The Xbox 360 Gets Reloaded with Even More Media Partners - The UpStream

The Xbox 360 Gets Reloaded with Even More Media Partners

posted Monday Jun 4, 2012 by Nicholas DiMeo

The Xbox 360 Gets Reloaded with Even More Media Partners

The Microsoft press event was certainly something to write home about this year. At the briefing, Microsoft announced an addition to their growing catalog.

However, they first made it easier to access your favorite content. Bing search now has better Kinect voice controls that make it easy to find and watch content with all the new content partners and they have cleaned up the entire feel of it in the process.

If you like the NBA, NHL, ESPN, sitcoms, comedies, documentaries, cartoons or even telenovelas, then what lies in store for you is sure to be a treat. What are the new features and who is now on board with Xbox LIVE? Details are after the break.

It would seem that Amazon Instant Video was just the tip of the entertainment iceberg for Microsoft as they also announced they plan to double the entertainment experience on the console with over 35 new entertainment providers and video channels in spanish and english.

Microsoft highlighted Nickelodeon, Paramount and Machinima as the partners making their way to the console and also said that Univision would be available for those of the Spanish-speaking culture. That isn't all that's coming up though, but we hope it won't take a year to see them all. On the list for the US is Ameba TV, BreakMedia, Comedy Central Stand Up, GameSpotTV, Indie Flix, Revision3, Rhapsody, Slacker Radio, SnagFilms, The AOL On Network, The Weather Channel, The Whistle and Twitch TV.

If that isn't enough for you, I understand. The Xbox 360 will now also become an even cozier home for your sports watching. Microsoft announced more sports events that will be available live to the console. The NBA will bring its GameTime app right to your living room with hundreds of out of market games. The NHL finally brings its GameCenter platform to the 360 as well, which has been on the PS3 for some time now. GameCenter lets you watch home or away feeds of your favorite teams across the league as it happens and will include bonus features like in-game interactivity, replays and highlights on demand.

Lastly, the ESPN app is getting a rehaul. Later this year you will be able to enjoy 24/7 live ESPN shows from their four big channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPN U. Shows like Mike & Mike, SportsCenter and SportsNation will all be available for your viewing pleasure.

Xbox SmartGlass will deliver new ways to enjoy entertainment in the home and on the go.

LOS ANGELES - June 4, 2012 - What if your tablet or phone knew what you were watching on TV and presented bonus features without you having to lift a finger? What if you could use your tablet to draw up a play in EA SPORTS' "Madden NFL" and then perform it to perfection on your TV? What if you could control your favorite websites on the TV with a simple swipe, pinch or zoom on your tablet's touchscreen?

To kick-start the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Microsoft Corp. today unveiled a bold new vision for enjoying entertainment at home and on the go with Xbox SmartGlass. Launching this year, Xbox SmartGlass is an application for Windows 8, Windows Phone, and other portable devices that connects phones, PCs and tablets with your Xbox 360 console to make your entertainment smarter, more interactive and more fun.1 The intelligence of Xbox SmartGlass makes your entertainment more engaging, Web surfing more effortless, and playing games more immersive by delivering companion content and control to enhance your TV experience.

"Xbox is on a mission to make the entertainment that you love even more amazing," said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "With Xbox SmartGlass, we are lighting up entertainment across your phone, tablet, PC and TV in a completely new way. If you love to play games, watch TV and movies, surf the Web, or listen to music, there has never been a better time to be on Xbox."

Two years after the launch of Kinect for Xbox 360, Microsoft unveiled the next step in its journey to make Xbox synonymous with entertainment by unveiling Xbox SmartGlass, Internet Explorer for Xbox, and new TV, movie and music offerings.

The Web Transformed for TV

Microsoft will launch Internet Explorer for Xbox this fall in all countries where Xbox and Xbox LIVE are available. Through the power of Xbox, the magic of Kinect and the intelligence of Xbox SmartGlass, you will be able to surf the Internet using your voice on your Xbox 360 and navigate using your mobile devices for an incredibly easy Web browsing experience on the television.2 Whether it is a new website you want to check out on the big screen, an HD video you want to share in your living room, or your favorite website you check daily and want to view in the 10-foot experience, you will have the power of the Web now on your TV.

Entertainment Keeps Getting Better on Xbox

Last year, Xbox added voice search powered by Bing and the power of Kinect, making it easier to find the entertainment you want. This year, voice search is expanding to 12 additional countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland.

Adding to the current catalog of customized sports, TV, movies and music apps from world-leading TV and entertainment providers, this year Xbox will continue to deliver all the content you care about in unique ways.

- Your home for sports. Microsoft announced more must-have sports experiences and content coming to Xbox this year, further establishing it as the home for sports fans everywhere.

- NBA Game Time with NBA.com League Pass Broadband (U.S.) and NBA League Pass (outside of the U.S.). Fans who subscribe to NBA.com League Pass Broadband will have access to hundreds of out of market live games (blackout restrictions apply in the U.S. and some international markets), plus highlights from around the league and up to the minute stats of your favorite players.

- NHL GameCenter LIVE® (Worldwide except Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden). Hockey fans will be able to enjoy every moment of the live action as it happens on the ice, with live games (out-of-market and blackout restrictions apply), more in-game interactivity, and replays and highlights on demand any time.

- ESPN (U.S.). Later this year fans will enjoy 24/7 live programming through WatchESPN from ESPN Networks - ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3 and ESPN U. All the favorites, including "SportsCenter," "SportsNation," "The Mike and Mike Show," as well as ESPN's coverage of the NFL, MLB and the NBA, will be live on Xbox.

Xbox also announced regional sports provider SPORT1 coming later this year to Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

- More TV and entertainment. Today, Microsoft announced more than 35 new content partners launching on Xbox over the next 12 months, including:

Absolute Radio -U.K.

Ameba TV - Canada, U.S.

BreakMedia - Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, U.K., U.S.

Comedy Central Stand Up - U.S.

Comoyo - Denmark, Norway, Sweden

Corus Entertainment's Franklin the Turtle - Canada

GameSpot TV - Australia, Canada, U.K., U.S.

Headweb - Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden

Indie Flix - U.S.

Machinima - All Xbox LIVE markets

Napster - Germany, U.K.

Nickelodeon - U.S.

Paramount Movies - U.S.

Picturebox - U.K.

Quickflix - Australia, New Zealand

Rakuten ShowTime - Japan

Revision3 - Canada, U.K., U.S.

Rhapsody - U.S.

RTL XL - Netherlands

Slacker Radio - Canada, U.S.

SnagFilms - U.S.

Terra (Sunday TV) - Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico

The AOL On Network - Australia, Canada, Netherlands, U.K., U.S.

The Weather Channel - U.S.

The Whistle - U.S.

TOU.TV - Canada

TV3 - Spain

Twitch TV - U.S.

Univision - U.S.

Wuaki - Spain

Youzee - Spain

Xbox Music revealed. Microsoft showed a sneak peek of Xbox Music, an all-new music service coming to Xbox 360, Windows Phone and Windows 8-based devices.

Xbox on Windows 8

This year Xbox will bring premium entertainment experiences to more than 180 new countries around the world when Xbox on Windows 8 launches, featuring four Metro-style apps: Video, Music, Games and Xbox SmartGlass. 3

With Xbox on Windows 8, you can play games with friends and earn achievements, listen to music, and enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies wherever you go.4 And with Xbox SmartGlass, you can start a movie or TV show on your Windows 8 device and finish it on the big-screen TV.

I suppose it really might be time to consider cutting your cord from cable. Are you excited about all of these new additions? Tell us in the comments section below. I know one thing is for sure, Scott was right in that I won't be turning my Xbox off now from the time I get home from this trip until the end of never.

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