Microsoft is taking requests for folks who want to beta test a connector to Xbox Live via the PC. In the request it asks:

"Are you interested in being part of a select group that is invited to help beta test a new service that lets PC game players connect with their friends on the Xbox through the LIVE gaming network?"

This has been posted on the Internet over the past few months, at least now we know it is going to beta and should be released to the world shortly after that. We'll be watching for more information, and hopefully participate in the beta test.

It's been a slow news day, but there are some Xbox notes making rounds:

• Xbox Live for the PC may be free, and all you may pay for is multi-player games. This is due to the strong competition from other companies on the PC market.
• The black Xbox 360 rumor is still holding strong. We may see this sometime this year.
• An Xbox 360 price cut is being tossed aroundRead More »
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Here's one for the mistake of the week in retail. At an Australian retailer they were running a promotion for the PS3. They needed a DVD player to run some promotional material for the PS3 display. Under the display, what did they use to run the video? Our friend the Xbox 360, you can see it peaking out in the picture above. Nice.

Take a challange and earn a reward. By completing the challenges you can earn tokens for use on the Xbox Marketplace.

http://xboxrewards.msgamestudios.com/

Here's the rundown on some rumors out this week:

• Xbox price drop by Christmas of $100 - maybe realistic, prices usually drop during the holiday shopping season.
• Black Xbox 360 to be out soon - White, black, whatever... ...HDMI and 120GB HD, now we're talking.

One of Microsoft's marketing partners launched WhatsWrongWithU.com to target Asia for the Xbox 360. There really isn't much there on the site. First select your location, and then let them know what you want out of a game console. They will ask for your email to send you something.

Here's an add-on for your 360. The Gamexpert Cooler King not only cools your Xbox 360 it also adds additional media connections, usb ports, and digital sound to your machine.

Features of the Cooler King:

According to Reuters Microsoft is set to launch the Xbox 360 game console in China this year.

The launch may be a sign that China's increasingly affluent ...

I think I'd rather focus on the business at hand rather than gaming, but Roto Rooter is developing a toilet that does everything. It's got a flat screen HDTV, iPod and dock, TiVo, xBox 360, and DVD player. There's a laptop, bullhorn, bike pedals, beer tap, fridge. Is this serious?

Read more...

UPDATE: This is actually a promotion Roto Rooter

on10.net sat down with Jason White of Microsoft to talk about iPTV on your Xbox 360. Great overview of the capabilities.

Microsoft announced at the CES that Xbox Live Video Marketplace is the leader in the distribution of online entertainment content.

"Xbox 360 has become one of COMEDY CENTRAL's leading digital distribution platforms," said Caleb Weinstein, senior vice president, strategy and business development, COMEDY CENTRAL. "In nearly two months, Xbox has become our second highest performing digital distributor. COMEDY CENTRAL is thrilled to continue this partnership and is working to bring mo ...

According to various sources, next week at CES Microsoft will be announcing the availability of iPTV via the Xbox. This will provide you with on-demand access to various programs. In addition, the next version of the Xbox is reported to have an HDMI port providing that iPTV with full 1080p goodness.

UPDATE: As expected Microsoft confirmed these reports about the Xbox 360 v2.

UPDATE: As we learned from the CES, the iPTV availability is true, but the HDMI rumor was not confirmed, and in fact Chris Satchell, Microsoft's General Manager of their game ...