Here's something that should make Microsoft happy. According to a recent survey, the failure rates for the Xbox 360 console is actually on the decline thanks in part to the introduction of the Jasper chipset. Nintendo's got reason to celebrate too, as the same survey found the Wii to be the most reliable of the three seventh generation consoles.

The king of Xbox modding is back. Ben Heckendorn has released the latest incarnation of his portable Xbox 360. The new Xbox 360 portable revision 5 has a similar look to previous models but now comes with a Jasper motherboard, built-in ethernet port, digital pushbutton volume control and many other additional features.

As promised, Microsoft threw a launch party last night to start its X360 conquest of Brazil. It seems it turned out quite well, judging from the news pouring about it at least. Director of Microsoft's Latin America Games and Entertainment Division Daniel Cervantes just predicted that X360 will be the next biggest thing in Brazil; a bold assertion as the said region is the biggest market in the Latin America list.

"We'll be the first major manufacturer to sell a game console in Brazil's market directly. We believe consumers will respond well to that," reflected Cervantes. Accordingly, around 600,000 units of videogame consoles are sold annually in Brazil, though they are provided by third party vendors. With a potential of 11 million base of gamers, the country is actually 15th overall in the world in terms of console sales.

On to details, it is rather curious to note that Microsoft will be selling its next-gen console there for 2,999 reais or roughly US$ 1,400. The package will contain the console itself, which by the way has Portuguese software, a 20-gigabyte hard disk, wireless controller, remote control and three games. Speaking of titles, those which would be available at once are Gears of Wars and Perfect Dark Zero among others; games will cost around 159 reais (US$ 74) each.

We have learned in Mexico and Colombia that when we come ahead of our competitors, our market share can double just by being the first. If we get a critical mass, it's very difficult for us lose our lead," explained Cervantes. Microsoft began selling the console in Mexico, Chile and Colombia at the early part of this year.

Team Xcuter - the Ultimate Xbox Modchip Resource - has unveiled a trio of products that we know a lot of you people out there have been waiting for:

360 Unlock Kit v2

The 360 Unlock Kit v2 makes it easy to open up your Xbox 360 case for disassembling. There are two separate parts to the unlock tool to make the unclipping of the rear of the case a one move process. The kit also includes a high quality T10 screwdriver with handle. The new Xecuter 360 Unlock Kit v2 is now available for only $9.99.

X360 USB Kit

X360USB is the team's most advanced modding product. After two weeks of beta testing, the team says X360USB flashed every single model of Hitachi drive "many many many times" via USB using all the current released software such as GaryOPA, Birdy, etc. Countless data transfer tests also resulted in 100% success. Samples will be shipped next week and more product details, as well as its price, will be provided later.

X31R USB

The team has finished updating the latest version of its X3 product. The X3IR features include:

• Blue status led
• Compatible with any modchip
• Enable/Disable Modchip upon boot.
• Easy to use programming software
• Learning functionality allows virtually any remote control to be used
• User programmable buttons for all functions, such as which button turns on the xbox or turns it off
• Safety Off makes sure you press the OFF button 3 times before turning off the xbox to prevent unintended xbox shutdown
• Turn ON and OFF the XBOX with the XBOX Dvd remote control, and any RCA DVD compatible remote (and there are hundreds of these)
• Perfect-Press - The length of emulated press of front panel Power button can be finely tuned to work with any modchips needs (ie. long press is 100msec - mod off, short press is 10msec - mod on)

Pricing and availability will follow shortly.

If you're looking a new way to cool your Xbox360 and is unimpressed with Dano2k0's Fully Internal Watercooled Xbox360 mod or unwilling to dismantle your console, then why not get this Power Cooling System Vertical Stand from Divineo? Yes. It's the same Divineo that was selling the black and white PSPs with FW 1.5. The site doesn't have much on this product except it's a powerful cooling system that emits little noise, has an indicator and console-stand function, and a good design; plus it comes with a remote control.

Based on the photo, it is like a dock that has two built-in power cooling fans at the bottom. You place your console on top click the remote and voila! Your Xbox is sitting comfy and cool in this device. If you place an order now it can ship within 24 hours for $17.95. But if you buy by the bulk, you'd get a dollar or two taken off the original price.

When it comes to business, we don't know much. Okay, we know zilch except for one thing: you go into business to make money, not lose money. So can someone please explain why Toshiba is losing approximately $200 or more on every HD-A1 HD-DVD player it sells?

That's what the published report from analyst firm iSuppli (not related to iPod or anything with "i" in front of it) said anyway. According to the report the components needed to assemble the HD-A1 came to approximately $674. This is higher than its estimated retail price of $499 set by the company. If you add the testing, cables, remote control and packaging, the cost goes up to more than $700.

Why the losing price? Probably to establish a toehold in the next-generation DVD market over the more expensive Blu-ray (about $999). This is where the pay-off could come. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, in the U.S. alone, estimated DVD player sales totaled about 16 million units in 2005, not counting PC sales and game consoles. iSuppli says:

"It's unusual to find this level of subsidization outside of the video-game console and mobile-phone markets. Presumably, Toshiba anticipates making back any initial HD-A1 losses with subsequent products. There is little question that Toshiba had to use a high-cost design for its first model. But there is a big question as to whether pricing its player so much less than Blu-ray is worth the financial risk."

iSuppli also forecasted that shipments of both HD-DVD and Blu-ray CE devices will rise to 65 million units in 2010, up from 1.6 million units in 2006. And who will win the Next-Gen Format War? The firm predicts both formats will win ground in the marketplace and it will be too close to call.