EA VP claims they have 'maxed out' the XBOX 360

In an interview with the Official Xbox Magazine during E3 last week, Patrick Soderlund, senior vice-president of EA games Europe, states that they have "maxed out" the XBOX 360 console, leaving very little or no headroom for future titles. He also added that they "haven't maxed out the PS3" and are "getting more power" out of Sony's console right now.

Soderlund was impressed with Microsoft's lineup at E3, especially Project Natal. He says he likes the Natal and calls it "cool" and "interesting". Project Natal, Microsoft's idea of "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" may help spur newer ways of gaming, thus creating that little extra head room for game development on the 360. Soderlund feels that Microsoft's strong presence at E3 will keep competitors on their toes. Their showcase was strong enough to make the 360 Soderlund's "personal favourite console".

"I think Microsoft is on a roll right now. They're doing really well. If I was Sony, I would have a headache, to be honest."

But he hasn't completely written off Sony: "Sony has a lot of good games this year. If you go to their booth, there's a very consistent, high quality product line-up and that will help them."

Microsoft should take this matter seriously considering that they have pledged a ten year lifecycle for the XBOX 360, which is similar to Sony's plan for all of its consoles. Shane Kim, corporate vice-president for strategy and business development at Microsoft's game division, "firmly" believes that the 360 can last well into 2015.d

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Intel launches ultra-thin chips

SAN FRANCISCO: Intel Corp has launched a lighter, power-saving microprocessor intended for use in ultra-thin laptops, a move by the top chip maker to shore up its lead in mobile computing.

The new processor, dubbed the Pentium SU2700, comes amid investors' fears that cheaper processors such as the Atom, designed for use in ultra-cheap netbooks, are cannibalizing the market share for higher-margin, more expensive chips.

Acer and Asustek have said they will build laptops with the chip, and Microsoft will ensure its software supports it.

Intel expects that by the fourth quarter of 2009, about a fifth of its consumer shipments will be for the new-generation laptops, slimmer and more energy-efficient.

Intel is upbeat on the ultra-thin market and expects "explosive growth in 2009, very similar to the netbook growth," Intel's director of mobile platforms product marketing Uday Marty said on a conference call.

Asutek, which in 2007 pioneered the successful low-cost, no-frills netbook PC in 2007, is expected to unveil five new laptop models based on the technology this year.

Analysts say Intel's CULV platform may offer a cheaper - but virtually as powerful - alternative to the traditional processors it makes for laptops, while enabling laptops to begin to approach the diminutive size of netbooks.

Intel on Monday also released three new Core 2 Duo processors and a new mobile chipset.

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