Xbox Live gets closer to releasing Twitter, Facebook, last.fm, and more

  • By SarjuS, GameSpot
  • Posted Oct 13, 2009 7:06 pm PT

Xbox Live's promised land of social networking is getting closer to fruition. The company's been telling us about the upcoming Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm, and Instant On 1080p video marketplace for some time. We got to sit down with Ron Pessner, a general manager of Xbox Live Engagement, to test...

Xbox Live's promised land of social networking is getting closer to fruition. The company's been telling us about the upcoming Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm, and Instant On 1080p video marketplace for some time. We got to sit down with Ron Pessner, a general manager of Xbox Live Engagement, to test drive these upcoming additions.

Microsoft knew it would be difficult to recreate the full experience of all of these website applications, especially since they're best experienced from two feet away, and with a mouse and keyboard. The new apps are very focused in their capabilities, and from what we got to experience, quite functional in their own right.

Facebook on Xbox Live pulls in the news feed and auto scrolls it if you leave it to its own devices. Poking around the New Experience themed menu revealed that we could check up on friends, update our status, and really get down and dirty in the photos section. We had a blast flipping through both our photos and those of our friends. Navigating through the snapshots was quick and intuitive, and commenting on them, even easier.

Out side of that you're also able to able to find friends on Facebook that have Xbox Live accounts. Quite a time saver if you don't want to bother asking all of them what their gamer tags are.

Last.fm lets you stream music, set up faux radio stations, and even explore the musical selections of your friends. The whole experience is geared around getting to the music as quickly as possible. While the tunes plays, the app streams in pictures of the band as a backdrop. Should you want to explore a bit while listening, amble over to the more information button to learn more about the band. Microsoft and Last.fm are also rolling out a "Gamer" radio station that they think will appeal to us. We didn't get to explore that as much as we'd like to, but we're certainly curious as to what they came up with.

Twitter is probably the least New Experience stylized app of the bunch. The service is dead simple. Post 140 characters or less on whatever you want and that's it. The Xbox Live app lets you explore your friend's feeds, follow new users, search, and post new tweets. You can also leave it on to automatically get a stream of Twitter updates from your friends as well. The backdrop shifts around with simple animations so that your screen doesn't burn-in.

We really got a kick out of the Instant On 1080p Zune video marketplace. The service still has its quirks (we saw a beta), but it looks and feels spectacular. In a nutshell, you can buy and rent video from it in 1080p quality. As a plus, files you purchase will be usable on the Zune, Xbox 360 and your PC. We didn't get to experience downloaded video, but streams we saw looked great. Microsoft's software constantly checks your bandwidth to make sure you're getting the best image possible at any given point in time. If your brother starts downloading a large file, the video quality will get a little blockier, but it will continue without a hitch. Once he's done downloading, the video quality will automatically get much more crisp.

Microsoft didn't indicate a specific date for all these new features, but it aims to release them sometime in November.

78 Comments

  • ninstigator

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 9:20 pm PT

    whats the hype? you could do all this on ps3 for how long now? OOOHH look everyone - I GIVE YOU FACEBOOK......X.X

  • alexLmx6

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 8:03 am PT

    i honestly don't want any of this stuff oh well i guess theyre not forcing me to use it even if they force me to download it

  • EndoftheworldX

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 10:14 pm PT

    Once this pops up I guess I'll have run out of excuses not to make a facebook. Definitely loving how everything is getting integrated together these days, looking forward to this update.

  • Press1ToParty

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:41 pm PT

    I couldn't care less about a web browser in my Xbox when I got my computer in the same room.

    Plus, when I used the PS3 web browser, I was unsatisfied with how flash videos weren't working very smoothly, and I was using cable broadband internet, too.

    Facebook is gonna be cool because I use it frequently, Twitter not so much.

    I hope I can listen to Last.fm while gaming, that would be pretty sweet.

  • cjasko94

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:22 pm PT

    lol Who would want Twitter or Facebook on a Xbox 360 anyway? At least with the PS3 you can use a cheap usb keyboard on it. Hell even a wireless mouse if you wanted to. AND actually CLICK links and upload photos. plus not to say watching YouTube videos is awesome on my 42in TV

  • cjasko94

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:19 pm PT

    I have almost all this on my PS3 webbrowser. (I love how xbox 360 users are down thumbing when people say this because it's the truth )

  • ziv_ew

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 6:02 pm PT

    all of this is ether pointless or alredy in a ps3

  • shawise posted Nov 11, 2009 9:25 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    shawise

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:25 am PT (hide)

    ha! my PS3 already has a web browser. I used it saturday to check showtimes.

  • TheBatFreak777

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 8:51 am PT

    Wouldn't it be easier to just put some Vista-like widgets in place OR have a full version of IE? I mean, this is MS after all. lol

  • badman11226

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 12:48 am PT

    They might as well give us a web-browser.

  • Trogeton

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 9:06 pm PT

    I love dashboard updates

  • mEtal0796

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 7:24 pm PT

    i love lastfm its so fun, i got about a month ago its great on xbox.

  • Brak_N_Zorak

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 6:36 pm PT

    it is november now so where is it?

  • Darkno

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 4:14 am PT

    I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS!

  • Darkmoone1

    Posted Nov 7, 2009 1:22 pm PT

    @marco365:

    I can't tell if you're praising it, or insulting it.

  • Da_Chief_319

    Posted Nov 7, 2009 11:31 am PT

    @WTFitspaul: yup. seems like it.

    I wish you could play Last.fm in the background on Xbox, but the previews said you can't. sigh.

  • guyguyguy1234

    Posted Nov 7, 2009 5:38 am PT

    My gosh they have teased us with this update forever, they updated the system a few times and al like 3 or 4 times "This wont include twitter and facebook" grr. My patience is running thin.

  • zaiwen

    Posted Nov 7, 2009 3:51 am PT

    Mafia Wars on XBL? sweet

  • WTFitsPauL

    Posted Nov 7, 2009 12:30 am PT

    M$ wants its gamers not to socialize outside. whats next? virtual girlfriend?

  • cjasko94

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 6:03 pm PT

    Haha I have a Web Browser (something the Dreamcast and wii has) on my ps3. So I can get all this and more. And when I mean more I mean more. Then you xbox fanboys say "well I have a pc to download free movies, music and more" then I just say SO DO I

  • Hamadaenya

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 3:56 pm PT

    very cooool , its amazing i like this kind
    sweet

  • ztsk8chris

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 9:08 am PT

    This is dumb and pointless! just put a damn web-browser on the system. i can already do this with the ps3 with the web-browser. haha!!!

  • madSomnambulist

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 6:05 pm PT

    Awesome. Since having twitter and facebook avilable to me 24/7 on my broadband-connected PC, wi-fi-connected laptop and 3G-wireless smart phone was just not enough. A fourth way to continuously comment on blurry photos of women you've never met is something I've been unable to live without.

    On the other hand, the cross-device video downloading should be slick... I wonder what the actual format of the 1080p is, though. Very few people have a 10mbps+ (or more like 15ish) dedicated connection available for a 1080p/60fps stream. There's a reason why transmission TV is 1080i. ...Pleeeease don't mess up this chance to be first at it.

  • marco365

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 12:30 pm PT

    this crap is badass

  • Somebody89

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 7:47 pm PT

    Well I got into the preview program and well the only nice addition is the 1080p stream and last.fm is cool to use but the social networking stuff I have no interest. The features on them are pretty bare because you can't even chat on the facebook app, your just better off logging to the website or use an iphone app.

  • Nobri

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 6:24 pm PT

    @Warghost2k

    From what I heard, you can't. You have to watch the artist's slideshow go by, like on a PC.

  • tdawg2594

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 12:27 pm PT

    i dont get the point of this microsoft claim the its the best gaming console out there yet there going hard for twitter and facebook integration on the 360 though i dont have a problem with it but i can do this on my ps3 and pc

  • IKIRYIPT

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 6:28 pm PT

    Microsoft is the future xbox's will come and go eventually there will be a box a small box made by microsoft and you will be able to do everything on it and when this little box takes over and is in the living room of every single household,us gamers will be able to say this is the evolution of the xbox and i experienced all of it.Microsoft once said they envisioned the xbox in every single household in the world this is just one step of many,as long as its free theres no need for no one to complain either use the free features or dont i havent even mentioned halo waypoint which unlocks avatar awards

  • IKIRYIPT

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 6:27 pm PT

    I have the new update and its genius.I've had a facebook account for about a year now and havent logged in it since april,now i fear i will become more active because of the simplicity.The xbl facebook is fast,fun and very straight forward everything is in one spot pictures are easy to share and view only thing missing is the chat option.last.fm is genius its like finding classic cds at a yard sell, you'll be browsing classics instanly and streaming music in seconds and i haven't had to pay a dime yet.Twitter is better on the xbox to me it even looks better. As far as browsing the net on your xbox you u can i have for years now,simply link your xbox to windows media center and u can browse the net on your xbox easly and the chat pad makes typing easy and accessiable as far as windows messenger thats been on there for ever,that launched when the chat pad did that's what the chat pad was made for it just ain't all jazzy looking.People sit down and enjoy the ride i would say the xbox is the future of gaming but that's a understatement.

  • mrzero1982pt2

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 5:12 pm PT

    they have been getting ready since e3. we have the xbox live comm kits, with pgr4, the keyboard and a year xbl subscription and on the inside it said "connect to facebook". its been out there for awhile, im ready to see it!

  • IAMTHEJOKER88

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 12:57 pm PT

    UK are getting sky right? or am i wrong?

  • Virtual87

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 11:11 am PT

    I am mostly looking forward for last.fm but i will try all the features. I wish I could see better web support for the 360 and more apps like this.

  • joevit

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 10:08 am PT

    Still no way to get on the net... I don't care about this stuff.

  • Rovelius

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 11:05 pm PT

    Last.FM is the only thing I'm looking forward to... still, I'd like Youtube support over the Live.

  • andalore

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 1:39 pm PT

    It should be interesting to see how my non gamer friends interact with the XBL version of facebook, Like if you can see post from the apps they're using, although I doubt this will probably be a day one feature

  • huerito323

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 3:30 pm PT

    @tyco_ex

    You don't get it. Facebook is gonna part of the xbox live experience, it's not gonna be there for no reason. I can't go on Facebook on my computer and invite people to play xbox live instantly can't I? I don't think so. I need more friends to play with, Facebook is a good way to make friends so why not be on xbox live? You fail.

  • tyco_ex

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 12:03 pm PT

    Oops: contradicted*

    And @ Iceburden123

    skills* skill is singular. There should also be a period in between dashboard and but. That is a run-on sentence.

    By the way, I wasn't criticizing his grammar or spelling. I was criticizing the fact that he contradicted himself. I criticized the content of his comment, not the semantics of it.

  • feeritself

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 5:49 am PT

    These apps are another great reason to be paying for Xbox Live. To be honest though, I'd rather browse Facebook in ease on my PC but still zune and last.fm look great.

    The internet is slowly killing TV.
    (09005169)

  • Icedburden123

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 8:32 pm PT

    The only thing I'm looking forward to is Last.FM. It sucks you can't have constant streaming away from the dashboard but I suppose that's for the next 'update'. It's also funny when people criticize others for their reading/writing skill when they don't use proper grammar or spelling either.

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 6:32 pm PT

    I just don't care about any of the frills that come with the xbox. I bought it to play games and that's it.

  • aGiantSquirrel

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 6:08 pm PT

    ok, well, I can already do all those things on my computer and on my PS3. And now I can do it on my 360. Im all for new features, but I dont see how this is such a big deal.

  • izmickey

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 10:30 am PT

    @ huerito323
    To be fair, the web browser on the ps3 wont help YOU. I like to watch anime and some videos on my ps3 web browser. Xbox360 is fine without it though. Besides, it wouldnt hurt if xbox360 had this OPTION because having options are always good.

    I like the zune integration because i bought a Zune HD and i gotta say i freakin love it. Sexiest and best mp3/mp4 player in my opinion.

  • izmickey

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 10:17 am PT

    Wow....am i the only one that doesnt twitter or have a facebook/myspace? What does that make me? I think I'm a dork either way....*sigh*

  • starwarsnut7591

    Posted Oct 28, 2009 4:12 pm PT

    too bad you have to play a monthly fee to use last fm.

  • william123451

    Posted Oct 28, 2009 2:56 am PT

    @Lightchaos It already does. Through the web browser. It's not built into the XMB though. That wouldn't be too hard for them to do though.

  • Bloodhawk_DX

    Posted Oct 27, 2009 4:29 pm PT

    Last.fm, Twitter and Facebook? Meh. I would take Pandora over those three together.

  • BaLLz_ON_FiRE

    Posted Oct 27, 2009 8:22 am PT

    Looks cool.

  • Lightchaos

    Posted Oct 26, 2009 7:05 pm PT

    They should bring this to the PS3.

  • colt1831

    Posted Oct 26, 2009 1:19 pm PT

    I can't wait to post my status and it say from xbox 360 ,sounds pretty cool

advertisement
Click Here

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!