via MissingRemote

You probably know by now that Windows Media Center extenders have been on life support with only Microsoft supplying the Xbox 360 as the sole extender product available in the retail market. The de-emphasis of the extender continues with the latest Xbox 360 Media Remote revealed by Major Nelson. Sadly for Media Center extender users, there is no more Green Button. Presumably, this is all due to the continued emphasis of the Xbox brand and bringing video content into the game console. Apparently, Microsoft doesn't want to confuse consumers with the Green Button or tempt them to be led astray from the native Xbox interface.

In addition, the Xbox 360 Media Remote was also announced. Media playback controls include play/pause, skip forward, fast forward, skip back, fast back, and display to control DVD, CD, or streamed media. The TV controls include power on/off, volume up/down, mute and TV input. The Xbox 360 Media Remote’s menu navigation controls include A, B, X, Y buttons, D-pad navigation, back and select. Live TV, if provided on the Xbox 360 by your TV service provider, can also be controlled with the Xbox 360 Media Remote. This Xbox 360 Media Remote will be available worldwide for $19.99 (U.S. ERP) and will be in stores in early November 2011.

Today Microsoft also announced the all new Xbox 360 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth. The device is compatible with Bluetooth devices such as mobile phones and PCs in addition to being able to connect to Xbox 360 through the console’s standard radio frequencies. The Xbox 360 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth will be available for $59.99 (U.S. ERP) and will be available in stores worldwide beginning early November 2011.

Japan's hottest game right now is not made in Japan, which doesn't happen often. Maybe more surprising is that four of the top 10 games on the country's bestseller list weren't made in Japan either.

Rockstar Games and Team Bondi's L.A. Noire enjoyed first place distinction in this week's software chart, with more than 70,000 copies of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 game sold overseas. Team Bondi's detective adventure was followed by Sucker Punch's Infamous 2 and Vicious Cycle's Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon, the latter of which was previously handled by Japanese developer Sandlot.

One new Wii game charted, the Wii MotionPlus powered Wii Play Motion with another Wii game, the also not made in Japan Goldeneye 007 hanging tough in the top ten.

For the rest of the bestselling games in Japan for the week of July 4 to July 10, courtesy of sales tracker Media Create, visit the source article at Kotaku.

It appears that as of the addition of the new free DLC for Red Dead Redemption that Rockstaradded today, the multiplayer servers are offline. When trying to connect, the loading screen never goes anywhere and you can voice chat with others who would be spawning near you (mind you if the FUCKING thing worked.)  Most people can not get online as seen on other threads and this does not seem to be limited to Xbox Live, as it's fubar on Sony's PSN as well. No official announcement has been made by Rockstar, Microsoft or Sony regarding the outage.

Silver members on XBL, good news! Kinda. Facebook and Twitter will be accessible to you all. The 'kinda' part in this news: it's only for a limited time only.
Microsoft told VG247:

Facebook and Twitter on Xbox LIVE will be free to Gold members, with a free trial period also available for Silver members (emphasis ours). Facebook and Twitter on Xbox LIVE will offer a truly one-of-a-kind social experience, completely optimized for the TV and seamlessly integrated onto your console. Add to that exclusive access to Last.fm, Netflix instant streaming, demos, trailers and discounts, plus the best multiplayer gaming network on the planet, and we re confident Xbox LIVE Gold memberships is hands-down the best value in home entertainment. We re committed to adding new features and value for our Gold members, and will continue to do so.

There you go.

Midway has announced that Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe will hit stores in North America on November 16th. Ah, good. We were worried we wouldn't have any games to play that month.

Though November is a crowded month for releases, MK vs. DC is the only game hitting stores that lets you solve the great mysteries of your middle school days: "Who would win in a fight, Batman or Sub-Zero?", "Is Scorpion stronger than the Joker?", and "Why am I growing hair there?" Well, the first two questions will be answered, anyway.

MK vs. DC will be released simultaneously for PS3 and Xbox 360.