Last November, TechCrunch’s own Sarah Lacy sat down with Vineet Devaiah from “social streetview” startup, Phototour.in, which, at the time, had just received term sheets from a number of high-profile U.S. investors and had recently been awarded the “Top Emerging Technology Company of 2010″ by Nvidia. The startup was the first international, non-funded, under-20-member company to win the award, according to Devaiah.

Since then, Phototour added Academy Award certificate-winner and entrepreneur Bala S. Manian as an advisor (who was honored for “technical achievement” for his contributions to optical technologies used in films, including Star Wars) and has gained more than 47,000 users for the alpha version of its image and panorama crowdsourcing app, “360″, on Android. Users have logged more than 75,000 panoramas in a relatively short period of time, so, considering the rumors that the iPhone 5 will have a native panorama app, sources tell us that 360 might be a candidate for a potential partnership with Android so that it can remain neck-in-neck with Apple.

What’s more, today the startup is officially announcing that it is rebranding as TeliportMe and is bringing 360 out of alpha and into the public sphere in ready-to-wear form. For free. Granted, 360-degree panorama apps for smartphones are nothing new. There are quite a few cool apps and gadgets that have these capabilities on the market, like “You Gotta See This!”, Occipital’s 360 Panorama, and Microsoft’s Photosynth, to name a few.

In light of this competition, TeliportMe wants to distinguish itself from the field by building a high quality Android app, that works across OEMs. According to Devaiah, panoramic apps tend to be very hardware centric because of their reliance on a smartphone’s camera, accelerometer, gyroscope, RAM, and so on. Because Android relies on so many different OEMs, it becomes a tricky proposition to build a good 360-degree app for Android and is the reason why most panorama apps are built on iOS (thanks to the vertical integration it has with its hardware).

Another obstacle for Android is that only about 20 percent of its smartphones have the processing capability of the iPhone, and as panoramic apps require a lot of image processing during photo stitching, many Android phones don’t have enough RAM to make this possible (at least at speed). Devaiah cited the example of a phone like the HTC Wildfire, which has processing capabilities lesser than that of an iPhone 2G. (Burn!)

This is where the technology that won the startup the “best emerging tech” award comes into play. TeliportMe is bringing its photo stitching technology to the Android smartphone, which to a large extent negates the issues caused due to multiple hardware configurations, allowing it to function smoothly over 200 models of android phones, the CEO says. (The startup has also built a version of its photostitching app that works on the browser, which it will be launching soon.)

So, 360 allows its users to quickly take high quality panoramas, which they can then view on the app’s 3D viewer. Users can share panoramas via Facebook and Twitter, as well as view, comment, and “like” photos taken by people all over the world on 360′s public realtime feed. The app also taps into the phone’s location to allow users to discover other people using 360 in close proximity, using its “Around Me” option.

Check out 360 in the Android Marketplace here, and for the 360′s humorous take on “the Google+ guy” dissing other photo apps, check out this video. For more on 360, look out, video below:

The old, white Xbox media remote was often a godsend. Instead of pressing odd buttons on the controller, the media remote let you control Netflix and DVD videos with ease and it was big and unique enough not to get lost. This new media remote, however, looks less like a bar of Dove soap and more like a traditional remote control.

Announced on MajorNelson’s blog, the remote will cost $19.99 and will be available in November.

Also announced was a little Bluetooth headset for gaming. It costs 59 bizucks and, the best thing, Senor Nelson shows it off below.

Well, I think we can call the 360 a hit now. The console is six years old and, according to a chart by the NPD, has never seen a down year in the states. What’s more, it’s actually increasing in sales thanks in part to the Kinect. That, if you’re to believe these stats, makes the Xbox 360 the only console in history to see such growth this far into its lifecycle. Other systems tend to peak in year two or three and then quickly fall into the bargin bin. Not the 360. It’s currently riding high on its best sales number.

It’s not just the hardware that’s popular. Xbox LIVE, the online gaming and social service, reportedly has 35 million active users who average 60 hours a month on the service. In all LIVE members log 2.1 billion entertainment hours — gaming, media streaming, and more — every month.

This hits just days before Microsoft’s E3 press conference and it’s hard to imagine that they’ll be able to top last year’s Kinect announcements — or touple the news coming out of WWDC which happens at the same time on Monday. [Major Nelson]

Update: Changed the headline to indicated the 55 million units sold was across 38 markets, not just the US.

N.B. – You can basically use any flash drive with your XBox and, as nice as SanDisk is, this stuff is a bit pricey.

SanDisk Ships Licensed Xbox 360 USB Flash Drive

Pre-configured USB Drive Delivers Best Experience On Xbox 360 Console

MILPITAS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), the global leader in flash memory cards, today announced that it is shipping the Xbox 360® USB Flash Drive by SanDisk for the Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming and entertainment console. The new drive makes it easier than ever for gamers to take their gamertags, saved game progress, map packs, Arcade game downloads and bonus content with them for fast and convenient access on another Xbox 360 console†.

“SanDisk has a proven track record of creating high-quality storage solutions”
The Xbox 360 USB Flash Drive by SanDisk delivers the best experience on the Xbox 360 console. Pre-configured for seamless plug and play action, the drive eliminates the need to format storage or download an initial software update for an Xbox 360 console. For gamers looking to get in on the fun or for those with existing accounts who want to extend their play, a one-month Xbox LIVE Gold membership is included with purchase of the drive††.

“Xbox LIVE contains a world of content for gamers to explore and download, including full-length games, movies and music,” said Shuki Nir, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Retail, SanDisk. “The Xbox 360 USB Flash Drive by SanDisk is specifically engineered to deliver a great user experience and maximum compatibility with the console, offering gamers greater freedom and flexibility in how they store, manage and enjoy their favorite files.”

“SanDisk has a proven track record of creating high-quality storage solutions,” said Ilan Spillinger, Vice President, Xbox Hardware and Technology, Microsoft. “The Xbox 360 USB Flash Drive by SanDisk provides a great solution for gamers who need portable storage for their Xbox 360 content. It’s plug and play simple.”

Pricing and Availability

The Xbox 360 USB Flash Drive by SanDisk is available now on SanDisk.com and at major retailers. The drive is available in 8 gigabyte (GB)1 and 16GB capacities, carrying suggested retail prices of $34.99 and $69.99, respectively.

So what do you get for your dollar? It’s a nice set actually. The bundle includes an Xbox 360 engraved with the Final Fantasy XIII name, two wireless controllers, some exclusive downloadable avatar items, and a standard edition copy of the game. The 360 also has an exclusive limited edition faceplate designed by the man responsible for the character design, Tetsuya Nomura. We don’t know how much this bundle will cost (other bundles went for $299 when they came out), but we do know that it’s going to be available on March 9th.

From the press release:

XBOX 360 FINAL FANTASY XIII SPECIAL EDITION BUNDLE ANNOUNCED AS ANTICIPATION BUILDS FOR THE BIGGEST VIDEO GAME LAUNCH OF 2010

Tetsuya Nomura-Designed FINAL FANTASY XIII Limited Edition Faceplates to Also be Released

WHAT: In celebration of the launch of one of the most highly anticipated games of 2010 and the debut of the FINAL FANTASY series onto the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Square Enix, Inc. and Microsoft have announced the FINAL FANTASY XIII Special Edition Bundle.

Fans looking to purchase a “next generation” console will note that this Special Edition is not only an amazing value, but also the only console outside of Japan to be bundled with the game. The bundle includes a 250GB Hard Drive engraved with the FINAL FANTASY XIII name, two Wireless Controllers, exclusive downloadable avatar items and a Standard Edition copy of FINAL FANTASY XIII.

Additionally, Square Enix’s famed character designer, Tetsuya Nomura, has created an exclusive FINAL FANTASY XIII Limited Edition Faceplate that will be available promotionally in very limited numbers. Players can immerse themselves in the complete FINAL FANTASY XIII experience this March.

WHEN/WHERE: The FINAL FANTASY XIII Special Edition Bundle is available for pre-order now and in-stores beginning March 9, 2010, while supplies last.

The FINAL FANTASY XIII Limited Edition Faceplate will be available promotionally in fixed, limited quantities at select retailers in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The aluminum case not only refaces the 360, but also throws in extra cooling by way of three 120mm fans to help prevent the RROD. Now if I could only figure out how much it costs and how I can order one.

[Industrirepro via technabob]

Yes, you read the title correctly. Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. Up for auction on eBay is a PS360: an Xbox 360 in a PS3 case. It only plays 360 games, not PS3 games; I’d be more impressed if it supported both. If you can read through all the spelling and grammatical errors, here are the builder’s step-by-step instructions. This guy also made a Wii64 that plays Nintendo 64 games in a Wii console. Not really necessary, but it’s a little cool.

Now that the NXE lets users install games onto the hard drive, space is premium cause these games aren’t small. Plus, the Xbox’s standard hard drive space for the majority of the past three years was a measly 20GB so you really should know how much space these games are going to take up. Full list after the jump.

- All Pro Football 2k8 (5.0 GB)
- Amped 3 (6.7 GB)
- Army of Two (5.7 GB)
- Assassin’s Creed (6.7 GB) — Jerusalem load 39.5 seconds (DVD) vs 25 seconds (HDD)
- Battlefield: Bad Company (6.5 GB)
- Battlestations: Midway (5.5 GB)
- Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts (6.6 GB) — cuts 2-6 seconds off loads
- Beautiful Katamari (3.4 GB)
- BioShock (6.1 GB) — Point Prometheus level 35 seconds (DVD) vs 24.5 seconds (HDD)
- Blazing Angels (3.4 GB)
- Blue Dragon (19.9 GB for all disks – 6.6 GB, 6.5 GB, 6.8 GB)
- Brother’s in Arms: Hell’s Highway (5.2 GB)
- Bullet Witch (5.2 GB)
- Bully: Scholarship Edition (3.4 GB)
- Burnout Revenge (4.4 GB) — load/restart of Eastern Bay (a long forward race): DVD 26 seconds HDD 11 seconds
- Burnout Paradise (3.4 GB)
- C&C: Tiberium Wars (6.6 GB)
- Call of Duty 2 (6.0 GB) — saves 2-3 seconds each loadtime
- Call of Duty 3 (5.8 GB)
- Call of Duty 4 (6.7 GB)
- Call of Duty: World at War (6.5 GB)
- Cars (5.2 GB)
- Chromehounds (4.2 GB)
- Civilization Revolution (6.3 GB)
- Clive Barker’s Jericho (5.6 GB)
- Colin McRae Dirt (6.4 GB)
- Command & Conquer 3 (3.6GB)
- Condemned (5.4 GB)
- Condemned 2: Bloodshot (6.8 GB)
- Dark Messiah: Might and Magic (6.1 GB) — “seems to fix the music cutting out issue. It loads a little faster too”
- Dark Sector (3.4 GB) — chapter 6 loaded 10-11 secs with install versus 15-16 normal
- Dead or Alive 4 (6.8GB)
- Dead Rising (6.6 GB)
- Dead Space — “shortens the initial load time and the load time when accessing save stations”
- Devil May Cry 4 (6.7 GB)
- Dynasty Warriors Gundam (5.6 GB)
- Earth Defense Force 2017 (3.4 GB)
- Eternal Sonata (6.8 GB)
- Fable 2 (6.8 GB) — the brief stutter when accessing inventory menus or expressions is gone
- Fallout 3 (5.9 GB)
- Far Cry 2 (4.5 GB)
- FIFA 09 (6.0 GB)
- Fight Night Round 3 (3.4 GB)
- Flatout Ultimate Carnage (4.9 GB)
- Forza 2 (5.3 GB)
- Full Auto (3.4 GB)
- Gears of War (6.5 GB)
- Gears of War 2 (6.7 GB) initial load 8 seconds shorter, causes stuttering at “saving game” checkpoints
- Ghost Recon: Advance Warfighter (5.2 GB)
- Ghost Recon: Advance Warfighter 2 (6.8 GB)
- Grand Theft Auto IV (6.7 GB) — decreases initial load time from 46.5 to 33 seconds
- GRID (6.6 GB)
- Guitar Hero 2 (3.4 GB)
- Guitar Hero: World Tour (6.5 GB)
- GUN (3.6 GB)
- Hitman: Blood Money (5.8 GB)
- Halo 3 (6.3 GB) — load times are apparently worse (10 seconds longer) when installed
- Idolm@ster (5.1 GB)
- Idolm@ster Live 4 U (5.9 GB)
- Infinite Undiscovery (12.5 GB for both discs, disc 1 6GB disc 2 6.5GB)
- Kameo (5.9 GB)
- King Kong (6.5 GB)
- Left 4 Dead (5.0 GB)
- Lego Star Wars The Complete Saga (5.8 GB)
- LIPS (4.7 GB)
- Lord of the Rings: Battle For Middle Earth (4.4 GB)
- Lost Planet (6.8 GB)
- Lost: Via Domus (4.2 GB)
- Lost Odyssey (23.2 GB for all discs: 5.8, 5.2, 6.3, and 6.2) — 2 times faster playing off HDD (video)
- Madden 09 (6.7 GB) — “game doesn’t hitch anymore when going in or coming out of an instant replay”
- Mass Effect (6.8 GB) — No more “Loading” pauses when moving too fast. Elevator load times are identical (hardcoded)
- Mercenaries 2 (6.7 GB)
- Midnight Club: LA (6.0 GB)
- Mirror’s Edge (5.7 GB) — eliminates (or greatly reduces) the amount of brief “Now Loading” pauses that pop up mid-level
- Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe (6.4 GB) — not much difference, load times are only 1-2 seconds shorter
- Namco Museum Virtual Arcade (3.4 GB)
- NBA 2K9 (6.7GB) — helps framerate issues and previously frequent hanging
- NBA Live 09 (?? GB) — “now we’re getting stutters inbetween baskets”
- Need for Speed Most Wanted (6.8 GB)
- NHL 09 (5.7 GB)
- Ninja Gaiden II (6.8 GB) — 125 seconds initial load on DVD, 45 seconds off HDD. No loading when selecting a weapon from quick switch menu
- Overlord (3.4 GB)
- Perfect Dark Zero (4.9 GB)
- Pure (4.4 GB)
- Pro Evolution Soccer 6 (3.4 GB)
- Project Gotham Racing 3 (6.2 GB)
- Project Gotham Racing 4 (6.0 GB) — average load is 6-10 seconds shorter, some users report occasional audio popping
- Quantum of Solace (6.8 GB)
- Raiden IV (3.4 GB)
- Raiden Fighters Aces (3.4 GB)
- Rainbow Six Vegas (6.7 GB)
- Ridge Racer 6 (6.5 GB)
- Rock Band (5.2 GB)
- Rock Band 2 (6.3GB)
- Rumble Roses XX (4.5GB) — seems like 1/3 taken off loading times
- Saints Row (6.8 GB)
- Saints Row 2 (6.8 GB)
- Scene It (6.8 GB)
- SEGA Rally (4.2 GB)
- Shadowrun (4.3 GB)
- Shikigami no Shiro 3 (3.4 GB)
- skate (6.5 GB) — “load times virtually the same, only exception: Clothes – they basically barely loaded at all before, now it’s all smooth”
- Smackdown vs RAW 2009 (?? GB) — “is INSANE from the HD, almost instant loading. Fantastic.”
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 ( GB) — “game loads about 15-20% faster”
- Soul Calibur IV (5.9 GB)
- Splinter Cell: Double Agent (6.8 GB)
- Star Trek Legacy (5.7 GB)
- Star Wars: Force Unleashed (6.6 GB)
- Stranglehold (6.7 GB)
- Stuntman Ignition (5.8 GB)
- Table Tennis (3.4 GB)
- Tales of Vesperia (5.9 GB) — “loads like it runs off of a cartridge at times”
- Tengai Makyou Ziria: Harukanaru Jipang (6.0 GB)
- The Club (5.2 GB)
- The Darkness (6.8 GB) — “loads noticeably faster. I didn’t do any comparisons but it feels a lot quicker travelling between areas.”
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (6.7 GB) — Great Forest loadtime 44.5 seconds (DVD) vs 31 seconds (HDD)
- The Orange Box (4.7 GB) — HL2 load time cut in half (44.5 vs 25.5 seconds), loading saved game ‘We don’t go there any more’ shaved off 32 seconds
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 (6.0 GB)
- Tomb Raider Anniversary (6.4 GB)
- Tomb Raider Legend (6.7 GB)
- Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland (5.0 GB)
- Too Human (6.2 GB)
- Two Worlds (3.4 GB)
- Unreal Tournament 3 (6.4 GB)
- Viking:Battle for Asgard (5.9 GB)
- Virtua Fighter 5 (4.7 GB)
- Virtua Tennis 3 (4.1 GB)
- Viva Piñata (5.0 GB)
- Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise (5.2 GB)
- Warriors Orochi (6.4 GB)
- Warriors Orochi 2 (6.8 GB)
- Wartech Senko no Ronde (3.4GB)
- WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2007 (6.8 GB)
- WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008 (5.8 GB)
- WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 (6.6 GB)
- Xbox Live Arcade Compilation Disc (5.9 GB)
- Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged Vol.1 (3.4 GB)

Sean & The Kids via Kotaku

Looks like the NXE is out for those who signed up for a preview account and Netflix has confirmed that there will be 300 HD titles in the new streaming system. Looks like Christmas came early!

Instead of adding another 10,000 people to the preview program like we did last week, we’ve decided to do something a little different: everyone who successfully applied to the preview program (and submitted a valid console ID) will be getting the New Xbox Experience sometime within the next few hours. That’s right…we’re hooking everyone else up with NXE a bit early. If you signed up and are not prompted, that means you did not enter your console ID properly and you’ll have to wait until Wednesday.

More Than 12,000 Movies and TV Episodes are Available to Watch Instantly At No Additional Cost to Current Netflix and Xbox LIVE Gold Members

LOS GATOS, Calif., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX), the world’s largest online movie rental service, today announced that Netflix members can have thousands of movies and TV episodes instantly streamed to the TV via the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system when the New Xbox Experience premieres nationwide tomorrow. Adding to a growing number of Netflix-ready devices, the Xbox 360 is the only game and entertainment console that lets users instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix to the TV. There is no additional monthly fee for Netflix members who are also Xbox LIVE Gold members.

Netflix members simply add movies and TV episodes from a growing library of more than 12,000 choices to their instant Queues at the Netflix Web site. Those choices are automatically displayed on the TV screen via the Xbox 360 and, once selected, will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds.

“This is an important and exciting moment for Netflix and Xbox,” said Netflix Chief Marketing Officer Leslie Kilgore. “We believe the New Xbox Experience — with thousands of choices available to be streamed instantly from Netflix as one of its key enhancements — offers consumers a great at-home entertainment option and provides terrific value as a holiday gift idea.”

Netflix also said it is taking the first step in instantly streaming movies and TV episodes in high definition with the introduction of approximately 300 HD choices that will play with standard definition audio via the Xbox 360. The company said it intends to increase the number of HD choices available and will eventually add multi-channel audio. Classic, adventure, musical, foreign and comedy movies now available to watch instantly in high definition include “La Vie en Rose,” “Flawless” and “Heroes.”

All Netflix members can rent from over 100,000 titles on DVD. They can instantly watch movies and TV episodes from a growing library of choices on their PCs and Intel-based Macintosh computers, as well as on their TVs via one of the Internet connected Netflix ready devices sold by Netflix partners.

About Netflix, Inc.

Netflix, Inc. is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than eight million subscribers. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs, PCs and Macs, all in unlimited amounts. Members can choose from over 100,000 DVD titles and a growing library of more than 12,000 choices that can be watched instantly. There are never any due dates or late fees. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from 55 distribution centers. More than 95 percent of Netflix members live in areas that generally receive shipments in one business day. Netflix is also partnering with leading consumer electronics companies to offer a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes to members’ TVs from Netflix. For more information, visit http://www.netflix.com/.

via AOL

However, if you have a LCD monitor or older HDTV – say, pre-2005 – your display has a DVI port that might not be HDCP compatible; some were and some were not back then. So users can either revert back to component video or utilize a VGA adapter. True, you will be losing your 100% digital signal and the switch might mess up your whole wiring scheme if the gaming system is within a home theater setup, but at least you will be able to stream HD Netflix movies.

[Thanks for the tip, Tyler!]

We have all had poorly shipped packages, but apparently Microsoft has had enough with DHL’s piss-pore shipping; specifically after a whole train derailed destroying 21,600 Xbox 360s. The suit is seeking $2 million in total damages due to the October 13, 2007 incident. It seems that we here in the States would not have noticed an inventory shortage as these units were destined for Hong Kong. Which so happens to be a struggling market for the console.

But then it will get faster say some folks at Golem. Apparently games on the hard drive suffer from a seek problem that DVD based games don’t have. While the game is loading on DVD, for example, pertinent blocks are placed closer together to speed load times – and the PS3 writes those blocks a few times on the disk to make things even faster – while the HD drive spins around madly like a dervish as it seeks and reads. There are plans to fix this, ensuring that your next game load time won’t enter the double digits.

via Giz

The gaming news keeps on rolling with word of an improved XBOX 360 controller. It seems the boys over at Microsoft have outfitted a larger rocker underneath the d-pad, thus improving control. The new controller looks the same as the current model so don’t expect anything from that department as the change is inside. Time will tell if many gamers will ditch their current controllers though and spend the coin to get this one when it launches around the same time as Pro Evolution Soccer. There isn’t a gamer out there though that wouldn’t appreciate a little better control though. But then they won’t be able to blame their death on the controller. [I pressed that button. Really I did. aaarrrrggg!!]

How often can I use the tool?
The tool can only be used once every twelve months.

Why can I use the tool only once per twelve months?
The tool is intended to allow consumers to consolidate their licenses they purchased on multiple consoles to a primary console. It is not intended to continually move content between multiple consoles.

Right. Because everybody likes artificial limitations on content they’ve paid for.

Mr. Miyamoto, tear down this wall! DS and 360 gamers may soon be united by their hatred of Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise, a game that simulates brain death.

The game uses the 360′s camera to track and decode trading cards. These cards can also appear on devices like Zunes, cellphones, iPods and… DSes. MTV is positing that the upcoming Viva Pinata title for the DS may include electronic cards in the game to unlock features on the 360. It’s not quite real connectivity and it’s a pretty far stretch but hey, who are we to judge gaming reporting produced by the network that brought you The Hills.

To combat the red ring of death and other problems that plagued the 360, chip evolution and improvement has been an important consideration for Microsoft. The Falcon revision, for example, has improved things slightly.

Microsoft, then, hopes with this next update, codenamed Jasper, will let them put the rash of console problems behind them. Microsoft is setting up provisions to start updating the Xbox 360 with a 65nm GPU late August. This information is backed by a report from CENS, saying they already contracted with a few company’s to build the new chips.

It is also known that the Falcon chips are depleted, so that paves the way for a quick transition to Jasper. Reports are also saying that the next update after Jasper will not happen for a year after its release.

via dailytech.com

As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD. Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market. As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.

via GamerScore