![Permalink for 'Customized Xbox Console Gets Ruined by Microsoft; Makeup Effort Brings Love Back [Microsoft]'](/themes/lilina/web//media/mark_on.gif)
A few weeks back, an unlucky Xbox owner shipped off his customized console to Microsoft's repair center. The console was a special piece, as it displayed the signatures of the Bungie team, Microsoft's Xbox 360 team and a sketch by Rooster Teeth cartoonist, Luke McKay. Sufficed to say it looked awesome and the owner, Nathan, wanted to keep it that way. To ensure his console was taken care of at the repair center, he wrote a letter carefully explaining the situation. He was pretty pissed then when the console was returned scrubbed from head to DVD slot, with all of the irreplaceable artwork washed out of existence. Did Microsoft apologize? You can bet your bottom dollar they did.
Since Nathan's Xbox was returned stark naked, his girlfriend left him, his pet dog didn't even recognize him and people on the street looked at him in disgust. (Probably.) Such was the change in Nathan's life, he could hardly bare waking up in the mornings. However, Microsoft saw this atrocity going on, and they sure fixed it:
Despite Bungie jumping (ha!) in and giving our man all of the following:
• Legendary Edition Helmet signed by most-if not all-of the studio staff
• Halo 3 Soundtrack (two disc) signed by Marty O'Donnell (with "DO NOT ERASE!" written under his name)
• Bungie Jacket
• Bungie T-Shirt
• Halo 3 Messenger Bag
• Two Halo 3 Limited Edition Wireless Controllers (one covenant, one human)
• Halo 3 Faceplate and Skins for Xbox 360
• Four McFarlane Action Figures (MC, EVA Spartan, Brute Chieftan, Jackal Sniper)
• Halo Actionclix Preview pack (Target exclusive sticker on the front)
• Halo Actionclix Game Pack 4
• Halo 3 Wall Graffix
• Halo 3: Ghosts of Onyx Novel
• Halo Graphic Novel
• Halo 3 Wristband
• Halo 3 Hackeysack
Microsoft also chimed in with a personally signed photo of Bill Gates, a new console with Bill's signature on it and hundreds of dollars worth of new video games. Nathan is, we presume, now back with his girlfriend, his dog loves him and people in the street can't wait to stop and chat with him. He's so cool, we want to be his friend. [Kotaku: 1, 2 and 3]
Looks like Sony's living up to 
Here's an interesting take on RC flying bots; the Z-Flyer Hand Command Robot hovers right above the palm of your hand, wherever that maybe, you dirty devil. The astronaut shuns a conventional remote control, instead relying on your very own hand; how well it will work is questionable, but it is certainly a cool idea. Hell, for £24.95 ($50) we're willing to bite. If the innovative control system didn't have us sold, the flashing green LEDs should do it for sure. The Z-Flyer will give seven minutes of flying time on a ten minute charge, and it docks into the central space station to get the juice levels up—how cute. [
Musically inclined hackers too lazy to 
Google, along with Microsoft, Dell, Intel, HP and Philips are pretty hot on 
Grand Theft Auto IV is coming, and with it Microsoft are dropping an awesome, limited edition, Xbox Elite console, which features GTA branding all over. The gaming beast will not be launched to the public, but instead will be given away as press kits to promote the new title, which kinda sucks. Only 500 units will be produced, and each will carry a unique identifier etched on.
We reported yesterday that Apple was pushing Windows Safari 3.1 through Software Update, even if you 
Sony's Alpha A900 practically blew us away when we first had an opportunity to grope it, which was way back during 
This week the US Air Force achieved the first supersonic flight using alternative synthetic fuel, booming a B-1B Lancer over the White Sands Missile Range airspace in New Mexico without any problems. The supersonic strategic bomber, designed to deliver atomic weapons, will be able to start Armageddon at $30 to $50 less per barrel while helping the environment and without depending on foreign oil. You read that well, you commie hippie treehuggers: war is getting cheaper, and it will help climate change, 
Here's a nifty idea. Take a Page-A-Day Calendar, bore a hole in the middle and place a clock in it. That's basically what designer Henk Stallinga did when constructing this Clock Calendar. With 365 pages we would suggest that if anyone were to start using this thing, start sometime around January to avoid a massive page rip off. [
BusinessWeek can't leave a juicy rumor—that Apple's 
With this limited edition Justice League of America bat-signal prop replica you can summon the caped crusader from the comfort of your desk. According to the product page, this 12-inch tall "metal-encased device projects a light-up Bat-Signal an impressive 16 feet." Whoa—16 feet you say? For $309.99 this dammed thing should project into space. Plus, it should have interchangeable filters with signals to summon secretaries and interns. With its limited functionality, I don't know if these things will be flying off the shelves—but you can pre-order one now for a November release. [
Contrary to earlier reports, Kasper at AppleInsider is now saying that the Mac mini has a long life ahead of it. Well, at least 12 months worth. According to his sources, "A small team of engineers have recently been tasked with gutting the diminutive desktop and applying fresh internals." Such as...?
It didn't last long, but we're surprised it happened at all: An ATM located in northern England was paying out double when users went for the maximum £300 withdrawal, netting £600 in spending cash. Needless to say, everyone who benefitted called their mothers, fathers, cousins and dog sitters, so that the overly generous cash machine was plumb out of bills within hours.