Monthly Archives: November 2008
Review: New Xbox Experience (aka the Xbox 360 Dashboard Update)
The main dashboard on the NXE
So the new Xbox 360 Dashboard Update (aka NXE for New Xbox Experience) has been out now for about a week, and I got mine the night it came out and have been using it for the past couple days more frequently (I had some tests I needed to study for before, which is why this review is coming a little late š ).
Anyways, what are my thoughts? Is this better or worse than the old Xbox 360 “blade” dashboard? Read on for the answer.Ā Read the rest of this entry
Dell Mini 12 Netbook to Ship in December
The Dell Mini 12
So we all know about Black Friday and the deals (see our previous post here), but what about the new netbook from Dell — the Dell Inspiron Mini 12. Will it come out in time for Black Friday?
The answer isĀ No. The Dell Mini 12 will be coming outĀ on December 8th (though you can order it from Dell’s site now). Read the rest of this entry
Black Friday Deals Highlights
There’s a reason all these people lined up last year (Pic from ABC News)
For those who don’t know, Black Friday* is the day after Thanksgiving — the first day of the holiday shopping season —Ā and stores put out deals with HUGE SAVINGS on EVERYTHING, including electronics.
So if you want/need something new and value your wallet, READ ON!
*alludes to companies profits rising from “red” to “black” from its large volume of sales, though its less likely due to the current economic turmoil
Blackberry Storm Out Now for Verizon!
Those of you on Verizon waiting for the first ever touchscreen Blackberry Storm to come and challenge the touchscreen champ – the Apple iPhone 3G – finally have your day.
Yup, Verizon has finally let this one out for $199 on a 2 year contract and special Blackberry plan (similar to the deal for the 8 GB iPhone 3G). On a smaller note, the Storm includes an 8 GB microSD card in the box.
The early reviews of this phone aren’t 100% positive (see Cnet.com’s here which also has a video review). The “clickable” touchscreen is supposedly something that demands a real learning curve, but we’re curious to hear what you think from those who do get the Storm.
For a full recap of the Storm’s features see our previous post here.
What you waiting for! Go run down to your local Verizon store and pick one up if you’re so inclined (and we mean run because the rumor is supplies are very limited).
Also let us know in the comments what you think of this phone- is it worth the money, are you better off going for a LG Dare, Motorola Krave or LG Voyager or another Verizon phone altogether?
Xbox 360 Dashboard Update Out NOW
The new Xbox 360 Dashboard Update
Tired of that old, blade Xbox 360 interface and looking to change it up to something a little cooler like a nice flip interface?
Go connect your Xbox to Xbox Live and start your mandatory (yes, Microsoft is making you do this) update to that sweet new interface and all the goods that come with it– avatars (similar to the Mii’s on the Wii), game loading off the Hard Drive, and of course that great new interface. For a full recap of the features, see here.
I’m downloading mine now, and will post a review on it soon.
What are you waiting for? Go download this new update and let us know what you think of it in the comments.
Metal Gear Expansion Pack
You heard that right. Metal Gear OnlineĀ is getting another expansion pack called “MEME”.
The 2nd expansion pack (the first was “GENE”) allows you to have two more playable characters: the evil Liquid Ocelot, and Mei Ling. Having Liquid on your side will give you some perks too. You will be able to mess around with your friend’s lock system and deactivate their weapons to crush them.
The MEME expansion also includes three new maps: Silo Sunset, Forest Firefight and Winter Warehouse (you know, just in case you got bored ; ) ).
Now if you don’t want to shell out the $10 (like me) you will still get new online rules. One of these rules (which i certainly won’t be playing with) is the no headshot setting which means if you are playing with a rookie, then every time you get an easy headshot on the poor bloke, he won’t die from that one headshot.
You will be able to get both GENE and MEME packs for $15 or individually at $10 from the Playstation Store on November 25th.
Info from Ps3Fanboy.com, pix from Cnet.com
Hands-On Review: HTC Fuze for AT&T
The all-new HTC Fuze for AT&T
This past week I was looking for a new phone for AT&T (my other phone finally died), and wanted WiFi, touchscreen and a full keyboard. Just my luck, AT&T finally decided to release the HTC Fuze this past Tuesday, and I, naturally, went right in the next day and picked one up. My thoughts? Should you get this as your next AT&T phone? Read on!
Blackberry Storm Pricing and Release Date Announced!
Waiting for the all new touchscreen Blackberry Storm to finally launch for Verizon?
Guess what? Starting November 21st (next Friday), you can get yourselves some touchscreen Blackberry goodness.
Oh, and the price is a not-too-bad $199 with 2 year contract, AND includes an 8 GB memory card in the box! The price is after a $50 mail-in-rebate (make sure to bring more than $250 to the store), and you will also need a special business/email plan which we assume will be similar to that for the iPhone.
For all the info on the Blackberry Storm, see our posts here.
You got your date and the price for this hotly anticipated phone, so we gotta ask: are you gonna spring for this next Friday, maybe go for a different Verizon phone like the LG Dare, or are you gonna leave Verizon entirely and go for a iPhone 3G for AT&T, Samsung Instinct for Sprint or a T-Mobile G1 for, well, T-Mobile? Let us know in the comments.
Info from Engadget.com
Best Buy’s Exclusive HP Laptop
If you were thinking about getting the new MacBook for the holidays you might want to hold up on that purchase. Best Buy and HP teamed up to make a 13.3″ inch laptop that couldĀ change your mind.
Meet the HP Pavilion dv3510nr:
- Standard with 4 GB of RAM + Expandable to 8 GB– the MacBook comes standard with only 2 GB. That means faster and more efficient; with the 8 GB we’re talking faster-than-Jose-Reyes computer speed š .
- 320GB hard drive— for all your music. If you want to get that on your Mac, you’ll have to pay an extra $200.
- Fingerprint reader
- Backlit keyboard
- Webcam– talk to all your friends on Skype.
- Three USB ports
- Just under 5 pounds–a weight you’ll be very grateful for when lugging it from class to class. Although the MacBook is a little lighter, it isn’t significant enough for you to feel the difference.
- 2 Year Warranty– good if you are a litte klutzy :Ā ); the MacBook’s warranty is a measly 1 year.
The best part? The HP Pavilion dv3510nr is available forĀ $1,099 vs. the MacBook’s $1,299, which means more money in your wallet.
So, are you going to go for the expensive MacBook or maybe consider the cheaper HP Pavillion? You can get the HP Pavilion dv3510nr at Best Buy.
Best Buy's Exclusive HP Laptop
If you were thinking about getting the new MacBook for the holidays you might want to hold up on that purchase. Best Buy and HP teamed up to make a 13.3″ inch laptop that couldĀ change your mind.
Meet the HP Pavilion dv3510nr:
- Standard with 4 GB of RAM + Expandable to 8 GB– the MacBook comes standard with only 2 GB. That means faster and more efficient; with the 8 GB we’re talking faster-than-Jose-Reyes computer speed š .
- 320GB hard drive— for all your music. If you want to get that on your Mac, you’ll have to pay an extra $200.
- Fingerprint reader
- Backlit keyboard
- Webcam– talk to all your friends on Skype.
- Three USB ports
- Just under 5 pounds–a weight you’ll be very grateful for when lugging it from class to class. Although the MacBook is a little lighter, it isn’t significant enough for you to feel the difference.
- 2 Year Warranty– good if you are a litte klutzy :Ā ); the MacBook’s warranty is a measly 1 year.
The best part? The HP Pavilion dv3510nr is available forĀ $1,099 vs. the MacBook’s $1,299, which means more money in your wallet.
So, are you going to go for the expensive MacBook or maybe consider the cheaper HP Pavillion? You can get the HP Pavilion dv3510nr at Best Buy.
