, well, Jesus, a new game has appeared for Mac and PC play: Guitar Praise. It takes the basic premise behind Guitar Hero and Rock Band–”playing an instrument in a band without actually knowing how–and applies Christian music to the mix, for the perfect storm of worship and organized rocking the heck out.

Says the Guitar Praise site

Grab the guitar and play along with top Christian bands! Shred those riffs or blast the bass…you add a unique sound to the solid Christian rock. But watch out: if you can′t keep up, the artists will take a break and stop the music

Hmm… Copyright infringement isn’t one of the deadly sins, is it?

The game will available soon, for $99.95. Additional axes will run you $69.95 a piece. As the site succinctly puts it, “You’ll soon be rockin’ with the best while praising the Lord!”

Original post by Brian Heater