By Michael Santo
Editor-in-Chief, RealTechNews

Took ‘em long enough. They didn’t file a press release, but Microsoft did use its Gamerscore blog, which it says is the “inside scoop from Microsoft Xbox and Games employees.” Saturday Microsoft announced they would halt production of HD-DVD drives for the Xbox 360.

John Porcaro, Sr. Group Manager in Microsoft’s Global Games Marketing Team, managing Online Communications, said in a statement on the Gamerscore site:

As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD. Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market. As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.

None of this should be a surprise. Obviously with Toshiba dropping HD-DVD, Microsoft was bound to get out. Rumors flew last week that Microsoft was planning an external Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360, and honestly, it’s an almost certainty.

Microsoft said as early as January 8th, right after the Warner Bros. announcement that they were dropping HD-DVD, that they would “consider” Blu-ray support, and they have little choice with Toshiba’s announcement. It’s not IF, but WHEN.

PR-wise, the best thing Microsoft could do would be to follow Edion’s example by giving everyone who already had an Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive a swap for a new Blu-ray drive. Probability: low.

By Chief Gadgeteer, Gizmos for Geeks
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews.

Most notable this past week was the release of the latest Mvix Media Center, the Mvix MX-780HD. The MX-780HD has HDMI out, supports up to 1080p and can now take either an IDE or SATA drive in its case. Still in the multi-media world, the Kaossilator Touchpad Synthesizer doesn’t need keys or buttons to play musical notes.

A peppermill gadget? Yup. And get this, it’s modeled on Star Wars’ R2-D2. If you’re into toys, check out the Mini Rubber Band Artillery. Take your basic rubber band finger gun to the next level!

USB has really revolutionized computer accessories; there’s a USB gadget that does everything. Here’s one for aromatherapy fans – the USB Aromatherapy Oil Burner. Now, you can get aromatherapy-relaxed while computing. Just plug this device into your USB port, add some oil and you’re good to go.

For you retro-gamers, MAMEUI, the latest MAME for Windows was announced last week. Still in gaming, it appears that Mac gaming is making a comeback. Windows and console games have dominated the gaming world for years, after Macs showed how great games could look on a computer. Let’s hope

Of course, arguably the biggest tech news this week was that Toshiba has dropped out of the DVD format war, with the HD-DVD format being pronounced dead. Sony’s Blu-Ray format is what you’ll be getting used to for the next 5 years at least.

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

The Commodore 64 is legendary, and just last year celebrated its 25th anniversary. Its still amazingly popular, with sites continuing to be devoted to it. And now owners of the Nintendo Wii will be able to play classic games of that era via the Wii Virtual Console.

The catch: only in Europe for now.

The first two games available will be International Karate and Uridium. The European Nintendo Wii site made the announcement, and in the press release, Bala Keilman, CEO of Commodore Gaming, commented,

“The massive impact the Commodore 64 had on video gaming is still evident today with many gamers remembering the computer and its games with great fondness. By working with Nintendo of Europe, we are ensuring that future generations of gamers can play some of the best and most popular titles that kick-started the computer games revolution and so keep the C64 legacy in gamers hearts.”

Yes, there’s still a Commodore computer company, though it puts out gaming systems now. But it does pay homage to the C64 on its site.

Laurent Fischer, Managing Director of European Marketing & PR of Nintendo Europe added,

“We are extremely pleased to be working with Commodore Gaming to provide even more retro hits for Wii owners to choose from on Virtual Console. With over 184 classic titles now available to enjoy, Virtual Console on Wii is a great way for users to access a breadth of classic retro games. We hope that this great choice of games will bring nostalgia to our gaming fans, while an entirely new generation of video game players can experience a host of classic games for the very first time.”

No word yet on when and if those with Wiis outside Europe will get a chance at C64 gaming.

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

Earlier I wrote that Wii Fit was vaguely scheduled to hit the U.S. in the vague Q2 timeframe. But finally, finally we exercise-deprived Americans have a solid date, as Nintendo announced today at the Game Developers Conference that the Wii Fit will release on May 19th in the United States.

Wii Fit is a mega-hit in Japan, where it launched last December. In fact, it has sold more than 1.4 million units since its launch on Dec. 1st. I have speculated (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) that the delay for U.S. release was because Nintendo had to redesign the “Balance Board” for much larger U.S. waistlines.

For those who don’t know Wii Fit is an example of “exergaming” that comes with a new controller called the Wii “Balance Board”. The board is used for “an extensive array of fun and dynamic activities, including aerobics, yoga, muscle stretches and games.”

In their press release, Nintendo said:

Wii Fit demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to gamers of all kinds. It combines fun and fitness for every member of the family to keep active and play together. Wii Fit launches May 19 in the United States and comes with the weight-and-motion-sensing Wii Balance Board that Nintendo representatives demonstrated could hold great promise for future game development as well. Third-party publishers are already working on new games and applications that will make use of the Wii Balance Board. Additionally, Wii Fit includes access to the Wii Fit Channel, an interactive channel that lets users check in each day to track their fitness progress through weight and BMI.

Bring it on!

Nintendo also announced the first U.S. WiiWare games will be available May 12th. The WiiWare service will offer smaller, independent firms a sales outlet without the higher risk of selling through retail channels.

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

Generally when presented with an opportunity to take a survey, I decline. This one might just have caught my attention.

It’s certainly not a done deal; it’s just a survey asking customers how they would feel, but Netflix, according to reports, is testing the waters to determine if customers would be interested in streaming video to their PS3s or Xbox 360s. They don’t seem to realize what a silly question that is, don’t they?

For the Xbox 360, the survey (above) says:

“Stream Netflix movies to your TV with Xbox LIVE. Now you can watch movies from Netflix instantly by using your existing Xbox LIVE account. You can choose from over 7,000 movies and TV series, and your choice starts playing on your TELEVISION in as little as 30 seconds. ”

For the PS3, the survey (click above to see) says:

“Now you can watch movies from Netflix instantly by using your Internet-connected Playstation 3. Simply insert a special Netflix disc into your PS/3 to enable instant movie streaming. The disc is available from Netflix for a one-time fee of $3.”

The PS3 survey goes on the say the same info about the 7K movies and 30 seconds for play to start.

In both cases, it’s indicated that there is no extra fee.

Now, how real is this? No confirmation from Netflix, naturally. However, this was reported in two separate locations, here and here, with two different screenshots. That seems to give at least some measure of reassurance.

Plus Netflix has been moving more into streaming, with Mac video streaming coming this year, new unlimited streaming options, and their set-top box deal with LG.

We Say: Of course, one possible problem would be a conflict with this and Microsoft’s Xbox Live Video Marketplace, which lets users purchase TV shows and rent movies that are downloaded directly through the Xbox 360. However, since Netflix CEO Reed Hastings is on Microsoft’s board, maybe it could all be worked out.

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

This is why it’s sometimes good when Japan gets the first releases: the bugs get worked out there first. There have been reports of some having problems playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Nintendo Wii, with errors on boot and sluggish video playback.

Nintendo has decided that the issue is with dust and tobacco residue building up on the Wii lens. Super Smash Bros. Brawl uses a dual layer DVD, which is apparently more sensitive to a dirty lens.

While the problem can be fixed by cleaning the Wii drive lens, this isn’t something an end user can do. Fortunately, Nintendo has decided to clean Wii units that are sent to them, free of charge.

Users send their Japanese Wii will need to send their system, warranty card, and copy of Super Smash Bros. Brawl to a Nintendo service center in Kyoto. One week later you’ll get the Wii back - and Nintendo will even pay for shipping.

Pretty nice service, considering it’s an end user problem. Smoking is (at least now) a lot more popular in Japan than in the U.S., so hopefully this won’t be an issue when SSBB ships in the U.S. If not, at least we’ll know the issue.

Check the Nintendo press release (Japanese) here.

By Alice Hill
RealTechNews

Having a New Year’s party or just want to have a little fun? The Tony-b Machine is an online synthesizer you play with your computer keyboard. Tons of beats and special effects and best of all, you can record your track and share them for free. Source: RedFerret

We Say: What else? Rock on!
Try It Here

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

Many kids today are selfish and think only of themselves (come on, be honest), but this kid has been doing good stuff his entire life. Tyler Strasser, 11, of Mount Holly, North Carolina has, since he was 3, collected toys every Christmas for the disadvantaged.

This year he came up with a great idea: everyone who donated a toy would get a raffle ticket. Raffle winners would get an entry into a Wii Bowling tournament, and the winner would get the Wii. Knowing how scarce Wii’s are, you have to bet he had plenty of entrants in the raffle last weekend.

Strasser was also a semi-finalist in this year’s Volvo for Life Awards. While he didn’t win, according to the site, he’s collected over 500,000 toys since he first started. He’s even got his own site, Tyler’s Mission, devoted to his causes (though the site is very obviously still under construction).

We Say: He may not have won a Volvo for Life award, but in my book, he’s a definite winner.