You've probably heard all the fuss about Microsoft getting in bed with Twitter and Facebook for the Xbox 360, alongside promises of on-demand HD streaming movies. Well, today they've announced an update will be made available for the Xbox 360 on November 17 which will feature the addition of the aforementioned services.

To be honest, we're not overly excited for the social networking side of things, but it will be interesting to see how the movies handle. If it turns out to work well, iiNET users are going to be laughing at everyone else for their unmetered console plans, though hopefully this might prompt other ISPs to follow suit.

From Microsoft:

• Facebook - Update your status to share what movie, game or entertainment you're enjoying, connect with friends and view their Facebook stream, status updates and photos on the big screen - all seamlessly integrated and custom-built for Xbox 360. You can even compare your Xbox LIVE and Facebook friends lists to see which of your friends are on LIVE (watch the video).
• Twitter - Stay in-the-know by discovering, posting and replying to Tweets right on your Xbox 360. You can even view friend profiles, trends and conversations, or search to see who's tweeting about your favourite game (watch the video).
• Movies on Demand - Movies on Demand on Xbox LIVE offers a full fidelity experience with instant on HD. No waiting for downloads or buffering, it's there at the press of a button. You can also share the experience with up to seven friends through voice chat and Avatar integration on the TV screen - it puts a whole new spin on "movie night" (watch the video).

excited about facebook and movies, twitter is a bit lame.

I'm in the preview program, and all the new features are lame. Who the f*** would facebook on a console?

We also don't get last.fm which was the only decent feature.

I don't care for any of that, to be honest.

No idea why i'm posting this either.

What type of movies do they offer to stream? Does it cost extra?

I want an option of turning off all internet related bs so I can connect my 360 to the network for media but not have it download all the crap for the home screen. That or turn it all off except for MSN/live friends thing.

Apparently the iinet free quota for xbox live thing doesn't include paid content (such as the movies).

No waiting for downloads or buffering

I don't understand this. Do they send you a dvd in the mail? Unless they are talking about streaming with no buffering, then isn't that a bit fool hardy. Sounds like marketing spin for finding a way to hide the fact you are downloading and or buffering in the background. Any more enlightenment?

last edited by pixem at 10:34:02 19/Nov/09

^
They say no waiting for downloads or buffering, not no downloads or buffering.

I don't understand this. Do they send you a dvd in the mail? Unless they are talking about streaming with no buffering, then isn't that a bit fool hardy. Sounds like marketing spin for finding a way to hide the fact you are downloading and or buffering in the background. Any more enlightenment?

I watched the HD Avatar clip with my cable connection and xbox connected via wireless g adapter. It loads within a few seconds and starts off in a very low quality, but within 5-10 seconds, it was running in top resolution, with no stuttering or buffering. It's pretty impressive stuff.

The only problem is the data usage. A whole HD movie would smash my cap.

Ok the details are as follows

1. It is the 19/11/2009 and my Xbox has not prompted me to update through Live
2. The options are to stream or download the movies. They do not send you the dvd in the mail, what we be the point in that I ask you!! The streaming is buffered a little, I also believe you have the option to download a portion of the movie first then start the stream so your buffer is larger!
3. If you are with iinet you will not be slogged on your naked DSl quote for stream or downloading a movies from Zune through Xbox Live. You will however be required to pay MS/Zune for the movie. Please read the iinet freezone details.
4. Downloading a movie seems a bit of a waste, especially for HD quality. They require 6GB or more space on your HDD, most HDD are either too small and the larger model is too damn expensive still!!
5. The minimum to stream a HD movie I believe is about 6Mb/s at the Xbox connection. Now that is minimum so your probably need more for a good connection.

Anything else?

Facebook - Update your status to share what movie, game or entertainment you're enjoying

So in addition to the boring facebook friends posts about going for a walk down to the shops or taking a dump we'll start to see thinly veiled advertising from xbox live. Awesome!

Yeah but I think you get the option to turn that functionality on or off

I think the Zune Video Marketplace/Movies On Demand feature is quite impressive so far. I haven't rented any movies yet but I did watch several movie trailers and they pretty much started instantly and were comparable to DVD quality. Keeping in mind my internet connection is only ADSL 1.5mbps and when I watch YouTube videos I usually have to buffer a few seconds, even for standard low quality video.

If you are with iinet you will not be slogged on your naked DSl quote for stream or downloading a movies from Zune through Xbox Live. You will however be required to pay MS/Zune for the movie. Please read the iinet freezone details.

Please read the iinet freezone details? Ok I'll go read the details. Oh look what it says at http://freezone.iinet.net.au/xbox.html

In partnership with Xbox, iiNet offers selected unmetered Xbox LIVE content on all iiNet broadband plans (excludes Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and Zune video).

Yesterday I gave it a bash.

I watched the Harry Potter HD Preview.

I've got my Xbox plugged into a wireless (g) access point 54Mbps. The movie preview started off a bit blocky and compressed ickyness and about a 1 min later it was quite nice.

I'm on iiNet. That day I also downloaded a stack of L4D2. Partly from 3fl, I've got 2.5 gig of metered and 2 gig of free content. So I'm not sure if it was metered or not.

Also the cost to Stream Harry Potter HD version was 480 MS points, which roughly $8. So what's the go with that?

New release movies are about $7 from the video shop aren't they? I dunno how much they cost to buy on Foxtel, but I guess the extra dollar for the convinience of not having to go out and get it is a fair trade off.

Nah man, You rent movies on Tuesdays for $2's and such. Also, there are always vouchers around too. It is kind of like paying $9 for a Pizza when you can almost always find a way to pay $5.90 or some such.

Don't forget the convenience of not having to return them to the video shop.

iiNet must have updated that because the section within the freezone stated that for items such at iTunes you do not get metered but you are required to pay iTunes for whatever you have purchased.

Bit cheeky by iiNet that I think!!!

So has this update come out because my Box doesn't seem to realise there is an update!!!

Very strange I may need to look into that. Everyone here hasn't been part of the Beta testing have they>?

There is no update in its normal fashion. They simply "activated" the new features so you will now be able to see and access Facebook/Twitter and Video Marketplace should have changed to Zune.

Well that is good to know :D

Guess I'll have something to do tonight!!