While E3 is usually all about the games and the people who make them, Microsoft took some time during their press conference to show off all the latest updates to their Xbox Live features list. Check it out:
As you can see, Microsoft has been very hard at work updating their social aspect of the 360. All these new features will undoubtedly open the system up to a much broader market.
To begin their presentation on social networking, Microsoft announced that last.fm will be made available to all Xbox 360 oners. With last.fm, users will have access to millions of songs as well as a wide variety of radio stations. While no announcements have been made regarding the cost, we can tell you that all Xbox Live: Gold Membership subscribers will receive this service, free of charge, later this year.
A major advancement has also been made on the video front as Microsoft made several announcements regarding movies and television. First and foremost, the Netflix movie rental service will be treated to a complete overhaul later this year. Along with an updated library of high-definition movies, the movies themselves will no longer have to be downloaded to each individual console. Just push play and enjoy!
On top of this was a major announcement for those living in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Sky TV has partnered with Microsoft to bring live television, movies, and regular programming to Xbox 360 owners. A release date for this feature has not been announced.
Along with the updated Netflix service, Microsoft will be updating their own personal video service this Fall. The new service will be known as Zune and will have a full library of 1080p HD movies. Similar to Netflix, all movies and television shows will require no download, just push play.
Felicia Day (star of The Guild and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog) took to the stage to announce a new age in social interaction. Both Twitter and Facebook have teamed up with Microsoft to bring both to Xbox Live. The layout is not exactly like that of a typical webpage, using the dashboard look instead of HTML. Through the newly announced "Facebook Connect" system, players can take screenshots of themselves in-game, or send text out to their friends. This will be first implemented in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10. Twitter and Facebook will be made available this Fall.
A major advancement has also been made on the video front as Microsoft made several announcements regarding movies and television. First and foremost, the Netflix movie rental service will be treated to a complete overhaul later this year. Along with an updated library of high-definition movies, the movies themselves will no longer have to be downloaded to each individual console. Just push play and enjoy!
On top of this was a major announcement for those living in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Sky TV has partnered with Microsoft to bring live television, movies, and regular programming to Xbox 360 owners. A release date for this feature has not been announced.
Along with the updated Netflix service, Microsoft will be updating their own personal video service this Fall. The new service will be known as Zune and will have a full library of 1080p HD movies. Similar to Netflix, all movies and television shows will require no download, just push play.
Felicia Day (star of The Guild and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog) took to the stage to announce a new age in social interaction. Both Twitter and Facebook have teamed up with Microsoft to bring both to Xbox Live. The layout is not exactly like that of a typical webpage, using the dashboard look instead of HTML. Through the newly announced "Facebook Connect" system, players can take screenshots of themselves in-game, or send text out to their friends. This will be first implemented in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10. Twitter and Facebook will be made available this Fall.
As you can see, Microsoft has been very hard at work updating their social aspect of the 360. All these new features will undoubtedly open the system up to a much broader market.