Xbox 360 Gets Parental Controls: “That is SO unfair!” November 8, 2007
READ MORE Consoles , Entertainment , Gadgets , Games , Gizmodo UK , Xbox
Microsoft is siding with Mummy and Daddy this week kids by announcing the Xbox 360 Family Timer.
This parental control feature is designed to stop kids from rotting their precious little minds by playing the 360 all day when what they should really be doing is rotting their brains on Bebo and MyFarce talking to 40-year old trench-coat perverts disguised as 12-year old girls from Windsor.
The control allows parents to set just how long little Johnny can play the Xbox 360 on a daily or weekly basis, reminding them at set intervals just how long they have left. It will be available as a download from Xbox LIVE in December. According to Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft:
“As the father of three school-aged children, I know how hard it is to keep tabs on the time they spend watching TV or playing video games. I want my kids to have fun, but also know the importance of placing limits on the type of activities and the amount time they spend sitting in front of a screen.
My kids actually don’t have access to any screens during the week – we save that for weekends only. It’s very important to me and my wife – and I think to all parents – that their kids get up off the couch and move! Play basketball, go play outside with their friends, entertain themselves in diverse ways.”
Kevin and Perry would not be impressed.-Martin Lynch
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Chipping A PS2 Just Got Really Easy November 8, 2007
READ MORE Consoles , Gadgets , Games , Gizmodo UK , Peripherals , Portable Media
Chipping a PS2 is not something just anyone can undertake and Sony, to say the least, is not a fan of the practice.
The biggest turn-off is that you will void your warranty. That said, most PS2 warranties are probably up by now and it’s not as if a new PS2 costs all that much these days. Chipping has a number of advantages for console owners including being able to play games from around the world, games burned onto CDs, backing up games onto a PC etc. etc.
Still, the process used to require a soldering iron and nerves of steel. Now, thanks to Mr. Modchips, the new Memor 32 memory card comes with a modchip in-built. Just slot in this 32MB memory card and your PS2 is chipped without ever having to pop the lid. It claims compatibility with over 1,500 games.
It even has an in-built USB connector for swapping stuff with your PC. Yours for £33.50 when it launches next week.-Martin Lynch
Gears Of War Comes To The PC November 8, 2007
READ MORE Entertainment , Games , Gizmodo UK , PC , Xbox
Gears of War, which took the Xbox 360 gaming market by storm, is hoping to emulate some of that success on the PC.
A tweaked version of the game is being launched on Friday for Windows XP and Vista machines, containing five new missions and your chance to head-to-head with the 40-foot tall Brumak [above]. Still, the launch comes a full year after the 360 launch and begs the question whether or not Microsoft has ignored PC gamers too long on this one?
The console version has already shipped four million copies and was named the UK’s favourite game recently.
The PC version comes with higher resolutions, new multiplayer maps and achievements. It will be priced at £40 but, before you spend all that cash, early reports suggest that you will need a speedy PC with a chunky graphics card to get the most out of this game.-Martin Lynch
Radiohead Moans Its Way Onto USB November 8, 2007
READ MORE Digital Audio , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , MP3 , Music , Online , Peripherals
Radiohead stuck two fingers up to the record industry recently with its 'pay-what-you-like' album launch, and now EMI wants a slice of digital Radiohead by releasing a special USB stick containing all of the band’s back catalogue.
I know there have been others launching albums on USB, but this one will be crammed with tunes recorded at a top notch 320Kbps. The albums on the stick are, as follows: Pablo Honey (1993), The Bends (1995), OK Computer (1997), Kid A (2000), Amnesiac (2001), I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings (2001) and Hail To The Thief (2003). The blurb goes:
Strictly limited edition 4Gb USB stick, shaped in Radiohead's iconic "bear" image and housed in a bespoke deluxe box. Contains all seven Parlophone albums (including one live album) available as CD quality WAV audio files. Also contains digital artwork for each album.
Don’t expect to be allowed to name your own price on this one though. £80 to the faithful.-Martin Lynch
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