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Gone are the days when computer consoles were used only to play games with. Technological advances and increasing use of broadband mean the humble gaming console has undergone a radical transformation and now has a multitude of uses from the traditional purpose of game play, to the ability to use the console as a movie theatre, music player and video chat tool.

Microsoft's offering of the Xbox 360 has proved a popular choice with gamers across the world and with so many different options to choose from its likely there is a package to suit all tastes and budgets.

The Xbox console itself comes in a few different alternatives so your personal preferences can be fulfilled right from the start. The arcade version contains everything you need to get the games started and with five arcade games included there's no chance of getting bored. With a 256Mb memory unit and wireless controller included you have everything you need to delve into the world of Xbox.

The next step up is the premium console which has a 60Gb hard drive. The Xbox Elite is, as the name suggests, the premier console package which is packed with useful features. The huge 120 Gb detachable hard drive provides you with an abundance of space to save games, movies and photos. If you don't have the Elite version you should note the hard drive can be purchased separately so a memory upgrade is possible without having to buy a whole new console. The Elite console stands out from the others due to its black finish and the high definition (HD) element make the possibility of crystal clear picture and life like graphics a reality.

Xbox Live is the jewel in Microsoft's crown that helps differentiate this games console from competitors. By connecting your Xbox 360 to the internet via your broadband connection you can connect to Live silver or gold, depending on the package you've chosen, where you can then play live online with fellow enthusiasts from all over the world. Xbox Live is the only unified place where you can play with whoever you wish, whenever you want and with over ten million Xbox Live users around the world, you will never be short of a fellow player.

Another benefit of Xbox Live is the marketplace; here you will find you can keep your favourite games up to date by accessing new content and you can extend and personalise your Xbox experience to really make it your own.

Gaming aside, the Xbox can be used for much more. Watching DVD movies, playing your favourite music and sharing your latest digital pictures with friends are just a few possible uses that make the Xbox a multipurpose home entertainment system.

Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

AP - In Arizona, seeing Joe Arpaio on TV is nothing new. But the self-described "America's toughest sheriff" now has a national platform to pursue lawbreakers that stretches beyond the 5 o'clock news.

Grand Theft Auto IV (GTAIV) on PS3 is a game with an amazing and nonlinear storyline, a game with a great protagonist who you can't help but like, and a game that boasts a large selection of online multiplayer features in addition to its lengthy story mode. Of course, it is not without some flaws, but GTAIV is undoubtedly the best Grand Theft Auto yet.

The Grand Theft Auto IV on PS3 story starts with Niko Bellic stepping off a boat in Liberty City, which is modeled after New York City. Right away, you get the sense that Rockstar North's latest GTA offering is something very special. Yes, this is another Grand Theft Auto game in which you'll probably spend most of your time stealing cars and gunning down cops and criminals, but it's so much more than that. You will find that Niko decides to help out Roman with his rundown cab stand and keep thugs off his back until he can figure out how to make money and connections in Liberty City. You also get to discover the real reasons that Niko left his homeland.

So begins Grand Theft Auto IV, the newest - and easily the best - entry in the wildly popular GTA series. The game manages to take the tried-and-true already successful game experience , which involves taking missions to earn cash and climb the corporate ladder of a criminal operation or sightseeing in Liberty City, and turns it into something that feels completely new and updated. Some even claim that it a gaming masterpiece that is a picture-perfect snapshot of the underworld of today's big cities

When the pedestrians, cars and buildings became repetitive in previous GTA releases it was always tempting to get bored, steal a cop car and end up in your own North Hollywood shootout. There are many more times as many distractions in GTA IV, including working cell phones, televisions that can flip channels and the Liberty City version of the Internet. This time, the mundane is as interesting as the some of the unsavory elements of the game.

But that's not to say it's empty of meaning. GTA IV is a crass cultural commentary that mocks the American media's obsession with sex and violence and money. This is the reason why so many people in the media and government are bothered by the Grand Theft Auto games. For example, the Chicago Transit Authority pulled 385 ads for the game from its subways, but the same organization has no problem letting violent films advertise in the same places.) If these people actually played GTA IV, maybe they would realize that not all videogames are for kids and ultimately get the joke - that the game also rejects the violence, sexism, and consumerism it appears to embrace. It is worth mentioning that Grand Theft Auto IV is definitely for a mature audience.

In case you haven't guessed already, Grand Theft Auto IV on PS3 is a game that you will have to play to appreciate it. The single-player game, which you can still play long after you complete the story, is the series' best by far, and the multiplayer features are good enough that you'll likely have no problem finding people to play with you for many months into the future. The minor flaws that you'll experience are no different than those in previous GTA games, and they're greatly outnumbered by the new features that will amaze you anytime just when you think you have already seen everything that the game has to offer.

You can avoid the long lines waiting to buy Grand Theft AutoIV (4) on PS3. Besides, it is sure to sell out at your local store. Why waste your time? Where to find the best deals on Grand Theft Auto?

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AP - Yet another snowstorm pummeled parts of the West on Friday, snarling post-holiday traffic and darkening lights on Christmas trees, and freezing rain covered some Midwest highways with a dangerous sheet of ice.