Who says playing videogames has to be an anti-social activity? Microsoft just added new functionality to its Xbox Live online gaming/entertainment service, and the tweaks include access to two of the hottest social networks, Facebook and Twitter.
Now you can trash-talk on social media via your Xbox 360, although not while you're actually playing a game. Then again, for those who have microphones and headsets, why would you need to type out a tweet or status update? However, the new social media functionality does clue you in to other Xbox Live players who are on Facebook and Twitter, so you have another way to invite people to join you in multiplayer online gaming.
Microsoft didn't stop there, however: it also added Last.fm, the customizable web radio service to the Xbox Live music category, and Zune HD videos to the Video category. And the dashboard now takes on a cool blue background.
The catch? Only Xbox Live Gold members can take advantage of these new services (Gold membership costs $4.99/month). But for the weekend of Nov. 20-22, Silver members get a free preview, Microsoft obviously hopes there will be lots of member upgrades going on after the sneak peek.
"Modern Warfare 2" review
Xbox Live was buzzing on the first day of release for "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2," the latest hot-selling videogame title to grab mainstream media headlines. The game's publisher, Activision, says "MW2" broke records on the online services for total players on the first day and the total number of hours spent fragging opponents.
Activision also claims the game is now the best-selling entertainment launch of all time, besting not only other gaming titles like "Grand Theft Auto IV" and "Halo 3" but the opening-day box office for movies like "The Dark Knight" and first-day sales for the last Harry Potter novel.
There's a good reason for those shattered records, says our Resident Gaming Addict, Tracy Gorgas; the game actually lives up to the hype. Tracy says it's an action-packed game but all that movement doesn't cause any slowdown in the great-looking graphics. And it has a great storyline that pulls you through the cut-scenes. Superb voice acting also helps, as does the actual gameplay mechanics; they're easy to pick up, with the game's first two levels serving as tutorials of sorts.
Tracy gives "MW2" five stars out of five, but also warns gamers (and parents of gamers) that there's a good reason for the "M" rating, given the violence and language.
Palm Pixi smartphone
I'm beginning to like what I'm seeing in the rapidly-growing $99 smartphone market. Last week we talked about the Droid Eris from Verizon, smaller and cheaper than the $199 Motorola Droid. This week, it's the Palm Pixi, the smaller-yet-sleeker little brother of summer's hot-selling Palm Pre (both from Sprint.)
The Pixi doesn't have the processing speed and the screen size of the Pre, but I actually enjoyed the keyboard on the Pixi, even though it's tiny size might scare some consumers away. The raised keys seem to help with responsiveness.
Like the Pre, the Pixi uses the new Palm webOS operating system, which is gesture-based and allows for several apps and features to be open on the same screen. The touchscreen also allows you to pinch and zoom to magnify images, which those with older eyes might be doing a lot, since as I mentioned, it's a small screen.
The Palm applications store is still in beta, so don't look for an Apple-style selection. But the Pixi has location service for use with the Google Maps feature. Alas, no WiFi available here.
At $99, the Pixi might be a good starter phone for those who like Sprint's network and can't quite afford a fully-loaded iPhone just yet. But be sure to compare prices; some sites like Amazon and Walmart are offering major discounts for Pixis and Pres with Sprint contracts. Shop around and see if you can find a price that's as cute as the Pixi's name.
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