At GamingAngels.com, we have reported on this company many times before; Gelaskins is known for their fantastic artwork that can be placed onto many gadget surfaces.

GelaSkins is now offering a feature that lets you create an original piece of work for your gadget.  You can take images of your own and make one of a kind GelaSkins. Talk about originality! Of course, the first thing that you are thinking about is how is this going to work? How much work is it going to be?

Well you don’t have to be a tech or artist to make this happen. First, you need to arrive at the site with either an image in mind or if you have already found an image that you like, use that instead. If you don’t have an image, you can either go the gallery or explore collaboration. The difference between the two is the fact that Collaboration deals with existing artwork from Tokidoki, Marvel, Dark Horse, Tim Burton and the Gallery has many different images from artists that have already contributed to the site.  You can “favorite” images to use in your own version of the skin.

Once you arrive head to the top bar icon which states, “Create Your Own”. Then, you have to choose which gadget you are creating the skin for. There is a wide selection of gadgets to choose from: iPhone, DSi, PSP, game controllers, and of course a variety of laptops. I decided to go with a 17 inch Laptop for my skin and began creating.   If you are unsure about the medium of creation, there is a tutorial that is very helpful available before beginning. After you have created your skin to your specifications, you can preview the skin and purchase.

All in all, the system is very easy to use and straight forward. I could create a really cool looking skin in a short amount of time. Of course I didn’t have a perfect time with the system. There were times when the system shut down, and froze up while in creation mode, and one time my favorites that I collected through the gallery did not show up.  But for the most part, GelaSkins has created a way to help keep that creativity and originality flowing.

Twitter 360

On November 17, Xbox 360 gamers everywhere will be able to tweet from their Xbox. Yes, the service we are all addicted to is now coming to the Xbox and will be available to all Xbox gamers not just those in the preview program.

Major Nelson just released the information in his blog that the next update will contain Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and Zune video and will be available to all Xbox LIVE members launch Nov. 17.

I’ve tried Facebook and Twitter while participating in the preview and honestly didn’t care for it. I think Last.fm and Zune video may be the most useful to gamers. If you are going to use Facebook and Twitter, you may want to invest in a chat pad.

UPDATE: We have some new information about the update.
Zune video will offer instant HD in 1080p and 5.1 channel surround sound. Last.fm includes “Gamer Stations”. Wonder how we can get on that.

“From the launch of Xbox LIVE nearly seven years ago, to milestones like Video Marketplace, Netflix and the New Xbox Experience, we’ve continued working toward our vision of connected entertainment for everyone,” continued Whitten. “I’m proud to say that next week marks another great stride in fulfilling that promise, and we’re already imagining what the future has in store.”

News & More is also debuting with the update. It will be a full media portal taking over the Inside Xbox channel.

On the 17, log onto Xbox Live and the update will start. Silver members can enjoy the latest Gold features for free starting November 20 until November 23.

Microsoft has confirmed today that the Zune HD will have gaming abilities on it.

“Later this year, Zune plans to release free applications such as Twitter for Zune and Facebook for Zune, in addition to fun 3D games such as Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Vans Sk8: Pool Service and Audiosurf Tilt,” a press release read.

“Games can be added to Zune HD via Zune Marketplace over the wi-fi connection or when connected to the Zune PC software.”

Microsoft is not yet going to open the Zune Marketplace to third parties. In this way it still won’t compete with the iPhone/iPod as a gaming device.

“So what we didn’t want to do was build two parallel app store experiences that didn’t work together,” Microsoft’s Zune marketing manager Brian Seitz told The Seattle Times.

“Right now our product roadmaps didn’t line up perfectly for us to snap to what they’re doing or vice versa.

“Down the road if there’s a way we can work with Windows Mobile or another group inside the company that’s building an app store and take advantage of that, that’s something we’ll look into.”

Threadless

I know many of you are very talented artists. Which is why you should all consider entering Threadless loves geeks design challenge.

You have from now until October 1,2009 to submit your design. So far there has been only one entry. Designs can really be about anything as long as it showcases your geeky fandom. The prizes are pretty awesome and make it worth entering.

The prizes are:
-$2,500 donation by Microsoft to #blamedrewscancer in the chosen designers name
-A Zune HD
-An Xbox 360 Elite System
-A 10-pack of sweet games
-An Xbox Live Gold Subscription
-$500 Threadless Gift Certificates
-$2,000 in cash

Good luck and let us know if you enter!

Zune HD

A few days ago the specification and the pricing of the Zune HD was released on the Mircosoft Store.com.  From the image impressions this is Mircosoft’s answer to the Ipod Touch and other touch-based media centers. How will the Zune HD stack up? For all you tech junkies here is the rundown.

Price:
$219.99 for the 16 gigabyte version and $289.99 for the 32 gigabyte version. Comparable iPod Touch players are priced at $299 and $399.

Model Specifications:

52.7 mm x 102.1 mm x 8.9 mm (w x h x d), with a weight of 2.6 ounces (74 grams). The Zune HD will ship with the following accessories: headphones, Zune Sync Cable, and three pairs of foam earpiece covers.

33 hours (wireless off) for music and up to 8.5 hours for video (charge time is three hours when connected to a PC and two hours with A/C adapter)

Media Support:

Audio Support:

• Windows Media Audio Standard (WMA) (.wma): Up to 384 Kbps; constant bit rate (CBR) and variable bit rate (VBR) up to 48-kHz sample rate. WMA Pro 2-channel up to 768 Kbps; CBR and VBR up to 48-kHz.
• WMA Lossless: 2 channel up to 768 kbps and 48 kHz.
• Advanced Audio Coding (AAC-LC) (.mp4, .m4a, .m4b ) – .m4a and .m4b files without FairPlay DRM up to 320 Kbps; CBR and VBR up to 48-kHz.
• MP3 (.mp3) – Up to 320 Kbps; CBR and VBR up to 48-kHz.

Picture Support:

• JPEG – (.jpg)

Video Support:

• Windows Media Video (WMV) (.wmv) – Main and Simple Profile, CBR or VBR, up to 10.0 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). Advanced Profile up to L2, 1280×720 up to 30 frames per second, CBR or VBR, up to 14.0 Mbps peak video bitrate. Zune software will transcode HD WMV files above stated capabilities at device sync.
• MPEG-4 (MP4/M4V) (.mp4) Part 2 video – Simple Profile up to 4.0 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). Zune software will transcode HD MPEG-4 files at device sync.
• H.264 video – Baseline Profile + bframes, up to 10 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). 1280×720 up to 30 frames per second, up to Level 3.1 and 14.0 Mbps peak video bitrate. Zune software will transcode HD WMV files above stated capabilities at device sync.
• DVR-MS4 – Zune software will transcode at time of sync.

If you’re interested in a Zune HD it is avaiable for pre-order Amazon.com, Best Buy, Wal-mart, and the Microsoft Store for the stated above price.

http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Zune-HD-32/product/41941DC9#ctl19_tcla_a

Source:
The Returns.com

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE57C3MQ20090813?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology

Ars Technica

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/08/zune-hd-specs-reveal-battery-life-estimates-format-support.ars