HP to launch new PC brand this year

We were at an HP gaming event today, presented by Rahul Sood (former CEO of Voodoo, before HP bought 'em). Rahul wanted to let the world know what HP had all their peoples working on, since not much has changed around Voodoo's business since the acquisition. The answer? HP's launching a new high-to-mid tier PC brand in 2007, which will sit beneath the Voodoo brand and above HP brand in terms of price / performance. They didn't go into much more detail than that, but it's obvious HP thinks the PC gaming space will continue to be a money-maker. Let's just hope they don't resurrect, say, Packard Bell in that slot, or some other flagging PC business. We think it's about time for some fresh blood up in here, don't you?

Team Xtender announces component to VGA adapter box

Its multi-console-connecting component cable has yet to make it out of "preview mode," but the folks at Team Xtender already seem to have another component-centered video game accessory in the bag, now showing off their XCM Multi-cable V2 PC Monitor Adapter. As that mouthful of a name suggests, the little black box will take the component end of the included multi-headed component cable (or presumably any other component cable) and convert it into a VGA signal by the time it reaches the monitor plugged into the other end of the box. Team Xtender has also been thoughtful enough to include a second port and a handy switch for those that still want use their monitor for computing duties. As with their component cable, however, they haven't spilled any details on pricing or availability just yet, although they are happy to sign up anyone willing to sell 'em.

Look at the pretty lights: Wiimote modded up purty

Chalk another one up for "interesting things to do with your Wiimote that most assuredly void the warranty." Leet hax0r "sir crx" of the MaxConsole Forums just got LED happy in his Wiimote, but unlike lame-o attempts by his predecessors, crx did his one up right, with a different LED color for each controller "port." The blue, red, green and yellow colors denote players 1-4 and make for quite the show -- in a complete Wii fanboy sort of way, naturally.

Woman dies trying to win a Wii

With all the hysteria and violence surrounding the PlayStation 3 launch, we were almost positive that it would be the pursuit of Sony's hard-to-find console which would lead to the tragic death of a hopeful gamer. But even though there were numerous scuffles and injuries in the race to secure a PS3, the first and only casualty in the next-gen wars turned out to be a woman trying to win a Wii for her children -- and she lost her life in much more bizarre circumstances than the retail madness we witnessed in late November. 28-year-old Jennifer Strange of Rancho Cardova, CA was found dead inside her home on Friday afternoon after competing in a radio station-sponsored competition which pitted hopefuls against one another for the prize of Nintendo's latest and greatest. Instead of competing on the playing fields of Wii sports or the Japanese streets of Red Steel, however, contestants gathered inside the studios of Sacramento's KDND The End to see who could drink the most water without urinating. The ridiculously-titled "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" contest had entrants imbibe eight ounces of water every fifteen minutes for 90 minutes, after which they were given larger portions until a winner emerged. Ms. Strange -- who did not win -- left the studio in tears, and she was last heard from by her employers at Radiological Associates of Sacramento complaining of a terrible headache. Autopsy results released yesterday showed signs of water intoxication, wherein the body's electrolyte levels are dangerously unbalanced due to a rapid intake of the seemingly harmless liquid. A spokesperson from The End came out with the usual sob story following news of Strange's death, but at least one of her coworkers thinks the station should have done more to prevent this tragedy; it's probably a pretty safe bet that a lawsuit is forthcoming.

Sony PSP goes Champagne Gold

Champagne Gold" wasn't exactly our first choice for a new PSP color -- it's a little nouveau riche for our blood -- but Sony will be rolling it out in Japan on February 22nd, adding it to their current line up of black, white, pink, silver & blue models. No word on if, or when, it might be released here in the States, but Sony hasn't been very good about introducing new PSP colors over here.

Get Halo 3......

For those who do not like to leave things up to chance, specially marked copies of the game Crackdown, developed by Real Time Worlds and published by Microsoft Games Studios are to include invitations to the Halo 3 beta.

When the Halo 3 multiplayer beta surfaces in spring 2007, owners of Crackdown with access to an Xbox 360 Pro console or an Xbox 360 Core console with hard drive and a valid Xbox Live Gold subscription simply need to load their copy of Crackdown into Xbox 360 and use the disc as a key to download the beta from Xbox Live Marketplace. Crackdown will be available in the on February 20. The only thing still I’m wondering about is if there is some sort of unique key for each copy of Crackdown, otherwise a single rental copy could provide the Halo 3 multiplayer beta to dozens if not hundreds of gamers.

Microsoft has detailed a third method in which to get into the beta test. Beginning Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, at 12:01 a.m. EST, all gamers need to do is participate in at least three hours of Halo 2 multiplayer sessions, via Xbox Live, before Feb. 3, 2007, at 11:59 p.m. EST and then be among the first 13,333 to register at www.halo3.com.

The marketing effort calls this trio the “Rule of Three,” which we’ll recap as: 1, register at the Halo 3 site today for your chance to participate; 2, purchase a specially marked copy of Crackdown; and 3, play a few hours of Halo 2 and be quick to register.

The whole incentive aspect of purchasing a game solely for the bundled incentive inside is not a new one. The ones that managed to grab me was the Metal Gear Solid 2 demo that was bundled with the first Zone of the Enders. The MGS2 demo was awesome, but ZOE could have been much better (which it was in the sequel). The Final Fantasy XII demo included with Dragon Quest VIII was an excellent pairing of the two biggest RPG franchises in the world, and both discs inside the package were equally attractive.

Initial previews of Crackdown seem to be positive, especially because of its innovative co-op mode, but the sheer weight of Halo 3 may make some view their next purchase as “buy the Halo 3 beta, get Crackdown for free!” Personally, I’m more interested in playing a co-op enabled sandbox game.

More ways for Wii to fly off the handle

If Hong Kong-based Brando were a little kid, he'd be the one in the back row of the classroom getting everyone else in trouble. That, at least, is what the gadget maker seems to be doing (wittingly or otherwise) with its "Sports Pack" of accessories for the Wii.

The innovative "Wiimote" of Nintendo's new game system has gotten the company in some legal trouble with people who blame the device for gaming-induced injuries. Now Brando comes along with a set of attachments to the wireless remote, including pint-sized versions of a tennis racket, golf club and baseball bat, of all things. (Remember the De Niro scene in The Untouchables?)

The XBOX 360v2 is here with leaked pictures

Ever wonder why Microsoft hasn't released an HDMI cable for the Xbox 360, or whether the AV port was really capable of digital out? Well, here's your answer: we landed pictures of what appears to be the second Xbox 360 -- the Xbox 360 v2, if you will -- codenamed Zephyr. (The original Xbox 360, if you recall, was codenamed Xenon.) The long rumored about and awaited update to the console won't just feature a new, cooler 65nm processor, it's also finally added an HDMI port for full digital 1080p pleasure, as well as a 120GB drive, just what the doctor ordered. The 120GB drive may or may not come bundled with the kit, we don't yet know, just as we also don't yet know how much a Zephyr 360 is going to run (we imagine it'll go for the same price as currently so they can keep up a little on their expanding margin). But our very kind Xbox insider seemed happy to let us know we'd be able to get them "soon."

From Engadget