XBOX 360 IS NOT IN SHORT SUPPLY

We've all heard the buzz of the Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii but can you actually get a hold of one? Probably not and neither could we here at technobabble.

You may be surprised to know that the Wii and the PS3 are NOT the only next-gen consoles out there. Microsoft has a very capable system of the their own. By now you know we are talking about the xbox 360.

Now when we go for hardware here at technobabble we don't go for the cheap we get the best out there. Saying this we opted for the "pro" version of the 360 with the 20GB hard drive thus giving the console the ability to play older XBOX games (with a quick emulator download from xbox live). Our particular 360 also came with "Project Gotham Racing", wireless controller, and a headset. We also purchased the game "Kameo".

As a new person to the whole online maketplace idea that Microsoft has with it's xbox "live" system I can't see how online services could be handled any better than Microsoft has designed theirs. The only thing that I would like to see is built-in wireless connectivity. My 360 in particular is no-where near an internet connection in my house (I live in a 120 year old house obviously never wired with network cable so I use a wireless connection). Other than no wireless connectivity hooking up hardware-wise is easy. It's truly plug and play (unless you have a special set-up like static IP's or something of the such).

Games load extremely fast. I was impressed how the load time was even improved for the emulated xbox games.

The firmware OS design is amazing. The blades as they have been called are a great design and extremely easy to navigate.

Time will tell but Microsoft has made a winning console in my book.

UPDATE:

I've had some time to check out the console further and man does it have its strengths and weaknesses.

From the beginning people have been complaining about the heat that comes from the 360. I have to agree about the heat. It actually heats the my office are hear at technobabble to a point where I could actually close the furnace vent in the room. Mind you that's only when the 360 is playing an actual 360 game. When you're playing XBOX games, browsing the 360 menus, or listening to music it doesn't seem to kick out as much heat. The worst part about the heat is that not only does the console release a heck-load of heat so does the "power brick" (as it has been termed).

The Second thing I would like to comment about is the the fan noise. Crap this thing is loud. Again the fans are only loud when the console is playing an actual 360 game.

The way Microsoft seems to being pointing for this console is to make a media hub for the home. Where it stands right now that would be impossible until they can fix the heat and noise problem. It simply isn't quiet or cool enough for a home-theatre setting.

PLAYSTATION 3 RELEASED IN JAPAN

Sony has released the new Playstaion 3 in Japan today with only 100 000 units available to consumers.

Reported from many different sources there are Japanese people rounding buildings with lines to get the new console.

North America still waits for its whole 400 000 units to come (although it was first reported to be 600 000 units) on November 17.

Sony has blamed many things for the low production of the PS3 including the blue-ray optical drive and the low-yielding Cell processor.

Many analysts expect the PS3 to win the next console war but not by as big of margin. Playstation has some the the biggest platform games out there including SOCOM: US NAVY SEALS and most people consider Final Fantasy a platform game as well (even though Final Fantasy XI was released for the XBOX 360).

One things for sure, if you haven't already slapped down some money for a pre-order of your very own PS3 you won't be getting one this Christmas.

MMMMM... HOTDOGS

One of the best Canadian inventions known to mankind : the Hot Diggity Dogger! The Duchampbell Sales company says this hot dog toaster makes the world's best hotdogs! All you have to do is plug in the toaster, place two hotdogs into the round vertical slots and two buns in the semi-circle slots and push down the lever. In about five minuits, your hotdogs are grilled and your buns are toasted! You can change how much your hotdogs and buns are cooked by adjusting the heat knob to lighter or darker. How easy is that?
This invention is sure to be one that Jeff and I would like to try out - and Kev, well, he's already saving up to buy one!
The Hot Diggity Dogger: $49.95
Hotdogs and buns not included.
-written by Cee-

TECHNOBABBLE PODCAST 10 SLIRPY PODCAST

Episode 10 is out. We have put it on a new feed however so if you want to subscribe to it please click here:

http://www.switchpod.com/users/jeffbreyer/feed.xml

This is a pretty laid back episode but a lot of fun.

Enjoy!

SQUARE-ENIX RELEASES FINAL FANTASY XII

Square-Enix has released the 12th volume in their Final Fantasy Series.

Not only is Final Fantasy XII the new addition to the family, it also leaves the rest of the Final Fantasy's in the dust when you compare the game design.

We were told early on that Square-Enix was designing a completely revamped battle system and we can see the results now. Final Fantasy XII's battle system is based more closely to Final Fantasy XI where all battles happen directly on the field rather than going into a battle phase like previous volumes in the series.

Square-Enix also had to drop the amount of polygons to allow enemies to be seen on the field. This makes no difference to game graphics because the world is very well designed and coloured. If I was to compare the colours used in this world I would probably compare them to Romancing Saga. There are a lot of pastel type colours but this also helps in the shaping of the characters as they don't have as many polygons.

I know that all sounded very technical so here's something you'll appreciate. The battle system is great. I'd say the only draw-back is the camera. I'm not sure how Square-Enix thinks but their cameras always act opposite to what they should. I've also had the camera get stuck a couple times and that's not good when you are being attacked.

The CG sequences are right up to par. Some of the beginning war sequences remind me of Star Wars Episode III.

You'll see for yourself when you pick up Final Fantasy XII.