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Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm now live on Xbox Live

Xbox Live Update: Microsoft rolls out fall update for Xbox 360's online service; Gyromancer, Diner Dash head to XBLA; Grid now a GOD.

Nearly a year ago to the day, Microsoft reinvented Xbox Live with a complete visual overhaul and introduction of a bevy of new services, headlined by Netflix on-demand video streaming. Today, the publisher rolled out this year's Xbox Live fall update, bringing with it the much-hyped introduction of social networking Web sites Facebook and Twitter, as well as Zune HD video support and Internet radio service Last.fm (which is owned by GameSpot parent company CBS Interactive).

A look at the Facebook interface on Xbox Live.

A look at the Facebook interface on Xbox Live.

The Twitter and Facebook tabs can be found in the My Community channel on the Xbox Live's dashboard. Twitter integration will allow gamers to post tweets through Xbox Live, but outside of actual games. With the Facebook add-on, 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.

The Xbox 360's Last.fm application can be found in the Music Channel menu. As detailed in GameSpot's recent interview with Xbox Live and Last.fm executives, the service brings the streaming Internet radio service to Microsoft's console. Xbox 360 owners will also gain access to the service's community aspects, such as tailored listening habits, artist information, and the Visual Radio slide show that compiles fan-submitted photos.

Finally, Zune-branded video functionality will allow Xbox Live users to buy or rent instantly streaming HD video in 1080p and 5.1 surround sound. It is available through the Video Channel.

Beyond the fall update, Microsoft has its regularly scheduled Xbox Live Arcade and Games on Demand updates on tap this week. Coming to XBLA on Wednesday, Square Enix's Gyromancer is a puzzle-based role-playing game not unlike Vicious Cycle's acclaimed Puzzle Quest and is available for MSP1,200 ($15). The classic time-management game Diner Dash also heads to Microsoft's online arcade on Wednesday and can be purchased for MSP800 ($10).

Codemasters' street racer Grid is now available through the Games on Demand channel for $29.99. The third installment in Codemasters' TOCA series, Grid received high critical marks upon its debut in June 2008.

126 Comments

  • VectrexFanBoy

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 8:53 pm GMT

    what is last.fm? i'm in the dark can someone help me = P

  • deathstar79

    Posted Nov 21, 2009 9:34 am GMT

    @mjc0961

    I don't see how the addition of one dashboard section, and cancer, are in ANY way comparable.

    I mean, really. Come on. It's TWO new menu items. Where there would normally be advertisements, there is now Facebook and Twitter. You're making it sound like you have to scroll through a million new menu items to play your games.

  • pacman2O6

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 5:55 pm GMT

    this is part of the reason xbox subcribers pay for this monthly or yearly so we can get some features like this

  • JOKER677

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 4:24 pm GMT

    money talks

  • _CaptainHappy_

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 2:15 pm GMT

    guys the only reason they did this is because microsoft is now making money on facebook and twitter is will be a great thing for about 48 hours. So there givng a free gold weekend to everybody so theyl think WOW i should really buy gold and use this great product and the day later they will hate it.

  • DFen

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 12:02 pm GMT

    one thing I hate is the whole fact that I cant play a game while listening last fm other than that the update was pretty cool

  • Get_Shorty

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 9:55 am GMT

    *Sigh* Is it time now to get a Facebook account and join my friends and put my life out there for everyone to see? Damn you MS, first Netflix and now this.

  • swamptick

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 9:19 am GMT

    Microsoft continues to push the boundaries and make the Xbox fun. Good work!

  • darth_rosco

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 7:15 am GMT

    To Zabuzar: "Not to mention they don't charge you crap for it." How does 7 euro a month sound to you? Doesnt seem "free".

  • ZabuzaR

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 5:28 am GMT

    It is not a bad idea. However, I find it useless since I am not able to listen to the radio and play a game at the SAME time. Facebook is the same way. I might as well use a PC instead of a 360.

    If they added a feature where I can access it while playing a game, like with MSN. Then I would use it.

    Also for the people complaining on how crappy it is, you don't have to use it. Relax. Not to mention they don't charge you crap for it.

  • cashkilla_basic

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 10:01 pm GMT

    I was actually excited about the last.fm addition. After trying it, I must say the implementation is terrible. I assumed the you'd at least be able to listen to music on last.fm while playing games and stuff. I was wrong. So to listen to music with last.fm, you just have to stare at the album cover the entire time. It's basically worthless.

  • BrutalityNZ posted Nov 18, 2009 8:45 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    BrutalityNZ

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 8:45 pm GMT (hide)

    **** this is so stupid and piontless.

  • rtalmadge

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 8:03 pm GMT

    You give people what they ask for, and they whine! Ahh, priceless!

    On the other hand, I suppose I would cry too if I was unable to realize I'm not being forced to use or even look at these additions!

    Ah, how we take the ability to observe for granted.

  • TesslaRex

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 5:53 pm GMT

    last fm is cool though

  • TesslaRex posted Nov 18, 2009 5:53 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    TesslaRex

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 5:53 pm GMT (hide)

    WTF NOW GAMERS HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS BULL THATS WAT COMPUTERS ARE FOR.

  • huerito323

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 4:45 pm GMT

    Facebook is practically useless. You can't even send messages to your friends. You can look at pictures and post comments. That's about it. The only good feature is Last.fm.

  • buft

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 4:03 pm GMT

    this is gold only? wtf

  • LynQ08

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 1:47 pm GMT

    LOL Zune HD video support

  • magicalclick

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 12:36 pm GMT

    How does this share in-game screenshots in Facebook? Can I do that in every game, like the music player thing and then upload to FB anytime? I think that would be fun to make my own X360 page with all the stuff I did on X360 =)

  • vgbum

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 12:21 pm GMT

    This updates is nothing compared the update last year. The addition of a few gimmicks that can be done on PC is a waste of time. Even though I have access to Gold, I think it's a slap in the face to Silver members to deny them these options.

  • dasboy1

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 11:48 am GMT

    not to interested in twitter and facebook but zune and lastFM look good

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 11:20 am GMT

    ...and if you do use Facebook and Twitter, do it on a PC.

  • sharkbiscuit79

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 10:43 am GMT

    if you dont use facebook and twitter dont use it and dont moan

  • dok_dx

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 10:41 am GMT

    @ MassacreMonk


    So if my blackberry craps out I can blame the "arrogant" Canadians?

  • MassacreMonk

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 10:31 am GMT

    @dok_dx, RIM is Canadian. Look it up

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 10:21 am GMT

    Sorry MS, but i purchased my 360 to play games on, i personally dont need this dribble.

  • -Celeste-

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 10:03 am GMT

    Now if they can just break off XBL into its own service and let me use the X360 as an internet device, I'd be all happy.

  • IceJester45

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 9:51 am GMT

    dox_dx said, "Does Canada even have a Co worth mentioning?"

    The Hudson's Bay Company is a Canadian company. It's also the oldest corporation on the continent.

    But, yeah, the argument that arrogance or whatever is somehow responsible for last.fm's/Netflix's not being in other markets is somewhat silly. I mean, it couldn't have anything to do with licensing or copyright problems, could it?

  • melty3219

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 9:41 am GMT

    oh no now kids have the ability to set thier status as "OMG ******** KEEPS BERAYING ME! :@" while playing halo

  • dok_dx

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 9:30 am GMT

    Blaming America for what MS does is like a blaming a Canadian Co like... ... ... Does Canada even have a Co worth mentioning? (Ubisoft is French based Co.) Alright, it's like blaming Canada when it snows.

  • juberline

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 9:25 am GMT

    Last.fm is brilliant but Facebook is awful!!! You can't do anything expect look at picture and update your status.... wow.... how sad.

  • lanceswayne

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 9:19 am GMT

    The ONLY thing i was looking for was Last.fm and as others have sais its not available in Canada. what the hell? American arogance thinking that they only have to worry about the important 50% of xbox owners who live is the states. Thats just BS. The world does not revolve around you anymore, heres your word for the day. GLOBAL. On a side note ( not so angry one) i would like to second what others have said also, im not into letting people on my facebook and /or potential employers see that im a gamer and what achievments i have and how long i played. Unfortunatley although im an adult people still have a perception of gamers as something that is not favorable.

  • sgt-hawkins

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 9:08 am GMT

    well these options saying that they are not forced downloads what about all the updates that we had to install to get ready for all of this i mean i have not downloaded any of the new items but i was required to get all of the updates to services i do not plan to use on the xbox

  • otanikun

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 9:03 am GMT

    All I can say is that it's about friggin time, everything else can do this and the last horse finally crosses the finish line, now how about a web browser and ability to install a different OS, aka 1st Gen PS3?

  • kevincswong1994

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 9:02 am GMT

    I prefer facebook and twitter on my PC instead of myXB360.....
    Will someone really use his XB360 to visit facebook instead of his PC?

  • lukas1051 posted Nov 18, 2009 8:42 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    lukas1051

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 8:42 am GMT (hide)

    Congrats. Shame the PS3 already has the rest of the internet via it's internet browser.

  • facistinabag

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 8:35 am GMT

    To bad Last.FM doesn't support 90% of the world. It was the one thing I was excited for with this. Would have been nice if Last.FM had have lifted their stupid rule. I live in Canada, we're practically the US...

  • sleepnsurf

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 7:40 am GMT

    @ TripSe7en I hear ya. I don't want my friends, co-workers to know that I played MW2 or whatever for 4 hours the night before. Kinda embarrassing! I will stick with last fm though, its cool.

  • TripSe7en

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 7:28 am GMT

    @ ps3x360
    I am in the same boat as you. I thought I was going to use the Facebook section, but after trying it I dont think i will ever use it again. Not because of any other reason than the fact that I use my iPhone to check it and that is just more simple. I do not need my friends, co-workers, and clients knowing that I spent 4 hours playing L4D2 and got 4 acheivements! lol. I do, however like the Last.fm app. I do see myself using that when we entertain guests...

  • feryl06

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 7:20 am GMT

    Unassigned---so says the guy with a PS3 character logo. Yes, we all have PCs, but we still like the option of using our consoles for other pc like things too.

  • feryl06

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 7:18 am GMT

    Lovin' it so far.

  • Binarynova

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 7:13 am GMT

    I just can't believe I have to open the Zune Video Marketplace app and wait for it to load to watch videos that are already on my hard drive. People wanted you to make your ugly NXE faster, instead this update makes access to most content take even longer.

    Is there some rule at Microsoft that you aren't allowed to make simple, clean and quick interfaces?

  • ps3x360

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 6:48 am GMT

    I own an xbox and I don't know about anyone else here but I simply don't care about any of these updates accept Last.fm.

  • PixelAddict

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 6:48 am GMT

    I'm all about new features, even if I don't use them. Variety improves an already superior service.

    Bring it on and keep it coming, Microsoft.

  • Unassigned

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 6:44 am GMT

    I already have a PC to do these. How about something new and innovative next time that actually deals with gaming. This is just something most already do on various components, all you've done is placed it on a different component which is neither "new" nor "innovative".

  • deadkingdg

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 5:55 am GMT

    My Gold membership expired 3 weeks ago so I can't even use those features. Not that it matters much to me, I don't need Facebook to enjoy Mass Effect 2.

  • evratto

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 5:04 am GMT

    a lot more slower dashboard. thanks ms.

  • chingchow48

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 4:36 am GMT

    another big disappontment by xbox.....hey u remember us up here in Canada? u know the ones you said would have nextflix by the start of 2009....ohhh and We didnt get Last.fm i dont know if i should go after Xbox or Gamespot cause in every article they say "Last.fm which is owned by our sister company CBS interavtive" Xbox dont dissappont you are on thin ground with quite of few people up here in Canada!

  • Blank2k2

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 4:27 am GMT

    @damo320

    In my opinion its useless, also in the opinion on everyone on my friends list, its pretty useless.

    I cant see how Messenger could be of any use to anyone, you'd have to be pretty slow to want to be using the xbox 360 to chat away with friends while having Nothing! going on in the background.

    Facebook, well unless your one of those nutcases that likes to say "LOL! Just walked past my TV & Updated my status!!!" i dont see any reason for it, just use a PC / Laptop / Mobile Phone and you'll be able to play the games & change your status in 10 seconds or less, or use the xbox 360's on-screen keyboard and change it in 10minutes. (Unless you've got a nice wireless keyboard setup, in which case stop being cheap & buy a HTPC)

    Twitter - Well thats pointless all across the board even on the PC

    Last.fm - Its a funky new feature, but im sure it wont be used by 80% of customers, might be nice to just plonk on some music while doing the ironing.... but seriously, there's much better options out there for free legal streaming music.

    But yes, Thats my opinion, which is why were all here.. to give an opinion, like your opinion is obviously that you love it & its brilliant & its the be all & end all of everything thats cool.

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