"Microsoft Corp. expects several phones on the U.S. market to be powered by its Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system after it launches in the fall of 2009, according to a company executive. "We will have over 10 phones available in the U.S. alone. We expect to see that grow," said Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division said during his keynote speech at the CTIA wireless technology showcase

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/news...-us-alone.html ...

Despite dying off as a viable games machine a few years back, the Xbox is still good for something: the Xbox Media Centre. Problem is, the thing looks really boring.

Lucky for any of you using the setup, there are ways to spruce things up a bit. Make the Media Centre a little easier on the eye. Our pals at Lifehacker can show you how, and if you don't mind downloading a few 50-100MB files and doing a little tinkering, then you too can make your 2001 machine look a little more 2009.

http://kotaku.com/5203100/tart-up-yo...ith-some-skins ...

Hey! Wii's manufacturing costs are apparently down by 45 percent. Time for Nintendo to pass on those savings to you with a pricecut, no? Nope, the UK got a price hike.

"Regardless of the cost price of manufacture, the decision to raise the [Wii's trade] price to retailers in the UK was taken due to the severe depreciation of the pound," Nintendo told game site EDGE. The company did not appear to confirm or deny the 45 percent figure stated by Credit Suisse analyst Koya Tabata.

So while manufacturing costs are down, the yen has been up, hurting Nintendo's bottom line. "From the Wii launch in December 2006 to December 2008, the value of the Pound fell by 43 percent against the Yen," Nintendo added. What's more, the Dollar and the Euro also dropped against the British Pound by 22 and 18 pounds.

However, it's not known by those outside Nintendo how much the company is playing for all those parts. What we do know: Nintendo has a lot of money.
http://kotaku.com/5203196/dont-get-y...es-up-just-yet ...

Last year, Nintendo's E3 press conference was a train wreck.

Nintendo marketing exec Cammie Dunaway is upbeat about this year's though, giving reasons why we should be excited about this year's presser. "Well, because, I'm going to be up on stage presenting, something that your fans ought to love," Dunaway told IGN. "But I'm not gonna snowboard, I'm not gonna show my mother's day card. I'm just going to talk about the games." And smile! A LOT.

The saleswoman seems to have gotten cut-off in the IGN interview, because when asked if there was anything she could say about E3, she shrugged and replied, "All I can say is I hope we have something."

We hope so, too! Don't forget folks, Dunaway doesn't actually make the games, but rather, she markets them to you. And smiles. (^ ^)

http://kotaku.com/5203252/this-years...bout-the-games ...

Last year, Nintendo's E3 press conference was a train wreck.

Nintendo marketing exec Cammie Dunaway is upbeat about this year's though, giving reasons why we should be excited about this year's presser. "Well, because, I'm going to be up on stage presenting, something that your fans ought to love," Dunaway told IGN. "But I'm not gonna snowboard, I'm not gonna show my mother's day card. I'm just going to talk about the games." And smile! A LOT.

The saleswoman seems to have gotten cut-off in the IGN interview, because when asked if there was anything she could say about E3, she shrugged and replied, "All I can say is I hope we have something."

We hope so, too! Don't forget folks, Dunaway doesn't actually make the games, but rather, she markets them to you. And smiles. (^ ^)

http://kotaku.com/5203252/this-years...bout-the-games ...

Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, and Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox L&M), today announced Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian for Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC. Developed by Amaze Entertainment and Pipeworks, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian will launch in advance of Twentieth Century Fox's highly-anticipated theatrical release of the same name debuting in theaters May 22nd. Featuring the voice and likeness of the film's star, Ben Stiller, the video game recreates the excitement and humor from the feature film as players adventure through Smithsonian exhibits that come alive at night.

"The original Night at the Museum movie was a true blockbuster in every sense of the word, having earned more than $250 million domestically and almost $600 million worldwide," said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco Entertainment. "The movie sequel has tremendous potential and at long last fans of the franchise can enjoy the museum magic at home in a videogame that extends the big screen experience."

"The Night at the Museum franchise lends itself perfectly to the type of gaming experience that Majesco is creating. It's an action-packed adventure that is sure to amaze and entertain people of all ages," said Elie Dekel, Executive Vice President Licensing and Merchandising for Fox L&M.

In Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, players assume the role of Ben Stiller's character, Larry Daley, former night guard of New York's Museum of Natural History. Larry must rescue Jedediah and his other friends from Akhmenrah's brother who captured them while stealing a powerful Magic Tablet that can raise the Army of Horus to take over the world. Daley is well aware of the havoc that history's most notorious figures can wreak when the sun goes down and the museum exhibits come alive. He races to DC to help his friends in the Smithsonian. Using Larry's trusty key chain and flashlight, players must solve puzzles and adventure through 14 levels including the Federal Archives, the National Air and Space Museum and the Lincoln Memorial. Gamers can travel in style on the back of a T-Rex skeleton, within the Lunar Lander and in the cockpit of Amelia Earhart's Pitcairn Autogyro. Along the way, players must find pieces of the Magic Tablet and collect other items to unlock mini-games, new areas and bonus content from the Smithsonian including trivia questions, in-game audio tours and factoids.

About Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Get ready for a story so epic it could only unfold in the corridors of the world's largest museum- the Smithsonian Institution. Museum guard-turned entrepreneur Larry Daley discovers that his favorite exhibits, and some of his best friends, from New York's Natural History Museum are being shipped off to the archives at the Smithsonian. Larry gets a distress call from the miniature cowboy, Jedediah, reporting that Egyptian ruler Kahmunrah and a trio of heinous henchmen - namely Ivan the Terrible, Napoleon and Al Capone - are plotting to take over the museum, then the world. Speeding to the nation's capitol, Larry is clearly in over his head. But with some impressive new pals, including the irrepressible Amelia Earhart, along with familiar friends Teddy Roosevelt and Octavius, Larry will stop at nothing to restore the Smithsonian before dawn.

Specific to the DS:
Nintendo DS owners can also experience the spirit and humor of the movie in an entertaining side-scrolling adventure. Players use the Touch Screen to manage magic tablet pieces that change Larry's abilities in real-time. Cling to walls, super jump, fly, shrink, charge and stomp your way through the Smithsonian while using Larry's flashlight and key chain to navigate exhibits.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian will launch on Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS and PC on May 5th. The feature length film releases nationwide on May 22nd. For additional information about Majesco's exciting line of products, please visit: www.majescoentertainment.com. ...

Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, and Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox L&M), today announced Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian for Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC. Developed by Amaze Entertainment and Pipeworks, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian will launch in advance of Twentieth Century Fox's highly-anticipated theatrical release of the same name debuting in theaters May 22nd. Featuring the voice and likeness of the film's star, Ben Stiller, the video game recreates the excitement and humor from the feature film as players adventure through Smithsonian exhibits that come alive at night.

"The original Night at the Museum movie was a true blockbuster in every sense of the word, having earned more than $250 million domestically and almost $600 million worldwide," said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco Entertainment. "The movie sequel has tremendous potential and at long last fans of the franchise can enjoy the museum magic at home in a videogame that extends the big screen experience."

"The Night at the Museum franchise lends itself perfectly to the type of gaming experience that Majesco is creating. It's an action-packed adventure that is sure to amaze and entertain people of all ages," said Elie Dekel, Executive Vice President Licensing and Merchandising for Fox L&M.

In Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, players assume the role of Ben Stiller's character, Larry Daley, former night guard of New York's Museum of Natural History. Larry must rescue Jedediah and his other friends from Akhmenrah's brother who captured them while stealing a powerful Magic Tablet that can raise the Army of Horus to take over the world. Daley is well aware of the havoc that history's most notorious figures can wreak when the sun goes down and the museum exhibits come alive. He races to DC to help his friends in the Smithsonian. Using Larry's trusty key chain and flashlight, players must solve puzzles and adventure through 14 levels including the Federal Archives, the National Air and Space Museum and the Lincoln Memorial. Gamers can travel in style on the back of a T-Rex skeleton, within the Lunar Lander and in the cockpit of Amelia Earhart's Pitcairn Autogyro. Along the way, players must find pieces of the Magic Tablet and collect other items to unlock mini-games, new areas and bonus content from the Smithsonian including trivia questions, in-game audio tours and factoids.

About Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Get ready for a story so epic it could only unfold in the corridors of the world's largest museum- the Smithsonian Institution. Museum guard-turned entrepreneur Larry Daley discovers that his favorite exhibits, and some of his best friends, from New York's Natural History Museum are being shipped off to the archives at the Smithsonian. Larry gets a distress call from the miniature cowboy, Jedediah, reporting that Egyptian ruler Kahmunrah and a trio of heinous henchmen - namely Ivan the Terrible, Napoleon and Al Capone - are plotting to take over the museum, then the world. Speeding to the nation's capitol, Larry is clearly in over his head. But with some impressive new pals, including the irrepressible Amelia Earhart, along with familiar friends Teddy Roosevelt and Octavius, Larry will stop at nothing to restore the Smithsonian before dawn.

Specific to the DS:
Nintendo DS owners can also experience the spirit and humor of the movie in an entertaining side-scrolling adventure. Players use the Touch Screen to manage magic tablet pieces that change Larry's abilities in real-time. Cling to walls, super jump, fly, shrink, charge and stomp your way through the Smithsonian while using Larry's flashlight and key chain to navigate exhibits.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian will launch on Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS and PC on May 5th. The feature length film releases nationwide on May 22nd. For additional information about Majesco's exciting line of products, please visit: www.majescoentertainment.com. ...

Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, and Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox L&M), today announced Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian for Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC. Developed by Amaze Entertainment and Pipeworks, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian will launch in advance of Twentieth Century Fox's highly-anticipated theatrical release of the same name debuting in theaters May 22nd. Featuring the voice and likeness of the film's star, Ben Stiller, the video game recreates the excitement and humor from the feature film as players adventure through Smithsonian exhibits that come alive at night.

"The original Night at the Museum movie was a true blockbuster in every sense of the word, having earned more than $250 million domestically and almost $600 million worldwide," said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco Entertainment. "The movie sequel has tremendous potential and at long last fans of the franchise can enjoy the museum magic at home in a videogame that extends the big screen experience."

"The Night at the Museum franchise lends itself perfectly to the type of gaming experience that Majesco is creating. It's an action-packed adventure that is sure to amaze and entertain people of all ages," said Elie Dekel, Executive Vice President Licensing and Merchandising for Fox L&M.

In Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, players assume the role of Ben Stiller's character, Larry Daley, former night guard of New York's Museum of Natural History. Larry must rescue Jedediah and his other friends from Akhmenrah's brother who captured them while stealing a powerful Magic Tablet that can raise the Army of Horus to take over the world. Daley is well aware of the havoc that history's most notorious figures can wreak when the sun goes down and the museum exhibits come alive. He races to DC to help his friends in the Smithsonian. Using Larry's trusty key chain and flashlight, players must solve puzzles and adventure through 14 levels including the Federal Archives, the National Air and Space Museum and the Lincoln Memorial. Gamers can travel in style on the back of a T-Rex skeleton, within the Lunar Lander and in the cockpit of Amelia Earhart's Pitcairn Autogyro. Along the way, players must find pieces of the Magic Tablet and collect other items to unlock mini-games, new areas and bonus content from the Smithsonian including trivia questions, in-game audio tours and factoids.

About Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Get ready for a story so epic it could only unfold in the corridors of the world's largest museum- the Smithsonian Institution. Museum guard-turned entrepreneur Larry Daley discovers that his favorite exhibits, and some of his best friends, from New York's Natural History Museum are being shipped off to the archives at the Smithsonian. Larry gets a distress call from the miniature cowboy, Jedediah, reporting that Egyptian ruler Kahmunrah and a trio of heinous henchmen - namely Ivan the Terrible, Napoleon and Al Capone - are plotting to take over the museum, then the world. Speeding to the nation's capitol, Larry is clearly in over his head. But with some impressive new pals, including the irrepressible Amelia Earhart, along with familiar friends Teddy Roosevelt and Octavius, Larry will stop at nothing to restore the Smithsonian before dawn.

Specific to the DS:
Nintendo DS owners can also experience the spirit and humor of the movie in an entertaining side-scrolling adventure. Players use the Touch Screen to manage magic tablet pieces that change Larry's abilities in real-time. Cling to walls, super jump, fly, shrink, charge and stomp your way through the Smithsonian while using Larry's flashlight and key chain to navigate exhibits.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian will launch on Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS and PC on May 5th. The feature length film releases nationwide on May 22nd. For additional information about Majesco's exciting line of products, please visit: www.majescoentertainment.com. ...

At this point there's little doubt that a new iPhone model (possibly two) will at least be announced in June. Now the Commercial Times have chimed in with a report saying that components from Taiwan-based suppliers have begun shipments as Apple (or its China-based assemblers, rather) readies for a "June launch" pegged by said suppliers to reach about 2-3 million units per quarter. A phone that looks to be fitted with a 3.2 megapixel still / video CMOS camera, digital compass (magnetometer), possibly 802.11n WiFi, more storage, and all the MMS, copy/paste, and push-notifications you can shake a gesticulating finger at. Assuming all the firmware sleuthing and rumors are true, of course.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/08/n...r-june-launch/ ...