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Xbox 360 Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm hit Nov. 17

Microsoft confirms launch date for social entertainment services, on-demand HD video from Zune.

The Xbox 360 lost one of its exclusive multimedia features last week when Sony launched Netflix support on the PlayStation 3. Microsoft looks to regain some selling points for the system next week, as the company today announced a November 17 launch for integrated Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, and Zune on-demand HD video support on the Xbox 360.

The Facebook integration should look familiar to dashboard users.

The Facebook integration should look familiar to dashboard users.

As originally announced during the publisher's Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009 press conference, Twitter integration will allow gamers to post tweets through Xbox Live but outside of actual games. With the Facebook hookup, Xbox Live gamers can sync their gamertags with their social-networking accounts, as well as share photos and in-game screenshots. Friend updates will also be viewable through the Xbox Live dashboard.

GameSpot sister site Last.fm will offer music in a way that's similar to Netflix streaming, with a dedicated menu box on the console's dashboard. Finally, the Zune-branded video functionality will allow Xbox Live users to buy or rent instantly streaming HD video in 1080p and 5.1 surround sound with Microsoft claiming "no waiting for downloads or buffering."

Beyond that foursome, Microsoft is adding a "News and More" section to the Xbox dashboard. The collection of current events, arts, and entertainment news will pull content from MSNBC, The New Yorker, and comic strips like Dilbert.

Some of the new features like Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm will be limited to Xbox Live Gold subscribers, but Silver users will get a chance to check them out during a free Xbox Live Gold weekend. From 9 a.m. Pacific November 20 until 9 a.m. Pacific November 23, Silver members can log on and try out all the benefits normally afforded to Gold subscribers, including online multiplayer.

For more on the new features, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

160 Comments

  • itjustgotcold

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 8:14 pm GMT

    @ MSG-Deathscythe

    i am glad you see things my way, jeez, i was beginning to think you didn't know how ignorant you are, that is a great weight off of my mind

  • MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 4:03 am GMT

    @itjustgotcold: nice to hear from you too. your comments were extra eloquent this time. just don't blow a vein, i get totally pissed too when my rrod360 is out for repairs and when i hear great news from microsoft that i can finally pay for services which anyone can actually get anywhere else in the world for free. i agree with you live is awesome, it should be when almost half of owned rrod360s won't be logged-in because they are out for repairs. as usual, you are right, i'm so ignorant.

  • BigBacon87

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 2:23 pm GMT

    They meant to say upconverted to 1080p. There is a difference.

  • AlfaxD_Centauro

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 2:05 pm GMT

    They come late to the console.

  • Decker12

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 9:53 am GMT

    Shame that you can't listen to your last.fm stations while playing games. That would make my hour long Forza 3 endurance races a bit more bearable..

  • andalore

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 1:59 am GMT

    Shame my xbox is broken but most of this new stuff for the 360 is pointless if you have a computer...

  • mariokart64fan

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 9:12 pm GMT

    id love to buy those episodes of rugrats but i have a question if i spend the ms points on them are they rentals or what , if they are not im buying them i miss watchin them on tv , the only other option is pay 50 for the season 1 and 2 dvds unoffical i must add on dvdrs , through amazon or youtube ,

  • kytomasi

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 7:49 pm GMT

    "OMG Who the hell is lagging?!?!" *Chat goes crazy*......"Hmmm idk i think its MadGunner420.".......... "Dude Mad, stop downloading porn."........ MadGunner420 "I'm not you d***, let me log off msn, facebook, twitter" I can see the lag all these apps will cause now lol.

  • acer_062

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 6:47 pm GMT

    I own an Xbox360 and reside in New Zealand. I can't wait for zune video marketplace as we don't have access to Netflix in our zone.

  • jeffv541

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 4:05 pm GMT

    Maybe soon my xbox and feed me too... or maybe educate me and do my laundry and keep me warm and safe???

  • Darkno

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 3:56 pm GMT

    Well thats today, but it still is'nt here! Probably tonight.

  • memrie

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 1:38 pm GMT

    I remember back in late 2005, I purchased the Xbox360 along with Perfect Dark. Being a fan of FPS, I remembered the good ol' days with my best friends in high school playing Goldeneye. Damn, we'd stay up all night playing on a 27inch TV, 4 player split screen. So in 2005 I paid the $50 to see what the hype was about. Wow. I still remember hearing people on the other end of the mic for the first time and was amazed that I could play with my same best friends, hundreds of miles away. For that, it was definitely worth it.

    Will Microsoft eventually stop charging, or lower the cost of its LIVE service. Most likely. Times change. Competition gets more aggressive (ps3). But I'll keep fraggin' you whiners and enjoy my paid service either way.

  • shawise

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 11:52 am GMT

    @thenephariouson

    And i'll agree with you on that.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 12:21 pm GMT

    @shawise,

    Good point Re' SD vs HD rental charges, i can only assume it has something to do with bandwidth or size.

  • shawise

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 12:02 pm GMT

    I've been reading the boards some of you have made good points. Why should I pay them $50 a year to be bombarded with advertisement. PCs have been giving free online play for years, playstation has had a rough time circulating their system an still online is free and there are no real discounts to purchasing online, You pay Netflix for your subscription an then you turn around an pay MS to view it. I'm not giving them $50 for a catalog I will continue to buy games that I would like to play online for the PS3. Don't get me wrong I love the MS presentation they did a good job its bright very easy to navigate through they did a good job. And what's up with the dollar price difference between standard and HD i'm not charged an extra dollar if rent a HD movie from Blockbuster.

  • MetalCore84

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 3:38 am GMT

    @kkkkknaruto

    I only own a 360 for your information (And prefer it by the way, my roommate has all three consoles). I was just pointing out the PS3 already has facebook and twitter on it's internet browser and trying to explain to others (preferable those not so biased to one machine that they cant see reason) that the PS3 is the best value for your buck, if you don't care about exclusives (Both consoles have excellent exclusives by the way) and don't care about Live's slightly better online service (since the PS3's is free).

  • MetalCore84

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 3:31 am GMT

    @huerito323

    Actually I only own a Xbox 360 and I'm admittedly biased towards 360. Just check my reviewed games, not one PS3 game is on it. Sorry for having an open mind about gaming though.

  • demonkingx5

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 6:50 pm GMT

    this is so useless since i have a pc & ps3 web browser & ps3 is getting facebook ap even though we already had face book twitter man xbox don't even have myspace ps3 had that and all others 4 a long time

  • Simulator_Shock

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 4:12 pm GMT

    I know I'll only be using Last.fm from this.

  • hannify

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 4:05 pm GMT

    got it already its nothing special

  • Triton

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 3:57 pm GMT

    mrzero1982pt2 Thanks for the info on the PS3, But I have a PC (area51) (2)Xbox360s, PS3 and a Wii , (2) DS'sssss and PSP - I was just stating- I want a game system that plays games, I already have the other crap and do not desire it on my "GAME SYSTEM". This was not a "Fanboy" statement as I have a well rounded portfolio. I just could care less, no added value for me. But if makes folks want a "Game System" to do this, more power to them.

  • huerito323

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 2:32 pm GMT

    xXDante666Xx

    You speak about how you have to pay for xbox live and how that's such a negative thing. Regardless of it costing money, it's still way more popular than PSN. So your point is POINTLESS, cuz nobody seems to care that it costs money.

  • InsertWittyID

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 12:12 pm GMT

    @Big_Dumb_Bunny
    The 360 does not need a web browser. Web browsers on video game systems are often horrendous. Also, you point out that they should have a web browser since its made by Microsoft, despite the fact that Microsoft is notorious for having made one of the least functional web browsers in the world. Please don't bring that to the 360!

  • Big_Dumb_Bunny

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 9:35 am GMT

    @ shawise

    I see what you're saying, but you aren't really paying for Facebook, Twitter, etc. You're already paying $60 a year for access to Live, these are essentially just value-added services. I have to admit though, considering that here in Canada I don't have access to Netflix and Last.FM, not to mention the fact the the US marketplace has a ton of stuff that for whatever reason they don't make available here, it does kind of make me wonder why if I'm getting less services than the US, why I'm paying the same price as them for access. I actually find that compared to Sony, the 360 accessories are reasonably priced, aside from the HDD's and wi-fi adapters which are ridiculously overpriced.

  • shawise

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 8:52 am GMT

    I still see no justification in giving them what 50..60 dollars in addition to paying for over priced accessories, or for services I can get on my computer or my PS3 for free...FREE. I also own a 360 elite.

  • Vasot

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 8:14 am GMT

    Good work Microsoft carry on.

    Xbox360 does not need a crappy web browser like the one of PS3. I prefer of NOT having a browser on my console from having a crappy one

  • Big_Dumb_Bunny

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 8:05 am GMT

    I do want to add that I do find it kind of ridiculous that the 360 has no web browser. It's friggin Microsoft! The PS3 and the Wii both have one and although I probably wouldn't use it all the time, I'd still like to have the option.

  • Big_Dumb_Bunny

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 8:03 am GMT

    The way I look at it, since I'm paying for Live anyways, I'll take whatever they want to give me. The more services I have available to me, whether I use them or not, the more bang I get for my buck. In regards the the whole Live vs. PSN "debate", I have both systems and but I'm on Live 90% of the time. Now, let me preface this by saying that I've had my 360 since 2007, while I've only had my PS3 for a couple months, so I've already invested a decent chunk of change into my 360. Anyways, my personal reasons for that are the following: a) I got a headset for chat with my 360, one with my Live renewal and another with my MSN chatpad. If I wanted to chat on PSN I'd have to buy a bluetooth headset at a cost of $40+ (in Canadian dollars for a decent one, $60 for the official PS3 one) and if I want to text I'd have to buy the PS3 Keyboard, which I personally find awkward to use (my friend has one), at a cost of $60 vs. the $30 I spent on my 360 one that also came with a headset. So for me personally, it's another $100 or so just to get me in a position to do on PSN what I can do on Live at this point b) Live works really, really well. Sony still has a way to go in making PSN as seamless as Live. Plus, the bottom line that it ultimately comes down to for some of us: I have more friends on Live than on PSN. Yes, I like that the PSN is free, but I think that $5 a month for Live is pretty cheap as well.

  • FarmFreshDX

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 7:45 am GMT

    Between people downloading this update and people playing L4D2 that day, it's going to be lag hell. Good timing, Microsoft!

    The News and More section slightly interested me until they said MSNBC. Couldn't they have at least picked something somebody watched? Make a deal with at least CNN or something.

  • im-a-roustabout

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 7:34 am GMT

    @ mayceV

    I don't own a ps3 but alot of my friends do, and I have seen the browser work just fine to be honest. It at least satisfies most of their movie needs thanks to surfthechannel.com and accesses porn pretty easily too, which is all I usually use the net for and 80 percent of the world does too......I'm dead serious look that statistic up it's true! lol

  • Sirbobislost

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 7:23 am GMT

    *yawn* fanboys shush blah blah live blah blah psn grow up all of you ffs and get on topic will you!!


    I can think of a lot easier ways to use facebook or twitter then using a console and tbh I think you'd lose a lot of friends on facebook if you spamed them with updates everytime you teabaged someone.


    And as for zune "no waiting for downloads or buffering." that's a very bold statement I'd like to see of they tested this on an average persons connection speed, but only time will tell

  • routerguy666

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 7:22 am GMT

    Because if they loaded IE on the XBox it would quickly surpass the PC as the most insecure, pwned computing platform in the world...

  • Dawg9000

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 6:39 am GMT

    Another pointless add on. Like twitter. Who wants to read a log of away messages?

  • Netherscourge

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 5:18 am GMT

    Why don't they just put a lighter version of Internet Explorer Browser on the Xbox 360 Dashboard? You could go on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, CNN, Gamespot, etc... etc... even easier that way.

  • hhamza92

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 5:16 am GMT

    PS3 has free online services............i was thinking like "how cool is that!! "
    but seeing the number of PS3 fanboys who are commenting here............PSn will probably be occupied by such arrogant LAME BRAINS who dont know the a, b, c's of gaming............
    i'd stick with my XBOX360................*smiles*

  • ChidoriBoyU

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 5:07 am GMT

    @ali-009
    lol that's funny for some reason my PS3 web browser CAN'T open FB

  • Quofan

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 5:03 am GMT

    Dont get me started on how pointless twitter is in general. Why would I want to update people on what I had for lunch or when im going to poop? Also, apparently friendship is not about hanging out in person anymore, its based on a system of exchanging virtual livestock on facebook. Have we really become so obsessed with ourselves that we need to tell the world every pointless mind-numbing detail and then have the nerve to moan when nobody listens? I though Myspace and it's users' neediness was bad enough.....

  • jtthegame316

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 5:03 am GMT

    I see ps 3 fanboys are using this to moan about paying for live gold again when they will have things they pay for per month and them things will cost more than xbox live because you pay for that per year. i am glad to here there is an option to buy the movie in the zune steaming thing. cause you can only rent on live at the mo. where as this zune thing you can rent or buy that is good. the last fm feature is going to be great to. xbox just keeps getting better. i don't really use twitter or facebook but if i did it would be useful espcally as i have the little keyboard that plugs into the controller.

  • itjustgotcold

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 4:58 am GMT

    @MSG-Deathscythe

    jesus, i run into your ignorant ramblings everywhere i go on Gamespot it seems. you obviously don't own a 360 so your opinion means absolutely nothing to any intelligent readers as it is biased based on not actually owning the console that you insult at every chance you get. xbots, what a f**ktard you are. i will say this again, i would pay for PSN if it meant that the network was worth a s**t but as it stands now it is poorly executed and not near as updated at LIVE is. and i would probably play my PS3 more often than just when a new exclusive hits it if the population and fan base wasn't made up of people like yourself.

  • ShroudedEagle

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 4:55 am GMT

    My friend had the Facebook thing early, he said it's crap because you have to stay on it, you can't game while you're on Facebook. Makes going on Facebook for the 360 kind of pointless, if you ask me. Might as well just stick with my good old computer, at least I can multi-task with that.

  • player_leo

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 4:52 am GMT

    Sweet, Last.FM will be nice to have on xbox

  • kamizuka

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 4:46 am GMT

    ts is for the ppl who already have live, because i know you'll agree with mee that it is dump to get live Only for facebook

  • majere613

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 4:41 am GMT

    Hm. I'm tempted to suggest they might save a lot of time by, oh, giving the 360 a web browser, but then given how twitchy IE8 seems to be maybe that's harder than it sounds..
    I just hope that all this stuff is optional- I'm not a bit Live user myself, but I've seen people who are gaming and there's such a blizzard of notifications going on that the game gets somewhat buried. Now more of my friends have Ps3s it's happening there too. Bah.

  • NickmanNeo117

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 3:49 am GMT

    Also can I just say that just because the 360 is expanding its online capabilities to online social networks, it doesnt mean that its any less than a game console. Of course its a marketing ploy, but its a good thing. It means more friends for us to stay in contact with whilst we spend hours of gaming on the 360.

    Its a good thing for those that use these kind of websites.

  • NickmanNeo117

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 3:45 am GMT

    Cool. Cant wait to test them out.

  • mightEone

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 3:36 am GMT

    Facebook is cool but why no love for myspace? Twitter is useless to me though, so is netflix. Don't really spend much time watching movies anymore. Hate to say it but nothing really good comes out anymore, ever since the Star Wars Prequels every director thinks they can get away with tons of explosions and CGI with hardly any acting... cough transformers cough lol. It's all so wierd to me, growing up in the NES generation. I buy gaming consoles for playing games games haha. Use facebook on my PC and watch movies through my Tivo

  • yeager1

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 2:50 am GMT

    You guys do know that Sony has confirmed that the PS3 will get a Facebook app for the XMB when version 3.10 comes out on Nov. 19th right? Google it if you don't believe me.

  • coolkid93

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 12:27 am GMT

    @monson21502 you just post what you're doing that's all. Like if you're getting in a car, you write that down in the bar. Twitter is pointless.

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