Dec 29, 2007. Goodbye old year and old Xbox. Hello to a new year and new world of gaming.

Let's start off with the big announcement. Microsoft has updated the dashboard to allow the download of all Xbox games, although at a pricey $15 per game. So if you want your favorite old game and it's not in a store, just download it. No need for the original Xbox or DVD.

So goodbye to a great system, that we would rank in the top 5 of our all time favorite gaming systems behind the original Playstation, but ahead of the Sega Genesis. The Xbox had the best graphics, came with a hard disk and ethernet as standard, and had DVD capability, even if Microsoft screwed us over with the need for the DVD remote.

And unlike the 360, the original Xbox was completely reliable. We will miss the original Xbox hardware, but thanks to the new dashboard feature, we can still play the great games. It's also great that we can play these games in HD with better graphics.

The chatpad has finally arrived for those addicted to their Blackberry or text messaging. Yes, now you can IM your friend instead of talking into the headset, if that makes any sense.

It's a slow week with all the holiday fun and New Years. So we end this blog with a 21 gun salute to the old Xbox and hope the next year features great games and great news for the Xbox family, and maybe even a glimpse of the next member in the Xbox family, the 720???