At the 2001 International CES, Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates revealed to the world the highly anticipated Xbox video game console during his keynote address. As the finale of his keynote, Gates showed off the Xbox console and game controller and demonstrated two exclusive Xbox games that highlight the future-generation console's rich and realistic graphics capabilities.
"Xbox is the future of video gaming," Gates said. "With its breakthrough technology and incredible graphics capabilities, Xbox will set the standard in gaming for years to come. It enables game designers to create a whole new world of gameplaying experiences that will captivate the imagination and competitive spirit of gamers like no other console.""Xbox is on track for an awesome launch in fall 2001," said Robbie Bach, senior vice president and chief Xbox officer at Microsoft. "With more than 200 game companies around the world creating Xbox games for launch and beyond, the unveiling of the Xbox design is just the start of great things to come."
To emphasize the power of Xbox, Gates called on "The Rock," World Wrestling Federation (WWF) champion and star of THQ Inc.'s popular video game "WWF Smackdown," to help unveil Microsoft's new future-generation console. The Xbox console and controller are designed to capture the power and performance that Xbox will deliver and are based on the input of more than 5,000 gamers and games creators from around the world. Sleek and powerful in its look, in a rich shade of black, the Xbox console is emblazoned with a large "X" and a signature green Xbox "jewel" positioned in its center. The Xbox console includes the following:
- Four game controller ports that allow easy multiplayer gaming and enable other peripherals, ranging from game pads to voice-activated headsets
- A front-loading DVD tray
- A multisignal audio-video connector that allows for easy hookup to televisions and home theater systems
- An Ethernet port for rich, fast-action online gaming via a broadband connection
- An NVIDIA graphics processing unit (GPU), delivering more than three times the graphics performance of other consoles
- An Intel 733MHz processor, the most powerful CPU of any console
- An 8GB hard drive, for massive storage of game information - a first in the console gaming industry
The Xbox game controller, which also sports the logo, is built for maximum control and comfort. Its design is the result of thousands of hours of usability testing. It features an eight-way directional pad (D-pad); left and right analog sticks; left and right shoulder triggers; six pressure-sensitive multicolored analog buttons; dual slots for memory cards and other peripherals; and a built-in "rumble" feature to increase gaming realism. The controller also features a cord over 9.5 feet long to give gamers the freedom to sit nearly anywhere they want during gameplay.
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Sony Electronics Inc. appears to be sitting pretty in the midst of a PC downturn, with a long list of gadgets scheduled for release at the Consumer Electronics Show. The international giant plans to announce products ranging from televisions and CD players to personal computers and radio receivers for satellite broadcasts. Sony said preorders for its Vaio Slimtop Pen Tablet will start Jan. 6 on the company's Web site and appear in stores in February. The tablet, priced at $3,000, comes with a LCD screen that folds down to a nearly horizontal position so it can be read flat, like a book. The eVilla Network Entertainment Center is Sony's Net appliance that places a special emphasis on audio and video entertainment, including links to Net radio stations. The device, which comes with a 15-inch monitor, is expected to hit shelves in April and cost $500, with a $21.95 monthly fee for Internet access. Sony's new satellite-radio receiver is aimed for use while driving as well as at home. The device can grab up to 100 channels of digital satellite broadcasting, according to the company. Available this summer, the device will cost $400 for the car receiver and $300 for the home receiver. [Source: ZDNet]
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Home shoppers get first crack at the 850-MHz Duron chip this weekend. Analysts say it easily outpaces Intel's latest Celeron. Advanced Micro Devices will get a boost from the Home Shopping Network this weekend, when the cable channel introduces computers featuring AMD's new 850-MHz Duron chip at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas. The low-cost chip for desktop PCs will be officially announced on Monday. But the shopping network will begin taking orders for 850-MHz Presario desktops from Compaq Computer during a live broadcast from the Consumer Electronics Show floor on Saturday, according to AMD. With the new chip sets, which allow PC makers to eliminate a graphics board and therefore cut roughly $100 off the retail price, Mark Bode (AMD division marketing manager) said he expects to see some low-end Duron systems priced at $599 or less in coming months. Meanwhile, PCs fitted with AMD's 800-MHz and 850-MHz Duron chips will hold the line at $899 to $999, he said. [Source: ZDNet]
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At the 2001 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), VeriFone, a division of Hewlett-Packard and worldwide leader in electronic payment solutions, and Palm, Inc. are demonstrating technology that paves the way for enabling secure payments between Palm handheld computers and VeriFone point of sale (POS) payment terminals. The demonstration, which is taking place in Palm's booth builds on Palm and VeriFone's announcement last November that they are working together to permit the secure transfer of financial and payment information from a Palm handheld to a VeriFone POS payment terminal using infrared technology, and then onto existing financial institutions' payment networks. The companies expect the solution will replace the standard payment-card swipe with a convenient, secure, electronically authorized transaction. In addition, Palm and VeriFone intend to enable Palm handhelds to access third-party content through a VeriFone payment terminal, offering physical and online merchants a new way to enhance the customer's experience with access to new, useful content through their Internet-enabled VeriFone POS terminal.
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Version 0.74b of Voodoo4+ Runner has been recently released. New to this version: Added possibility to create shortcuts on the Windows desktop. When using these shortcuts, Voodoo4+ Runner does not necessarily have to be loaded in memory, still your custom settings will be used.
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Belkin Components, the leading manufacturer of FireWire digital video editing and connectivity products, today introduced its highly innovative and extremely stylish FireWire 6-Port hub. The Belkin FireWire 6-Port hub, unique in its design and functionality, connects multiple FireWire peripherals through a single port. Perfect for state-of-the-art computers, like the new Power Macintosh G4 Cube, and personal computing enthusiasts wanting to add more FireWire capabilities to their computer, the new FireWire 6-Port hub from Belkin will be available in March 2001 and will have an MSRP of $99.99. The Belkin 6-Port hub allows you to expand your FireWire capabilities by adding six 400Mbps FireWire ports to your Macintosh or Windows-based computer. Access FireWire ports conveniently without taking up valuable desktop space. Its innovative, patented design transforms any work area into a spectacular work of art. [Electic Tech]
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