JOEyGADGET » Microsoft

Jasper-equipped Xbox 360s arrive, manufacturing date, lot and team details revealed

Joe Hutsko — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:22:09 +0000

UPDATE 12-10-2008: Check out this story on Play.tm to see the new Jasper-equipped Xbox 360 and find out what to look for when seeking a Jasper Xbox 360 of your own.

According to the Xbox 360 DVD Drive Database, it appears Xbox 360s outfitted with the much-anticipated Jasper chipset have finally started showing up in stores and at online retailers.

The key things to look for when buying a new Xbox 360 with the Jasper chipset is a manufacturing date (MFR) as early as 2008-08-06, Lot 8031 and up, and Team CSON. (You may have to bribe your local GameSpot salesperson to poke his or her finger through the serial number window of 360 box to inspect the manufacturing date.)

For those unfamiliar with why Jasper’s such a big deal, the chipset features 65nm (nanometers) GPU and CPU chips that require less power and are expected to offer cooler, quieter operation – and consequently fewer RRoD (Red Ring of Death) failures.

Here’s a link so you can check out all of the details for yourself: Xbox 360 DVD Drive Database.

Consumption Study Takes Aim at Game Consoles – NYTimes.com – Green Inc.

Joe Hutsko — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:07:22 +0000

Consumption Study Takes Aim at Game Consoles – Green Inc. Blog – NYTimes.com
By JOE HUTSKO

In a new study about how much energy video game consoles consume, the Natural Resources Defense Council found that consoles in use today consume “an estimated 16 billion-kilowatt hours per year,” which, the report goes on to translate, is “roughly equal to the annual electricity use of the city of San Diego.”

Link to full story: Consumption Study Takes Aim at Game Consoles – Green Inc. Blog – NYTimes.com.

The New York Times: Downloading: That Other Way to Get a Video Game, by Joe Hutsko

Joe Hutsko — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:21:04 +0000

Downloading: That Other Way to Get a Video Game
By Joe Hutsko
Game downloading services have been around for years and are only just beginning to make a dent in sales of packaged game software.

MSNBC.com: Cool holiday tech – MP3 and media players, by Joe Hutsko

Joe Hutsko — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:03:51 +0000

Cool holiday tech: MP3 and media players
Give the gift of tapping in and tuning out with these music and video devices
By Joe Hutsko

Smart phones that top the holiday list, by Joe Hutsko

Joe Hutsko — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 03:42:16 +0000

Smart phones that top the holiday list
These phones will let you send text messages, email and listen to tunes
By Joe Hutsko

On MSNBC: High “wow” factor – Apple’s Leopard upgrade is feature-rich

Joe Hutsko — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:45:50 +0000

On MSNBC: Hi “wow” factor: Apple’s Leopard upgrade is feature-rich
By Joe Hutsko

Also: Five coolest Leopard features

On MSNBC: iRegret: Apple’s smartphone isn’t so smart

Joe Hutsko — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:15:35 +0000

iRegret: Apple’s smartphone isn’t so smart
No measurable improvements to this remarkably inventive device
By Joe Hutsko

Also: Five cool iPhone apps you can’t use

Halo 3 Tip: Playing on Easy difficultly unlocks only some Achievement points

Joe Hutsko — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:37:28 +0000

Easygoing Halo 3 types, take note: Those who plan to choose the Easy difficulty level when you jump in on Tuesday may want to reconsider, because many of the achievements unlock only when the game is played on the difficulty levels above Easy (i.e. Normal, Heroic, or Legendary). At the same time, let’s rectify incorrect information previously posted on some sites, which reported that playing on Easy difficulty prevents any achievements from unlocking. On my first run into the advance copy I received today I started on Easy, completed the first level, an sure enough, didn’t receive an achievement for doing so. However, I did receive the Used Car Salesman achievement, because, granted when after you’ve “Destroyed a vehicle that has three enemies in it in a ranked playlist or in campaign.” So while those who plan to take it Easy won’t go totally unrewarded, playing on at least Normal will unlock the level completes otherwise unattainable on Easy difficulty.

MSNBC: Take your gaming from good to great – Five cool console gadget combos

Joe Hutsko — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:33:56 +0000

On MSNBC.com: Take your gaming from good to great: Five cool console gadget combos
By Joe Hutsko

Amazon links to products described in story:

Xbox 360 Premium and Halo 360 with HDMI and analog/optical audio adapter options

Joe Hutsko — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:53:26 +0000

Owners of the newly revved Xbox 360 Premium with HDMI or the upcoming Halo3 edition may find their new baby lacking in the sound department because neither model comes with the same audio adapter bundled with the Xbox 360 Elite.While this may not matter to those who get their sound from the HDTV’s built in speakers, it will matter to owners with separate surround sound audio systems. The Elite’s audio adapter is a dongle with RCA and optical output ports.If you want that same kind of output option on your new 360 or Halo 3 console with HDMI, you have two options: Buy the $50 Xbox 360 HDMI AV Cable, or switch your HDTV’s audio setting from internal speakers to external output (providing yours has it; not all HDTVs do). Now the audio coming from the 360′s HDMI connection will get redirected to the audio output ports and connected surround sound speakers.