I could totally get used to Microsoft making big official announcements at 9:00 PM PST. Good thing too, because they’re doing another one tomorrow!
Tonight, Microsoft let the hype out that there were going to be TWO official announcements for the Xbox 360 line.
The first one was made tonight, at the sweet time of 9:00 in the evening. It was the obvious announcement. Gamers, meet the 360 elite:
As for the second announcement, we’ll have to wait for a press video tomorrow. I’m in agreement with a comment by USArcher on the on10.net site:
- Based on the announcement yesterday of NetFlix founder being voted onto the Microsoft Board of Directors I would think it would have something NetFlix being integrated into XBox Live Video MarketPlace. That would vastly expand Microsoft’s current offerings. Hopefully that carries over to Zune and Media Center too.
All the pieces are lined up for Microsoft to make a big announcement like this. I don’t know if it will be Netflix, but Tivo recently stole what would have been a more obvious partnership for Redmond when they announced that Amazon’s Unbox service was going to be available on all the latest Tivos.
Other factors:
- At CES Microsoft announced that IPTV was coming to the living room via Media Center (aka known as Vista) and Xbox Live.
- The Xbox Live service went down for “necessary maintenance” lately. Hrm…
- It’s well known that Xbox 360 downloads are far superior to Apple TV and Tivo/Unbox. They’re offered in full 780p HDTV, the highest resolution downloads yet. (these statements are lacking some serious fact checking but its late and I’m tired. I do recall Gizmodo or Kotaku or Engadget or some fucking leprechaun in my dreamscape making the statement.)
- Gamers are getting comfortable with the PS3 and it’s price. I guess they realize that $600 isn’t so bad for a machine that has a Blu-Ray drive, Folding@Home, and a second-Second Life experience (Home). Microsoft needs a major victory to get their buzz back, and Halo 3 is still a long way in the distance.
- Wal-Mart, Blockbuster, and/or Netflix will do almost anything to get a leg up on iTunes and Amazon–even if it means tag-teaming with the house of Gates.
- Oh how I wish the announcement would just be a fucking simple stickpad already. I hate playing fighters with a dual analog control. PLEASE Microsoft, WE’RE BEGGING NOW! Give X-Arcade a 3rd Party license already! (or come out with your own) /RANT.
Whatever the news, be sure to check your radar at 9ish tomorrow. We’ll find out how sneaky Microsoft really is.
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