Game Review: 'The Darkness II'

For those of you who like to read your reviews, you can read my full review of The Darkness II after the break.

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When the next generation of gaming is coming and why I'm not looking forward to it

his coming holiday season the Xbox 360 will be turning 7 and the PS3 and Wii will be 6 years old. The previous generation lasted only 4 years for Microsoft, 5 years for Nintendo and 6 for Sony. This console cycle, while still delivering some really great games, is getting long in the tooth.

So the question on everyone's mind is, when will the new console hardware be revealed and when will it launch?

Nintendo has already revealed their next console to break fanboy's hearts even further, the Wii U. But for the hardware anyone wants to play games on, we look to Microsoft and Sony. Microsoft took a full year lead last go around and as bad as Microsoft would like to do that again, Sony will probably make it difficult.

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Microsoft releases My Xbox LIVE app for iOS

Hot on the heels of the latest dashboard update Microsoft has released a new app for iOS for Xbox Live. The app is universal and looks and feels very much like a Windows Phone 7 app. In the app you can read and send messages, view friends list, edit your bio, change features of your avatar, view and set beacons and view all of your achievements complete with a search feature.

The app is very beautiful and instantly had me jealous of Windows Phone users, well just a little. Creating the app is an interesting move considering the Xbox Live features are a big selling point for Windows Phones. Xbox apps are noting new to iOS. Microsoft even had to demand that all Xbox apps be free in the past. This is definitely the best looking and most easy to use iOS Xbox app I've used.

iTunes Link

HBO GO not available on Xbox until early 2012

Tomorrow (December 6th) the latest Xbox 360 dashboard update will hit internet connected consoles. I am currently in the beta and am really enjoying the new interface. One of the new features, not included in the beta is the multitude of video services Microsoft is adding to the service.

Reading Twitter the last weeks I've heard many expecting HBO GO, arguably the most anticipated service, to be available on the 6th when the update is released. This is not the case. Major Nelson has released a list of the services and when they will be available. You can see a list of the services after the break. To hit the highlights, HBO GO won't be available until early 2012, which means "don't hold your breath" and YouTube will be out by the end of December.

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Microsoft angling for Comcast and Verizon streaming to Xbox

Microsoft is said to be in negotiations to bring Comcast and Verizon television service to the Xbox. Microsoft already has some deals like this in place over seas with Sky TV. Those are not the only providers Microsoft is getting chatty with. Almost two dozen other providers around the world could be making their way to your console including HBO Go.

Microsoft has shown off IPTV and DVR functionality in the past so this is something they have been setting up for some time now. Like the ESPN app already available, you'll likely be identified as a cable customer through your ISP, limiting access to those who have chose to cut the cord on a normal cable plan.

At E3 this year a 'Live TV' feature of the new dashboard was shown but not talked about much. That could all change in about a week or so with the update going live to consoles reportedly in mid-November. I think it would be great to have HBO Go on the big screen. And using your Xbox as a DVR would be welcome addition to be sure.

via: Bloomberg