Microsoft will be releasing a string of updates for the 360’s Xbox Live service on Tuesday. For those of you who can figure out how to connect to the online service using AirPennNet: Congratulations (and please help me). You have even more reason to stay inside, mesmerized by the comforting glow of your TV screen.

Seriously though, Xbox Live is a force to be reckoned with (at the very least, it puts the Wii and PS3’s online services to shame). If Live’s appeal could somehow spread beyond video gamers, Microsoft would probably rule the world… even more, that is. With Xbox Live’s increasing library of HD movies and TV shows, the 360 is, of all the current generation consoles, the closest to being an all-out media center. Now if only Microsoft would get rid of its cryptic currency system for purchasing all that downloadable content – users buy points which are then used to buy downloads ($19.99 gets you 1600 points. Go figure). If Microsoft wants to siphon money out of our pockets, they could at least be courteous and let us know how much they’re taking.

Due to the standard Xbox 360’s paltry 20 GB hard drive, movies downloaded from Xbox Live are only for rental, meaning movies disappear from the 360’s hard drive 24 hours after the first viewing. But I’m proud to say that my 360 is magical. I rented the movie The Descent (one of the better horror movies I’ve seen recently, by the way) off of Xbox Live last May. It’s been viewed several times, and still my 360 informs me that I have 20 hours left on my rental. If I ever figure this phenomenon out, I will be sure to post more information. Be afraid, Microsoft.

- Phil Malaczewski

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 1st, 2007 at 12:04 pm and is filed under Video Games. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.