The new M17x (third revision) is Alienware’s first 3D-capable gaming laptop.To get the 3D features you’ll need to go for the 20Hz, WideFHD WLED LCD display model with the 1.5GB Nvidia GTX 460M graphics card.

This 17-inch monster packs the new Intel i5 or i7 Sandy Bridge processors, with an Intel P67 Express chipset, HDMI-in and wireless HD capabilities. If you don’t need or want 3D (and you want to save a few quid) you can also opt for an ATI 1GB HD6870M or a 2GB 6970M graphics version

The Alienware M17x R3 will be available from 10 January, with prices starting from £1,799.

There was also an Alienware desktop machine announced at CES – the Aurora, which will cost you at least £999, and packs Sandy Bridge chips (overclocked liquid cooled) and graphics from either AMD Crossfire X or Nvidia SLI modes. continue to read »

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has confirmed in an interview with the BBC that Kinect is going to be PC-compatible.

When asked if we’d eventually be able to plug the Kinect into a PC he replied:

“We’ll support that in a formal way, in the right time.”

“We’re trying to do two major things,” he said.

“We’re trying to move beyond gaming – to include the world of socialisation movies, TV and music – and we’re trying to make the whole experience accessible to everybody in the family, not just the traditional gamers.”

Back in August at Gamescom 2010, Microsoft’s Kinect guru Kudo Tsunoda told Pocket-lint that the opportunities for Kinect stretched beyond just gaming

“It’s all stuff that you could integrate into a multitude of devices, whether it’s phones or it’s PC’s, or anything that requires some sort of input,” he said.

“It’s all stuff that you could work into phones as well if you wanted to…if like you worked at a company that did stuff with phones and PCs then maybe something like that would be possible”.

Turtle Beach is using CES to unveil three new gaming sets that range in both price and ability. All will be available in the Spring of this year. Check below for a picture and breakdown of each headset.

I think it’s cool that the company is giving us choices. These headsets can be pretty expensive, though the pricier ones tend to be worth it for people who are big into audio.

The information below was taken directly from the Turtle Beach  press release.

Name: Ear Force PX5
Price: $249.95
Website: www.turtlebeach.com/px5
Info: The PX5 is designed for PS3 and XBOX 360 gaming to allow independent customization of the chat, game, and microphone signals.  Custom settings stored in the headset as presets can be selected during specific parts of the game to emphasize sounds like footsteps or reloads that might otherwise be difficult to hear.

It can even be programmed to disguise a gamer’s voice or to enhance the voices of online players when the game gets louder. These personalized presets will be possible with software available from the Turtle Beach website.

The PX5 is also the first headset to incorporate dual radios. One is for immersive, Dolby Digital surround sound  and a second for chat on the PlayStation Network via Bluetooth. The Bluetooth feature also supports stereo audio streaming for listening to music while playing a game and can accept a phone call while wearing the headset.

Name: Ear Force P11
Price: $59.95
Website: www.turtlebeach.com/p11
Info: The Turtle Beach Ear Force P11 Gaming Headset is designed for the PlayStation 3 and also compatible with PC/Mac. It’s powered directly through a USB connection and 50mm high fidelity speakers. This headset also has independent volume controls for chat and game audio.

Name: Ear Force XC1
Price: $24.95
Website: www.turtlebeach.com/xc1
Info: This one is designed specifically for the XBOX 360.  The XC1 allows you to hear external game sound and internal chat at the same time. The fully adjustable, single ear lightweight design fits comfortably on either ear and is perfect for long gaming sessions.

Avatar Kinect:

The update will bring a new way to chat with your friends with your Avatar and Kinect.

Avatar Kinect is a new social entertainment experience on Xbox LIVE bringing your avatar to life! Control your avatar’s movements and expressions with the power of Avatar Kinect. When you smile, frown, nod, and speak, your avatar will do the same.

Invite up to 7 friends, and chose from over 15 virtual environments.

There was no date announced at CES, but all we know is that you can see the Update hit your console in Spring.

Below is the video of Sony’s CES 2011 Press Conference Highlights

Below is the video from CES 2011 of Microsoft Press Conference Analysis

This  purportedly leaked slide of Microsoft’s 2011 CES keynote speech, snapped by blog Glimpse Dog, shows off an upcoming Xbox 360 feature the company is calling”Avatar Kinect.”