199w ago - With its new price tag and leaner form-factor, the PS3 Slim clearly offers great value.

Unfortunately Sony had to strip Linux support, backwards compatibility, and some memory card ports in order to get the price down.

But consumers still get a great gaming machine, free online support, and a competent Blu-ray player. There are also some intriguing services unique to Sony such as Home and PSP connectivity, which might entice some users.

The Xbox 360 Elite, even with a price drop to $299, still struggles to compete feature-for-feature. The most glaring omission is the lack of on-board wifi adaptor. Microsoft currently sells its own, expensive adaptor as an extra accessory.

If gamers want to go online using their Xbox 360, they will have to pay for Xbox Live Gold, at a cost of around $49 per year. Silver members still get access to game demos, achievements, and Avatars, but little more.

Finally, the Xbox 360 still relies on DVD disks for content, which is fine for games but may disappoint videophiles who want the HD capability of Blu-ray movies.

On the other hand, Microsoft is the only manufacturer to allow users to stream Netflix movies from their console, which is ultra-convenient. Zune users can also connect their devices to Xbox Live to access multimedia...

200w ago - Now that we have PS3 Slim confirmation, specs and a release date, GamesRadarUS has shared a video on the PlayStation 3 Slim unboxing.

Those interested can check it out below, with the video's caption reading as follows: GR jumps in while PTOM unboxes their just-announced PS3 Slim! Watch us touch it!

To quote: "Playstation: The Official Magazine has one, but seeing as we're friendly neighbors, GamesRadar was right there to record the glorious unboxing. Look internet, it's slimmer! It's lighter! It's fingerprintlesser!"

Here it is, via YouTube!

201w ago - Today Treyarch has given a serious warning to all Sony PSN and Microsoft XBox Live would-be hackers and console modders... if you are caught, you'll be banned from all of their online services.

To quote: Our most recent TU addressed a number of issues that arose as a result of modders hacking their console and ultimately disrupting the online experience for everybody else.

In light of these recent events, I'd like to make something abundantly clear to the community: Treyarch has adopted a zero tolerance policy towards console hackers / modders. We are actively working with our console partners (Microsoft and Sony) to take action against all proven offenders, up to and including a complete ban from all of their online services.

Our number one priority is to protect the experience of our online gaming community (most of you reading this message), and the efforts of console hackers / modders directly target the community in a negative way.

We understand that a primary motivation in hacking / modding is to bring something "fresh" or "new" to the game. That is why the PC platform has a full suite of Mapping / Modding tools, along with plenty of documentation to go along with it.

If you are interested in the technical aspect of game modding, check out the PC version...

201w ago - According to Arstechnica (linked above), a new job posting suggests that Microsoft is looking to create a gaming platform that goes beyond just the Xbox 360 to the Web, console and mobile devices.

The job posting from August 10, 2009 states Microsoft is looking for a LIVE Community Director in the Entertainment & Devices Division.

This suggests that Microsoft is looking to bring the Xbox Live, Windows Mobile, and other similar properties closer together. More specifically, there's talk of a "casual and social gaming platform" that would be available via more than just one device.

To quote: The LIVE Engagement Team is looking for a LIVE Community Director to manage its LIVE community strategy and execution across a range of properties, from Xbox LIVE to Windows Mobile.

This senior position will play a vital role in the community space as the LIVE Engagement team builds and program's Microsoft's next-generation, LIVE-enabled casual and social gaming platform across the Web, the console, mobile and beyond.

201w ago - It now appears the XBox 360 is officially the only console to stream Netflix, leaving Sony's PS3 (with the exception of Bravia TVs) and the Nintendo Wii (PlayOn notwithstanding) to utilize other services.

At the very bottom of Microsoft's long list of details surrounding today's Xbox LIVE update, it states that the Netflix Watch Instantly integration is now an "exclusive partnership," with Microsoft going so far as to say that the "Xbox 360 will be the only game console to offer this movie-watching experience, available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix unlimited plan subscribers."

To quote: Netflix Partnership - This exclusive partnership offers you the ability to instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix to the television via Xbox 360.

Xbox 360 will be the only game console to offer this movie-watching experience, available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix unlimited plan subscribers, at no additional cost.

From the Netflix Web site, simply add movies and TV episodes to your instant Queue,...