I've mentioned before, while I see the demise of any Windows based OS (cloud based customizable apps of your choosing will be the OS of Web 3.0) - I believe the future of Microsoft is in home entertainment. Xbox. It has been the platform of choice for my family (and any gamers who needs sophistication beyond the Wii - which is many people) but they just hit the ball out of the park with new plans announced at E3 (the Electronic Entertainment Expo).
- No more disks. Everything downloadable. Ouch to Gamestop. Full retail games on demand.
- FULL BODY motion detection. Not a handheld controller like the Wii that you wave at the TV. Whole body motions are detected. They now call it "Project Natal" and it looks amazing.
- Netflix will let you add to your cue of movies on Xbox and play them on demand (and as we know, Xbox is HD). No more PC involvement with Netflix (and I can only assume what will happen to the Roku unless they give it away). The Xbox video store is now called Zune Marketplace, and can stream 1080p instantly.
- Last.fm on Xbox - I love it! Not sure if it multi-tasks with games because games usually have their own soundtrack but it takes the unit a step further toward being a one stop entertainment center.
- Facebook and Twitter on Xbox. People are excited about this - I am not so sure people want their Twitter streams or Facebook wall displayed on the family room 50 inch flat screen, but that's just my opinion.
- New avatars they will charge for. Another revenue stream. They actually make money with these! Hard to believe unless you are already an Xbox fan and have seen and created the avatars. It's a major part of the fun. I would pay for this.
The only thing missing (or not yet announced?) is Hulu or Boxee (and Boxee may be a better choice because of the social component of Xbox which is not a part of Hulu). Either one would be a major bandwidth hog and Xbox is only perfection, which might be the reason for the absence. Or Avner is not ready to sell or do an exclusive joint venture yet. E3 is just starting, I have a feeling we will hear more. Gamers have seen this coming for a while. Microsoft rules home entertainment, and Xbox households (like mine) knew it would not be through a PC. Is this finally the true meaning of convergence?? It's through a small box that almost resembles an Apple Mini :)
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