Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has launched a universal iOS application for Xbox LIVE. The free Xbox LIVE app allows you to stay connected to the Xbox LIVE community when you don’t have your console near you. Features include:
- Ability to read/send messages
- Manage friends list and invite new friends
- Read/Edit your LIVE profile
- Change avatar and items in the avatar closet
- View/compare achievement progress

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) announced 14 new XBox LIVE titles coming to the Windows Phone 7 operating system within the next few months. Microsoft made the announcement at the annual Gamescom conference in Cologne, Germany. Some other new features coming to Windows Phone 7 also include Avatar Awardables, game add-ons, parental controls, and fast async.

Conan O’Brien almost signed a deal with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) to have an exclusive show on the Xbox 360 according to executive producer Jeff Ross. The deal did not end up getting signed because it was not clear what Conan would be doing exactly. Conan ended up going with TBS as a result. [GamaSutra]

Robert Bowling of Infinity Ward sent out a tweet saying that Modern Warfare 2 gamers have logged in about 1.75 billion hours into the game on Xbox Live itself. When dividing this many hours into years, it comes out to be around 200,000 years. [Kotaku]

Microsoft has banned somewhere between 600,000-1,000,000 Xbox LIVE users for having a modded Xbox 360 recently. When a console you have suddenly stops working online, what do you do with it? Sell it on the cheap. You may have noticed that tons of these blacklisted Xbox 360 consoles have been added to Craigslist and eBay.

The consoles aren’t completely bricked. Modded Xbox 360 consoles can still play with pirated games but they cannot be played online. According to PC World, over 200 postings in New York City has been added since November 5 on Craigslist with a modded Xbox 360 for sale. Chicago had over 195 listings added during the same period.

What does this mean for people wanting to buy an Xbox soon? Be wary when shopping on eBay or Craigslist for them.

Greg Stroke entered his credit card into Xbox Live so that he does not have to enter it every time into system. One morning Stroke and his girlfriend woke up the next day and found a chewed up controller. It turns out that his dog chewed up the controller to the point that 5,000 Xbox points were purchased for $62.50. It turns out that Microsoft made it so easy to buy games that even a dog could do it. “I just wish they’d make it a little harder to purchase points,” said Stroke.

Turtle Beach has developed a new headset called the Ear Force X41.  These headsets are primarily used for gaming on the XBox 360.  The X41 is the third generation headset made by Turtle Beach.  The Ear Force X41 supports  Dolby 7.1 channel surround sound.  The Ear Force X41 headphones also has a Digital Signal Processor feature built in.  For better smack talking sound clarity, there is a feature called Chat Boost.  This makes XBox Live chat louder.  The cost of the headphones are $199.95.

[via TG Daily/Engadget]

On August 11, there be an XBox Dashboard update that will be arriving on XBox Live.  Features will include Games on Demand, Netflix improvements, Avatar Marketplace, Avatar Awardables, game ratings, and friend list sorting.  This fall there will also be Twitter, Facebook, and Last.fm support.  When the dashboard launches on Tuesday, the following 24 titles will be available for download at various prices.

- Assassin’s Creed
- Rainbow Six Vegas
- LEGO: Star Wars
- Mass Effect
- Ridge Racer 6
- Meet The Robinsons
- Burnout Paradise
- Call of Duty 2
- Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis
- MX vs. ATV Untamed
- Sonic The Hedgehog
- Need For Speed Carbon
- Viva Piñata 2: Trouble in Paradise
- Test Drive: Unlimited
- Prey
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Viva Piñata
- Karaoke Revolution American Idol
- Kameo: Elements of Power
- Perfect Dark Zero
- Dance Dance Revolution Universe