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eBay seller claims to be auctioning a Microsoft Xbox Durango development kit

A seller on eBay posted a listing for what they claim is a Microsoft Xbox Durango development kit today, with the current bid for the Alpha Tower at $15,000.
The tower, which is supposedly for the next-gen Xbox, was posted by eBay user SuperDae earlier this morning and listed additional items like a wireless controller and power supply. The auction includes only a single image of a non-descript tower, with no further details on its contents. The starting price for the tower was set to $1, and when contacted by The Tech Game, SuperDae said: "All proceeds go to charity. And by charity, I mean my new car." A Twitter user with the same handle tweeted images of what he claimed to be Kinect for the Durango over the weekend, although Microsoft did not officially confirm that they were legitimate.
According to Kotaku, SuperDae is policing the bids for the supposed Durango Alpha Tower, saying, "I only expect people who know what it is to buy it. Otherwise you have no reason to bid." We have contacted Microsoft for comment and will update this story when more information is available.

 

UPDATE: The Durango development kit was sold for $20,100. Earlier today the auction has six days to go, but the status of the auction switched to "sold" at 17:32 PDT after 43 bids had been placed

[Source: The Verge]

Microsoft hints at new Xbox launch within the next 18 months

At this point in time, it's a pretty sure bet that Microsoft won't be introducing any new Xbox hardware this year. After unveiling some software improvements at E3, the company is widely expected to launch a new dashboard update in October. However, Microsoft's next Xbox may arrive within the next 18 months, according to a recent job posting. "Over the next eighteen months Microsoft will release new versions of all of our most significant products including Windows (Client, Server, Phone and Azure), Office and Xbox," reads the job posting.

Microsoft hasn't officially announced that it's planning a new Xbox console, but the company was forced to issue a clarification this week after a Microsoft manager suggested that a "new Xbox" was part of a new wave of product updates arriving soon. Instead, Microsoft says the manager was referring to the upcoming dashboard update. A recent "Xbox 720" document leak revealed some old plans for a $299 console with Kinect 2 and a lot of references to a next-generation Xbox in 2013.

We reached out to Microsoft for comment and a spokesperson says the company is "continually thinking about the future of the platform and when we have something to share, we will."

[Source: The Verge]

OUYA's Kickstarter funding is complete: over $8.58 million raised, starts shipping in March (update: still going)

It's a wrap! Suffice it to say, it's a been a relatively short, yet astoundingly fruitful -- and initially record-breaking -- funding run for OUYA, the hackable, Android-based gaming console. With just 29 days to work with since being announced, the Yves Behar-designed system has raked in over $8.58 million thanks to just under 63,300 backers on Kickstarter as of its official 1AM ET funding deadline today. Those who opted for developer editions will be able to start tinkering with their own units around December, while the majority of backers should receive the console as early as March 2013. Missed the Kickstarter bandwagon? Don't fret, because OUYA plans to take pre-orders from the general public over the web soon, expecting those units to arrive at doorsteps near April.

The numbers are only part of the picture, of course. If you'll recall, OUYA swiftly acquired a slew of partnerships from companies like OnLive, Square Enix, XBMC, Vevo, and Robotoki -- and as if that wasn't enough, just yesterday Namco Bandai and Plex officially joined the content-providing party as well. What's more, we now know that each console will support up to four of those touchpad-equipped controllers for local multiplayer action. Even with all that, this story is far from over, as Joystiq points out that Julie Uhrman and company "promise" to have more updates before its official launch. Naturally, it still remains to be seen how OUYA's (literally) tiny, Tegra 3-powered footprint will fare against the big three in gaming, but we're cautiously optimistic.

So, while the final, mass-produced product is still months away, in the meantime you'll find a recap of all the highlights from OUYA in the nifty saga module below. You can also hit up our friends at Joystiq here for extra insight from the company about its successes so far.

Update: Despite the timer hitting zero, it appears that pledges are still being accepted past the 1AM deadline -- better be quick! We'll be sure to update the numbers again as soon pledging is officially halted.

[Source: Engadget]

OUYA partners with Square Enix- Final Fantasy III as launch title

We've been saying for a while now that a large deal of the success of Kickstarter blockbuster OUYA will hinge on the console's game selection. News just got a fair bit brighter on that front -- particularly for RPG fans. The company announced via its Kickstarter page (as per usual) that it has partnered with Square Enix. The first fruits of that burgeoning relationship will be Final Fantasy III, making the game a launch title for the console. The company is promising that the title will be "updated to exploit OUYA's high-definition resolution in glorious graphic detail" -- and, as is OUYA's M.O., players will be getting a free demo of the game. Oh, and for those keeping track, the product's Kickstarter page is currently at a mind-boggling $5,820,345 with eight days to go.

[Source: Engadget]

 

Wikipad specs get real

The Wikipad gaming tablet has been ticking off boxes on its way to becoming a real product, and after bedding down with Gaikai game streaming and settling in to a 10.1-inch form factor, the rest of the hardware is now set. The chunky handheld will brandish an IPS display with 1,280 x 800 resolution, NVIDIA Tegra 3 T30 quad-core 1.4GHz processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, at least 16GB storage and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Other notable items include 8-megapixel rear / 2-megapixel front cameras, six hours continuous gaming battery life and a 2D-only screen instead of the 3D originally touted -- at least, for the first model. The controller remains the same with a pair of triggers, bumpers, joysticks and start/select buttons, and will cover the slate's speakers and route sound out the front. The rest of the story is yet to come, namely exactly what that price will be and when you'll actually be able to pew-pew with it, but the company has promised to 'fess up soon. Meanwhile, though airy for a tablet at 560 grams (1.2 pounds), it's not exactly PS Vita or Nintendo 3DS XL territory -- but then a heavyweight contender could be exactly what handheld gaming needs.

[Source: Engadget]

Angry Birds comes to Samsung Smart TVs

We first caught wind of Angry Birds' impending arrival on Samsung Smart TVs earlier this month, and now the war against pigs is available as a free download on some of the company's silver screens. Thanks to a built-in camera and the firm's Smart Interaction tech, which typically help users navigate menus and browse the web, gamers can smash through swine defenses using gesture controls. In order to download the app from the Samsung Smart Hub, you'll need a television in the Plasma 8000 range or a 2012 LED 7500 or higher. If your TV's not as intelligent as Samsung would like, however, the avian protagonists can already stage their skirmishes on your tube with a Roku, and come this holiday season, they'll be soaring on the Xbox 360 and PS3.

[Source: Engadget]

New GioTeck Gaming Controllers

June 2012 Gioteck, the award-winning independent peripherals designer and manufacturer, has announced the release of the all new range of controllers for PS3TM.

 

VX-1:

 

Key features:
Available in wired and Bluetooth formats
Ergonomic styling with rubberised handles – designed for the utmost comfort for hours of ache-free gameplay, the VX-1 has a tactile silk finish and perfectly weighted handles 
Concave anti-slip rubber thumbstick grips – with adjustable sensitivity for a sharper aim and improved accuracy
Ergonomic triggers – quick-fire L2 & R2 triggers, designed so your fingers never slip
Directional pad – easy-access ergonomic directional pad to make those split-second decisions easier to manage

 

HC-1:
Key features:
Programmable buttons - programmable buttons guarantee a bespoke gaming experience and enhances the individual’s gaming experience to suit all types of play
Flip switch - unique flip switch, which instantly switches your L1/R1 with the L2/R2
ALPS thumbsticks – provide instant response and pinpoint accuracy
Offset rubber thumbsticks – offset rubber thumbsticks notched at 90° for ‘second nature’ directional accuracy familiar to Xbox 360® owners.
Concave anti-slip rubber thumbstick grips – concave anti-slip rubber thumbsticks with adjustable thumbstick sensitivity for a sharper aim & improved accuracy
Superior bumpers – new pressure point bumpers make your quick decisions easier to execute
Unique finish – the new tactile quality and unique patterned finish not only stands out, but, creates an exclusive feel that makes prolonged gaming easier
Contoured action buttons – positioned for optimal thumb rotation between the button cluster and right thumbstick
No USB dongle – connecting directly to your PS3™ via Bluetooth®, which means there’s no additional dongle taking up one of your USB ports
Turbo functionality – for user programmable Rapid Fire

 

GC-1:
Key features:
Ergonomically shaped – designed for the upmost in comfort for hours of ache-free gameplay
Concave anti-slip rubber thumbstick grips – concave anti-slip rubber thumbsticks with adjustable thumbstick sensitivity for a sharper aim and improved accuracy
Offset rubber thumbsticks – offset rubber thumbsticks notched at 90° for ‘second nature’ directional accuracy familiar to Xbox 360® owners
Contoured action buttons – positioned for optimal thumb rotation between the button cluster and right thumbstick
Dished directional pad – precision D-pad for quicker selection control and deadly accuracy
Flip switch – unique flip switch, which instantly switches your L1/R1 with the L2/R2
Variable resistors – using state-of-the-art Japanese variable resistors for optimal spring loaded feedback
Futureproof – upgradeable firmware via Gioteck software (requires a Windows operating system)
Turbo functionality – for user-programmable Rapid Fire
No USB dongle – connecting directly to your PS3™ via Bluetooth®, which means there’s no additional dongle taking up one of your USB ports

 

All controllers are available from Autumn/Winter 2012. For more information and to join the mailing list visit www.gioteck.com 

 

Make sure you join the Gioteck army and stay up-to-date on Twitter (@gioteckarmy) and Facebook. 

Sony PS Vita Launches at GAME Oxford Street

The 22nd February 2012 is finally here and GAME in Oxford Street, London held a special midnight launch event. Check out my full review of the Sony PS Vita by clicking here and check out the launch photos below.

Coke Zero Offering up 5x PS Vita before UK Release

I am so excited about the launch of the PS Vita, even more amazed that five lucky people have the chance to win one before they are readily available. Read this…

We know that the only thing that beats being the first to get your hands on a new games console is bragging to your friends about it. Coke Zero is going to make the improbable possible and not only give five lucky winners a brand new PlayStation VITA, but give them the best bragging video ever – a personalised congratulatory film featuring international supermodel Bar Refeali.

As well as getting your hands on the most anticipated console launch of 2012, the five winners will receive a personal tribute from international supermodel Bar Refaeli as an extra special reward. 

So how can you enter this once-in-a-lifetime competition? Watch this video, the click this link.

Samsung Galaxy Note - Check this out

Samsung Galaxy Note - Truly Smart [video].

I love the design of the Samsung devices and really hope I can bring you a review of this as soon as it becomes available.



What makes the Samsung Galaxy Note truly smart? Perhaps it's the enormous 5.3" screen and 8mp camera. Or maybe its Super HD Amoled crispness, ensuring you never miss a detail, not even a cats whisker. 

Or maybe it's the minimum scrolling and screen transition, which ensures minimum efficiency when switching between applications. It could also be the 1.4 Ghz Dual Core Processor powering the whole thing. Either way, put all these ingredients together and you have a smartphone like no other - The Samsung Galaxy Note. Truly smart.