Good question: why doesn't the Xbox 360 have its own browser?
by Vladimir Cole 
{ Oct 14th 2006 at 11:08PM }
Sony and Nintendo have promised that gamers who purchase the PlayStation 3 and Wii will be able to browse the web from the comfort of their couches. Sony will accomplish this through their own custom web browser while Nintendo has partnered with Opera Software to install a trial version of the Opera browser on the Wii.
This led a friend of mine to ask me the following question: "Why doesn't the Xbox 360 have its own browser?"
Good question, Vikas!
We don't want a complicated solution that requires an operating system (though, at any given time, we've got all kinds of computers on around the house). We just want to turn on the dang console and be able to browse Youtube every once in a while, maybe between sips of mind-slurrying substances. It'd be neat.
Now where is it?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Meevle @ Oct 14th 2006 11:13PM
well the ps3 will have a keyboard... and the wii has a mouse like controller... what does the 360 have?
Gunvalk @ Oct 14th 2006 11:14PM
Good quest. And the answer is....
Microsoft is lazy and does everything cheapest, easiest, and lamest. =)
Alex P @ Oct 14th 2006 11:15PM
Uhh, because Microsoft is trying to encourage people to invest in HTPC's with MCE installed?
GregZ @ Oct 14th 2006 11:20PM
Simple: The XBL video cam lets you get your pornography without a browser.
Travis McCrea @ Oct 14th 2006 11:22PM
I wouldnt use the feature anyway, gadgets are trying to integrate diffrent things and i just want them to do one thing good.. I have my computer for browseing.
nick @ Oct 14th 2006 11:21PM
Hmm, there's an update Tuesday that's NOT the planned update we all know about. What could IT be?
Zero_ @ Oct 14th 2006 11:24PM
... Because Microsoft doesnt' see a need for web browsing on a console and neither do I, as I'm sure with many people. SUre, I could hook up a keyboard and mouse to my (possible) PS3 and browse the web, but then what if I wanted to watch an online clip, or listen to my music that I have on my PC? How would the browser handle things like embedded videos and what not? In my opinion, the comfort of browsing on the PC is much greater than the usefulness of browsing the net on the PS3/Wii. Though, with the latter, it might be fun to!
azesino @ Oct 14th 2006 11:23PM
the 360 already have a keyboard and a mouse, I use my Logitec keyboard and my Logitech mouse in it
Da Ma1n Event @ Oct 14th 2006 11:28PM
Microsoft will be releasing a web browser for it in the next update. Legit.
Novacharged @ Oct 15th 2006 4:06PM
because 360 sux. and that heater needs to go.
Deth @ Oct 14th 2006 11:29PM
How long will it be before trojans/viruses start appearing on the PS3/Wii's?
Cheers!
aDub @ Oct 15th 2006 3:39AM
I'd have to agree with Alex P. but I would like to see a browser presented with the upcoming tuesday update nick brought up. Microsoft most likely has a xbox360 browser developed already... but they most likely will wait and see what the PS3 and Wii provide before presenting theirs.
Novacharged @ Oct 14th 2006 11:31PM
PS3 FTW. PLAY BEYOND fellas.
Cane Renegade @ Oct 14th 2006 11:31PM
Because MS is much more interested in pushing Windows Vista and IE7. There is NO reason for the 360 to have a browser. Obviously, Sony and Nintendo have a reason...they don't own the internet browser market on PC's. They have a reason to say "Hey, browse on a Sony product instead of the Windows OS".
dish @ Oct 14th 2006 11:33PM
b/c it might hurt windows sells.
obviously.
Mediaddict @ Oct 14th 2006 11:34PM
It's very simple, actually. Microsoft knows that the 360 is a console, not a computer. Someone should relay that to Sony.
Ed @ Oct 14th 2006 11:35PM
Because microsoft has said, a few times, that they don't think the web-browsing-on-TV experience is very good, so they don't see any reason to bother.
Me, I've got a 1080p tv, and a wireless keyboard and mouse. On the other hand, I always have a laptop within 3 feet of me when I'm using my 360.
So, it's not particularly useful for me, either.
I managed to pick up a PS3 preorder (from a source never mentioned on any of the blogs, and no, I'm not telling), so maybe I'll flip it on ebay, wait 6 months, and pick up a PS3 for myself once the supply is back and the craze has died down. And then I'll get to see how lame web browsing on a console is.
The thing that really amazed me was that the Wii was getting a browser. I've browsed on a PSP, and on many phones, and a low-resolution screen is not at all useful for surfing. Since the Wii won't do more than 480p (unless something's changed), I would imagine that'd be the worst web-on-tv experience out there.
Mmmmmm @ Oct 14th 2006 11:35PM
It's an unnecessary feature, that's why. If you're connecting your PS3 or Wii to a WiFi network that means you already have a computer that's probably infinitely easier to surf the web on. There's a reason that MSN TV was a stupid idea, people already have dedicated systems for internet. I was actually suprised Nintendo included it. Seems contrary to their statement of a "game machine should be for games". Include a web browser but not DVD playback? Boggles the mind.
Oh well, I shall be happy with my Zelda and Mario. That's all I need :)
Street Foreigner II TURBO @ Oct 14th 2006 11:36PM
no internet exploiter for xsox??
Spilt_Milk @ Oct 14th 2006 11:37PM
Viruses and spyware.
What do you think the chances of not getting a virus or spyware with a ps3's browser?
mocax @ Oct 14th 2006 11:38PM
"No homey from the XBox division is gonna encroach on our turf", says Windows Vista division.
Wargazm @ Oct 14th 2006 11:39PM
I think it's hilarious that people complain about the unreadability of the text in Dead Rising on SDTVs at the same time that there's people who want a fucking web browser on that same shitty SDTV.
Ian @ Oct 14th 2006 11:41PM
Cause they want you to buy windows xp or vista of course!
Da Ma1n Event @ Oct 14th 2006 11:44PM
Windows XP and Vista are the first with Web Browsing capabilities?
Huey2k2 @ Oct 14th 2006 11:47PM
Have you people ever heard of viruses and spyware? I have a computer, I don't need to surf the net on my 360 and have the HD get filled with junk. Especially considering there is no firewall/virus protection for the 360.
Street Foreigner II TURBO @ Oct 14th 2006 11:51PM
stop looking at corn and you won't get the lieware. It's that simple.
Kliend @ Oct 14th 2006 11:57PM
Can you say fall update?
Night Elve @ Oct 14th 2006 11:57PM
"Because microsoft has said, a few times, that they don't think the web-browsing-on-TV experience is very good, so they don't see any reason to bother."
And since when Microsoft decides for us what we need or what is good for us?
Personally the decision that SONY and Nintendo made is pretty correct, whe should decide if we want to browse the Internet through our consoles not their.
Some people says "i have always my Latop or PC at my side when i play" ... well that`s pretty neat really, but there is people that can not do that.
Personally i really would like to browse the Internet on my future PlayStation 3 visiting sites like YouTube, Google Videos and so on.
~ Cya folks.
Mank @ Oct 14th 2006 11:59PM
I'm sure people have told JoyStickers before that Microsoft is pushing the 360 as a supplement to Windows, and if they include a browser in the 360, one of the most useful (lol) features of Windows becomes moot.
BklynKid @ Oct 15th 2006 12:04AM
Well they (Peter Moore if I'm not mistaken, correct me if I'm wrong) did state that if web browsing comes important to the public (read: if it gets popular and Sony tries to market it as an advantage) they can quickly jump in and put something like that in.
dsub @ Oct 15th 2006 12:10AM
why doesn't MS have a browser on 360?
Several Reasons.
#1 Viruses/Spyware/Security Issues
#2 Odds are if someone owns a 360, they also own a PC with internet access
#3 A console browser = Garbage...this will turn out to be an extremely useless feature once people see how hard it is to read text on a TV smaller than 46" in size from 3+ feet away.
#4 the internet is constantly changing. With things like Quicktime, Mediaplayer, Real Player, and Flash CONSTANTLY being updated that is just another version of that software that MS has to make sure gets created in order for people to actually USE the browser to visit sites other than google.com all day.
#5 MS doesn't want to deter anyone from not using a windows computer. They still feel that web browsing is something that is best done on a PC (and it is by a LONG LONG LONG shot) and they want the XBOX360 to be a device that is focused on gaming, rather than other systems *cough* PS3 *cough* whose focus is on sneaking blu-ray into your living room.
#6: WebTV...need I say more? A TV based browser will suck big ones and is not a feature that really needs to be on a console at all. If anything Sony and Nintendo are just putting one on because they are desparate to create an online package that rivals the great service that MS has put together in XBL.
Optimus Prime @ Oct 15th 2006 12:04AM
The presence of viruses and spyware is a poor excuse to not have a browser... it would be like telling people to stop driving because there are drunks on the road. And, how viruses designed for Windows will affect PS3 is unclear; probably no issue (ie. win viruses dont affect macs).
And, its certainly a tech issue; theres something else going on.
And .. "Because microsoft has said, a few times, that they don't think the web-browsing-on-TV experience is very good, so they don't see any reason to bother." ..
..thats bull; its no good for MS because they havent figured a way to make money off it. And, with 50+ percent of tvs being sold as HDTVs, theres more than enough resolution to diplay webpages as they were designed (poor Wii users browsing in VGA). Also, browsing is more casual nowadays; not strictly for research or school ... it makes sense for it to be moved into the living room.
Optimus Prime @ Oct 15th 2006 12:06AM
i meant ... certainly NOT a tech issue.. dont flame me
Jay @ Oct 15th 2006 12:09AM
If they do release a browser, I say it won't be until at least next spring at the earliest for 2 reasons.
-If...er....When they get Vista out the door, they can make the browser a modified version of IE7 (not that I'm encouraging that in any way ::coughfirefoxcough:: that's just the way they would do it)
-They'll hold off and see how the Wii/PS3 browsers go over.
dsub @ Oct 15th 2006 12:10AM
look at browsers like Firefox, Netscape, Opera and IE. They take lots of time to develop and work out security issues, they often have several beta versions that release before a final version is even out. Do you actually believe that Sony and Nintendo have come up with an even half-way decent browser for their systems in this short of an amount of time? Sony has literally no history in working with software, and Nintendo has had opera under contract for what? Six Months? Do you actually believe their will be updates?
Highly Unlikely. I can't even believe people are touting this as a big feature. Don't take me as a fanboy either, I camped out for a PS3 and Wii pre-order.
Embassy @ Oct 15th 2006 12:11AM
like others have said...the 360 is supposed to compliment your windows/media center PC..not replace it...they wanna grab as much cash as possible..they're not gonna cannabilize themselves.
with that said...MS seems to supply features if the demand is high enough...so im sure if the PS3 browser and Wii browsers show promise..and xbox fans demand it...they'll throw it in the next update.
Vince @ Oct 15th 2006 12:13AM
And the conclusion is - MS doesn't have a good reason why the 360 doesn't have browser.
I've got a 10 year old computer in the front room running Windows ME that can surf the net just as fast as this one can, it's 10 years old ffs!
Come on MS.
Gabe @ Oct 25th 2006 1:40AM
Three main reasons.
1) The IE codebase relies heavily on COM and Win32 GDI objects, two technologies Microsoft didn't port to the 360.
2) Microsoft is currently rearchitecting IE in the migration from IE6 to IE7 - any browser engineers not working on improving security are doing a disservice to a billion Windows users.
3) In the online gaming world, cheating will kill a system faster than anything else. Xbox Live is only as safe as its entry points, the consoles. Its much easier to secure a system with a small number of attack vectors than it is to secure a full-blown computer. Everyone knows that every browser, not just IE, will have vulnerabilities - can Microsoft prevent a day zero attack from compromising a console and thus providing a hacker access to Xbox Live?
Its a huge development expense and a huge risk for a feature that not many people are particularly interested in.
Spilt_Milk @ Oct 15th 2006 12:19AM
There are few mac viruses because no one uses macs.
If you don't think that virus/spyware writers will be on the ps3's browser like ticks on a bloodhound or that people won't be surfing unsafe pr0n sites...then email your credit card and SS#. You see, I have a Nigerian uncle with a large sum of cash he needs to move out of the country and your info would expedite the transfer.
Personally, I would like more web functionality, but wild web access on a console scares the piss out of my from a security standpoint.
Aleman @ Oct 15th 2006 12:20AM
Two words: Fall update ;)
Negativecool @ Oct 15th 2006 12:22AM
Wargazm-
"I think it's hilarious that people complain about the unreadability of the text in Dead Rising on SDTVs at the same time that there's people who want a fucking web browser on that same shitty SDTV."
Oh my god that's such a good point (albeit pretty foul mouthed). A lot of people so far are bashing Sony for including something that it doesn't need, yet forget that Nintendo, whose mantra has been to cut the fat and concentrate on games only, is also including this useless feature. And on top of THAT, it will output a max of only 480(i,p?). You ever try surfing the web with an SDTV...neither have I, and there’s a damn good and obvious reason too!!! Sony may be trying to cram too much crap in their box, but at lease the PS3 will be able to support pc web browsing resolutions.
Side note...Wargazm, I don’t think anyone really wants to surf the web on their regular TV’s, and I’m pretty sure no one asked for it…I think that was contraindicative and confusing misstep by Nintendo.
And IMO web browsers on consoles are a baaaaad idea. I wouldn't want a simple virus that my computer can easily recognize and destroy through Norton bricking my console.
Harlock @ Oct 15th 2006 12:26AM
I would like see Youtube and short text news on TV. Seems to be an unfounded fear of that xbox affects the windows sales.
Vince @ Oct 15th 2006 12:28AM
Two more words: Too late.
scot @ Oct 15th 2006 12:28AM
ill tell you why, its because microsoft is a major corporation, and they make all their products bottom of the line, so that you will ahve to buy more of them to get more features, there for making more money, and all that money goes to bill gates, what an asshole
Alex @ Oct 15th 2006 12:33AM
"Because microsoft has said, a few times, that they don't think the web-browsing-on-TV experience is very good, so they don't see any reason to bother."
But downloading horse armor IS a good TV experience? If I was paying $50 a year on top of my internet service I'd be questioning the lack of an online browser as well. If Sony and Nintendo can do it for free, why can't Microsoft, o wise inventor of Internet Explorer, just shove it into their subscription service?
Fish @ Oct 15th 2006 1:30AM
I don't think it really matters all too much in the long run. I wouldn't use a console to do all my major web surfing, such as reading emails, news etc. I would use it though to browse YouTube (as Joystiq mentioned) and media-centric things like that.
I don't think Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo really benefit all too much from a web browser. Out of the three, I can see Nintendo actually getting the most out of it, only because of the ease of use that the Wiimote grants.
Actually, now that I think of it, that'd be really cool to play flash games with the Wii. I think I'm going to start making some now for launch :D
Chrispy @ Oct 15th 2006 12:48AM
Frankly, I don't really care. I'd like to get as much functionality out of my 'box as I can, but frankly a web browser just doesn't seem ideal to me on a console. With XBStream I can check out RSS feeds for various sites if I really feel like it, but if I actually want to go and browse the web, I've got my desktop and a laptop that are readily accessible.
I just don't see the point for having a browser in your console, short of you not already having a computer -- which seems unlikely, because if you're buying a Wii/PS3 and internet just so you can browse on there, maybe you should look to invest in a cheap Dell.
kingroach @ Oct 15th 2006 1:03AM
seems like sony boys are back from grave for a redemption.. Web browsing on tv is crap unless you have a 1080p HDTV which I doubt few if none of you have( I already tried browsing tv in xbox with homebrew browser it I couldnt use most of teh options in any website).. I am 100% sure sp3 and wii browsers wont be able to navigate new web 2.0 site which is based on AJAX. good luck browsing text only sites..
joe smith @ Oct 15th 2006 12:47AM
Somehow, I think that if MS decides there is a market for a browser, it will do one. Somehow I think the maker of the number one browser can whip one up on 360 pretty damned quickly if it needs one. I would say that it is likely that they simply don't see a reason to do one.
People act like the company is made up of idiots or something.
Optimus Prime @ Oct 15th 2006 12:46AM
Anyhoo, virus, spyware, whatever... technology moves on, and a built-in console browser will be the default from now on (in the same way that wireless controllers are the norm now). MS needs to implement a browser whether they want to or not.
As for people who say its useless; well, i guess thats easy to say if youve never had it before. Nobody "needed" airbags or ABS either before they came out.