A conversation with Microsoft’s Marc Whitten on SmartGlass and the quest for a better living room

Posted on 07/06/2012 by Tim Stevens

Xbox SmartGlass: did Microsoft just render the Wii U controller obsolete?

Microsoft's Marc Whitten: SmartGlass is the 'enabling technology' of IE on Xbox 360

What good is a surprise if you already saw it coming? When I mention to Microsoft's Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox Live and the man who has shepherded SmartGlass to its debut, that we kind-of-sort-of knew that his baby was set to be announced at E3 before the company got a chance to do so, he lets out a frustrated laugh. "Yeah..."

He'd hoped the unveiling at the company's pre-show keynote would be the first time we, and everyone else in the industry, got eyes on the fruit of his and his team's labors. But, when I tell him we were still genuinely surprised at the scope of SmartGlass, and genuinely impressed at the potential, he seems genuinely pleased and reminds us that what we've seen is "all just the beginning." Join us after the break for an exploration of what comes next for Microsoft SmartGlass.

Continue reading A conversation with Microsoft's Marc Whitten on SmartGlass and the quest for a better living room

A conversation with Microsoft's Marc Whitten on SmartGlass and the quest for a better living room originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Snakebyte tablet gaming controller for Android and iOS hands-on

Posted on 07/06/2012 by Billy Steele

If you're a mobile / tablet gaming enthusiast, you may get tired of swiping your fingers across the Retina display or using the on-screen controls. Snakebyte is looking to lend a hand with its upcoming game controller for Android slates and the iPad, so we went hands-on here at E3. The accessory plays nice with tablet PCs running Gingerbread or Ice Cream Sandwich and Apple's portable device outfitted with any iCade-compatible apps. Dressed in a soft-touch coating, the peripheral feels great in the hand and the base is much like a PS3 controller. The unit connects via Bluetooth and pairing it with your mobile gaming device of choice is a breeze. When performing said set-up, you can select from five different modes to suit your needs including gamepad / controller, keyboard and mouse, solo keyboard, solo mouse and iCade mode (iOS-only). You'll always know which setting you've chosen thanks to an LED indicator on the front side of the kit. Touting eight hours of battery life, the gaming accessory charges via USB and will include a simple stand for your slate. Interested? You'll be able to snag one for $40 at the end of July. For now, though, take a peek at the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Snakebyte tablet gaming controller hands-on

Snakebyte tablet gaming controller for Android and iOS hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller hands-on (video)

Posted on 07/06/2012 by Joe Pollicino

Although we managed to get our mitts on the Wii U and updated GamePad here at E3 following Nintendo's keynote, the recently unveiled Pro Controller turned out to be harder to find. We were thankfully able to visit the company's ~~amusement park~~ massive booth on the show floor where we discovered the wireless peripheral, along with a GamePad, tethered to a demo of the upcoming title, Rayman Legends. Join us past the break for our initial impressions in text and on camera.

Gallery: Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller hands-on

Continue reading Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller hands-on (video)

Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 03:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Microsoft’s Marc Whitten: SmartGlass is the ‘enabling technology’ of IE on Xbox 360

Posted on 06/06/2012 by Tim Stevens

We just had an opportunity to sit and chat with Microsoft's Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox Live, about the history and future of Microsoft's SmartGlass. It's one of the highlights of the show for us and so we were curious about its origin. Namely: was SmartGlass created to allow easy text entry into the upcoming Xbox 360 version of Internet Explorer?

It's the opposite, says Marc. Microsoft has toyed with ways to bring IE to the Xbox for years now but always shelved the project due to control issues. It was only when they came up with the idea of SmartGlass 12 months ago -- being able to connect your phone or tablet to your Xbox and use it as a controller, among other things -- that a browser on an Xbox started to make sense. Great controls, he said, were the key to building the "great web experience" they were looking for.

Microsoft's Marc Whitten: SmartGlass is the 'enabling technology' of IE on Xbox 360 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Visualized: what your screen looks like after 22 straight hours of Fruit Ninja

Posted on 06/06/2012 by Brian Heater

Twenty-two and a half hours, actually. Qualcomm's gaming marathon is nearing its end right now. Thirty-two gamers set out to break the Guinness world record for the "longest video game marathon on a tablet" at 2:30PM PT yesterday -- when we popped in this afternoon, 26 were still standing (well, sitting), a couple having fallen to that human weakness that is sleep. Those Galaxy Tabs that were still in use, however, had certainly seen better days. More photos of the event, which caps off at 4:30PM PT today, in the gallery below. All of these overtired gamers are competing for a grand prize of $20,000 -- more than enough to buy a nice new screen shammy.

Gallery: Visualized: what your screen looks like after 22 hours of Fruit Ninja

Visualized: what your screen looks like after 22 straight hours of Fruit Ninja originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

Qualcomm | Email this | Comments

NBA Baller Beats adds a real basketball to your Kinect arsenal, we attempt to go hands-on (video)

Posted on 06/06/2012 by Billy Steele

Forget what your mum told you. Soon, you'll be bouncing a real basketball in your living room in order to strengthen your ball handling skills via your Xbox 360's Kinect. Majesco has developed NBA Baller Beats, a gaming title that will ship with the requisite ball so that you don't have to go searching out in the garage to get started. Don't get too excited, though -- the package won't include any sort of hardwood court-esque add-on for the feel of taking Kobe to the hole at the Staples Center. However, the soundtrack that drives your dribbles and cross-overs (and determines level of difficulty) should be just enough to embarrass you at some point. Think about this way: it's like Guitar Hero for sports fans. Well, we won't stall any longer. Head on past the break to catch a glimpse of a tech editor's best shot at a quick demo of the software here at E3 2012.

Continue reading NBA Baller Beats adds a real basketball to your Kinect arsenal, we attempt to go hands-on (video)

NBA Baller Beats adds a real basketball to your Kinect arsenal, we attempt to go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

ROCCAT’s Lua and Kone XTD gaming mice shown off at E3, we go hands-on

Posted on 06/06/2012 by Billy Steele

Before the craziness commenced here in Los Angeles, ROCCAT got its E3 party started with announcements concerning two gaming mice. The outfit unveiled the three-button Lua and the more high-end Kone XTD to suit gamers who prefer a truckload of programmable options and those who fancy a much simpler set-up. We grabbed some hands-on time with the pair on the show floor to see just how the two stacked up. We were particularly impressed with how both felt in the hand and how comfortable they were to use for all our gaming-related movements during the mini session. For a close look at both the Lua and the Kone XTD, stop by the gallery below or head on past the break for a few thoughts on the gaming peripherals.

Gallery: ROCCAT Lua and Kone XTD hands-on

Continue reading ROCCAT's Lua and Kone XTD gaming mice shown off at E3, we go hands-on

ROCCAT's Lua and Kone XTD gaming mice shown off at E3, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 11:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Mad Catz unleashes the Wii U accessories at E3, we go hands-on

Posted on 06/06/2012 by Billy Steele

Eagerly awaiting the launch of the Wii U? You're not alone. Mad Catz is ready, as the outfit has recently announced a set of accessories for the aforementioned console. Here at E3 2012, we were able to get a closer look at the entire family from the charging docks right on down to the TRITTON Kunai headset. While only the set(s) of cans is a finalized design, the outfit says the stands that will recharge your controllers that we saw are nearly complete. However, the FlipCover that we viewed was still a working prototype -- the same goes for the FPS controller that we were able to sneak a peek at. So, what about pricing and availability? The company is only offering that the Kunai for Wii U will set you back $50 when it ships. If you're looking for a quick rundown, hit the gallery below or venture beyond the break for a few impressions.

Gallery: Mad Catz Wii U accessories hands-on

Continue reading Mad Catz unleashes the Wii U accessories at E3, we go hands-on

Mad Catz unleashes the Wii U accessories at E3, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

GAEMS G155 Sentry suitcase for Xbox 360 hands-on

Posted on 06/06/2012 by Tim Stevens

Gamer on the go? Sure, Nintendo's 3DS or Sony's PS Vita might get you by, but neither can quite deliver the full-bore experience of a home console. To get their fix, Xbox 360 gamers with room for one more carry-on will want to turn to GAEMS. The company is showing off its G155 Sentry "personal gaming and entertainment environment" at E3 this year -- a so-called PGE. It's basically a suitcase into which you strap an Xbox 360 before connecting it to the integral LCD and more powerful stereo speakers (complete with Bose-style bass channel). That LCD is a 15-inch, LED-backlit 720p model with pretty terrible viewing angles, just like the older G155. In fact, we're hard-pressed to see many differences here between the currently available G155 and this beyond what looks to be a shinier logo on the back -- which you can replace with custom ones for a bit of customization. It does appear to be very well constructed, a suitably safe way to lug your console about. Check out some more pictures in the gallery below, and tune back in soon when we check out the so-called Project Vanguard, which we're told is a properly all-new design.

Gallery: GAEMS G155 Sentry hands-on

GAEMS G155 Sentry suitcase for Xbox 360 hands-on

Gamer on the go? Sure, Nintendo's 3DS or Sony's PS Vita might get you by, but neither can /quite/ deliver the full-bore experience of a home console. There's nothing like the real thing, and Xbox 360 gamers with room for one more carry-on will want to turn to GAEMS. The company is showing off its G155 Sentry "personal gaming and entertainment environment" -- a PGE, they call it. It's basically a suitcase into which you strap an Xbox 360 before connecting it to the integrated LCD and stereo speakers (complete with Bose-style bass channel). That LCD is a 15-inch, LED-backlit 720p model with pretty terrible viewing angles, just like the older G155. In fact, we're hard-pressed to see many differences here beyond what looks to be a shinier logo on the back -- which you can replace with custom ones for a bit of customization. Check out some more pictures in the gallery below, and tune back in soon when we check out the so-called Project Vanguard, which we're told is a properly all-new design.

GAEMS G155 Sentry suitcase for Xbox 360 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 07:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Sony PlayStation Move Racing Wheel hands-on (video)

Posted on 06/06/2012 by Joe Pollicino

After Sony's PlayStation keynote last night here at E3, PlayStation.Blog made a sort-of-surprise announcement when it officially detailed the $40 Move Racing Wheel -- something we only caught passing glimpses of during our liveblog. Naturally, we decided to drop by Sony's booth to find out whether the peripheral might potentially pass muster for you serious virtual racers out there. Our verdict after some racing in LittleBigPlanet Karting? Definitely not, but it sure is interesting despite a few quirks. Join us past the break where we'll break it down with text and video.

Gallery: Sony PS Move Racing Wheel hands-on