doobiwan sent in this tip about the new super duper Netflix service for our American cousins.
However while as cool as all of this is for them it does raise a huge question as to why we need to use our PC to add new titles to our queue?
doobiwan’s take on this is that the 360 may be getting a web browser in the new dashboard. I really hope this isn’t true. I see no reason at all for a generic web browser on my 360 and I can only see problems emerging from that.
From my previous discussions with CraigN (our local Xbox MVP) the web browser option was mentioned before and quickly squashed by his fellow MVP’s.
Hopefully Microsoft will listen to their MVP’s and ensure that this doesn’t happen.
Source: Kotaku
Last Updated: July 23, 2008
Werner
July 23, 2008 at 08:39
I can just see… the first headline after a browser on the 360 is released, will be “1st Virus hits the XBox 360”.
If I want to browse, I’ll do it on my PC… that is after all what it is for. Consoles are for gaming IMO.
HungryHooligan
July 23, 2008 at 08:41
Lazy im not the disagreeing type, but this time i do. I do not have a PC at home. Its just not worth the cost, nor do i have the space. Now to have a generic web browser to pay the odd bill, check the odd email and organize the odd online game… I’m all for it. Look maybe im missing something? elaborate.
LazySAGamer
July 23, 2008 at 08:47
What Werner said 😉
Basically my worry is that as soon as the browser is there then everyone will want to be able to browse while playing (quickly check my mail) and then we lose processing power and have people browsing FaceBook while playing…
No… if you don’t have a PC use your phone
HungryHooligan
July 23, 2008 at 08:53
You do make a good point. Well then if the browser is disabled while gaming, im all for it :). Anyway i just got ADSL so i canceled my cell phone data. @ R2/Meg you must be joking… i need a phone that has wifi.
Fox1
July 23, 2008 at 09:29
💡 Check out Neotel… they are launching in Cape Town and Durban towards the end of the month ➡
http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Broadband/4509.html
And the consumer packages look very good ➡
http://www.neotel.co.za/neotel/view/neotel/en/page52096
Fox1
July 23, 2008 at 09:31
There’s more consumer packages here ➡
http://www.neotel.co.za/neotel/view/neotel/en/page789
StNick
July 23, 2008 at 10:20
I must be missing something here… Can’t think of a good reason why the additional functionality of a browser would be seen as a negative.
I use the PS3’s built-in browser pretty often… Well, often enough to confidently say that I’d hate to see them take it away. If MS added a browser to the Xbox, I’d certainly consider that as a GOOD thing… But from the other comments here, I appear to be in the minority.
Fudzy
July 23, 2008 at 10:26
My only objection with the Xbox having a web browser is that it will be based on Internet Explorer.
Fudzy
July 23, 2008 at 10:31
I would like doobiwan/lazygamer to explain why they do not want a browser on the console.
Fudzy
July 23, 2008 at 10:33
Lose processing power? How would you lose processing power? How would browsing Facebook affect games? I’m sorry but I find your reasoning a bit futile.
LazySAGamer
July 23, 2008 at 10:49
I am currently browsing the Internet with Firefox and it is chewing 83Mb of RAM and 2% cpu. The 360 would have to set aside a certain amount of RAM and processing power to handle the browser especially if it is allowed to be used during gaming or other functions. Which takes away what the original purpose.
ewie
July 23, 2008 at 11:22
disagree. They said the same about the xbox operating system. Which they build from start. They will have to do it for the browser as well.
doobiwan
July 23, 2008 at 11:24
Me, I’m all for it. Sometimes my PC is in use by someone else, so it’s good to have the option.
Nduimiso
July 23, 2008 at 12:11
nothing wrong with having a browser, its not like you’ll be forced to use it, os if you dont like it, dont use it, simple as that
hilt_ctn
July 23, 2008 at 12:15
The X360 runs a second-order derivative of Windows 2000 afaik. So my bet is on an Explorer based browser if this happens
Xbox Explorer anyone ? I can see the first patch already
Nick
July 23, 2008 at 12:29
Im all out worried only about potential viruses. With XBL being a closed and controlled network, there have obviously been no issues. But adding a web browser could cause all sorts of havoc for you if the wrong things get onto the console.
At the same time it would be convenient for the odd thing here and there, although I dont know if I like the idea of it being available during games.
Im not sure if I see this happening because Im sure that they would have to implement some sort of firewall in as well, also possible mouse support, things like that? I actually just don’t know, I would prefer to keep the browsing to my computer to be honest, although I can see how other people will benefit from accessing it on their consoles.
Toony
July 23, 2008 at 12:49
Has there been any reports of viruses on the PS3? Im sure if a browser is implemented they’ll make sure its hard to infiltrate the system. Will normal windows viruses crash the 360?
Fudzy
July 23, 2008 at 14:31
Yes, but how often are you browsing the internet WHILE playing games? Never. I don’t see why it has to share processes.
baba
July 23, 2008 at 15:03
Windows virusses can not crash the 360, they use different OS’s and CPU’s. But Java scripts could potentially be unsafe.
I’m all for a Browser – I use the PS3’s browser all the time. (My PC died on me)
Craig Nicholson
July 25, 2008 at 00:29
A web browser on the Xbox 360 isn’t necessarily a bad idea, sure it’d be useful, but what is the Xbox 360… its a gaming console with a focus on multimedia content delivery for the home – most notably the Media Center Extender, IPTV, Video Marketplace and no more recently the Netflix and PrimeTime additions.
Also think about it from another perspective, why compete with the desktop? Make certain features of the desktop available in the set-top box like Messenger, video chat and the new party system. Hey you want Facebook, you can think of Xbox LIVE as one on the very first successful social networks. Who knows, maybe we’ll see Facebook integration in the New Xbox Experience one day if it makes sense.
Remember asking Microsoft to put a web browser into a console is just asking them to take resources off other cool feature developments.
Personally when I sit in front of my console, I would rather play a game or some entertaining media, not browse the web.
Craig Nicholson’s last blog post..Xbox 360 Announcements from E3
doobiwan
July 25, 2008 at 14:24
It’s not so much as to just arbitrarily browse the web, sometimes it’d just be darn useful – Setting router configuration, ordering a bit more cap, or in this case, managing your Netflix queue, or even managing your Halo 3 custom games.