e3

What to expect from Microsoft at E3 2012

Traditionally the first of the major video game console makers to host its annual E3 press conference, Microsoft sets the bar for Sony and Nintendo to follow.

In some years, that's an easy task, with new hardware such as the Kinect sensor or the slim Xbox 360 redesign. Other years, it's based on exclusive software, such as a new Halo or Gears of War game.

For 2012, the general feeling is that this will be another software-heavy year, with little or nothing said about any future generations of the Xbox console. The counterweight to that prediction, however, is … Read more

E3 needs a new product

As we head toward E3 2012 in Los Angeles, I've noticed something curious in the air:

No one really cares.

By "no one" I mean no one who's not a gamer, of course. The general public, even the casual technology fan. Compared with years past when friends would try to pump me for information on when the next PlayStation would come out, whether there would be anything new for the Wii...well, this year, it feels like radio silence. The video game fan at my local Starbucks who kept asking me about the Nintendo 3DS a year ago barely has any questions to ask. My friend who bought a Wii two years ago doesn't seem interested. I couldn't use E3 to start a conversation if I tried.

It's seemed that way on the appointment-making end of things, too: other than Nintendo's inevitable reveal of more details on the Wii U, we're entering this year's E3 with a stunning lack of new hardware...or even of new hardware rumors. The oft-wondered-about "When will we get a new Xbox or PlayStation?" chatter has already been shot down by Sony and Microsoft, which claim there won't be a PlayStation 4 or Xbox 720 at this year's E3.

I do know one thing, though: E3 needs a new product.… Read more

The 404 1,048: Where we can't believe how much it made (podcast)

$200 million. That's how much money "The Avengers" brought in this weekend. And who says the movie industry is in trouble? On today's show we welcome CNET editor Scott Stein to the show and discuss the disgusting amount of money Joss Whedon's Marvel mash-up accumulated. We'll compare it to the other top weekend grossing film of the past 30 years and then decide on whether or not "The Dark Knight Rises" will join the list.

Next we'll get into a discussion about the possibility of an $800 MacBook Air and whether or not Apple settled on the design of the iPad 3. Finally, it's an E3 2012 preview. Scott and I will be at the big show in Los Angeles next month and have some pretty bleak outlooks on what the world's biggest video game expo will bring.… Read more

Say hello to the brave new world of console gaming

The next evolution of home console gaming is shaping up like a dystopian Philip K. Dick short story. Refueled by the latest PlayStation 4 rumor, signs continue to point to a future in which games are no longer really yours to own, instead being just something you have a right to play -- as long as you're connected to the Internet, have a unique ownership ID, and aren't playing a used copy.

This isn't the first we've heard of this either; a January report says Microsoft's next machine will attempt to thwart used games too.

Of course, Sony hasn't confirmed any of these supposedly leaked details, but is it really out of the realm of possibility? The Vita is a prime example of the company's piracy paranoia. It's locked down and vacuum-sealed, made painfully apparent by how tedious it is doing trivial things like transferring files between device and computer. The reason for all the red tape? To combat piracy. … Read more

The 404 1,015: Where we take Katie Linendoll to sleepaway camp (podcast)

Former CBS Early Show tech correspondent, HSN host, and all-around protogeek Katie Linendoll checks in with us today and brings gifts! She'll tell us about her long history with consumer tech and her new show on Spike TV's All Access Weekly, a show with a live audience that covers gaming, comics, and gadgets. Even cooler--they film out of the old MTV TRL studio!

We'll also cover the breaking news of the day: AirBnB bought its competitor Crashpadder in advance of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, Angry Birds Space comes out tomorrow, and the Girl Scouts of America debut their new Netiquette Pledge.

Thanks again to Katie for joining us today, and be sure to check out All Access Weekly every Thursday at midnight!… Read more

Bonus for Apple shareholders

Links from Monday's episode of Loaded:

The 404 953: Where we cut the blue wire (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 Podcast episode:

An Xbox Live dashboard update coming in two weeks enables gestures and voice control, along with a redesign and cloud storage for profiles and game saves. The Xbox 720 is rumored to be announced at CES next year, but our guest Russ Frushtick thinks it's more likely to be unveiled at E3. Updates include a faster CPU, more RAM, and a significant size reduction. A nerd cheater builds a Lego machine that autotaps his PS3 controller to level up in Skyrim. Universal Music is suing Grooveshark for copyright infringement, claiming CEO Sam Tarantino and other executives required employees to upload protected tracks. An energy drink based on Facebook, called Facedrink, infringes on Facebook's trademark of last year that prevents anyone from using the word "face" in a telecommunications context.… Read more

Vizio E3D0VX series review: 3D and apps for less

If you want the most features for your TV buck, look no further than Vizio's E3D0VX series.

It's the least expensive 1080p 3D TV on the market--yeah, entry-level 720p 3D plasmas from Samsung and LG cost less but don't include active glasses, while Sony's PlayStation TV is just 24 inches.

The Vizio also sports a well-equipped Internet package, complete with content galore, built-in Wi-Fi, and, yes, a remote equipped with a QWERTY keyboard on the flip side. About the only thing missing is an LED backlight.

The downside is that the Vizio's disappointing 2D picture can't match that of many basic-featured competitors that cost less. If you can overlook that significant flaw and actually want 3D, you'll find Vizio's E3D0VX plenty appealing.

Read the full review of the Vizio E3D0VX series.

Why I never used my iPad to replace my laptop at E3: A review of iLuv's keyboard case for the iPad

I'm long overdue on a promise I made before I left for the E3 Expo over a month ago. As I packed my bags, I said I'd take iLuv's new keyboard case for the iPad with me, and see if I'd end up using my iPad 2 plus a keyboard more than I used my laptop to write. Pitted against the keyboarded iPad 2: a Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E220s.

In short: the laptop won.

That's probably not much of a surprise. E3 is mission-critical time for writing quick posts and editing on the fly between … Read more

The 404 843: Where we got the band back together (podcast)

After a week of trips back and forth from LA, all three of us are back together again, and I'm personally glad to be back because somebody has to step up and defend Los Angeles!

After sticking up for the West Coast, we're also talking about a dating Web site that's for beautiful people that's been getting hacked, KFC's latest monstrosity, and five fake sounds in tech to make stupid people feel better.

Plus we review some of the latest movies in theaters now, including "Green Lantern," "Kung Fu Panda 2," and "Super 8."

The 404 Digest for Episode 843

" Green Lantern": Revenge of the lame superhero movie. KFC supports diabetes research with an 800-calorie, 56-spoonful-of-sugar "Mega Jug." Dating Web site for "beautiful people only" dumps 30k members. Five fake sounds in tech to make stupid people feel better.

Episode 843 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more