via Games Industry


Microsoft has released a new Xbox 360 licensed content transfer tool, that will allow consumers to transfer purchased downloaded content from one console to another.

The tool is designed for gamers to transfer old content they have already paid for to a new Xbox 360 console. It is available through the Xbox 360 website, and requires the use of a PC while the new console is turned on and connected to Xbox Live.

Console owners will have to log in to a Xbox's DRM website with their Live username and password - from there they'll be able to transfer the content to the target console.

However, the license transfer can only be done once every year and movie licenses cannot be transferred at all. ...

via Games Industry


Sales of the PlayStation 3 have dropped in Japan following last week's boost for the system after the release of Konami's Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

Hardware numbers from Media Create show the PS3 shifted 20,336 units for the week ended June 22, compared to over 75,000 units last week.

However, Sony can still claim the best-selling hardware in the region, as the PSP handheld sold 59,351 units in the past week, more than Nintendo's Wii (41,037) and DS (36,599).

The nine year-old PlayStation 2 continues to outsell Microsoft's Xbox 360, with 6,346 units compared to 2,555 units. ...

via Mobile Entertainment


iPhone 3G is expected to carry an initial hardware Bill Of Materials (BOM) and manufacturing cost of $173 [£87], according to a “virtual teardown” conducted by iSuppli.

The company says the figure comes in 23 per cent cheaper than the original iPhone, for which it pegged per unit manufacturing cost at $226.

iSuppli says Apple’s iPod and iPhone products are typically priced about 50 per cent more than their BOM and manufacturing costs. This means that with the new 8GB iPhone 3G sold at $199 and the estimated subsidy of $300, Apple will achieve an even higher BOM/manufacturing margin.

Moreover, iSuppli says fluctuations in component pricing mean the BOM/manufacturing cost of the second-generation iPhone will fall 37 per cent to $148 in 2009.

iSuppli's full iPhone 3G cost breakdown is as follows:

• $22.80 8Gbyte NAND Flash Memory
• $20.00 Improved Touch screen
• $20.00 Display
• $13.50 Application Processor
• $5.00 1Gbit SDRAM - Mobile DDR
• $15.00 HSDPA Digital Baseband
• $7.00 2 Megapixel Camera Module
• $4.00 WLAN chipset
• $4.00 Battery
• $3.60 GPS
• $2.00 Motion Sensor / Accelerometer
• $4.25 RF Transceiver
• $1.89 64Mbit NOR Flash Memory, 32Mbit PSRAM
• $1.80 Charger (USB)
• $2.00 Bluetooth 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)

$126.84 Total of Above Items

• $37.16 Other Costs
• $164.00 Total Bill of Materials (BOM) Costs (Direct Materials Only)

$173.00 [£87] Total BOM & Manufacturing Costs

$199 [£100] Initial retail price, 8Gbyte Version ...

via Next Generation


Hirai said during a Thursday PlayStation business briefing that Sony has been cutting PS3 manufacturing costs by reducing the number of components and decreasing the size of chips.

"The Cell and RSX used in PS3s at launch were manufactured using a 90nm process technology. And now all PS3 Cells have shifted to 65nm process technology since last holiday season," he said.

The smaller chip technology runs more efficiently and costs less to produce.

While the improved Cell is in circulation, the RSX graphics chip, created in tandem with Nvidia, still uses 90nm technology.

But a more efficient RSX will be in PS3s shortly, Hirai says. "As for RSX, 65nm process technology has begun this year already, and will be ready for installment in autumn." ...

via IGN


Our ears perked up last week when we saw Capcom had filed the title Mega Man 9 with Australia's Classification Review Board (down under's version of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board). It's been over ten years since we were blessed with a proper new Mega Man game. Now it looks like the next entry in the series is set for Nintendo's WiiWare service.

Fansite The Mega Man Network has gotten its hands on a couple (blurry) scans from the next issue of Nintendo Power. The screenshots look like the classic 8-bit Mega Man we all know and love. Capcom is apparently going old school with this one. Mega Man Network lists the following robot bad guys:

• Magma Man
• Galaxy Man
• Jewel Man
• Concrete Man
• Hornet Man
• Plug Man
• Tornado Man
• Splash WOMAN (although this isn't confirmed, yet)

Mega Man 9 is being developed by Inti Creates, a team made up of former Capcom devs that brought us the first three Mega Man X games, Mega Man Zero, and the Mega Man ZX series. ...

via Computer and Video Games


The home console, which has sold in excess of 25 million units worldwide since its November 2006 Japanese release, will make its debut in Taiwan on July 12.

According to platform holder's official site, the system will release as a Wii Sports bundle for 8,500 New Taiwan Dollars ($280). Wii Play is the only software listed, at a cost of NTD 1,500 ($49). ...

via Gizmodo


Last week we reported that UK punters were facing the prospect of shelling out £370 and £470 for the forthcoming 8GB and 16GB iPhone 3G but today the news is so much better.

O2 has revealed that the new 8Gb and 16GB iPhones will cost £300 and £360, a reduction on earlier reports of £70 and £110, respectively. And, even though you're not prepared to pay for the hefty monthly contracts, both phones will come with 6 months of unlimited browsing and Wi-Fi access.

PAYG users will then be able to retain those services for £10 per month after the 6 months is up.

Makes you glad not be an Italian, considering they're going to be charged £395 and £450.

Big thanks to crack Gizmodo readers [Vince, Nicky, Dayks & Rich] for the heads-up.-Martin Lynch

UPDATE: O2 has pulled the pricing details from its PAYG iPhone 3G page. A mistake? Is some O2 Web manager getting a sound thrashing right now for jumping the gun? I know one thing, O2 will get some stick from all of us in the media if it republishes higher prices than it did earlier. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Microsoft Europe's David Gosen says that Xbox 360 is still leading PS3 in the European sales race, despite Sony's claims to the contrary.

"Anyone trying to call a winner this Christmas is calling too early," the VP of strategic marketing told MCV. "We are incredibly well positioned - our installed base in Europe is well over five million and contrary to what's been reported we are at least, if not more than, three quarters of a million ahead of PS3."

Back in March Microsoft slashed the price of all Xbox 360 models across Europe in a bid to expand market share, a move that saw the Arcade unit drop to £159.99, cheaper than Nintendo's Wii. Gosen said that there had been a "significant" change in the momentum of the firm's business in the past few months.

However, at Sony's London PlayStation Day event in early May, SCEE president David Reeves said, "I'm delighted to be able to announce that we have sold more PS3s throughout Europe than Xbox 360, even though they launched 16 months before PS3."

"We have been consistently outselling our closest competitor since October 2007," he added, noting that SCEE had sold over five million PS3s in Europe. ...

via IGN


Today Electronic Arts announced a sequel to last year's music game, Boogie. Titled Boogie SuperStar, it seems to ignore the first entry and its weirdo characters. Instead, this time out players will be dancing and singing with customizable cartoon girls. EA says there will be millions of possible characters to create. The game will include over 40 songs from artists like Rihanna, Fergie, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, Good Charlotte, Britney Spears, and Kanye West.

Versions of the game aimed outside the U.S. will include local artists from France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. EA is apparently still holding onto its ace in the hole – a "global music sensation" who will act as Boogie Superstar's featured artist and help promote the game.

"Boogie SuperStar promotes self-expression, creativity and empowerment for girls worldwide," said Robert Nashak, VP of Casual Studios, EA Casual Entertainment. "We have created a game where girls don't just observe someone else's rise to fame, they experience it themselves, singing and dancing their way through a world most girls only dream about."

The premise is that players are "discovered" and taken to a mysterious island to learn how to become a star. Two- and four-player modes will be available for co-op and versus play.

Boogie SuperStar will set you back $59.99 and includes a microphone.


Screenshots ...