BetaNews.Com http://e3.betanews.com Copyright (C) 1998-2008 BetaNews, Inc. webmaster@betanews.com Mon, 23 May 2005 14:28:05 -0400 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/Video_Xbox_360_Interface_in_Action/1116872854 With the Xbox 360, Microsoft has shifted its focus to the community aspects of gaming. The new console will center around Xbox Live, enabling users to create profiles, locate fellow gamers and communicate in various different ways. The following two videos highlight the interface Microsoft has developed to accomplish these tasks. <a href="http://www.betanews.com/article/Video_Xbox_360_Interface_in_Action/1116870705"><b>View the Xbox 360 Videos</b></a> Mon, 23 May 2005 14:27:33 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116872854 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/BetaNews_Interview_Americas_Army/1116640647 Should the United States Army be in the business of developing combat video games that target youths? Should the Army even be developing video games with tax dollars? BetaNews sat down with representatives from the U.S. Army at E3 in Los Angeles to learn about the mission of America's Army. <a href="http://www.betanews.com/article/Americas_Army_a_Recruiting_Tool/1116640470"><b>Continue reading "BetaNews Interview: America's Army"</b></a> Fri, 20 May 2005 21:57:27 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116640647 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/Up_Close_Sony_PlayStation_3/1116636416 <!image> Although it's six months behind Microsoft's Xbox 360 and demoed no actual PlayStation 3 games at E3, Sony did give us a peek at their next generation console. The sleek design comes in three colors, although a Sony representative stressed to BetaNews that everything was still conceptual -- especially the wireless controller -- and designs may change before the PS3's official debut. <a href="http://www.betanews.com/slideshow/Up_Close_Sony_PlayStation_3/9" target="_blank"><b>View Images of Sony's PlayStation 3 Up Close</b></a> Related: <a href="http://www.betanews.com/slideshow/Up_Close_Xbox_360/5" target="_blank"><b>View the Xbox 360 Up Close</b></a> Fri, 20 May 2005 20:46:56 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116636416 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/ATI_Takes_3D_Gaming_Mobile/1116635117 <!image> Nokia isn't the only company with its eye on mobile gaming; ATI showcased at E3 its new 2300 3D processor for cell phones. The chip will be utilized in LG's SV360 phone that will launch shortly in Korea. The SV360 has a built-in tilt sensor to control games, 1.3-megapixel camera and will cost the equivalent of $500 USD. ATI has not yet announced any 3D-enabled phones for the United States, but told BetaNews it is in talks with a number of manufacturers. <a href="http://www.betanews.com/slideshow/ATI_Mobile_3D_Gaming_Phone/8" target="_blank"><b>View images of the LG SV360 with ATI 3D Chipset</b></a> Fri, 20 May 2005 20:25:17 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116635117 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/August_Set_for_US_Gizmondo_Launch/1116634052 <!image> Attendees at this year's E3 were treated to a lavishly styled booth featuring a Porsche Carrera dedicated to the new "multi-entertainment" handheld device dubbed <a href="http://e3.betanews.com/entry/Tiger_Telematics_Gizmondo/1116441161">Gizmondo</a> from Tiger Telematics. Offering games, music, movies, messaging, a digital camera, and built-in GPS, the Gizmondo will debut in the United States on August 11. Gizmondo will boast an 89 game portfolio by the end of this year, including several EA and Ubisoft titles plus GPS-enabled games exclusive to the device. The Windows CE powered Gizmondo features a 2.8-inch TFT color display with an NVIDIA graphics accelerator. The device will play MP3s and MPEG4 movies and includes Bluetooth connectivity for multi-player gaming, as well as slots for SD and MMC card accessories. Fri, 20 May 2005 20:07:32 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116634052 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/Close_Up_Nokia_N70/1116633622 <!image center>At E3, Nokia offered up a peek at its new N70 multimedia phone, which features a 2-megapixel camera alongside music and video playback. The N70 supports MP3, AAC, RealAudio, H.263 and MPEG4 formats. But don't rush down to your local mobile outlet just yet - the N70 won't be available until the third quarter. Fri, 20 May 2005 20:00:22 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116633622 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/Nokia_Plans_Smartphone_Gaming/1116633080 <!image> Nokia announced this week at E3 that it will bring its gaming platform beyond the N-Gage to its line of Series 60 smartphones. Nokia said the phones will not play current N-Gage games, but told BetaNews it is working with developers to ensure support in future titles. Nokia showscased some prototypes of the platform at E3, but has yet to decide on distribution and pricing plans. The company expects games to be offered on MMC cards and via downloads. Fri, 20 May 2005 19:51:19 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116633080 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/E3s_Most_Secretive_Rockstar_Games/1116632490 <!image> Most exhibitors at E3 2005 welcomed gamers with open arms to test out their upcoming titles, but not Rockstar Games. With a booth surrounded by chain link fencing and filled only with buses, Rockstar kept their future plans locked down at E3. Only a select few were given access to the company's latest demos, leaving hoardes of attendees waiting hours in line for a peek at a Grand Theft future. Fri, 20 May 2005 19:41:30 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116632490 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/E3_2005_All_About_the_Games/1116621468 <!image> With the next generation gaming consoles 6 to 12 months away, the focus of the E3 2005 exhibit floor is on the games. Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are showing off their latest titles that will debut in 2005. Microsoft is also demoing a handful of launch titles for the Xbox 360, and giving attendees a sneak peek at some upcoming games, including Dead or Alive 4 and id Softwae's Quake 4. Fri, 20 May 2005 16:37:48 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116621468 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/Nintendo_Demos_VoIP_Using_DS/1116621162 <!image center>Moving from text chat to voice, Nintendo is offering up a technology demo of voice over IP communication using the wireless capability found in the Nintendo DS. Although the company has made no official announcement, Nintendo will likely debut the service, called "DSpeak," alongside its nationwide Wi-Fi Connection launch later this year. Fri, 20 May 2005 16:32:42 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116621162 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/Nintendo_Booth_Buzzing/1116620697 <!image> Lines have formed early and stayed late at Nintendo's E3 booth this year. Showing off the latest and greatest Nintendo DS titles, and offering free downloads for those properly equipped with a DS, Nintendo has created quite a buzz, and traffic jam. The snapping of cameras can be heard throughout the booth space, as media and other exhibitors have crowded around the Game Boy Micro display showing off the personalized flavors that will be available to consumers. The PlayStation Portable section of the Sony booth, meanwhile, is more subdued with very little buzz and action among PSP owners. It is clear that Nintendo has done their research for this year's E3, and is enjoying a tremendously successful event with mobs of people crowding the floor space from open to close. Fri, 20 May 2005 16:24:57 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116620697 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/Super_Mario_Returns_to_Nintendo_DS/1116619488 <!image> Nintendo has once again revamped Super Mario Bros., which will be released on the Nintendo DS in the second quarter of this year. The game features all of the classic enemies with new levels and tricks. Gameplay is reminiscent of the original Nintendo with the two button controller. It's clear that Mario will continue to be the staple brand for Nintendo, which also set to release a version of Mario Kart for the DS later this year. Fri, 20 May 2005 16:04:47 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116619488 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/Revealed_Xbox_360_User_Interface/1116565372 <!image> Behind closed doors on Thursday, Microsoft demonstrated to BetaNews the user interface on its Xbox 360. The Dashboard, which can be customized using themes, offers access to four main panels: System, Games, Media and Xbox Live. <a href="http://www.betanews.com/article/Revealed_Xbox_360_User_Interface/1116564393"><b>Continue reading "Revealed: Xbox 360 User Interface"</b></a> Fri, 20 May 2005 01:02:51 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116565372 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/Vonage_WiFi_Phone_in_Action/1116560245 <!image center>While the company may not be exhibiting at E3 2005, Vonage met with us to give a short hands-on demonstration of its upcoming Wi-Fi phone. The phone uses a form factor similar to a standard cell phone, but connects to 802.11b Wi-Fi networks. Once connected to the Internet, the phone utilizes Vonage's voice over IP infrastructure to make calls. In tests by BetaNews, the phone performed admirably and automatically acquired network access without a hitch. Vonage's Wi-Fi phone is currently in beta testing and is slated to launch by the end of the year. Pricing will be around $100 USD, and the phone will be sold via Vonage's Web site. The company says it is primarily targeting international travelers and tech-savvy customers with the initial version of the device. Thu, 19 May 2005 23:37:24 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116560245 http://e3.betanews.com/entry/BetaNews_Interview_Americas_Army/1116539632 We were able to secure an interview this afternoon with the U.S. Army to ask them a few questions about the real purpose of "America's Army." Is it propaganda? Is it a recruitment tool? Major Bret Wilson was kind enough to sit down with BetaNews for a few minutes to explain the purpose behind the Army's first foray into video games. The interview will be up soon, so stay tuned. Thu, 19 May 2005 17:53:51 -0400 tag:betanews.com,2007:entry-1116539632