X Boxes 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft, and is the successor to the Xbox. Xbox 360 competes with Sony 's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo' s Wii as part of the seventh generation video game consoles.
Some major features of the Xbox 360 is an integrated Xbox Live service allows players to compete online, download arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows and movies and Windows Media Center multimedia capabilities. Xbox 360 also offers special access to the third party services like Netflix streaming media in the United States or Sky TV in Britain.
Xbox 360 officially launched on MTV on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information was revealed later that month at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). The console sold out completely for release in all regions, except in Japan, and in January 2010, there were more than 39 million Xbox 360 consoles worldwide. Xbox 360 is currently available in two configurations-the "Shopping" and "Elite"-each with its own choice of accessories.
Development
Known during development as Xenon, Xbox 2, Xbox FS, Xbox Next, or NextBox, Xbox 360 was conceived in early 2003. In February 2003, planning for the Xenon software platform began, and headed by Microsoft vice president J Allard. That month, Microsoft held an event for 400 developers in Bellevue, Washington to recruit support for the system. Also that month, Peter Moore, former president of Sega of America, joined Microsoft. On August 12, 2003, ATI signed on to produce the graphic processing unit for the new console, a deal that was announced two days later. Before the launch of Xbox 360, several alpha development kits that look using Apple's Power Mac G5 hardware. This is due to Power system PC 970 processor running the same PowerPC architecture that the Xbox 360 would eventually run under IBM 's Xenonprosesor. The core of the Xenon processor was developed by using a slightly-modified version of the PlayStation 3's Cell processor architecture PPE. According to David Shippy and Mickie Phipps, of IBM employees who "hide their work from Sony and Toshiba."
Specification
Let's quickly go into the guts of the Xbox 360 console. In the 360, you'll find three custom IBM-designed PowerPC-based symmetric processor cores running at 3.2GHz.Unit graphics processor is specially designed unit designed by ATI running at 500MHz. Microsoft claims that Xbox 360 can process more than four times the number of polygons as the original Xbox console. You'll also find 48 parallel shader pipelines in the GPU ATI. The console itself is using shared memory architecture that is built around 512MB of GDDR3 RAM.
When we talk about Xbox 360, we'll talk about High Definition (HD). Because all games are designed for the Xbox360 is required to be developed for the resolution of 720p and 1080i. They are also optimized to display the 16:9 widescreen format. This does not mean that you really need an HDTV to run the Xbox 360, although games and multimedia you will look much better if you have an HDTV it.
The console has three USB ports that are designed to allow you to easily connect the various accessories and devices including portable music player. This includes the Apple iPod and Sony PSP - well at least until the company decides not to make devices compatible with the 360. What does this mean - you can stream music and photos from this ware portable directly into your 360 via USB port.
Xbox 360 Package
Initially, the Xbox 360 will come in two different packages - the Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Core System. Core systems are exactly that - what you need at a minimum to enjoy the Xbox 360 console (or so they say!). These include:
· Console
· Wired Controller
· Composite AV Cable
Xbox 360 package (otherwise known as a premium package by some) comes with:
· Console with Chrome Finish
· Hard Drive
· Wireless Controller
· Xbox Live headset
· Component HD AV Cable
· Ethernet cable
Which plan should you buy? If you do the math on the cost of additional components, then the Xbox 360 package is a winner. If you even want to even consider playing one of the original Xbox game, you'll need a hard disk which means you might as well go for the Xbox 360 package. I can see the core system to be one option if you want a second or third home systems 360 to the network environment or to stream content from one room to another.
Dashboard
Dashboard interface has been completely redesigned for the Xbox 360. Now use a vertical tabbed interface that you can flip through using the controller's joystick button or the remote navigation buttons. Microsoft has often been criticized for their poor user interface design but the Xbox 360 UI a step ahead of the rest. Tab is intuitive and easy to navigate. The options are clear and easy to read - especially on wide-screen display for the Xbox 360 was designed for.
There are four main tabs to filter. They are:
- Xbox Live - where you will be able to login and view your profile Xbox live information, check email, see my friends who are online, and browse the Xbox Live Marketplace
- Games - where you will be able to see the achievements, the game in the optical drive, check the previously played games, went to the Xbox Live Arcade and game demos and trailers view through
- Media - This is where the Xbox 360 becomes more than just a gaming console. You will be able to stream photos and audio files from other Windows XP machines on a local area network. You can also connect directly to Windows Media Center PC on your LAN via Media GUI.Xbox 360 is capable of being independent Media Center Extender (MCX) device
One of the cooler features of the Xbox 360 UI is the ability to call your member profile tab no matter what you do. Press the X button on the controller or remote and you will get this overlayed on your screen.
