For quite some time now, Xbox users have been a bit ahead of the curve when it comes to services non-gaming. The current state of (non) play for Xbox users include Netflix, Last.fm, and Zune video, and as of November, ESPN3.com (which promises to deliver over 3,500 live sporting events).
However, it seems that Sony has clearly heard what users are after: non-gaming content on their consoles. With the launch of the PS3 3.40 firmware update yesterday, it looks like a lot of those “Man, I wish I had…” are starting to become, “Wow, check this out!” moments. On Tuesday, Hulu confirmed on their website that coming this July, their video on-demand service will find a new home on the PS3 OS. This addition compliments the newly launched PlayStation Plus $10/month subscription package.
The “Hulu Plus” package will allow paying subscribers to access even more shows and platform support than the browser-based Hulu.com. In addition to all the standard Hulu features, Hulu plus will give viewers a 720p (HD) experience, as opposed to the maximum 480p service the free service delivers.
The Hulu Plus service arrives for PS3 in July, and will arrive on Xbox consoles in “early 2011,” according to Hulu. The Hulu rollout is not, however specifically targeted at gaming consoles, as the company reports Hulu plus will be available via iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, as well as the standard package of viewability via a Mac or PC browser. Looking even further down the line, Hulu is also targeting internet enabled TV’s and blu-ray players from Sony, Vizio, and Samsung.
On standout on the Xbox side of the Hulu deal is the integration with Kinetic, as the motion controlling sensor will also function as a remote for your Hulu viewing. Swipe a hand in the air to the right to fast forward, left to rewind. Neat.
The odd thing about not only this Hulu integration, but positioning consoles as the nucleus of a home based entertainment center, is that upon their launch in 2006, this is exactly what Sony set off to achieve. The hardcore gaming audience tended to drift to Xbox, one big draw being Halo, and Sony seemed to shift their position, and obviously address what the market wants/wanted. Now, 4 years later, it appears as though Sony has come full circle with the PS3, which btw, as of this week actually started making Sony a profit. And now that the PS3 is no longer hemorrhaging cash left, right, and center, it should be very interesting to see where Sony goes next. They may have been a bit behind the Xbox ball, but with new features, a new controller, and new money coming in the door…clearly the stage has been set.
“This is the most successful product launch in Apple’s history,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. 
Hive 7 was founded in 2005, and is mainly focused on building Facebook and other social network apps. They’re best known for their popular 
In a statement issued by the Xinhua News Agency, as of August 1st, there’s a whole new set of rules online Chinese gamers are going to have to comply with. First up – restricting content that would lead to “imitation of behavior that violates social morals and the law.” The bulletin further clarifies that content that is unwholesome is forbidden and that games played in China must have measures in place that prevent minors from accessing “inappropriate games.” Right. Check every first person shooter off the list. Oddly enough, the soon-to-be-implemented regulations do not offer any guidance as to what is “unwholesome,” but porn, cults, superstitions, gambling and violence are mentioned.
The Volt IGA will take place within “Kinetic Joy Ride,” Microsoft’s first sans controller racing title. After gamers view the video ad in-dash on Xbox LIVE or the Web, the Volt will be unlocked and available for a test drive. 
This isn’t the first time that we’ve heard rumblings from Best Buy regarding cutting in on GameStop’s action. In fact, Amazon.com and Toys-r-us have hinted at similar programs, but until last week, neither of the three had put a solid plan into action.
Cloud computing has seen a steady increase over the past few years. As SaaS platforms and downloadable content are becoming the norm rather than the exception, there are a number of gaming industry related firms trying to bridge this gap as well. Thus far, there are two main players, Palo Alto based OnLive and Los Angeles based Gaikai.
Perry has previously said that Gaikai’s servers will “end up in rings” around OnLive’s servers. That may be the case, but OnLive’s director of media and games development Joe Bentley says that he has yet to see Gaikai working in a real world environment. Yes, Perry had a number of streaming games on display (we’ve already seen WoW on an iPad courtesy of Gaikai), but with one small hitch. Perry was demoing the technology with a server in the same room. OnLive’s servers are 400 miles to the north, and currently serving more than just one user.
But let’s take a stop back a few years, when AOL was trumpeting it’s own horns on the successful acquisition of Bebo, a one-time Facebook competitor. The idea was to use Bebo as a springboard for all future AOL social networking activities. Admittedly, a sound strategy and solid business idea.
GamersFirst announced that they’re making their first Mac title available: Taikodom: Living Universe. Developed by Brazilian studio 
