Newsbrief: Non-game entertainment consumption on the Xbox 360 is on the rise, and Microsoft is happy to embrace it. The company announced today that over 40 new apps will be added to the console over the next several months.
The addition of big-name apps like Flixster, MTV, Napster and GameTrailers comes as part of a push to make the Xbox 360 the entertainment hub of choice for families. The full list of apps and regions can be found on Major Nelson's blog.
In a continuing trend for Microsoft, non-game entertainment consumption via Xbox Live increased significantly during November, up 43 percent compared to last year.
...Annnddd this is why I am not getting an XBox 720. If I wanted to be smacked in the face with commercials and products that serve me no purpose I'll watch cable TV.
Seriously? Stuff that is completely optional bothers you that much? Did you also avoid all of the early CD-ROM consoles because you felt pressured to buy CD+G discs? Do you avoid desktop computers because they offer a vast assortment of applications beyond those you want to use?
Every time I turn on my Xbox, I'm pretty bombarded with distracting advertisement videos in just about every tab, simply because I'm signed in to Xbox live. I can't rage about it too much because I do honestly like the XBL service a lot, but we live in a day and age when we don't expect to see advertising in space for which we've paid a membership fee.
Of course, what bothers me more than any specific level of advertising is how it progressively creeps into everything an inch at a time. One new thing at a time trickles in until you realize it's not what it used to be, and that's been happening to XBL over the last couple years.
It looks like in a few years, XBL's direct association with gaming and gaming culture will almost be minimal.
@Aaron: "we live in a day and age when we don't expect to see advertising in space for which we've paid a membership fee"
This may be true in some limited markets were you're specifically paying to remove the ads but, at least in my experience (US consumer), I'm bombarded with ads even when I pay.
Movie Theaters, DVDs, Sporting Events, Cable TV, Magazines, Books, even some of the restaurants print ads on their menus.
Well he's kinda talking about all the ads that pop on on xbox's dashboard now, which isn't really appropriate for this article. More apps that you download optionally is always welcome IMO...
MS if I didn't love Halo and Fable so much I wouldn't be planing to buy a durango in the future, I don't think MS will actually make any profit off me.
Of course, what bothers me more than any specific level of advertising is how it progressively creeps into everything an inch at a time. One new thing at a time trickles in until you realize it's not what it used to be, and that's been happening to XBL over the last couple years.
It looks like in a few years, XBL's direct association with gaming and gaming culture will almost be minimal.
This may be true in some limited markets were you're specifically paying to remove the ads but, at least in my experience (US consumer), I'm bombarded with ads even when I pay.
Movie Theaters, DVDs, Sporting Events, Cable TV, Magazines, Books, even some of the restaurants print ads on their menus.
Not that I like it but ads are everywhere.