Xbox 360 Elite

Details are out of Microsoft's updated Xbox 360 games console - the Xbox 360 Elite.

The spec of the Xbox 360 Elite was one of the worst-kept secrets in the video game industry, it had to be since Microsoft wanted to prevent gamers shifting to the PS3 of Wii.  Anyway, not the details are official.  Here's what you get extra for $479:

• 120GB hard drive
• HDMI port
• Cool smooth black finish
• One month Xbox Live Gold account

Check out the image gallery here. 

The Xbox 360 Elite will appear in shops April 29th.

The 120GB hard drive will also be sold as a stand-alone accessory for $179 so that existing gamers can upgrade their systems.  There will also be a range of Elite accessories, such as:

• Black Xbox 360 Wireless Controller ($49.99)
• Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit ($19.99)
• Xbox 360 rechargeable battery ($11.99)

Want to fill up that big hard drive?  No problems.  In a separate announcement, Microsoft also announced that TV series and movies from A&E Network, ADV Films, National Geographic and TotalVid.com will add to the more than 1,500 hours of downloadable entertainment content to that already available on Xbox Live.

It's pretty obvious that Microsoft wants to position the 360 as an entertainment hub just as Sony has done with the PS3.