Microsoft 'retiring' Xbox Facebook, Twitter apps
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Social networking applications will be removed from Xbox Live with new mandatory dashboard update in an effort to "streamline" functionality.
Microsoft's removal of the Facebook and Twitter applications on Xbox Live recently was no mistake. The company confirmed to IGN that the apps will be "retired" with the mandatory Xbox 360 dashboard update that is currently rolling out.
It was rumored that Microsoft removed the apps to encourage gamers to use Internet Explorer through their consoles. The company did not deny this, stating their removal was part of an effort to "streamline" app functionality for Xbox 360.
Microsoft announced this week that the latest Xbox 360 dashboard update is beginning to roll out. GameSpot has not received the update at press time. A global push for the update is believed to begin October 23.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
183 comments
if they really want to be social, bring back that 16 person chat room you could make like the xbox1. It was too much of a waste to post updates and such on twitter and facebook. Plus, it didn't add any cool points that you were posting via xbox. Most people I have as my friends on those sites aren't gamers. I'd rather have my updates about games, be updated to gamers.
1 Like Video games replaced my need for socializing a long time ago. Unless they've started selling Daedric armor and fireball spells at the grocery store, that is.
2 Like I remember Facebook and Twitter apps were two reasons cited in the need to raise XBL Gold Subscription costs. I guess good 'ol Microsoft will be lowering the yearly fee since they're removing these apps, right?
2 Like Get a Computer or smart phone for Facebook and Twitter!
I wont miss them on the xbox!
2 Like I still love how COMPETENT the PS3 web browser is compared to the 2 gimped
X360 and wii versions. Downloading from the internet beats out crisp looking pages.
oh so we wait two extra days from the original date no wonder i didnt recieve it stupid monkeys at ms
I find it funny that the people on a comment thread are calling twitter stupid. Are you not doing the same thing on twitter that you are doing on this comment thread? Posting and reading/replying to comments. FB on the other hand is one step away from being Big Brother, but that's just my opinion.
1 Like @bubba_1988 Except on Twitter, you would have only gotten this much out of your post
"I find it funny that the people on a comment thread are calling twitter stupid. Are you not doing the same thing on twitter that you are doi"
1 Like @thenephariouson You should check out twitter, its kinda cool, It's like a one big comment thread. It's real shines during live events.
1 Like @bubba_1988 Like @thenephariouson , neither are my cup of tea. I find the minutia laughable. It's funny how people pretend they are so important that they believe everyone on their friends/followers lists wants to know they just had the best fish taco ever at the cheesecake factory, complete with picture. Plus, these sites have lost their "social" sense and have become overly commercialized.
@DaSlyOne @bubba_1988 I don't like them, but the problem is; that they are almost all what some people do on the internet or even in their life in some places. And though the idea of something like facebook isn't totally new, It became a trend and people started treating it like if it was their actual life.
@bubba_1988 @thenephariouson Well said. I love the live aspects of Twitter, it is indeed where it's best.
I never use FB or Twitter on Xbox, but if Microsoft makes that to increase the use of IE, I think it was a bad move.
2 Like Facebook didn't have much functionality on the XBOX, and was quite useless/pointless.
Never did use the facebook apps anyways. However I do wish they would bring back 1 vs 100, I loved that game, probably the only casual game I really enjoyed.
4 Like Sorry for playing the antisocial, social net hater one (which I more than partly am) but WHY ON EARTH do we need to access Facebook through a video game? We already have on cell phones and such, is that really necessary worsen the Facebook world addiction this way?
3 Like @franzito The irony is, the more time people spend on "social networks" the more isolated they become, and the less they interact with people in the real world, reducing psychological wellbeing. (AKA "the internet paradox" in some circles)
2 Like Agreed- from one anti-social to another lol. I hate facebook/twitter/social *#&$^#$^ push that too many are doing -would be nice for gs to drop it too. Just my opinion.
1 Like Although I have never used those two apps, It think Microsoft need to start waking up when it comes to their platform, drawing more people to the x-box and its upcoming successor will only be achieved by open and fair use of third party apps. People don't want to be forced to use IE, even if they enjoy using it, they want to have the choice to use apps of their own liking. They should stop trying to curb this as something bad but should rather use it as a way of promoting the x-box to people. This also includes issues such as video and music playback which should be open.
2 Like Good. Get that junk off my dashboard. I actually still don't have a Facebook. Never really cared enough . My daughter keeps telling me to, but I guess I just don't see the need. This will be one less thing on the dashboard now. They'll probably replace it with ads. Lol
2 Like I've never used facebook or twitter or other social network site. For me in my life, they're pointless, I keep up with my friends just fine, definately don't need yet another thing to sign into or keep up with. No thanks.
As I said in another comment, I am sure that removing these apps will help improve the function of other apps but the main reason they are getting tossed is due to lack of users. Let's face it, Very few gamers use xbox live to get onto their social networking sites. If a lot did then I highly doubt microsoft would just remove them, They would have worked around them to improves things. It's a win-win imo.
3 Like I didn't make much use of these apps, but I hate to see functionality *removed* from a system. That always strikes me as a step backwards.
1 Like @theKSMM Yeah but in the same respect if I wanted all the functionality the apps provided I'd just buy a cheap PC. In my honest opinion they should strip it all back to just being a games console.
3 Like At least they are doing something right. People stare at their smart phones to use Twitter and Facebook all goddamn day anyway.
2 Like I never used facebook or twitter on Xbox anyhow. I'm sure if millions of people were using the program, they would be aware of the demand for it and keep it on there, but if there's no need for it, they would also be aware of it.
Agreed. If it was super popular then they would have kept it on and found a way to work around it. I am sure that removing those apps will help streamline functionality but their main reason is lack of users for said apps.
1 Like @SuperDutchy Or Microsoft is getting ready to introduce their own Facebook knock off.Or they otherwise just want more money.
2 Like Eh, I don't even have a 360 anymore, so this doesn't affect me in any way, shape, or form. I just didn't see the point in having a system that has virtually zero exclusives to call it's own anymore, nothing on the horizon excited me in the slightest and most of the games I can get on the PS3 and Wii U (which I will own) anyway. So what's the point?
Don't use twitter, FB only thing I will miss is being able to scan your friends for your friends gamertags. Other than that never used it. We all have our smartphones to check FB why would we waste our Live time fumbling with the sloppy interface it had.FB makes its money with ads and zynga games, neither of which are part of Xbox FB, so they aren't losing out on the deal, they prob don't give a #*$&.
3 Like "Twitter is absolutely retarded."
That has got to be the best thang I have ever read on a comment board. Period.
@redskinStu You can hate dislike twitter, but to do that on a comment thread? Common, you are essentially doing the same thing. Posting you comments and reading/replying to others'
@redskinStu Lacks the understanding of what the word abosolute means. There are things MORE retarded than twitter...I'm sure of it. When I find something I will let you know.
2 Like @SuperDutchy By retarted I think he meant "wasting your time thanks to a ever-updating-social-net-like-system which doesn't have a great purpose than making you waste time" that is
1 Like @SuperDutchy @redskinStu I think you found it already.
I mean...you replied to it, didn't you?
Conversation powered by Livefyre
Content you might like…
-
Destiny Screens
11 new shots posted.
- Feb 20, 2013
Users who looked at this article also looked at these content items.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Biden: No legal problem with taxing violent games
United States Vice President Joe Biden believes there is no legal restriction on ability to tax violent media. Full Story
- Posted May 13, 2013 12:50 pm PT
-
Just Cause dev promises 'holy f**king sh**' moments in future games
Avalanche Studios co-founder says developer's ambition is for action, not moments that make players cry; steampunk-style game on hold. Full Story
- Posted May 15, 2013 6:33 am PT
Featured Stories
-
Bungie shoots down Destiny for PS Vita rumor
Developer confirms image suggesting version of upcoming shared-world shooter in development for Sony's latest portable is a fake. Full Story
- Posted May 16, 2013 5:08 am PT
-
Ubisoft planning to release games more frequently
Assassin's Creed and Far Cry publisher says its network of 26 studios and over 7,000 developers will allow company to ship major franchises more regularly. Full Story
- Posted May 16, 2013 4:42 am PT
-
Metro: Last Light dev responds to workplace conditions claims
4A Games creative director Andrew Prokhorov thanks Jason Rubin for telling the studio's story, but says, "We deserve the ratings we get." Full Story
- Posted May 16, 2013 12:44 pm PT
-
EA opens DICE LA to make Star Wars games
DICE head would also like to poach top talent from rivals Infinity Ward and Treyarch. Full Story
- Posted May 15, 2013 3:28 am PT
-
EA dropping Online Passes - Report
Future EA games won't require Online Passes; the service is being scrapped after tepid player response. Full Story
- Posted May 15, 2013 8:28 pm PT
Submit News
Recent News
-
Layoffs at Defiance dev - Report
Trion Worlds confirms job cuts as part of company reorganization, says 80 percent layoff figure "definitely exaggerated"; development on Rift, future...
