Microsoft plans Xbox Live overhaul

[Ioman]

http://news.designtechnica.com/article344.html

"A major overhaul of the Xbox Live platform is in the works, with the console set to get new online functionality including the ability to talk to friends outside of games and use streaming video and audio services. "

Just one more step towards having a media box in the home. Remember Microsoft originally wanted to do this, but game developers said that if MS did this, they would not develop for the system. So now MS is being sneaky and slowing turning a gaming system into a media hub.

[ECA]

WHATS REALLY funny.
Is Xbox net access is HIGHSPEED ONLY. NOT dialup.
Out of ALL the net users, only about 30% have highspeed access. And then to SPEND extra for the access, along with regular net access, is a REAL bummer.
They are basically trying to take over the NET market, from 3 directions. servers, XBOX, and services.
MAN is 2nd(supposedly) to AOL.

[RageSlave]

Statistically, in 2 years, 60% of the populace will have what we now call High speed access and the world will progress on to other bandwidthes. and the idea which will be in place is the key to it all. There is no way that the share holders are going to let the X box lag in technology once the race is on. The idea is to challenge the competitors and let them start the race. The M$ will be "forced" to compete. Bill should say " It's not my fault. They started it."

Nosydamnus circa:3003

[Archon]

my broadband is horrible. Cable isnt high speed internet access, its fast slowness

[ECA]

Originally posted by Archon
my broadband is horrible. Cable isnt high speed internet access, its fast slowness

Are you using the USB, or the network card connection??

I have few problems really, 500kbs/network card.
I had to upgrade my Video card.
The service Im on is NOT shared bandwidth. They are still working on a few kinks, but not to bad.

[Ioman]

My cable modem access rocks. 1.5MBps down and 384K up. I think it depend son the neighborhood and provider you have. I do not think there are a lot of people in my neighborhood with it. I also have 802.11g running in the house too. Seems fast as hell to me. I am with ATT cable btw.

[questionlp]

Soon to be Bomblast, er I mean Comcast :D

[BDONN]

Mediabox type deal is good in a way... one box that will do everything. I wanted to make one out of a mini-pc...

That sounds like microsoft's doings... they usually end up getting what they want some way or another.

[ECA]

The X-box was a Good Idea. Even for me to say this, which is HARD, is amazing.
Its the hardware that kinda sucks. they could have had such a nice mini comp, with auto install, of any game and a minor, HD clean up system.

IF MS, would make a second OS, for gaming, and internet ONLY. That could be run on a mini system, THEN they would have something. And alot of companies would pop up. It would be able to expand, update and upgrade as needed. But, for some reason, they AINT done this. They want a system that you have to RE-purchase evey 3-5 years(MS would like EVERY year), and ALOT of ppl are getting upset.

Its another debacle of the WIN OS type. Win95-98-ME-2000....
Every couple years they want MORE of your money.

[neuroking]

I had trouble with my Elink DSL when i moved. Turns out my connectionwas blazing at a full 1.5MB/s and my modem was not able to keep up, so I lost sync. They throttle it down to 1.3 and no problems since.

You should have heard the tech when he pulled up the diagnostics screen. "Holy sh... uh *laugh*. I think I know what the problem is...."

Brandon