Pachter: Last.fm, Twitter the most important features of E3
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Jun 23rd 2009 at 7:30PM } 
Pachter states that Microsoft's announcement was "far and away the most important one of the show," and one that the media failed to latch onto. Pachter says that Microsoft's ultimate goal is to solidify the Xbox 360 as "a functioning computer that happens to be located in the living room and is connected to the television." The Facebook, Last.fm and Twitter applications open the Xbox to the internet -- if only in a limited way -- moving it one step closer to the mythical, do-everything set-top-box we've been hearing about since the days of WebTV.
The analyst makes this point in reference to Apple, which hasn't managed (successfully) to do the same thing with AppleTV. Granted, that doesn't make much difference to gamers, but from a pure business perspective, we can see Pachter's point.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ryanpaulmcgowan @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:34PM
Sounds like this guy is completely out of touch.
Kinsey @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:58PM
lets see Twitter is useless to me and last.fm will be useless too since I'm in Canada.
solarshadows074 @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:08PM
i would honestly prefer a youtube application than twitter.
Cody @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:54PM
"Pachter says that Microsoft's ultimate goal is to solidify the Xbox 360 as "a functioning computer that happens to be located in the living room and is connected to the television."
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!! Which brings me to a segment I like to call http://www.hulu.com/watch/13828/saturday-night-live-really-with-seth-and-amy
SimbaDogg @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:56PM
fuck twitter...worst thing to happen to the US since sanjaya or however u spell that idiots name.
rv @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:04PM
But what is joystiq talking about with "Pachter says that Microsoft's ultimate goal is to solidify the Xbox 360 as "a functioning computer that happens to be located in the living room and is connected to the television." The Facebook, Last.fm and Twitter applications open the Xbox to the internet -- if only in a limited way -- moving it one step closer to the mythical, do-everything set-top-box we've been hearing about since the days of WebTV."
That box already exists. Its called an htpc.
WonderbreadUSA @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:38PM
@ solarshadows074
That isn't likely to happen considering Microsoft's and Google's past business relationship. Hulu might be an option however.
The Baron @ Jun 24th 2009 9:29AM
It seems like he just read in the paper that teenagers like last.fm and that some people use Twitter, and concluded that these are exactly the things people wanted on their 360's.
Zexion_VI @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:35PM
Really? From a video game conference, the social networking is the more important? Yay, instead of playing games, I can see what Paris Hilton is twattering.
Longhorn of Myon [PSN: MariusElijah] @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:35PM
So what does that make the PS3 who had this from the getgo
ExMcCloud @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:39PM
Yea but the PS3 is limited in what it can do with the Social Networking sites......I mainly blame that on the sites not supporting the PS3's browser.....
ArchiGamer @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:41PM
Lucky for not furthering it.
SuicideNinja @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:50PM
I was thinking the same thing. However, the PS3 doesn't really integrate with any of these services. I think the point is that Microsoft is streamlining these popular web functions directly to Xbox Live without the need for a browser.
All of these web functions don't seamlessly come together on their own...but maybe Microsoft can do just that, which would be a big deal. It would connect consoles into people's online interaction, keeping them online in these networks more often.
From a pure gamer's standpoint, these features don't mean much though. But I certainly welcome the additional features!
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:35PM
For the sake of my sanity I hope he's wrong again. I can't stand all this garbage that started with Myspace and has now spilled over into Facebook and Twitter (the most pointless invention ever).
Mr Khan @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:32PM
heh, we actually agree on something. Twitter is the definition of asinine.
slyst @ Jun 24th 2009 3:07AM
I bet some people in Iran would beg to differ.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 24th 2009 9:27AM
Twitter's not doing anything for Iran other than letting our annoying media know what's going on so they can spend 24/7 talking about it and saying "why isn't obama doing anything". Then when they inevitably force him to do something, they will say "Why is he involving us in another middle eastern crisis?".
In our video game community, Twitter's being used solely to announce incoming announcements of announcements, and I fucking hate when developers do that more than anything else in this industry.
In regular people's lives, Twitter's being used so people can let everyone know the shocking and riveting things they do in their life like "Just woke up, making toast now" and "Had to stay home today, sick with explosive diahreah"
So I stand by my original statement of "Twitter is the most pointless thing ever invented"
DRock067 @ Jun 24th 2009 10:04AM
....but youre using the comment feature on Joystiq. You even took time to make a profile and user name.
Anthony S @ Jun 25th 2009 12:30PM
Was this comment really posted by someone who has close to 5000 comments/opinions/updates on Joystiq alone? Not to make enemies here, but I think that is a little ironic.
vidGuy @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:37PM
For being the most important features, I had only heard about 1/3 of them. Weird...
Christ-ian @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:38PM
How about they add a goddamn web browser, then talk.
Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:40PM
How about no, I can't even run Joystiq on my PS3 browser. I can only scroll half way down. It sucks.
Sly @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:25PM
at least you can get to joystiq. that's more than the 360 can say. the 360 needs a browser before all else.
leo @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:35PM
Im replying to the guy saying he cant see joystiq half way, your a liar, I can see every website peffectly, the ps3 support flash player 7, you can go on any site and its perfectly viewable
el serpiente @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:53PM
Yeah, joystiq loads great. Quit lying leobabies. So does twitter, facebook, hulu and most anything else.
AOL called, it wants MS to pay them a licensing fee for their "walled garden".
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:40PM
I actually had to switch my home page on the ps3 browser to kotaku because everytime it loaded joystiq it crashed the browser forcing me to restart the whole system. Maybe it's been fixed after some firmware updates though.
Metal Gear!? @ Jun 24th 2009 3:10PM
I have problems with 'stiq on my PS3. The only way is to deny the plug in. If I allow it to run, it freezes my browser and I have to reset my console.
ArchiGamer @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:38PM
Why does the 360 need this? Does anyone really want to go to their Facebook or Twiiter account on their console? Isn't that kind of contradictory to the function of a console?
ExMcCloud @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:42PM
Yes in some ways BUT it does add to the social aspect of Xbox live which is always a good thing....Because we can all agree that the best part of Xbox Live is the social aspect....What would be really impressive is if FB, and Twitter added some type of voice chat so FB users can join Xbox live conference chat or something like that
ArchiGamer @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:57PM
But the point of Xbox Live as a social area, is the main focus is in the games that utilize Live as the main aspect of socializing with other people. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, XBL and PSN enable us to do something they don't do: talk. Its way better to hear a friend to read their posts. Its just contradictory to add FB and Twitter when the point of XBL is to expand communication with other people.
Tyler @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:19PM
I agree completely with this Archi guy. Well put.
Bubbameister33 @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:21PM
Resistance is futile.
Dirk Dorkelson @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:03PM
I don't know, Archi. There are plenty of folks I am "friends" with on Facebook, and Xbox Live, for that matter, that I'd rather not hear talk at all. I'm content to read posts. Good friends? Yes, it's better to hear them. People I went to high school with 15 years ago and haven't seen since? Not so much. But I wouldn't mind seeing what they're up to on XBL.
kevin @ Jun 24th 2009 12:11PM
so was using your console as a dvd player ,but you ve come to accept that as normal .as you will with being able to go to fb or twit.
Haohmaru (PSN - DimmuBurgerKing XBL - A Real Puppet ) @ Jun 24th 2009 8:33AM
The NXE Facebook interface intrigues me because of the ability to easily take in-game screenshots and post them to the net, which they showed at the expo. Beyond that, I don't think I'll use it very much either.
DRock067 @ Jun 24th 2009 10:04AM
i think the point of adding these functions to xbox live is to be able to send out invites to people you know on facebook. not everybody offers up their XBox live gamertag as a way to get ahold of them.
send out a invite on facebook, "nasty call of duty action going down, hit the gamertag up"
BFBeast666 @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:40PM
I use my 360 for gaming (and to watch the occasional DVD). I really couldn't care less about twitter and last.fm.
Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:41PM
Twitter is pointless, however having LAST.FM is pretty neat and it would be neater if you could actually listen to a station in-game through the dashboard.
AvA (ice~) @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:58PM
Yea I just recently used Last.fm and it's really cool! now I'm pretty excited for it, it's a welcome feature :] (unlike twitter, which i hate)
KaptainK @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:44PM
too bad i can already get on twitter using my wii and ps3 web browsers, and i can even use a usb keyboard!
Syncognition @ Jun 24th 2009 7:22AM
You're doing it wrong then. You can use a USB keyboard and mouse with the PS3, and you can use a USB keyboard with the Wii.
Jez @ Jun 24th 2009 9:51AM
@ Syncognition
Emmm yeah that's what he said
Cj @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:41PM
Hopefully they add a damn apps "bar" The Media party, Netflix, Twitter, Facebook ext all need their own little section.
B3astofthe3ast @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:43PM
But...the PS3 has a web browser, and you can run full blown linux on it, I don't see how this makes the 360 more relevant at all.
ExMcCloud @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:46PM
So what % of Ps3 owners are installing Linux on their machine seriously? what 5% maybe less.........Consumers are afraid of touching their systems they just want instant gratification....lol
Misfit Toy @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:55PM
The world of PS3 is generally more cumbersome...meaning that only technically minded people can figure out how to navigate around everywhere. And, in general, I believe that is mostly whom own a PS3. That and people who, at the time, wanted a cheap Blu-ray player.
But what Microsoft is trying to do is 'simplify' the interface. You're not getting on the web, then getting on to Twitter. Twitter is an app right on the dashboard. Much simpler than a Linux-box. To me the whole Linux thing just seems like some stupid "we're not Microsoft so there's no Windows" statement.
Kevin949 @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:58PM
Is that another game I'm required to install before playing on the PS3?
But seriously, I know what linux is.
B3astofthe3ast @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:33PM
Actually, The whole linux thing is because PS3 uses a PPC based CPU, so only linux will run on it. And its not very hard to install linux on the PS3, but I personally have no use for it.
fadeoutagain2784 @ Jun 24th 2009 7:46AM
Misfit Toy:
I don't really get your point... from my perspective the PS3 world isn't anymore "cumbersome" than that of X360. Do you really think it's difficult to navigate the XrossMediaBar? I seriously can't agree with you there. Sure, if you're a Linux nerd you can go a step further and install a full-fledged OS... but that's not why I bought a PS3. I bought it for gaming first and foremost. And honestly, I can use my laptop for Last.fm and Facebook (and Twitter is completely pointless), so this is far from a selling point for the X360 if you ask me.
Squirtforce @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:00PM
I had full blown linux but the penicillin cleared it up. Wear your rubbers, kids.