PS3 Firmware Update V3.40

Playstation has released their new firmware update. It is now at V3.40 and contains the following new features:

* PlayStation Plus: PlayStation Network users will be able to purchase membership to PlayStation Plus; a new subscription service on the PlayStation Network that provides you with new options to expand and enhance your gaming experience and enable you to gain an exclusive set of features and content. Friendly reminder, all of you PlayStation Network users will continue to have free access to PlayStation Network’s unmatched and expanding suite of new and exclusive features while PlayStation Plus subscribers will gain access to an exclusive and expanding set of gaming features, content and functionality.

* Photo Gallery: A new network based photo sharing feature is now available on the Photo Gallery. The enhancement allows you to upload, browse and comment on photos on Facebook and Picasa Web Album. You can also opt to share your photos between your PlayStation Network friends as well as print photos from Photo Gallery.

* Video Editor & Uploader: Video Editor and Uploader is a new function found on the XrossMediaBar (XMB), which enables you to edit, save and upload video files stored on the PS3 system to sites such as Facebook or YouTube.

* Five Star Rating Support: Users can rate the PlayStation Store content they have purchased with one to five star ratings.

* Power Save Settings: The default setting for PS3 System Auto-Off will be set at 2 hours, providing you with additional power save options and further improving power save features on the PS3 system.

Also a new app on Facebook is available for Playstation Network. You can go to http://apps.facebook.com/playstation to find it.

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Xbox 360 Elite Slim Tear Down Date Set

With the lauch of the new Xbox 360 Elite Slim, Wired Extreme will be one of the first to actually give you an actual look inside the console on June 18th, 2010. We will have detailed footage on how to take apart the console, show you the motherboard and other parts of the system including what is included in the bundle.


If you don’t want to upgrade but want to get ready for Kinect, contact Wired Extreme toll free at 888-389-3038 and we’ll be glad in assisting you in getting your Xbox 360 system fixed.

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The Importance of the BBB

What does BBB accredited mean?  I find that being recognized by the BBB means less and less to people as the years move on.  Most younger generations don’t even know what it means and it’s importance.

When looking for a business to perform specific services you should try to find a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited company.  The BBB is a non-profit organization that provides services and programs to assist consumers and businesses. The focus of a Bureau’s activities is to promote an ethical marketplace by encouraging honest advertising and selling practices, and alternative dispute resolution. The services and programs offered by your Better Business Bureau can help you be a more informed, knowledgeable and satisfied consumer.

The BBB offers several services.  They collect and report specific information on business to help inform buyers.  Every BBB accredited business has a profile online with a grade.  There it also lists the number of complaints they have received.  They also serve as a third party to help settle marketplace disputes.  We have all been in a situation where we feel a refund is needed but the company refuses to give it to you.  If they were a BBB business you could file a complaint against them and the BBB would force them to refund your money if the BBB decided you were the winner of the dispute.

This is an important thing to look for when you are searching for Xbox 360 or PS3 repair.  There are ads after ads on Craigslist of people “claiming” they can fix your RROD or YLOD.  They even agree to meet you at your house or a parking lot.  This is never a good idea.  Most of the time they take your money and hand you back a broken console that could now be completely unrepairable because they caused more damage than good.  They aren’t recognized by the BBB so there is nothing you can do about.  You are now stuck with a broken unit.

So when choosing a repair company, be smart about it.  Do some research and remember to check out www.wiredextreme.  We are a BBB accredited repair company.

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Playstation 3 Slim

With the PS3 Slim being on the market for about a half year, I thought I would go over the perks and disadvantages of having one.  More and more people call in asking if it’s worth it to skip the repairs and just buy a new slim.  As an employee of a repair company company I never suggest skipping the repairs (at least repair it and sell it on Craigslist before you buy a new one).  So far we haven’t seen many of these in the repair shop.  They are still under manufacturer warranty so we probably won’t for another 6 to 12 months.

The are a few differences between the models.  The slim does not play PS2 games like some of the “phat” models do.  You also can’t install other operating systems essentially turning your PS3 into a computer.  The slim has fewer USB slots and seems to load a little bit slower than the “phat” version.

All in all though, I’m really starting like this console.  I know some people have complained about the new flat black color, but I like it.  It hides finger prints and gives it a more expensive look.  So far I’m preferring it to the “phat” model.  We’ll see how I feel in six months though.

Go to www.wiredextreme.com to  check out tips on how to prolong the life of your PS3 Slim!

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Not Sure What To Do With Your Tax Return Check? Get Your Console Repaired!

Hey guys!  April 14th is creeping closer every day.  It’s time to get your taxes complete and sent off.  Hopefully you’ll get money back and won’t owe!  The govenrment is also offering that awesome $400 Work Pay Tax Credit.  Oh what to do, what to do with your extra $400?

I have a great idea!  I know some of ya’ll have a broken console laying around your house and you keep telling yourself that when you get the money you are going to send it in to Sony or Microsoft.  Send it in to Wired Extreme instead.  We are faster, less expensive and more customer oriented.  Wouldn’t you rather get your original console back?  We actually repair YOUR system and return YOUR system.

All of our repairs come with a 90 day warranty on the whole console and not just what was repaired.  Dont’ wait a minute after your get tax return check!  Call 1-888-389-3038 and set up your repair on your Xbox, PS3, Wii, DS or PSP.  We are located in Lewisville, so all you local fans just stop on by.

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Wired Extreme, Six Months Later

As Wired Extreme started out, just like any other business, out of an apartment and garage, we quickly realized that it was time to get an established location to further our business.  While in the apartment during the August heat, we would have customers meeting us as soon as we were out of work to either get their console or to drop one off.  With so many new faces and our dedication to customer support, the word was spreading like a wild fire through California about Wired Extreme.  Now, in only six months, we have reached out to over 1,100 customers helping them out in some way with their game console.

Wired Extreme does not claim that it is perfect and never will be.  We are all about learning from trial and error and making sure that we take notes to learn from our mistakes.  With a dedicated staff of only five, we sometimes work all night to make sure our customers are taken care of to make sure units get either sent back out or ready for pickup the next day.  As we try to stick to our saying, “Quality Work, Affordable Prices”, we’re always looking in ways to some how make our services constantly affordable but at the same time making sure that it’s quality work.

I, myself, watch a lot of “Kitchen Nightmares” and study how passionate Gordon Ramsey is in helping a business stay alive and helping them in any way that he can.  At the same time, you have your stubborn individuals that you have to study and learn how to get through to them in a professional manner although sometimes it may not seem too professional as you may see in some of his episodes.  We have definitely learned this ourselves in working with very many different individuals.  It’s not always about the all mighty dollar, it’s about what that customer says when they walk out that door.  A hundred good reviews and then one bad detailed review can ruin a business.  It’s key to make sure a customer is taken care of even though they may not be right, teach them and show them what is right so they know next time what to do.  For example, a customer can swear up and down that the unit is absolutely well taken care of and never harmed but something so simple as having it on the carpet playing or vents against the wall can harm a system as much as dropping it on the ground.  A gaming console has to be able to breathe just like us all.  If someone holds your mouth and nose shut, what happens?  You shut down and can’t breathe anymore.  Small things like this can help a customer out so much and we educate everyone of our customers about this and other small nifty tricks when they have a console serviced with us.

Some really cool things Wired Extreme has done is implemented a tracking system on our website that customers can use to track their console as it’s being worked on and being shipped.  A game center that locals in our area can come by and play for free while their console is being worked on.  Oh and also to mention, it’s not just a simple TV and game console.  We went all out in making sure that they got an experience that had them talking when they left.  Our game center has all the hottest newest games out to play in our game center.  Tritton headphones that have Dolby Digital Surround Sound all within the headset to get a full blown special effect experience.  Crystal clear gaming with LED TVs that use HDMI Xbox 360 consoles to get the full HD experience as well.  We have a few customers that would rather pay to play at our center than go home and play on their own systems.  All our systems are hooked up to Xbox Live and did I mention that you get your OWN 22″ screen?  No split screen sharing WOOHOO!

So what do we see in the next six months for Wired Extreme?  Well not very much honestly.  We’re going to be working on perfecting what we currently have and then possibly expanding our business to other cities for others to enjoy just as well locally.  We will be working on constantly improving our turn time and customer communication in some way as well.

If you read this blog and have any questions about our company that wasn’t answered here, feel free to contact us at any time whether it be by phone or email.  Go ahead and feel free to swing on by if you’re in the area, we’ll be glad to talk with you.

Wired Extreme
424 E Main St Suite 102
Lewisville, TX 75057
Toll Free: 888-389-3038
Local: 214-222-5788

Website: http://www.wiredextreme.com
Email: support@wiredextreme.com

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Extended Warranties For Your PS3 and Xbox 360

We believe in our service here at Wired Extreme and want people to rest easy after getting a repair.  However unavoidable things happen to consoles over time that can cause your system to not work properly.  Lasers wear out and systems overheat.  It’s time to make sure you are covered in these situations.  We offer extended warranties on your Playstation 3, Wii, or Xbox360.  Our extended warranties range from one to four years and start at only $35!

Our extended warranties cover ANY hardware problem.  you can be worry free knowing that if your system gets the RROD, YLOD, disc read error, etc. will will fix it at no additional cost to you.  Give us a call today so we can perform an optimization on your system and tell you about our extended warranties.

www.wiredextreme.com

214-222-5788

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Xbox360 Project Natal

Microsoft announced at E3 last year their plans for Project Natal.  Is it just a Wii knock-off or will it be a changer of the game?

Project Natal is a motion control and voice recognition system for the Xbox 360.  People will be able to control there home entertainment using voice commands and gestures.  There won’t even be a need for a traditional controller.  The sensor is a nine inch wide bar consisting of an infrared sensor that allows it to see in 3D in any light condition.  The software technology will allow voice recognition, facial recognition and gesture recognition.  It will also allow tracking and mapping of up to four users at at time from 48 different skeletal point on the human body.

So far Project Natal has gotten pretty good reviews.  The only game that has been tested is the dodgeball game that was demonstrated last year at E3.  The most common complaint is of a slight lag time.

There is a short list of games announced for Project natal with more being announced as we draw closer to its release.  So far there is Paint Party, Meet Milo, Ricochet, Alan Wake and Burnout Paradise.

Sony is releasing a similar item so only time will tell which one will dominate the market.  Both are set to be released during the 2010 holiday.

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Getting a Disc Read Error?

Disc errors are very common with all game consoles.  No matter if you have an Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii it will most likely eventually happen.  Don’t sweat!!  It’ll be okay because this is very fixable!  You can first try cleaning it with a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol.  Sometimes this fixes the problem, but if not, your laser needs to be replaced.

Check and see if it is under warranty first.  If it is then ship it off to the manufacturer.  If not, then contact a repair company like Wired Extreme.  They can replace the laser for you in less than an hour.  If you’re not local you can ship it in as well.

If you are local then head on in.  We are located in Lewisville, just 15 minutes north of Dallas.

Check out our website at www.wiredextreme.com or call 214-222-5788.

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Help Prevent Red Ring of Death

The dreaded “red ring of death” is inevitable in almost all Xbox 360s. It will most likely happen to you one day, but there are ways to prevent it. There is insufficient cooling in the Microsoft Xbox that causes the solder to melt and bridge, thus giving you the RROD.

There are some early warning signs that this may happen to you very shortly. If your screen starts freezing up and your console only responds to being turned on and off, you may be on your way to the red ring of death.

Tips for Preventing:

1. Place console on it’s side. This allows better ventilation.

2. Clean the vents out with canned air every few weeks. You don’t want dust getting trapped in there.

3. Limit your gaming sessions. Playing hours and hours on end will speed up the RROD.

4. Keep the console in an open area. Try to get at least six inches around all sides of the console and never put it on the carpet.

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