When it comes to hyping next-generation hardware, the video game industry doesn't typically opt for simplicity. However, during a presentation at the GameStop Expo in Las Vegas to promote the upcoming Xbox One console last week, a no-frills, old-school approach is exactly what Microsoft employed when confronted with a convention room full of passionate gamers.

There were no flashy videos, sensational demonstrations or celebrity appearances. Instead, Xbox Live programming director Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb candidly took questions on stage from the crowd for 30 uninterrupted minutes, a refreshing reprieve considering the backlash Microsoft has continued to endure since unveiling the Xbox One in May.

Christina Aguilera recently debuted her slimmed-down body, but the singer says she doesn't work out like crazy.

The 32-year-old is on the cover of Maxim magazine's October issue. She's sporting a bra and a big shirt in the cover photo and a fitted dress in the magazine spread.

A Texas museum has acquired a full-length painting by John Singer Sargent of Edwin Booth, the renowned 19th-century actor and brother of President Abraham Lincoln's assassin.

The Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth announced the acquisition Friday. The portrait from 1890 was commissioned by members of The Players — a private club for actors founded by Booth and his friends. It remained there until 2002, when it was sold to a private collector. The painting will now go on view Friday in the Amon Carter's main gallery, the first time it will be on extended public display.

Katy Perry says although she's "older and wiser," she still plans to have fun.

Perry debuted 12 songs from her new album, "Prism," to be released Oct. 22, in front of an audience of 100 industry insiders and journalists Thursday night in New York. The beat-driven album features likable, radio-friendly tracks, much like her multi-hit 2010 effort, "Teenage Dream."

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said he held talks on Syria with U.S. President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit but confirmed the meeting did not end their differences on the conflict, as the American leader said he knew convincing the U.S. Congress to back military action against Damascus would be a "heavy lift."

"We spoke sitting down... it was a constructive, meaningful, cordial conversation. Each of us kept with our own opinion," Putin told reporters, saying the meeting lasted 20 to 30 minutes.

Eric Abidal is angry at how his Barcelona career came to an end and claims he was not even paid by the club when he was seriously ill.

The 34-year-old Abidal had a liver transplant last April, ruling him out of the 2012 European Championship and keeping him away from football for one year. He returned to make a few appearances for Barcelona before leaving to join Monaco in the offseason.

Andy Murray's first attempt to defend a Grand Slam title ended on Thursday as he bowed out quickly, if not quietly, in the U.S. Open quarterfinals, losing 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to Stanislas Wawrinka.

Two months on from his drought-breaking victory for British men at Wimbledon, the Scot was no match for the Swiss in a surprisingly one-sided encounter.

Nine-time major champion Monica Seles will be inducted into the U.S. Open Court of Champions before the women's final on Sunday.

Seles, who won the U.S. Open in 1991 and 1992, spent more than 175 weeks ranked first and was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009.

Google's attorneys say their long-running practice of electronically scanning the contents of people's Gmail accounts to help sell ads is legal, and have asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to stop the practice.

In a federal court hearing Thursday in San Jose, Google argued that "all users of email must necessarily expect that their emails will be subject to automated processing."

Visitors to Orlando often try new things while on vacation: thrilling roller coasters, luxury hotels, different cuisines.

Now they can try out a fully electric car — and not have to pay for gas during their vacation.