Our prayers have been answered. Gamers have been badgering Microsoft for better features for their console Dashboard, and Xbox Live in general for quite some time now and it looks like they finally listened. Although it might not be the prayer you’ve been hoping for, or answered they way you would have liked.
In a recent press release Microsoft announced multiple new features will be available with the spring update, but there is one in particular that will most likely get everyone’s attention, and no they didn’t expand the friends list. They did however introduce mass messaging to Xbox Live.
Microsoft has given gamers the option, through Windows Live Messenger, to send messages to up to 20 contacts at one time have up to six different conversations at one time, instant message during games, view at a glance if people on your messenger list have a gamertag and then add them to a unified FL, and you will also be able to use the new Xbox 360 text-input device (read mini-keyboard that attaches to your controller).
This is a classic marketing move by Microsoft. You can get Microsoft pick up messenger for free, but then they have the chance to sink in their hooks for future sales. For example if you don’t want to type on the virtual keyboard you’ll need to pick up a keyboard that uses a USB or you can go wireless (Microsoft sells multiple options for both of these products), or you can wait for the new text-input device that is coming out later this summer.
If you go with the choice of a wired or wireless keyboard you can obviously choose from many different companies. That being said, Microsoft is hoping that because you are buying one of their products you’ll have a higher tendency to lean towards buying one of their keyboards. Also if you want a smaller option for texting more akin to a mobile phone, well then Microsoft will have the only option out for that this summer when their text-input device makes its way onto the market.
Either way Microsoft as a company is always good at making you become a 360º customer. Whether it is through Windows, downloading music, or through Xbox live they always have an angle to get you to purchase more than one item and to keep you coming back for more.
Regardless of whether or not you buy an extra product to take advantage of this new option you will still have to sign up for Windows Live Messenger. Which you can you can do through this link.
So if you are sick of typing out twenty messages or going to your computer every time you want to send out a message to more than one friend be sure to pick up Windows Live Messenger ,(like you don't already have it), and check out this new feature available today (May 9, 2007).
Other features announced:
* On-screen pop-ups that immediately display the name and gamerscore value of a just accomplished Achievement, allowing gamers to see their progress without leaving or pausing the game.* An even safer way to communicate through Xbox LIVE with enhanced family settings that enable different default settings for video chat and voice chat.
* A new, standalone Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade houses all Xbox LIVE Marketplace content in one easy to navigate space.
* Faster access to free, trial version of Xbox LIVE Arcade games through an improved Auto Downloads feature.
* The ability to fast-forward, pause and rewind video as it is being downloaded on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
* Owners can now set their consoles to turn off after downloading content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace to help save energy, and download speeds have been increased.
