Just announced, Xbox is adding new features on the next mandatory update coming up November 17th, 2009.  As soon as you turn your system on the update will occur so make sure you do that as soon as you can.  Why, you ask?  Because the updates are awesome and well worth it.  Let me explain.

New Updates for Xbox November 17 Include

Connect with Facebook – we all know that it was only a matter of time before Xbox would finally join up with Facebook to allow users to connect to friends, share photos or status updates and even excellent gaming moments right from your TV.

Twitter your kill count – now you will be able to keep all of your friends updated via Twitter right from your Xbox.  Why even have a computer?  The Xbox updates are extremely timely since all of the social networking done these days is done from just about anywhere BUT your computer.  Log on to see your friends posts, reply to tweets or send your mood across the whole Twitter network after some noob just flash bombed your ass from behind.

Get custom music with Last.FM – explore over 3.5 million songs in the Last.FM library, right from your Xbox.  Gold members are able to “love”, “ban” or skip songs in an attempt to create the best radio station ever.  You are the DJ and now you can listen to ALL of your favorite songs right from the best gaming and entertainment console on the planet!

Watch HD 1080p Videos from Zune – Now you are going to flip!  Zune brings you the highest quality HD videos to your Xbox download free and with NO delay!  Watch the TV shows and movies you want in streaming 1080p and 5.1 surround sound.  The “instant on” streams of high quality good-ness will blow your mind and don’t forget your high speed broadband, HDMI cables and HDTV capable television for this option.

Xbox is really starting to come alive.  What other features could Microsoft possibly add that would make the overall experience better?

Since we all know that you are on Twitter just like everyone else, I thought I would put up a list of the 5 reasons to use the Twitter application known as, TweetDeck.  I have been a member of Twitter for about 2 years now and, at first, really didn’t understand the whole concept, but now that many have found ways to profit from the service, more and more apps are coming out to make the possibility of making money even more real.

Enter TweetDeck

TweetDeck is one of those applications.  Simplifying your Twitter driven lifestyle one update at a time.  Here are the 5 reason I think you should be using TweetDeck.

#1 More Accounts

Supports multiple accounts, including Facebook. With one simple click you can have all of your accounts updated right in front of you.

#2 Added Visibility

You can add columns for search terms, mentions of a member, or just your friends feed.  Keeping an eye on trends?  Add a search column within the application and it will update each time the search terms are used.  This will allow you to keep an eye on topics of interest and possibly give you the chance to add like mind users.

#3 Quiet in the Background

Runs on your desktop, in the background, and you can tweet or search without even logging into the Twitter.com site.

#4 Time Saver

Allows you to keep in touch with MORE people, much FASTER and more EFFICIENTLY.

#5 The Cost

It’s FREE for LIFE!

The reasons might be quite simple, but they are my top 5 reasons for using TweetDeck.  One drawback I did find was not downloading it much sooner in my Twitter career.  Do you have any tips to add to this list?  Please send them to @consumrtechblog or leave a comment below!

If you thought that your xBox was the sweetest thing on the block because of some hack or upgrade, think again.  Xbox just annouced they have banned 1 million plus LIVE accounts because of modified consoles.
In a statment from Wednesday, xBox says:

“All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and that modifying their Xbox 360 console violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live,” Microsoft said in a statement Wednesday.

Apparently, most of the gamers have modified their consoles, or downloaded games illegally from file sharing websites.  File sharing websites have been quite popular lately and with the brains of many people working together, consoles and games can be hacked to play on the xBox console.  The simple fact that you bought a new xbox case isn’t going to get your banned.  It’s really more about the gamers that have taken it a step further to download and play retail copies of games, they did not purchase.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some pretty cool xBox mods out there, but most of them should be cosmetic.  In some cases, gamers have upgraded the hard drive to a larger one because it will hold more media, but in fact, that console might be blacklisted and will not work online from that point.

Some stores are seeing an increase in xBox’s that have been traded in, purchased and then returned again because “they do not work”.  When in fact, the console has been blacklisted and there is nothing anyone can do with it from that point forward.

Taken directly from the Microsoft Terms of 9/2008:

“Terms of Use” agreement, as of September 2008, Microsoft says that players are to use “only authorized software and hardware to access the Service,” and that they agree that their software and hardware “have not been modified in any unauthorized way … and that we have the right to send data, applications or other content to any software or hardware that you are using to access the Service for the express purpose of detecting an unauthorized modification.”

In addition, “any attempt to disassemble, decompile, create derivative works of, reverse engineer, modify, further sublicense, distribute, or use for other purposes the Service, any game, application, or other content available or accessible through the Service, or any hardware or software associated with the Service or with an original Xbox or Xbox 360 console is strictly prohibited and may result in cancellation of your account and/or your ability to access the Service, and the pursuit of other legal remedies by Microsoft.”

I think that is quite clear and there isn’t any need to guess as to what is not accepted. Of course, some people can twist words and take the policy their own way, but I think that if you read it carefully, you should be able to see what is not accepted by Microsoft!

So, Amazon has the Kindle and now Barnes & Noble has the nook. A wireless ebook reader that is strikingly similar to the Kindle. I went to barnesandnoble.com to check this thing out and I wanted to put some of the features here today. Since I do not plan to buy this item, I will just post what information I see on the site.

First, let’s take a look at the appearance

I must say that it really does look a lot like the Kindle by Amazon, but then I realized, how much different does it HAVE to look? It’s a slim item about the size of a book (7.7″ x 4.9″ x 0.5″ to be exact), that is lightweight (11.2 ounces) and super easy to handle. I guess the appearance could resemble a book in more ways than one, but since it is a technology toy, I expect a sleek look at best.

Wireless

Apparently the download time is in the seconds. The Nook is hook to free wireless via AT&T and that is a 3G network, so in my opinion is most likely a fair estimate. With a color touch-screen that is 3.5″ wide allows for one touch control and navigation. Swiping your finger across the screen will “flip” through your library of full-color book covers.

The display is easy on your eyes in the sun or inside your home and you can adjust the font size for easier ready and to keep the headaches to a minimum.

Storage

The Nook comes with 2GB, or about 1500 books worth, of storage and can be expanded via microSD slot. These days you can get SD cards up to 16GB, so that would be an additional 17,500 books!

Audio

Audio is supplied by a built-in mono speaker and since the Nook serves as an MP3 player, you can listen to audio books as well. Universal 3.5mm stereo headphone jack is included.

Battery

The Nook uses such little battery juice, you can actually read for about 10 days before having to recharge. And that only takes a cool 3.5 hours from wall outlets. Now if you have the wireless in the ON position you won’t be able to go quite as long, but let’s just say that if you were trapped in a cave with your Nook, you could at least read for 7 days before the battery dies out.

Update from Amazon.com:  Apparently there is a coupon worth $80 off ContourHD – HD Helmet Camera by VholdR at Amazon.com right now!  Just enter coupon code: CONTOURH when you check out and you will save $80 instantly!

You are going to flip your lid with this super compact 1080p HD helmet camera!  This camera is the world’s FIRST HD Helmet Camera and is ideal for any person that loves to shoot and share videos of their extreme lifestyle.

The ContourHD is small, light and easily attaches to your helmet, goggles or equipment without any wires.  There is ONE button that starts recording and the same button stops it.  The ContourHD comes in 1080p HD and can record in HD or smooth High Action SD.  Weighing in at only 4 ounces, you won’t even feel the camera attached to your helmet while you scale a tall rock ledge or cruise down a mountain trail on your bike.

Product Description
ContourHD is the World’s First High Definition Wearable Camcorder and with the introduction of ContourHD1080p, it’s also the first to shoot and share 1080p video. While ContourHD is ideal for the everyday outdoor enthusiast and ContourHD1080p is a professional camera, both models combine amazing video clarity, a wide angle lens (135°), single button simplicity, and a click to share online experience.

Perfected for outdoor use, ContourHD’s all-in-one design means you can record hours of HD video without any tapes, wires, or separate recorders; instead record all of your adventures to a removable microSD memory card (compatible up to 16GB). Its light but armored aluminum body (4 ounces) lets users capture video in any weather conditions. ContourHD’s TRail™ Mounts seamlessly attach the camera to the body, helmet, goggles, and/or a vehicle for hands-free recording.

Put HD video on your head and share it online in seconds!

The VholdR Community

There are plenty of adventure sports enthusiasts out there and now more of them are logging what they are doing exactly, in brilliant HD.  The point of view videos make it easy to show others what you are doing on your way down the ski hill, climbing or hiking in the mountains or just cruising in your favorite weekend sailboat!

You can share your videos with others or check out some of the amazing locations discovered by happy ContourHD customers.  With easy to use software you can click to import, tag and share your videos from the ContourHD to VholdR.com.  Share further with Twitter and Facebook, right from the site.

Your adventurous friends are going to want to buy this product as soon as they see the high quality images it produces!

Additional Information from VholdR.com

How does it work?
ContourHD is an all-in-one wearable camcorder that records HD video to a removable microSD memory card, and it also includes Mac/Windows software so you can share your adventures online. Its use couldn’t be simpler—even with a pair of gloves on. Slide the single record switch forward to record and then slide it back to stop. The TRailTM Mount System slides and locks the camera onto a series of mounts so you can wear ContourHD on your goggles, helmet, handlebars, and/or a vehicle. Its wide angle lens, two lasers, and 180° rotating lens are designed to make video easy to capture from inside the action.