Xbox 360 aims to please

2005-11-16 14:39

Redmond - When Microsoft Corporation debuted its first Xbox in the fall of 2001, the videogame console was like a teenager - decked out in black, eager to fit in with the hip crowd and embarrassed to be seen with its parent company.

The newest version, Xbox 360, has no intention of being a boring grown-up.

However, Microsoft says it has learned from some of its youthful mistakes.

After years of distancing the Xbox from its less hip progenitor - maker of computer operating systems and spreadsheet software - Microsoft is now more blatantly touting the console as integral to a long-term plan to dominate the connected home.

When the Xbox 360 debuts in North America November 22, it will still please so-called hardcore gamers. Analysts say that's smart, since the console doesn't offer enough other capabilities for those not addicted to gaming.

"First and foremost, Xbox 360 is a game machine, and so is anybody going to go out and buy an Xbox 360 if they're not a gamer because it's got multimedia capability? No," said Van Baker, a research vice-president with Gartner Inc.

Over time however, the company is hoping that other features will draw in more family members. These include the ability to listen to music, even tracks from rival Apple Computer Inc's iPod, look at family photos, watch DVDs, and play electronic puzzle and card games.

Xbox Live should improve on features

Analysts also expect Microsoft to improve on features in its paid Xbox Live online gaming service that lets users chat and interact with other subscribers.

Advanced users will even be able to link the Xbox 360 with a PC running the entertainment-centric Windows XP media centre edition as part of Microsoft's grander vision to provide a sophisticated digital entertainment hub.

Microsoft hopes to eventually break even on the consoles - which will initially sell for $399 (about R2&nbps;600) in North America, or $299 (about R1&nbps;700) for a version not including features such as the 20-gigabyte detachable hard drive and wireless controller.

Xbox Live gives Microsoft a key advantage over market leader Sony - due to release its PlayStation 3 sometime next spring. However, analysts say the new PlayStation's could still sap momentum from the Xbox.

- AP