Xenon360 FAQ Posted

>> Xtreme Enterprise posted a new FAQ about their recently released Xenon360 replacement cases for the Xbox360:
[QUOTE]
We're excited about the new release of our long-awaited innovation - the Xenon360 replacement console case for the Xbox360. Packed with features and a clean design concept, we have not only improved upon the original design, the stock look of the Xbox360 is also retained. After collating some feedback from our customer-base, here are some FAQs which we hope will be able to clarify some doubts you may have about the Xenon360 features :

Question : Is this case HDMI-version compatible (as in Elite version)?
Answer : No, this case is not compatible with the HDMI-version of the Xbox360. However, we have designed the case to be future-proof : future iterations of the Xbox360 (in this case, HDMI) can be accomodated with some simple modifications. This will be the only case in the market capable of doing this.

Question : Can original faceplates work with this case?
Answer : Yes, all original faceplates can be used on the Xenon360.

Question : Will the circular cutout on the sides of the case be there when I buy the case?
Answer : No, the circular cutout was for the prototype version of the case. We have since decided to discard this feature since customer feedback told us this is not a desired feature. The shipped case will not have this hole in the case.

Question : How durable are the tabs on the Xenon360 faceplates? I bought a 3rd party faceplate a while back and the first time I removed that faceplate, a couple of tabs broke off.
Answer : Xenon360 faceplates are built of the same material as the originals. We have not seen nor experienced any tab breakages at all.

Question : Why are there no stand pads on the case for it to sit horizontally?
Answer : Stand pads were deliberately omitted from the Xenon360 design to enable a cleaner design. We also noted that the original stand pads were too short to have served any purpose in case ventilation. While putting the Xenon360 vertically will not require use of any stand pads, a horizontal placement will require some kind of prop-up for proper ventilation of the Xbox360. This can be easily purchased off the hardware store and put at the 4 corners of the case. Pleae ensure that there is at least a 5-7 mm clearance from the shelve bottom to the base of the Xbox360 for ventilation purposes.

Question : Will you guys be coming up with a laptop (Ben Heck) version of the Xbox360?
Answer : We will need to see a poll for this to determine feasibility and demand.

Question : Why is there a 7% tax on paypal checkout? Any handling charges?
Answer : Xtreme Enterprise is based in Singapore where our sales tax is 7%. We have waived all handling charges for the purchase of the Xenon360 for all customers.
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Official Site: www.xbox-central.com

PS3's Mysterious Wireless Dongle

From 1up.com:
[QUOTE]
With Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock on Xbox 360 and Wii, you simply turn on the machine, sync the guitar and start to rock. On PlayStation 3, however, there's the bizarre addition of a USB wireless dongle, despite the hardware featuring wireless Bluetooth technology in the box -- it's how the Sixaxis connects without a cord. When no one would comment on the additional wireless accessory during a Guitar Hero press event a few weeks back, 1UP contacted Red Octane for an explanation on why the PS3 version needed the additional step.

"For the PS3 guitar, we're using our own 2.4ghz wireless solution. Our products require considerable time for certification and testing to perfect both our software & hardware, so this was the most effective way for us to bring a high quality wireless solution for PS3 this holiday," said Red Octane VP of Hardware Lee Guinchard.

Right, but why? The wireless capabilities of PS3 and Wii are both Bluetooth-based. The Wii version doesn't require a separate dongle -- it simply hooks into the Wiimote and hijacks the existing signal -- so why are developers swapping Sony's own wireless solutions for their own? Red Octane spokesperson Bryan Lam told 1UP it's because Sony's tools only work for the Sixaxis at the moment. In order for Guitar Hero 3 to hit day-and-date with the other versions, Red Octane was forced to develop their own wireless solution. Nintendo, on the other hand, had everything ready to roll, allowing Red Octane's guitar to simply ride on the existing Bluetooth technology found in the Wii.
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Full Story: 1up.com

Use the PS3 Web Browser (and more?) Without Updating

You’ve been dying for an update, and here is something definitely worthy of posting…

So, you’re in this situation — still sitting at firmware 1.02 (by the way, this was tested on a Japan console running 1.02) and you have no desire to update; perhaps you lust for that speculated ISO loader, whatever the reason. Notice when attempting to fire up the PS3 web browser you are forced to update before proceeding — not anymore! By using Resident Evil Outbreak 1 or 2 (possibly other networked PS2 titles will work) you should be able to bypass that, here’s how:

Team Wormcult quotes…

When you use the networking feature in RE Outbreak 1&2, it allows you to configure your IP settings in relation to your router. I selected the name of my house network and set the IP address to ‘automatic’. I believe it then lets you run a test connection and you are good to go. Afterwards I went to try and start a RE game online and got a message from the server saying they shut it down a couple of months ago. But at that point you are already successfully using your PS3’s wifi to access an outside server. Afterwards when you go into your web browser after quitting the game, it should work with no upgrade needed. So far this has only been tested on my own system, 1.02 Japan unit

Potentially this may lead to bypassing other related firmware checks. I cannot personally confirm because I’m running the latest update; can anyone else test this method? Leave the results below.

By the way, check out Wormcult on iTunes.