Microsoft expected to add greater TV features to Xbox today – but there’s a catch

By Andrew Couts October 5, 2011

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft plans to announce today expanded television-watching capabilities for its Xbox gaming console, reports Peter Kafka at AllThingsD. The updates will allow Xbox users to access more video streaming content. Unfortunately, at least some of the new functionality will require a subscription to cable TV.

The update will essentially turn the Xbox into a kind of cable box, meaning those of you who wish to cut the cable cord won’t find answer for how to do so here. As we reported last month, Microsoft is making a deal with Comcast and Verizon that will allow Xbox users to access shows from those providers through Xbox Live. Microsoft will reportedly also bring shows from HBO, Crackle, Bravo and Syfy channels as well, according to Bloomberg.

Xbox users can currently access Netflix and Hulu’s premium service, as well as AT&T’s U-Verse network through their console. All of those require paying a monthly fee, as well as the $60-per-year charge for Xbox Live.

We’ve already seen similar attempts by cable companies to deliver their product in new ways. Comcast, Cablevision, Time Warner Cable and ESPN all offer access to their television programming through iPad and iPhone apps. All of them still require paying for cable TV.

So, it would seem that the tenacious grip of cable TV will continue to hold for some time, whether users like it or not. Of course, it’s now possible to get many shows online, but that has a variety of downsides, like added wait time and limited variety, that keep many people from canceling their TV subscriptions entirely. Until users begin cutting the cord en masse, there’s no incentive for cable TV companies to change their ways. But until they do so, it’s unlikely that subscribers will cancel their service. Such is the catch-22 of the modern TV fan – a predicament for which Microsoft will apparently offer no solution.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…

Gaming

All Trinkets in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, explained

The main character of Tales of Kenzera: Zau stands with two elemental items.

Your main upgrades in a metroidvania like Tales of Kenzera: Zau will always be your new abilities. These transform the way you move and fight, but there are other ways you can make Zau a more powerful shaman. Trinkets are introduced right away, but aren't given away as freely as you might think. Each one requires you to overcome a small trial that tests your platforming abilities off the main path. Technically, you can miss every single one aside from the one you begin the game with. Even though there are a few fast travel points, backtracking isn't a particularly fun experience. Here are all the Trinket locations in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, plus which ones you should equip.
All Trinket locations
You can see which zones have Trinkets on the map, and for the most part, you will be able to grab them as you navigate through them for the first time. Here are each of the Trinket locations roughly in the order you should naturally be able to get them.
Battering Stance
This is the Trinket you begin the game with and is equipped by default.
Lifted Spirit

The first Trinket is found in this side path trial in The Buluu Caverns.
Retaliating Spirit

Gaming

How to start The Forgotten Kingdom DLC in Remnant 2

Invoker

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Once you've purchased and downloaded the DLC, you'll be ready to access The Forgotten Kingdom by visiting a World Stone and opening Adventure Mode. You'll need to have completed the Yaesha biome at least one time. At that point, you can select "Reroll Adventure Mode" and choose The Forgotten Kingdom: One Shot on the right, which will notably give you exclusive DLC content your first time through. Keep in mind that while this initial run won't feature any older content, your subsequent playthroughs of Yaesha will weave DLC areas in with main campaign content.

Gaming

All Baobab Tree locations in Tales of Kenzera

Zau fights a dragon in Tales of Kenzera: Zau.

While it wasn't marketed as being a particularly punishing game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is by no means easy. You will have plenty of environmental challenges that can instantly sap your life, and the enemies you face -- especially the bosses -- are no slouches. When you first begin, it will only take a couple of bad hits to send Zau to the land of the dead himself. Alongside the Trinkets you can unlock through hidden challenges around the map, there are also Baobab Trees where Zau can stop to reflect on his journey thus far, have a short dialogue with Kalunga, and get a small addition to his health bar. Like everything in the game, these trees aren't prohibitively hidden, but you could easily pass one by and have no idea where it was when trying to backtrack. These are all the Baobab Tree locations so you can max out your health bar.
All Baobab Tree locations
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Ikakaramba

This one is very hard to miss as it is directly on your critical path. If you do, you can fast travel to the nearby campfire to grab it.
The Great Cliffs