xbox 360

The top 11 games of 2012

It may have been a rough year to be a videogame, but what would the end of the year be without some lists? You've already had the displeasure of seeing this year's most disappointing, so why not reward yourself this holiday season with a list of the best games 2012 had to offer? … Read more

Microsoft unveils more than 40 new apps for Xbox Live

In its continuing effort to prove that the Xbox 360 is more than just a game console, Microsoft has announced more than 40 new apps for Xbox Live that it expects to launch between now and next spring.

In all, the company announced 43 new apps for various regions around the world. The goal is to keep Xbox 360 owners entertained and engaged.

Xbox marketing and strategy chief Yusuf Mehdi told the Los Angeles Times in March that the typical household spends 84 hours each month using Xbox Live to play games and access content. More than half of that … Read more

We're putting CNET video on every screen

This is exciting!

Starting today, you'll be able to watch full-length CNET shows on your Xbox 360. Later this month, you'll be able to do the same on your Samsung Smart TV.

CNET is proud to create shows and videos that you'll want to watch everywhere, including your living room with a bowl of snacks nearby and your feet on the coffee table. Longer shows like Always On with Molly Wood and Brian Cooley's On Cars have already taken off on Roku and YouTube; now we're putting them on even more screens.

Our goal is … Read more

Microsoft's SkyDrive app comes to Xbox 360

Microsoft is launching a dedicated SkyDrive app for the Xbox 360.

At 10 a.m. PT today, you should expect to see the app appear on your Xbox 360 dashboard. In a blog post, Dan Somrack, program manager for SkyDrive, writes that the new app will link the cloud to your television and Xbox, connecting any file from your Windows desktop, Mac, smartphone, tablet or the Web to your console.

In addition, Windows Phone users can connect their mobile device to their Xbox 360. Images will now automatically sync between both devices, in case you want to show a friend … Read more

Get an Xbox 360 (4GB) for $149.99

You gotta love the Xbox. Even after all these years, it's still rocking great new games (Dishonored, anyone?), still evolving with accessories like the Kinect, and still the best Media Center Extender you can buy.

The entry-level Xbox typically runs around $200, but while supplies last, Fry's Electronics has the Xbox 360 (4GB) for $149.99 (plus sales tax in some states). Shipping adds another $10.54, unless you're lucky enough to have a Fry's store near you, in which case you can pick it up. (The Xbox, not the store.)

If you're the least … Read more

Xbox SmartGlass Android app now supports 7-inch tablets

Owners of the Google Nexus 7 and other 7-inch Android tablets can now remotely control their Xbox 360 consoles via a free app.

Updated yesterday, the Xbox SmartGlass for Android app acts as a second screen for your Xbox console. You can use the app on your phone or tablet to navigate your Xbox dashboard, control videos and music playing on your console, search Microsoft's Xbox catalog, and surf the Internet.

Until yesterday, the app worked only on certain Android devices. The release notes for the update don't list which 7-inch tablets the app now supports. But logging … Read more

Xbox 720 to debut by 2013 holiday season, report says

The next edition of Microsoft's Xbox could be ready for the holidays -- the 2013 holidays, that is.

Microsoft is aiming to launch the Xbox 720 in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas of next year, "people familiar with the company's plans" told Bloomberg yesterday.

The software giant could unveil the next Xbox at the E3 show in June or at a separate event specifically geared toward the console, one of the sources said. The people providing this tidbit to Bloomberg didn't want to identify themselves since the information is reportedly based on a confidential Microsoft … Read more

Xbox 360 sells 750,000 units during Black Friday week

Xbox 360 had a blowout Thanksgiving week, selling 750,000 consoles in the U.S. between November 18 and Black Friday, according to Microsoft Xbox staffer Larry Hryb.

That's more Xbox units than Microsoft usually sells in a month.

The numbers exceeded internal forecasts, according to Hryb -- better known as Major Nelson -- who oversees programing for Xbox Live. Additionally, three-month subscription sales for network during the week nearly doubled last year's sales for the same time frame.

"We saw incredible activity on Xbox over the weekend," Hryb wrote in his blog. "For example, … Read more

Xbox update fixes SmartGlass and Xbox Music issues

Xbox 360 owners will be greeted with an update from Microsoft the next time they fire up their consoles.

Released earlier today, the system update fixes a few issues, including an incorrect playlist name displayed when using Xbox SmartGlass, an error with Xbox Video closed-captioning, and a bug with Xbox Music that affected some users.

Upon powering up your Xbox 360, the following message pops up:

A system update is available from Xbox Live. If you decline, you won't be able to connect to Xbox Live until you take the update. Visit www.xbox.com/update for more info. … Read more