"Xbox 360 Could Soon Serve as a Verizon and Comcast Cable Box"

[River_Rat_459]

Microsoft continued to talk about (http://www.1up.com/news/xbox-36-live-tv-planned-211-content-specifics-unknown) the Xbox 360's impending live TV functionality last week. One possibility we've heard is that the company will team up with cable and satellite companies to allow the system to essentially be used as a cable/set top box replacement. According to a new report, deals with Comcast and Verizon may soon be reached for just that.

Both deals could be made within the next month, reports Digiday (http://www.digiday.com/stories/microsoft-pins-tv-hopes-on-xbox/) (via Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5841841/rumor-xbox-as-comcast-verizon-cable-box-imminent)), although it's also been told that the timing isn't quite so definitive. Regardless, it sounds as if this could be similar to what's already possible on an Xbox 360 for AT&T Uverse customers, though we don't really know any of the particulars of what the Comcast and Verizon deals would entail. It seems highly likely that Kinect would be involved, as well as support for Bing and voice search.

Digiday suggested we could see deeper programming guides, Kinect support, and better targeted advertising, all of which fits in with the sort of features we've heard before. There's some doubt over whether this course of action -- being a substitute cable box with bonus features -- is even worth it, as some might view the prospect as pointless.
"Is there anything Microsoft is doing that hasn't been done by other providers? No, not really," said Gartner analyst Van Baker last week. "Search is not discovery. Search as an answer to discovery implies you know what you're looking for. Most people have no idea what they're looking for."

Even if the deals are soon reached, it doesn't mean the functionality would be implemented immediately. A dashboard update (http://www.1up.com/news/blades-nxe-36-new-dashboard-called-twist-control) is expected later this year that will add the aforementioned Bing support, as well as the ability to watch UFC and YouTube videos on the system, a redesigned user interface, and more.

In addition to the Comcast and Verizon deals, Digiday indicated that Microsoft is working with TV manufacturers such as Samsung to incorporate "some sort of Window[s] Live gaming hub into Samsung TVs, which would be accessible with a basic Web connection." With Windows 8 going to support Xbox Live, you can bet such a thing would connect with Live as Microsoft looks to broaden Xbox Live's horizons further beyond the Xbox consoles themselves.

SOURCE: http://www.1up.com/news/xbox-36-verizon-comcast-cable-box

[jxspyder]

If it includes normal comcast service, like dvr and on demand, I am all over this.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[ASignorelli]

ewww 2 franchise whores trying to whore themselfs to the 360... All I gotta say is I got AT&T + U-Verse... 2 cells (iPhone data plans), cable, and fios internet all in 1 bundle for only about $200! Now the question is, will Microsoft sell out?! And if they do, more 360's will be on for longer periods, and thus more red circles of death, which of course they try to avoid.

[Pakman3000]

Comcast is notorious for bandwith throttling/caps. How did they even get considered for a Gaming Netflix hub?!!!

[jxspyder]

I stream daily, and have never had problems......must be an area issue.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[ASignorelli]

Comcast is notorious for bandwith throttling/caps. How did they even get considered for a Gaming Netflix hub?!!!

True. They also overcharge and their boxes messed up on me all the time (would freeze and not be able to order PPV, or it would go through but the screen would be black... pissed me off with 2 UFC fights) so I switched, and havent had 1 problem with U-verse...

[saviger]

True. They also overcharge and their boxes messed up on me all the time (would freeze and not be able to order PPV, or it would go through but the screen would be black... pissed me off with 2 UFC fights) so I switched, and havent had 1 problem with U-verse...

U-verse is the shiznit!

[River_Rat_459]

Big update from G4 today:


Microsoft this morning announced it will partner with over 40 huge media providers to bring all kinds of television and movie content to Xbox Live, beginning this holiday season. We're talking big names like HBO, ABC, Comcast (that's us!), SyFy and many, many more. But before you get too excited, know this: For cable providers, you'll only be able to watch this content if you're already a subscriber to cable. For example, you'll be able to check out HBO content on your 360 only if you're already a subscriber to HBO.

Whether you'll be able to watch a live feed of the content from each partner, Video On Demand, or some combination thereof will depend on the individual deal Microsoft has worked out with the media companies. There will be some level of Kinect and Bing integration as well, but that too will vary, depending on "feature, provider and region."

“Today’s announcement is a major step toward realizing our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy,” said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft in a press release. “Combining the world’s leading TV and entertainment providers with the power of Kinect for Xbox 360 and the intelligence of Bing voice search will make TV and entertainment more personal, social and effortless.”

Xbox Live already works with AT&T to provide U-verse service through the 360, so in a sense, that can be seen as a test case for the larger cable providers. AT&T will be adding Kinect voice and gesture control when the dashboard update hits later this year.

"Nearly a year ago, AT&T U-verse became the first TV provider in the U.S. to launch live TV on Xbox 360. Now we look forward to working with Microsoft to deliver even more innovative features that will allow U-verse TV customers to use voice and gesture controls to manage their TV experience," said Jeff Weber, vice president of video services, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.

The new services should be available with the next Xbox Live dashboard update coming before the new year, and right now, Microsoft is not ready to discuss whether all the programming they offer will be available in one app. If I were a psychic, I'd predict that that's the idea. If all this comes to pass in a sensible way, that means you won't have separate dashboard "boxes" for, say, HuluPlus and Netflix, but rather one, integrated app for both those services, plus your Comcast Cable (say). In any case, I hope that's the plan, because that would actually be pretty cool... especially if I could talk to my TV to "change the channel." I, for one, would try to sound like Batman.

Check out this massive list of Entertainment Partners on Xbox 360, existing and new:

• ABC iView – Australia
• AlloCiné – France, Germany, Spain, U.K.
• Antena 3 – Spain
• Astral Media’s Disney XD – Canada
• AT&T** – U.S.
• BBC – U.K.
• blinkbox – U.K.
• Bravo – U.S.
• BSkyB** – U.K.
• Canal+* – France, Spain
• Channel 4 – U.K.
• Channel 5 – U.K.
• CinemaNow (Best Buy) – U.S.
• Comcast – U.S.
• Crackle – Australia, Canada, U.K., U.S.
• Dailymotion – Available in 32 markets
• EPIX – U.S.
• ESPN** – U.S.
• Facebook** – Available in all 35 Xbox LIVE markets
• FOXTEL** – Australia
• GolTV – Spain
• HBO GO – U.S.
• Hulu – Japan
• Hulu +**– U.S.
• iHeartRadio (Clear Channel) – U.S.
• Last.fm** – U.K., U.S.
• LOVEFiLM – Germany, U.K.
• Manga Entertainment – U.S.
• Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment/Real Sports – Canada
• MediaSet – Italy
• MSN with MSNBC.com – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, U.K.
• MUZU.TV – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, U.K.
• Netflix**– Canada, U.S.
• Rogers On Demand Online (RODO) – Canada
• RTVE – Spain
• SBS On Demand – Australia
• Syfy – U.S.
• Telefonica – Spain
• Televisa – Mexico
• “The Today Show” – U.S.
• TELUS** – Canada
• TMZ – U.S.
• Twitter** – Available in all 35 Xbox LIVE markets
• UFC – Canada, U.S.
• Verizon – U.S.
• VEVO – Canada, U.K., U.S.
• VimpelCom** – Russia
• Vodafone Portugal** – Portugal
• YouTube – Available in 22 markets
• ZDF – Germany
• Zune** – Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain
* Xbox LIVE Gold membership and/or other subscriptions/fees required. Kinect functionality varies by feature, provider and region.
** Denotes existing partners on Xbox LIVE available today.


SOURCE: http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/717102/microsoft-announces-partnership-with-over-40-media-providers-for-xbox-live/