Okay Geek Farm
Take a glance at some features coming to Xbox's Fall 2011 Update
Ricardo Trejo
Somehow someway Microsoft always knows how to reinvent and kick life into the same ol’ system they’ve been producing and backing for the past 6 years! With console design tweaks and annual system updates that keep the gaming and browsing experience fresh and exciting, it’s no wonder that Xbox, once known as the outsider in the gaming world, has become the staple for most of American gaming. And today at Gamescom they’ve revealed some footage of what this year’s Fall Update will entail (spoilers: more Kinect support).
Most of what was seen here has more to do with the “living room experience” as Microsoft calls it. In other words, the entertainment ability outside of the gaming space. Some new features highlighted was the ability for search using Bing within the platform; by saying “Xbox, Bing, Batman” the system will search not the web, but rather the closed media providers accessible on the system itself; such as the Xbox marketplace, rental service, and even Youtube videos (not seen in the video).
And with Live TV being added into the mix, using a variation of Avatar Kinect, friends can hop into an Xbox party and enjoy programming together even if separated through distance.
Many more features are due to be released on the gaming side of the thing; such as games saves provided through Cloud storage, Beacon — a service that broadcasts your invitation to play a game across Facebook and other social media networks, and Youtube which will be even more enticing now that it has its own rental service (wonder if that’ll be available on the Xbox or not).
Just to preface, if you aren’t aware, Gamescom is happening right now as we speak. What’s it all about? Well, it’s another premiere industry event — such as E3 — that happens annually in Cologne, Germany. Much like Leipzig used to do before it suddenly closed shop. So these announcements aren’t happening just outta nowhere.
