Browse the Internet... on your Xbox 360
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Feb 9th 2006 at 1:45PM }
Anthony Park has designed a nifty Windows XP
Media Center plugin that allows users to surf the Internet on Media Center Extender devices (i.e. the Xbox 360) with a
Media Center remote.The plugin does not support text entry, so users must first compile a list of favorites—Joystiq.com, for example—on the PC and drop them into the appropriate folder. However, the MCE Browser does allow users to highlight and navigate to new links. So, you open Joystiq.com and from there you can jump over to Xbox360Fanboy.com, for example. And finally, for those of you browsing from a distance, the program features zoom viewing.
Download MCE Browser
[via Digg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SuicideNinja @ Feb 9th 2006 2:14PM
Great, but you still need Windows MCE. I won't be getting that any time soon. Why? Windows Vista is around the corner.
How about turning the DS into a Windows Media Extender? LOL
JGE @ Feb 9th 2006 2:15PM
Cool... viruses for your 360.
Ignignokt @ Feb 9th 2006 2:27PM
Wow, JGE, your post is not at all ignorant. It is entirely possible for the Xbox 360 to get a virus because of this. I mean, it wouldn't be possible if the Xbox 360 weren't the device running a web browser, and that it was only getting the rendered output from said browser and sending back commands. But that's not at all what happens. This story is about code that runs on an Xbox 360 to download stuff to the 360 from the web, right?
Lewigi @ Feb 9th 2006 2:52PM
The 360 isnt the device running it. Thats why you need the media remote.
Sjohn @ Feb 9th 2006 2:53PM
#2 You've got it wrong, this code runs on Media Center Edition PC's, no code is actually ran on the 360, just being viewed, the same way as other small "other applications" are ran. Still this is pretty neat use of this capability.
Zak @ Feb 9th 2006 2:56PM
The sooner we can get a virus on the 360 through this browser, the sooner they'll use this method to hack the 360.
Jay @ Feb 9th 2006 3:01PM
The truth about the 360 rears its ugly head again... its a software-challenged super PC (for its price).
Why do people see the need to stick in everything under the sun for games machines. I mean i tried using the internet on a mates PSP only to be horrified at the text input method. I think i'll keep my computers and consoles separate for now thanks.
oh and, hello virus.
puh_fifer @ Feb 9th 2006 3:02PM
I believe #2 was using a lil something I call "sarcasm." When you use this "sarcasm", you knowingly say things that are wrong to insult or make fun of someone less intelligent, in this case #1. Being readers of Engadget and Joystiq I thought everyone here would be familiar with "Sarcasm" by now, but apparently it still evades those children looking for a flame war. Hence, all the comments insulting joystiq about wanting a chocolate 360.
Chris @ Feb 9th 2006 3:06PM
#4, he was being funny. His post was in response to the the idiot, #1.
MoonKnight @ Feb 9th 2006 3:21PM
Nice work and this is really kool (www.water-cooling.com/360/1)
dsub @ Feb 9th 2006 3:54PM
yea...i'm not shelling out $200-300 for Windows MCE...I agree...vista is around the corner and besides...my PC is so-so with a gig of RAM, an X800XT, but still only an AthlonXP 2400+ it's not exactly "prime material" for streaming hi-def content. I've tried viewing quicktime trailers streamed at 720p...haha, it's terrible. Although I guess streaming doesn't require my PC to decode the material/process it or whatever, that's up to the 360...which is easily capable. Still, not worth the massive amount of cash it takes to get windows MCE. I already have a HI-DEF DVR cable box anyways, so I would only be gaining the ability to stream movies and browse the web to my 360. I'm content with just streaming mp3's and photos for now. Come next summer when I build a new PC for vista Hi-Def content should be more on the rise making it more worthwhile.
As far as the viruses go. The sooner viruses show up on the 360...the sooner we'll see a dashboard update making this no longer possible.
Pince @ Feb 9th 2006 4:42PM
The first thought that came to my mind was "Wow, what a brilliant way to get people to navigate the internet only by clicking links on other sites. I wonder if that would cause craploads of revenue from sponsorship...y'know, for sites like joystiq or xbox sites that gain a little money every time you click a link. Browsing without text entry is wonderful isnt it?" Just a little thought. I doubt it really has that much consequence, but its fun to think that microsoft would purposefully disallow text entry just to bump of revenue from linked sponsors on related websites.
On a second note, isnt it just easier to use your computer for internet access? I mean, I can see where putting a couple sites like a specific faq on gamefaqs or something might be useful...but I assume most people with a 360 already have home internet access and a computer. *sigh* and I agree Jay on #7 about being annoyed with everything being bundled into electronics these days. I want a console for games, an mp3 player for music, a phone for calling people, a camera for taking pictures, etc, and a PC for...uh...PC stuff..and internet. Am I the only one who isnt amused by the attempts to mash all of those things into 1 or 2 items?
Draco @ Feb 9th 2006 5:02PM
this just makes me miss my Sega Swirve free internet browser, with my free dial up connection :(
comon now, why doesnt X360 have a copy of IE built into it? how much could that free software really cost?
Case @ Feb 9th 2006 8:47PM
I hope Nintendo considers the capability to do this on the Revolution. Being able to "click" on links with the remote... all the goodness of web surfing (sans being able to type... at least not quickly) with all the laziness of channel surfing. Bring it :D
So let's see, what would Nintendo need... get something open source like Firefox... make the cursor move where you point. Make the A button equivelent to clicking, and B like right-clicking. Make it so "clicking" a textbox brings up a virtual keyboard. Obviously the hardest part would be making the browser run on the Revo, which I guess has its own OS... sorta.
Well hopefully some homebrewers will figure it out if Nintendo doesn't bother. Getting Linux on the Revo and simulating the mouse in the afformentioned way would be pretty awesome.
Sjohn @ Feb 9th 2006 10:21PM
To those that are saying #2 was sarcasm and all, when I posted my comment #2 was #1, #3 was #2, and my post at #5 was #3. Guess I should have used names instead of post numbers, as they are numbered by when they are submitted, not when they are verified.
Anyways, cool info on the watercooled 360.
shivr @ Feb 10th 2006 2:28PM
webtv?