It feels like the whole world is holding its breath for the Apple tablet. But maybe we’ve all been dreaming about the wrong device. This is Courier, Microsoft’s astonishing take on the tablet. (more…)

Updated August 5, 2009

One of the amazing things about the Xbox LIVE experience is that it’s always getting better. The upcoming August 11, 2009 Xbox LIVE Update truly cranks it up a notch – with features that improve your entertainment experience and give you new ways to express your individuality and connect with friends. With this update, you can download full Xbox 360® games and play them without a disc, and you and your friends will be able to party watch movies online through Netflix! Dress up your avatar to impress with premium props and branded apparel from fashion labels. And this update allows every piece of game content on Marketplace to be rated, so add your personal ratings and see what others think is cool. But that’s just the beginning. Check out all of the new features of the Xbox LIVE Update below. (more…)

Posted via Joystiq

Can’t be bothered to drag yourself to the nearest brick-and-mortar to pick up your Xbox 360 games? Don’t worry, you won’t be penalized for your sloth — this coming Tuesday, the first batch of 21 titles will be added to the Games on Demand service, a new feature in the anticipated dashboard update. There are no costs attached to these titles yet, but Microsoft says they’ll be similar in price to their tangible counterparts.

We’ve got the full list of games posted after the break — highlights include Mass Effect, Assassin’s Creed, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and … Viva Piñata. What? We love ambulatory piñatas! Deal with it.

Assassin’s Creed (Ubisoft)
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (LucasArts)
Rainbow Six Vegas (Ubisoft)
BioShock (2K Games)
Mass Effect (Microsoft Game Studios)
Ridge Racer 6 (Namco)
Burnout Paradise (EA)
Meet The Robinsons (Disney)
Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (Rockstar Games)
Call of Duty® 2 (Activision)
MX vs. ATV Untamed (THQ)
Sonic the Hedgehog (SEGA)
Viva Piñata 2: Trouble in Paradise (Microsoft Game Studios)
Need for Speed Carbon (EA)
Test Drive: Unlimited (Atari)
Fight Night Round 3 (EA)
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (EA)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2K Games/Bethesda Softworks)
Prey (2K Games)
Viva Piñata (Microsoft Game Studios)
Karaoke Revolution American Idol Encore (Konami)
Kameo: Elements of Power (Microsoft Game Studios)
Perfect Dark Zero (Microsoft Game Studios)
Dance Dance Revolution Universe (Konami)

Beautiful.

Microsoft has release the details of the upcoming dasboard update for Xbox Live.  Including Netflix updates, Games on Demand, User Ratings, and more. (more…)

We are pleased to announce the Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Beta which improves the Windows Home Server experience with Windows 7 and Windows Media Center by providing the following new features: Backup and restore of computers running Windows 7, Windows 7 Libraries integration, enhancements for Windows Media Center, and better support for netbook computers. (more…)