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[EmCeeGramr]

I was going to say that this was like the third junior from the newest batch fellating MS's services strategy and insulting everyone who didn't agree, then I looked it up and it's the same guy.

 

[cabottemp]

FFXI was my reason. If only I could use macros with it...

Why don't you just use a USB keyboard?

 

[Kung Fu Grip]

again with the lack of reading comprehension. 360 is outselling the competition in the only market that really matters, the US. EU will follow next gen.

Link?

Not trying to be a smart ass but you (we) have absolutely no clue how the market will react to all 3 consoles next generation.

 

[bigtroyjon]

Only because they're already paying for Live to play online.
Very few people pay XBL fee just to watch video content.

Prove it. People are using Live to watch video content, more than they use it to play games. 5 dollars a month is peanuts when you are watching 80 hours worth of content. That's cheaper than Netflix and the average Netflix user is only watching 33 hours of content a month.

 

[NullPointer]

Prove it. People are using Live to watch video content, more than they use it to play games. 5 dollars a month is peanuts when you are watching 80 hours worth of content. That's cheaper than Netflix and the average Netflix user is only watching 33 hours of content a month.

Am I missing something? You have to pay for that content on top of the fee, so its not possible for it to be cheaper than... well, anything.

 

[coldfoot]

Prove it. People are using Live to watch video content, more than they use it to play games. 5 dollars a month is peanuts when you are watching 80 hours worth of content. That's cheaper than Netflix and the average Netflix user is only watching 33 hours of content a month.

Yusuf Mehdi, who heads up marketing and strategy for Microsoft's Xbox business, said households now spend an average of 84 hours a month on the Xbox Live online service playing games, watching videos and listening to music. That's up 30% from a year ago. Just over half that time is spent on videos and music.

By comparison, the average household spend about 150 hours a month watching television.

"What we're seeing is that people are turning on the Xbox to play games and then keeping it on afterwards to get other types of entertainment," Mehdi said.

See bolded. Games first, video second. They are not buying XBL subs to just watch video when a $59 Roku/their Smart TV will do the same without a sub.

 

[Brofist]

WHY?

Seriously the best set-up in the world is what I have now. iPad in lap to look up things while playing my game. (substitute any other tablet and/or mobile phone as needed)

I like mine better. It's called the PC.

 

[Speedymanic]

See bolded. Games first, video second. They are not buying XBL subs to just watch video when a $59 Roku/their Smart TV will do the same without a sub.

You're missing the point, people are getting more use out of their gold subs by keeping their 360 on to use the various video/music apps. It's less about what they use the console for first, but what other uses they get out of it and MS have grown their MS significantly through various apps, that are available on other platforms, but aren't as well integrated.

it's a tremendous achievement, one that shouldn't be overlooked or played down. MS have basically monetized video and music like Last FM and YT through their service. It's incredible.

And the thing we're all overlooking is that they are hooking people into paying for gold with all these apps. People will continue to pay because doing everything through the one box is far more convenient. It's a massive cash cow and one that keeps growing.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

Sigh, It seems like once again folks don't get it. For clarity's sake, a fully KINECT enabled (primarily voice) IE announcement would be sufficient in and of itself for MS to completely dominate Sony and Nintendo at E3.

This might be my new favourite post ever.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

it's a tremendous achievement, one that shouldn't be overlooked or played down. MS have basically monetized video and music like Last FM and YT through their service. It's incredible.

And I think this has worked Stateside/in the UK, but I firmly believe Gold is holding them back from being successful in mainland Europe.
Watching PAL threads every week, they're being pretty soundly beaten by PS3 on the continent.

 

[Riddick]

Two terrible products together at last.

 

[ColdBlooder]

Well if they put it on the 360, they can claim 50/60 million more IE users, so they are closer to catching up to the competition.

Could be the whole reason for this move.

 

[Speedymanic]

And I think this has worked Stateside/in the UK, but I firmly believe Gold is holding them back from being successful in mainland Europe.
Watching PAL threads every week, they're being pretty soundly beaten by PS3 on the continent.

I wouldn't say soundly beaten, but they aren't doing as well. You do have to remember that this is only their second gen to Sony's third, it's not all that surprising they haven't made that many inroads into Europe.

next gen will be interesting, I think we'll start more of a shift towards the nextbox for a number of reasons, the main one being their online service. Provided Europe doesn't implode from the current crisis.

Spec on my part, MS have been making inroads into Europe, if they can deliver a powerful but cheap console, they'll have it wrapped up. Their sub idea is actually ingenious in this regard, but I can't see them rolling it out at the start of the gen, but if they do...man, Sony and to a lesser extent, Ninty, don't stand a chance.

The price of gold and added value will be of a big significance, if they can add further value through PS+ style sales or by doing more deals whereby you get a 2 year sub for 80 - 90 bucks, they'll have a better chance of attracting more users.

 

[madmackem]

I wouldn't say soundly beaten, but they aren't doing as well. You do have to remember that this is only their second gen to Sony's third, it's not all that surprising they haven't made that many inroads into Europe.

next gen will be interesting, I think we'll start more of a shift towards the nextbox for a number of reasons, the main one being their online service. Provided Europe doesn't implode from the current crisis.

Spec on my part, MS have been making inroads into Europe, if they can deliver a powerful but cheap console, they'll have it wrapped up. Their sub idea is actually ingenious in this regard, but I can't see them rolling it out at the start of the gen, but if they do...man, Sony and to a lesser extent, Ninty, don't stand a chance.

The price of gold and added value will be of a big significance, if they can add further value through PS+ style sales or by doing more deals whereby you get a 2 year sub for 80 - 90 bucks, they'll have a better chance of attracting more users.

You do know that in many countries in eu gold is a pos right?. You really cant call anything next gen, who wouldve thought this gen would have panned out as it did at the start.

 

[ClosingADoor]

The price of gold and added value will be of a big significance, if they can add further value through PS+ style sales or by doing more deals whereby you get a 2 year sub for 80 - 90 bucks, they'll have a better chance of attracting more users.

Only if we actually get added value with Gold next time. In Europe it's just online play and week earlier demos now. The video rental services are crap, there is no Netflix (I think only in the UK?).

 

[Screenboy]

I thought MS would have done this when Kinect first launched? It a bit of a no brainer really.

 

[DrBo42]

"Xbox, Bing Hardcore Porn."
.
..
...
*Search Result*

Fine, I guess I'll watch this instead.

 

[Speedymanic]

You do know that in many countries in eu gold is a pos right?. You really cant call anything next gen, who wouldve thought this gen would have panned out as it did at the start.

Only if we actually get added value with Gold next time. In Europe it's just online play and week earlier demos now. The video rental services are crap, there is no Netflix (I think only in the UK?).

This is partly what I meant, adding value by making content available to more regions. As you both rightly claim, the service in most EU countries is poor, for a number of reasons (rights, etc), if MS can improve this by offering a similar or near similar service to most regions, they'll greatly benefit and significantly boost their gold sub user-base.

Convenience trumps all, MS would be stupid not to realize this and try to offer the same or near same level of support/apps/etc throughout all/most regions. it's the only way they'll be able to push Sony into third place, as they have in the US/UK.

As for next gen, you're right that's it too early to call, but it was only spec on my part.

 

[Rebel Leader]

Can I use it to get other browsers?
(joke)

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Lowered expectations it seems

again with the lack of reading comprehension. 360 is outselling the competition in the only market that really matters, the US. EU will follow next gen.

With posts like this, your rep will build itself real fast. Keep it up :/

 

[FyreWulff]

Good. Still hilarious how the most "online" console is still the only one without a browser.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

Good. Still hilarious how the most "online" console is still the only one without a browser.

Hasn't hurt its sales, so you have to wonder if many cared to move from their existing browsing devices and platforms to a console controller-based one. Kinect functionality, OTOH, may make browsing as good or good enough to bother with considering the added ease of use and highly novel nature of its standard interface. Will be fun to try out, anyway, since it is a look at the evolving future of 'net navigation.

 

[coldfoot]

You're missing the point, people are getting more use out of their gold subs by keeping their 360 on to use the various video/music apps. It's less about what they use the console for first, but what other uses they get out of it and MS have grown their MS significantly through various apps, that are available on other platforms, but aren't as well integrated.

Tell me how the video services on Apple TV or Roku aren't as well integrated compared to Xbox? And what does that even mean? You launch an app and watch the video.

 

[fluffydelusions]

I like mine better. It's called the PC.

I suppose iPad is more convenient for people who game on the couch or whatever. But like you, PC is easiest for me as I game mostly on PC nowadays and alt-tab -> web browser is easiest (and best).

 

[jeff_rigby]

I laughed. Ahem.. Wow, MS really pulled the wool over jeff_rigby's eyes. He had no idea. There wasn't one incredibly 8 month thread or anything.

Actually I speculated that the Xbox would get a browser. Multiple points supported this:

1) the DLNA/DTCP-IP RVU support (remote viewing and control of DVR cable boxes) required a Webkit compatible UI (Can be supplied by Explorer or native libraries) PS3 getting same feature announced by Verizon, Comcast and Direct TV.
2) Bing, Kintect and voice control were rumored for Xbox360

The above provide most of what's needed in a browser.

3) PS3 is getting a webkit HTML5 WebGL browser Now partially implemented. HTML5 <video> and quick research make it a must have for both Home entertainment consoles.

 

[NemesisPrime]

Well if they put it on the 360, they can claim 50/60 million more IE users, so they are closer to catching up to the competition.

Could be the whole reason for this move.

There is no competition in browser land (only in the mind of fanboys). The browser wars ended 10 years ago. Nobody makes money with browsers. The "battle" for the Internet has move to other things.