After Nokia unveiled their Windows Phone-based Lumia phones at Nokia World, Microsoft also gave a preview of the things you can do with a Windows Phone 7.5 device and an Xbox console. First off, a rather predictable smartphone remote function that’ll let you control the Xbox console’s video functions using your phone, letting you browse movies and movie info on the phone while something’s playing on the console, or as a plain remote that connects via Wi-fi.

The other function is more gamer-specific. Called Kinectimals, the app will let users create characters on the phone and port them over to the Xbox using Kinect, which detects the pet’s traits and transfers the pet to the big screen.

[via WinRumors]

Console question: would you rather have a PS3 or an Xbox 360? Some gamers prefer one console platform over the other, while other gamers – the more dedicated ones who can afford them at least – just pick up both. Well, dedicated hardcore gamers, here’s something that you can’t really buy at a store, but you’re going to want it nonetheless: a modded PC case that neatly fits both consoles inside.

Probably not that big a deal if you just prefer to have them side-by-side, but hey, we love it because it’s awesome. Built by a reddit user named timofiend, the modded system fits an Xbox 360 Slim and a regular 80GB PS3, and allows for both to be running at the same time. Now, we have no idea why anyone would want (or need) to run both consoles simultaneously, but hey, it just makes the whole rig a little bit more awesome.

The mod also conveniently moves optical drives for both consoles up front, where you’ normally find them on a regular PC. As a downside, the cooling both systems in the tight confines of an ATX PC case proved to be a challenge, but timofiend designed a work-around with extra fans and a custom funnel that redirects air through the PS3’s heatsinks (the Xbox 360 uses its stock cooler). Also, the temperature monitors up front is a nice touch.

Awesome job on this project, although we’re curious about stability during long gaming sessions. It looks like a pretty tight fit, and the temperatures could be a major issue. Of course, a water cooling kit is an option, but budget was a concern for this project.

Check out the project’s full gallery here.

We’re about a year before Nintendo plans to launch the Wii U console, but here’s something that could tide you over if you don’t already own the original Wii: Nintendo has announced that they’ll be releasing a new Wii console called the Wii Family Edition for European and PAL-using countries.

Okay, it’s not exactly a “new” Wii. This is basically a stripped-down Wii that’s packaged into a slimmer “streamlined” new shell. The available photo looks like the same old Wii though, but it’s lying horizontally, so we’re guessing the box won’t come with the stand to shave a little off the price.

The Family Edition will also come without support for GameCube games and controllers, but will still be compatible with existing Wii games. Nintendo didn’t announce pricing or plans for a North American launch, but the Wii Family Edition will be available in different bundles, including one that ships with Wii Party and Wii Sports, as well as a Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuck.

[via Telegraph]

The announced price is for the 160GB version of the console, making it cheaper than an Xbox 360 with a hard drive. Sony didn’t mention the 320GB model’s price, but it’s expected to drop down to $299-ish.

We’re still months away from the PlayStation Vita’s launch date and Sony’s still trying to sell us a PSP. Here’s what they announced during their turn at Gamescom: A “new” handheld called the PSP E-1000. In a nutshell, it’s basically a stripped-down PSP that comes without a Wi-fi connection, but still comes with a UMD drive for loading anything from the existing PSP catalogue. Not a bad deal if you don’t really need the network connectivity and you just want to game-on-the-go: the E-1000 is set to cost 99 euros, or around $140. The dollar price is just there for reference though, Sony said that they’re going to sell the E-1000 in Europe, and won’t be available in the US.

Okay, so Sony’s news about the Playstation Vita’s delay (it won’t be available for the holidays) has you down, but Sony still has something to keep your gaming-starved thumbs busy. They’ve announced that they’ll be releasing a new PSP bundle that includes a copy of EA’s Madden NFL 12 and Need for Speed: Shift and a 2GB Memory Stick Pro Duo along with the handheld. The bundle will be out on August 30 for $160, giving you a good deal in case you really can’t wait to get your hands on a mobile console until the PS Vita arrives early next year. Unless you already own a PSP.

By the time Sony officially announced the next-gen PlayStation Vita handheld, everyone expected them to release it in time for the holidays. If you’re part of the gaming population who expected to own a PS Vita by year’s end, we’ve got some bad news for you. According to Sony deputy Kaz Hirai, the PlayStation Vita won’t be out in the US and European markets until early 2012.

The interview posted on Bloomberg didn’t really specify why it won’t make it in time for the holidays, only mentioning that they were planning a phased global rollout. Japan will still get the device first by year’s end though, so if you really have to have it before 2012, you know where to go.

It looks like pricing for the PlayStation Vita won’t be changed since the launch: they’re going to stick with the original $250 starting price for this device.

Microsoft just put up the console’s Gears of War 3 edition up for pre-order on Amazon. You know, just in case you were getting tired of your plain Xbox 360’s old look. Or in case you’re in the market for a new console and you like pretty things. Because the GOW3 edition is definitely pretty, as long as your idea of “pretty” includes a bloody red-and-black graphic highlighted by a splotchy black skull.

Underneath all the game-themed graphics, it’s still pretty much your regular Xbox 360, but with a 320GB hard drive and a number of cool extras that fans of the game are going to love. Listed to go for $400,  the limited edition bundle includes a pair of matching GOW3-themed wireless controllers, a copy of the game (of course), plus custom downloadable content that includes special Infected Omen weapon skins for the game’s first five weapons.

The console itself also comes with a few modifications to get you in a Gears of War 3 state of mind: the console emits a special GOW3-themed sound when it starts up, and when the eject button is pressed.

The special edition Xbox 360 is set to ship when the game launches on September 20.

According to another interview with Nintendo chief designer Katsuya Eguchi, the Wii U’s proprietary game discs will store 25GB of data, which should be expected for the incoming HD games. Bigger proprietary discs, more sophisticated optical drive… chalk up one more reason to expect a more expensive Wii U.

We just hope that they don’t go crazy with the pricing, but if you just want the good old standard-def Wii style of gaming, there’s still hope. Iwata also mentioned that the original Wii will still be produced. If you wait long enough, prices could still drop below the $250 that they’re currently going for. [via Electronista]

Sony has officially introduced the PSP’s heir at E3, the device formally known as the Next-Gen Portable or “NGP.” While it generally kept all the previously known features, it didn’t keep the NGP name, and they unveiled it as the PlayStation Vita – or PS Vita if you want to keep it short (for the record, we kind of liked “NGP” better).

It’s still pretty much the same handheld console though: one that features a 5-inch OLED touchscreen, a rear touchpad, quad-core processor and graphics, with a Wi-fi and 3G connection (via AT&T in the US). They did announce pricing info though, so that’s a big step forward: the standard Wi-fi version will cost $250, while the 3G version costs $50 more. No word on exact launch dates just yet, but this device is expected to come out in time for the holidays.