Now that HD-DVD has gone the way of Betamax, Gizmondo and, er, Brad Renfro, word of a Microsoft Blu-Ray player, to replace their red-corner model is getting rifer by the minute.

However, this morning they’ve distanced themselves from any developments, suggesting they’re keen to focus on gaming and not movies.

In a statement handed over to us at T3 Towers, the Big M said: “It is premature to speculate but we do know from market data that HD movie playback is not a primary purchase driver for consumers buying video game consoles. It continues to be games that drive purchase and that has consistently been a strong point for the Xbox 360 platform.”

This suggests to us that any in built drive is some way off, if it’s even coming at all. A bolt-on drive though can’t be discounted. Maybe this also suggests why Video Marketplace remains distinctly underwhelming affair.

As for the current, HD-DVD add-on, Microsoft say they’re waiting to hear from Toshiba before they make any specific plans. That’s to say, it’s doomed like the rest of the format.

With games remaining the 360’s prime concern, it looks like it’ll be left to Sony to create the ultimate gaming and movie hub.

That’s all folks. We’ve just received official word from Toshiba that they’re stopping producing hi-def players and discs immediately.

In a statement released this morning, they said: “Toshiba Corporation today announced that it has undertaken a thorough review of its overall strategy for HD DVD and has decided it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders.”

They do go on to say, however, that they will provide ongoing support for those unlucky enough to have the obsolete tech festering under their tellies.

“We carefully assessed the long-term impact of continuing the so-called ‘next-generation format war’ and concluded that a swift decision will best help the market develop,” said Atsutoshi Nishida, President and CEO of Toshiba Corporation.

Tosh say they will,”…continue to lead innovation, in a wide range of technologies that will drive mass market access to high definition content.”

Whether this means we’ll be seeing Tosh Blu-Ray players remains a moot point. For now, they’re reducing shipments with a view to a complete cessation of trade by the end of March.

Do you have an HD-DVD player? How do you feel about this swift end to the format war? Let us know in the comments section

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Mr Jobs promised us the iPhone’s Software Development Kit before February was out. And with just ten days left it looks like we’ll be getting a new load of firmware on top of those 3rd party apps too.

According to trustworthy Apple source TUAW, the new firmware has been mentioned on a developer’s website. The site suggests Apple has brought them on board for some 3rd party action for 1.1.4 and that they’re no longer working on 1.1.3.

Alas, Apple’s had that site yanked off the web faster than Dwain Chambers at an indoor running track. It now redirects to Apple’s iPhone developer site. Hmmm.

This could all mean we’re set to see even more updates to the recently bulked up iPhone very soon. Seeing as Apple’s such a fan of Tuesday announcements, we’re keeping 26th February pencilled in.

More news as and when we get our greedy mits on it.

It’s the war horse that’s kept our SNES dreams alive. And now the Wii incarnation of Mario Kart looks like it’s got a release date.

According to Play.com, you’ll be able to lay your Ninty loving hands on a copy from April 25th.

It’s the title we’ve been gasping for ever since the Wii first made its way in our front rooms at the rear end of 2006.

The game includes bikes for the first time, which give players even more flat out speed. There’s also access to a Mario Kart channel, letting you get involved with other players online.

There are 16 new tracks to race round, with another 16 remakes. Our pals at CVG have had a close up look at the game in action, and say it’s a beaut’.

For now, this release date remains speculation, but as soon as we get a firm timeframe, you’ll be the first to know.