Perusing over Computer Games Online's report on events at the Game Developer Conference, day two, I came across this bit of information on an address by Seamus Blackley of Microsoft:

Thanks to ax, we now know that the XBox will be receiving an upgrade to its hard drive. Daily Radar has said that the previously planned 8 GB drive will be replaced with a 10 GB for increased storage. The XBox's hard drive will be used for game patches, upgrades, and saved games, so the added memory will allow us to store even more of that information.

I've posted a number of links to items relating to the Xbox. Sensaura will be providing 3D audio; A new MMORPG on the Xbox; An interview with Jason Allard about the future of the Xbox... Microsoft remains staid against keyboard and mouse; Plans for the Xbox launch were revealed by Seamus Blackley at the GDC; Thrustmaster announces it will be providing third-party controllers for the Xbox; and many more goodies. Also a few non-Xbox items which may be of peripheral interest to the community. Take a look:

This is sort-of a strange headline, but it nonetheless appears to be the case. There are indications that Microsoft's prime competitors in the console market are feeling a mite bit threatened, and are responding by using what many US computer users would describe as Microsoftian tactics in order to discourage retail vendors from promoting the Xbox.

While browsing around the Internet just now, I just discovered the first Xbox preorder option I've yet been able to find. Currently, it's being offered by Chips & Bits for $429. Don't draw too much from this, however... Chips & Bits has always seemed to allow early preorders, and they can always revise the price downwards. They also still have Halo for the Mac and PC listed for a release date of June 2001.

The Xbox.Com site has been replaced by a teaser and a flash animation, promising something new on 03-13-01 ... Can it be any coincidence that Gamestock is on that day? (Everybody thank MoBill for the new Gamestock URL!) Xbox.Com reports in their regular newsletter:

ZDNet news cites Merril Lynch in reporting that Microsoft will be taking a hefty loss on each Xbox. Perhaps as much as $125 per unit, and that's before taking into account sales, marketing and other administrative costs.

Daily Radar HBO got to this one first.