Hello.

Microsoft plans to upgrade the Xbox 360's CPU in early 2007. The new CPU is expected to generate less heat and consume less power. While some consumers are threatening returns, this upgrade is a standard practice in the console industry and will likely result in a cooler, quieter console rather than a faster one. Sony, for example, made similar upgrades to the PS2 after its initial release.

I'm excited about the newly announced XNA Framework from Microsoft! It's supposed to make game development for Windows and Xbox 360 easier by unifying the class libraries. Imagine the code and asset reuse possibilities! They even showed off some demos at GDC running managed code on the Xbox 360. Sadly, I doubt they'll let homebrew developers like me use it, which is a bummer. Think of the cool Xbox Live content we could make!

I've noticed a lot of searches related to C# and Xbox 360 development. While it's unclear what the future holds, some recent posts suggest that using the CLR on the Xbox 360 may be possible someday. Whether this will open up homebrew development remains uncertain, especially considering potential licensing restrictions. Though it's unlikely, we can still hold onto a glimmer of hope!

This post addresses the numerous Google searches related to ".NET framework" and "Xbox 360." Despite the search traffic, I currently have no information on this topic. It seems unlikely that .NET Framework would be available on the Xbox 360 due to the console's different chip architecture and the recent introduction of x86 64-bit support in .NET 2.0. However, I remain open to the possibility.

I'm testing my image code for related images functionality. In the meantime, check out XBox 360 reviews on Gamespot and IGN.

I just got Burnout Revenge for Xbox, and it's a huge step up from Burnout 3! The music, graphics, speed, and new levels are fantastic. The AI is good but a little predictable; I can foresee the first 30 seconds of one level perfectly. Minor variations aside, the other cars stick to very similar routes. Still, no game is perfect!

I just cancelled my Xbox Live account after 3 months of not using it, mainly due to a poor internet connection with Wanadoo. The cancellation process was quick and easy, taking about 2 minutes. I might consider subscribing again when the Xbox 360 comes out.