Features Of The Xbox 360
Do you know what's special about the Xbox 360? Here are some of
the features you can expect from Xbox 360:
Ring of Light and Xbox Guide Button. The ring of light is the
power button and it is divided into four quadrants that can
display a number of different colors depending on what is going
on.
The Xbox Guide button is prominently featured on the controller
as well as the Xbox 360 remote. This will allow you to instantly
access information on person who just challenged you on Xbox
Live. Or you can even jump right to where you can find
downloadable content for the game you are currently playing. The
Xbox Guide button will also allow you to turn the Xbox 360
system on and off from the comfort of your couch. That is one
great idea that is has long been overdue.
Xbox Live - There will be two types of Xbox Live for the Xbox
360.
The Silver version is free. It allows you to access the Xbox
Live Marketplace as well as communicate with your friends using
voice chat. However, you cannot play games online.
With the Gold version of Xbox Live, you get all of the possible
features. Most importantly, you can play games online. Your
achievements and statistics will be stored so you can check them
whenever you want. You will also be able to use video chat and
video messaging. Microsoft has announced that all new Xbox 360
owners will get Gold Service feature for the first month. After
that, the pricing will be similar to Xbox Live on the current
Xbox.
Xbox Live Marketplace. Another great feature of Xbox 360. The
marketplace is an area where you will be able to download game
demos and trailers as well as new content for games such as new
levels, characters, vehicles, weapons, and many others. Some
things are free of charge but you will have to pay for some
premium content.
Digital Entertainment. The Xbox 360 allows you to rip your music
to the hard drive to be used during games. It will also stream
music off of any MP3 player that you plug into the USB 2.0
ports. This is including Sony PSP.
You can also upload photos to the hard drive and share them with
your friends on Xbox Live. The Xbox 360 also features DVD
movies. Unlike the original Xbox, the Xbox 360 can display them
in progressive scan. It seems like DVD playback will be
available out of the box and will not require the purchase of an
extra remote or anything. Definitely an improvement.
Personalizing your console. With the interchangeable faces of
the system itself, you can change the color of your system
whenever you want by simply snapping on a new face.
You do not even have to buy new faces because you could simply
paint the stock face yourself. It is guaranteed that Microsoft
will roll out a line of limited edition and collectible faces to
lure people in, though.
You will also be able to customize the look and feel of the Xbox
Guide browser on the system. Suspiciously similar to changing
themes in Windows on your computer. Customization is always a
good thing and while these features do not really mean anything
in the long run, they certainly provide a nice change every once
in awhile.
Xbox 360 and its great features are a great deal unto itself.
Basically, the hard drive is the one playing a major role in how
you can use the Xbox 360. You are given the choice of saving the
progress of the game on the hard drive, as well as rip your CDs
to it.
You can transfer music, videos, and photos from your mp3 player
or other USB devices. It will also be necessary to spend more
time on Xbox Live because custom content, patches, and other
downloadable content needs to be put stored somewhere and a
little 64MB memory card isn't going to cut it.
The hard drive is required for backwards compatibility. The
other bonus to having such a hard drive is that loading time is
faster especially in some games and other performances boosts.
With all these Xbox features up for grabs, what more can you ask
for?