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We just received the new XBox 360 Experience, and I decided to blog about it right away (I know, totally untypical!). I expected much from this major upgrade, and I have to say so far I am impressed!

Starting with the install itself, which was quick and smooth, and onto the little touches, like the super impressive Welcome Video that it starts with. Instead of boring guy presenting “New Features”, it’s just an artistic High Definition journey for the senses.

Choosing and customizing the Avatar was just as amazing. The interface is super natural and Beautifully done in pure HD! Customization options abound, especially in hair and face options. I found it to be loads of fun, no matter what they say!

Interface overall is very impressive, while staying fast and responsive also. Haven’t used it enough to figure out how functional it is, but I don’t think there ever were any issues with function here. In my opinion, the interface should first of all Impress, and it definitely does that now. Way to go, Microsoft!!! Clearly there is a solid team behind Xbox and Zune, now if only they get some of these guys to work on Windows 8 (sadly, Windows 7 seems to have mostly closed set of features now. More on that in separate post, promise!).

UPDATE: I meant to Thank Major Nelson for making it available for us, loyal Xbox fans, few days before general public availability.

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Wow, sorry for disappearing on you. So much happened in the past few weeks, that instead of posting all those brilliant (aka: weird) thoughts I am having, I’ll just summarize recent events in my life:

• My Xbox 360 is back! Of course you don’t know that it was gone, but it was indeed a victim of well known Red Rings of Death. But, this is after at least a year of trouble-free use, and they replaced it within a week!!! Seriously, emailed us FREE shipping label for our old XBox. I dropped it at UPS on 9/25, and Oct 1st the replacement arrived! Completely Free and Fast! Mistakes Happen, it is all about how you bounce back and fess up to them that defines long-term success! So, I am a Happy Camper and Kudos Microsoft, big time!!!
• Went through rough patch at work, launching a new web site, enough said…
• We visited Consolidated Gold Mine, which is apparently only about 45 minutes north of here. Family had a good time! We’re definitely going back there in the future.
• Visited Panama City Beach in Florida, over the weekend. Pretty long drive from Atlanta, but nice beaches and weather was pretty good. Overall, fun trip also. And yes, all these trips were way before Gasoline shortage hit Atlanta…
• It’s been another month of iPhone and Zune and Blackberry, for my active daily use. We saw the release of all important iPhone 2.1 update, and Zune 3 software came out. I am working on summarizing my experiences in long post on Zune vs iPhone, promise!
• I have also been hard at work on my “secret project”, well, basically it is yet another website – stay tuned!

But enough about me, as you are likely wondering about the collapse of Wall street giants, and other such minor news happening out there… The world is undergoing changes in ever accelerating pace, and while mass media does dismal job of coverage, do keep in mind that I have a short list of articles that I share daily, for your reading pleasure, from the world wide ocean that is Internet. Don’t Clog The Tubes!!!

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It’s been only few days since I got my phone, but I feel like I can type up 10 posts about it, and still not be done. But, I will try to focus on most important points for now, with more to follow, for sure.

• Battery Life - Dismal or worse. First day I turned off WiFi, turned down screen brightness, yet still towards the end of the day the battery was practically dead. Next day I turned off Push email also, and that seems to make serious difference. Still, with normal use, one full day is your best bet. I don’t think this is critical for me, I’m getting car charger, plus charging it daily is easier to remember than twice a week, etc.
• Internet Browser - Is everything I ever dreamed of and more. Truly Internet in your pocket, with JavaScript and tons of features. I love YouTube support, but I had no idea it streams and plays QuickTime embedded videos from the web ALSO!
• Application Store - Amazing! And when combined with Internet Access, GPS and 3D capabilities of the device, the cloud computing is finally here!!! I will write-up a separate post on some of my favorite (mostly free) Official Apps for iPhone. Meanwhile install Google App, the Google Reader is killer Apps for iPhone IMHO!
• HTML Email - Amazing killer feature also, truly properly implemented, finally I can review and delete/respond to my email right on the mobile device!
• iTunes Software - I blame Apple, (though some may try to blame Windows Vista). Either way, pathetic piece of technology, really dismal. Probably the most annoying part of the whole experience and would be main reason for me to reconsider.
• Camera - Not impressive at all, and of course no Video capture (though Qik has app that will add such capability, hopefully it will be in Official Apple store soon). But, I did not expect much — I still prefer to take my photos/videos with dedicated device.

That’s it for now, I am trying not to overwhelm with very long posts, but for summary I want to just say that I LOVE IT! And the cool features galore truly worth the little inconveniences.

I also want to point out that my first experience with Apple products has thus far been mixed bag, but I was fortunate to find this video after a quick google search on the second day of iPhone use. Plus, I am also lucky to have iPhone, Zune and Blackberry in my active daily use going forward, so I will try to offer some comparative perspective, or try, at least.

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I just came across some excellent full length movies on Hulu, that appear to be available to everyone (in USA probably) completely free and legally! Here are some examples:

• The Fifth Element - one of my most favorite movies of all time! Adventure and Sci-Fi comes together in perfect Art Form.
• Jerry Maguire - Call it Love Story, call it Business Primer or just call it - Classic
• Titan A.E. - Excellent animated feature, another fun Sci-Fi adventure
• Underworld: Evolution - movie is available, maybe they are starting a trend and will keep adding movies
• Men in Black - There is no such thing as “Too Much Sci-Fi”!!
• Requiem for a Dream - Powerful and Moving experience, very well directed. Sit down your teenager in front of this one, for best Anti-Drug message available anywhere.
• Ghostbusters - Need I say more?
• The Girl Next Door - What!!? I am a Guy, right? Besides, it’s funny, sometimes!

I had no idea they offered full length movies, and it was especially pleasant to see these new favorites alongside old classics. There was even something for kids, but I’ll just let you browse the entire collection for yourselves:

Hulu Full Length Movies Collection - Enjoy!

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I am heading to local Home Depot, where finally it should be Easy to recycle those old broken fluorescent light bulbs. All of them contain Mercury, a very dangerous Cancer causing chemical, even in small quantities can be inhaled and cause all kinds of nasty things.

Over the years I have been collecting the light bulbs, planning to drive to an official recycling center, but there wasn’t one anywhere near us! About half a year ago, while shopping in our local Home Depot, I noticed their employees carelessly dropping several large fluorescent tubes into big trash can at the end of the store. Needlessly say I wasn’t happy. I asked them about recycling, and the manager asked WHAT? WHY? She had no clue, so I called corporate number and explained my concern.

I probably wasn’t the first, and recently Home Depot announced official Recycling Program! I have collected quiet a lot of bulbs over the years (staring at the box full of about 20), so I am happy to finally get rid of them, in environmentally friendly way.

Oh, and I may stop by AT&T store, which is right next door, and pick up an iPhone 3G. More on that later! And I am thinking of upgrading my blog this weekend to 2.6 Wordpress, it’s about time. Ah, plans plans.

In other random happenings, I installed Ubuntu 8.04 about a week ago, and I plan to post on that also, including super simple install instructions, soon.

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