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  • Nvidia releases new mobile GeForce GTX 280M, GTX 260M, and GTS 160M

    Laptops recently overtook desktops in overall sales. The trend has been pointing in that direction a long time, but the tide finally shifted. All the companies see the writing on the wall and respond accordingly. Nvidia's doing its part by releasing three new mobile graphics chips - the GeForce GTX 280M, GeForce GTX 260M, and GeForce GTS 160M. The company kept things simple in the nomenclature department, but I'm sure if we wait a few months we'll see the usual slurry of GT, GS, and G monikers.

    Built on a 55nm process, the new chips share many of the same features as the company's flagship desktop GPU, the GeForce 280 GTX. Once on a mobile platform the chips have to be pared down considerably due to power and heat constraints. The GeForce 280M, 260M, and 160M each have 128, 112, and 64 cores respectively. By comparison the flagship GeForce 280 GTX found on the desktop has 240 cores. Each of the mobile chips has 1GB of GDDR3 RAM. According to Nvidia, the new mobile chips should outperform the prior generation of mobile chips by 20 to 60 percent depending upon the game. On a performance per watt basis, the new chips provide a 20 to 30 percent improvement over the prior generation.

  • Major Nelson clears up some Gamertag and Windows Live ID issues

    Good ol' Major Nelson has a public service announcement up regarding Microsoft's Windows Live ID and Gamertag dormancy/cancellation policies. The post reads like a problem off of the LSAT - lots of contingencies, and interrelated account policies that sound confusing. Here's the original text:

    What happens:

    In the rare case that you DO NOT sign in to Xbox.com or another website that uses Windows LIVE ID (like Hotmail) it is possible that your Windows LIVE ID expires (goes dormant.) An Xbox LIVE Gamertag is unrecoverable from the system only when the associated Windows Live ID has become dormant and the Gamertag has been deleted from all Xbox 360 consoles.

    Members with dormant Windows Live IDs can continue to enjoy the benefits of their Xbox LIVE Gamertags on their Xbox 360 consoles, including earning Achievements; however, they will not be able to use their expired Windows Live IDs for activities such as account management on Xbox.com.

    It is important to note that an Xbox LIVE Gamertag is unrecoverable from the system only when the associated Windows Live ID has become dormant and the Gamertag has been deleted from all Xbox 360 consoles.

    What you can do to prevent having any problems:

    We recommend that people log into their Windows Live ID on Xbox.com or Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web at least once every four months.

    What we're doing:

    We are actively working on an update that will allow you to link your Gamertag to a new Windows Live ID if one becomes dormant.

    Our translation - Your Xbox Live Gamertag is safe unless you delete it from your console. Don't worry about logging in every month or so to keep it active. Nothing will happen to it. The Windows Live ID, on the other hand, suffers from the Hotmail affliction. Use it or lose it. Log in at least once every four months to keep Microsoft happy. In the case that you've tied your Windows Live ID to your Gamertag and let the Windows Live ID go dormant, you won't be able to do any online account management or tie your Gamertag to a new Windows Live ID. Microsoft is addressing that last bit as we speak. That should be it, unless we missed a point in there. Carry on.

  • Nintendo DSi coming April 5th

    The Nintendo DSi will finally hit American soil. Japan got to play with the DSi last November and they've been gobbling it up since. The DSi marks the third incarnation of the DS, and probably the most drastic change to date. Nintendo's upcoming handheld system includes new hardware functionality, new software, and an updated menu system, in addition to several physical design changes. We detailed the upgrades and changes in a feature during the Japanese launch. Expect to find blue and black colored DSi's in stores on April 5th with an MSRP $169.99.

    Nintendo representatives recently showed up to trot out the US version of the DSi. It's basically identical to the Japanese version except it has an English menu system. Unlike the last time around, we could actually read and explore the menu and options. In particular, we got a better look at the main menu, camera, and sound options.

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