We’re not talking about online security here, although we know this is a hot topic following the hacking disaster that affected PS3 users, what we would like to see is some hardware security to protect your precious Xbox. This could keep your Xbox secure just like the latest lock up security kits, although we’re sure this will not be included. With this in mind lets look at the current security offerings for today’s Xbox.

Using a security kit, you will be safe in the knowledge that your console will be locked for your use against theft. The Xbox slim security kit has a slot located in the back and comes with a keyed lock and a seven-inch steel wire cable. For older models, the steel plated anti theft design is available where the security plate is attached to the top of the Xbox with specially designed pin that will connect in the side ventilation slots. This secures the hard drive and the console with use of the wire cable.

To assemble and set up this safety procedure takes less than a minute. When it is attached to its fixture, it will withstand over 300 pounds of torque. This is the first anti-theft protection product for your Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Slim and seems to be a great idea to protect your valued console.

The Xbox slim is the sleek redesigned version of the original Xbox 360 just smaller and quieter. The Valhalla motherboard allows for around 30% more space than previous motherboards. The Memory Unit slots found on previous consoles have been removed in favor of the USB flash drive solution added in a previous system software update. The power and eject buttons are touch sensitive rather than the physical buttons found on previous models.

The idea that your Xbox could be stolen or tampered with is not nice, but with the new security kit, you can lock up you Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 slim away from intruders. For more information on pricing and availability, visit newPCgadgets.com.

Sam Jordon of Nukezilla is reporting that when you try and join a co-op campaign mission users are met with an error message. The message reads ‘One or more players do not have the hard drive for this game type’, ‘An Xbox 360 Hard Drive is required to play co-op on Xbox LIVE or system link.’

This means owners of the 4GB Xbox slim will miss out on a huge chunk of the game. The problem is also affecting earlier editions of the game, and to get round it you will have to purchase a 250GB hard drive for $129.99. UK owners will have to wait until the end of this month before being able to buy the £80 hard drive.

In a Statement Microsoft said “We are aware of the issue and are quickly working to resolve it.” No time scale has been given to when a solution will be available.

We also have a report of a bad batch of Halo: Reach discs. A gamer has written on a forum that when he visited his local GameStop a load of people were exchanging their copies of the game. Apparently there was a lot of bad copies released which the Xbox won’t read, or it say’s eject tray.

Moving to Sony’s PS3 was met with mixed feelings, the operating software did not equal that on the Xbox 360, and being able to voice chat before, during, and after a game was a feature missed. This was balanced out by hardware that was more reliable and silent in comparison.

Since 2007 we have seen a few hardware improvements for the Xbox 360, but the new Xbox 360 Slim in 2010 is miles better than anything Microsoft have launched before.

I am lucky enough to have had hands-on time – hundreds of hours – with both the launch Xbox 360 and all PS3 models to date, and at last we see both systems being on par. The new Xbox 360 S is a system I am proud to own, which would not have been the case for an Xbox 360 in 2007/2008.

The launch PS3 also failed, although this was a couple of years after release. Both the launch Xbox 360 and PS3 were not up to scratch in my opinion, and when compared to the latest versions of both systems, it’s a bit of a joke. The launch 360 was just “more of a joke”, with a MASSIVE failure rate that was unacceptable.

Now that the Xbox 360 and PS3 are pretty much on par in hardware reliability, what do you think about the previous models of both systems? How did you feel about the 2007 Xbox 360?

Having both systems also has its advantages, if you can afford to buy both, then we recommend it. You then have the option to buy accessories and games that are exclusive to both systems, which includes PS MOVE, Kinect, Halo, and GT5.

It is not quite a RROD, but rather a Red Dot shown on the power brick for the console. If you watch the video, you’ll see the user following Microsoft’s instructions to disconnect everything, including the power brick – but to no avail. The power brick displays the red dot again after a few moments of rebooting the console.

For those of you who were thinking that the RROD problems were well and truly over with the new console, this video serves as a new headache for Microsoft. Take a look for yourself below and let us know your thoughts on this.

Has this happened to you or not? It would be good to know how widespread this problem actually is.

The mod is not amazing, however pretty impressive given the fact that the new Xbox 360 was only unveiled earlier this week. Solomod have cut a window in the top of the console and filled the gap with transparent perspex/lexan, they have also added some pretty blue LEDs.

You can see the modded console in the video embedded at the end of this post, it is pretty cool as it shows the disc spinning, which means that when the game isn’t spinning you will be able to see which disc is in the drive, genius!

I am looking to buy the new Xbox 360 next month, however I will not be modding my console just in case I get the GROD, will you?

Source: SlashGear

It is nothing new when companies such as Microsoft give away a certain amount of products for websites and blogs to review – but this giveaway is different, as they do not have to remain where they had been sent. Matt Peckham from PC World reckons that it was unprecedented.

Those who attended the Microsoft keynote during E3 2010 were told that the new Xbox 360 Slim will ship to stores immediately, and that all those in attendance were to get a free unit as well. Microsoft told them that it was a gift, but there have been those suggestions that it was all a bribe.

Peckham says that it was not a bribe but just a way of persuading you to like their product instead. It has been estimated that this giveaway cost Microsoft $500,000, that’s a huge amount of money to throw away. There are those who feel that they should have gave these systems away to a children’s charity – the ones who do not even own a games console.

Whatever the reason, the new Xbox 360 Slim will be a welcome addition to the games console market.

So come on, do you think that this was a gift or bribe?

When Sony released their PS3 Slim last year it prompted many PS3 gamers to sell their original and buy a slim, this new console measured in at just 290 × 65 × 290 mm and weighed 3.5kg.

Microsoft’s new Xbox 360 measures in at 270 x 75 x 264mm and weighs 2.9 kg, this makes it smaller than the PS3 slim, however there is still an external power brick, this is smaller and lighter than the previous power brick.

To be honest I was never bothered by the size of the first-generation Xbox 360 as it didn’t exactly make my living room cramped, however I can’t deny that I like the new design.

If you want to get a real look at the original Xbox 360′s smaller brother check out the unboxing video here.

If you head over to Joystiq, you’ll be able to see the info sheet that they have claimed from one of their tipsters. It reveals basic specs for the new console, such as dimensions and some of the new features.

However, if you closely at the information, you’ll see that under the Ring Of Light heading, Microsoft has listed ‘Green Only. What does this mean exactly?

Does this mean that Microsoft has completely fixed the RROD issue, or does it just mean that the console will simply display a green light if an issue occurs?

You can bet that Microsoft will clear things up for us soon. In the meantime, let us know your thoughts on this. What are the chances of ‘GROD’ becoming a household term?

The video was taken by Destructoid, who managed to get some close-up time with the new console right after Microsoft’s keynote.

Destructoid tested the new console out with a fresh copy of Alan Wake. For some reason, one of their team moved the console, presumably to get a quick look at something on the back. What happened next is pretty obvious by watching the video below.

Moving the new Xbox 360 while a disc was inside completely destroyed it and who knows what damage it did to the internal components of the device. Just listen to the sound the disc makes when it happens.

Microsoft were quickly on the scene and stated ‘Yeah, you can’t do that’. Apparently, there is a sticker on the front of the console, which warns users of this exact problem – I guess Destructoid didn’t see it.

So for those of you planning to pick up a new console, you’ve been warned. Watch the video below and let us know your thoughts on it.

As reported from VG247, GAME has now updated their website with a listing for Microsoft’s new console. With it, we also have a confirmed UK price too – £199.

That isn’t too bad a price we think – especially for a much quieter console, with built-in WiFi. The £199 applies to the 250GB version of the console, maybe Microsoft will introduce other SKUs in the future, but 250GB should be more than enough for the average gamer.

As we confirmed after Microsoft’s E3 keynote, the release date for the console is July 16th in the UK, so we are presuming that GAME will prepare these units for shipping as soon as they receive stock from Microsoft.

Are you going to pre-order the new slimmer console? Head to the product listing at GAME’s website here.