Ben Smith, director of program management for Xbox Live, has befuddled us by stating that the Xbox's "Netflix lite" approach is to give a more "video rental store" experience to customers. Speaking with MTV's Multiplayer, the executive also said, "I think when people come to Xbox they're not really looking so much for functional, they really want to have fun, they want to be wowed."
Please, stop. And consider us "wowed" by that quote! Netflix has built an empire by avoiding almost every horrible aspect of the "video rental store" experience. As visually pleasing as a wall of pretty boxes is at the local rental mega-chain, Netflix's ever-growing dominance in the space gives credence to the notion that people don't mind (maybe, even enjoy) the ability to search through thousands of movies quickly and efficiently. If Microsoft wants us to have "fun" and "be wowed," it'd be by giving us the ability to search for a movie on our Xbox 360 and (if available for streaming) play it directly from there. The Xbox 360 has built its marketing and brand around the "core" gamer audience, the folks who likely aren't scared or confused by something as basic as a "search" function.
Reader Comments (65)
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:35PM ArchiGamer said
Wow, that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard....
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:45PM PlatinumSkeet said
I can see what the guys getting at. He should've said going to rent the movie but without going to the store. Honestly without having to use the computer at all it's more like seeing the movie cases reading the back of them and finding something the family can agree on...
It's a lot more fun than having 1 or 2 people cowering over a computer and reading it off to a group of people. Plus it's kinda like a game when you get the avatars involved because say what you want about the instant queue. It's not as serious as it can be until new releases come out at the same time they come to rental or DVD. Right now it's just more of a chat device where everyone gets together and talks while they watch the same thing...
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It's a lot more fun than having 1 or 2 people cowering over a computer and reading it off to a group of people. Plus it's kinda like a game when you get the avatars involved because say what you want about the instant queue. It's not as serious as it can be until new releases come out at the same time they come to rental or DVD. Right now it's just more of a chat device where everyone gets together and talks while they watch the same thing...
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:37PM flit said
Not really.
For movies you really want to see, you have them in your instant queue already. You don't need a search function. Most people are closer to a computer than they are a console, so if you want to add an instant movie to watch later, the computer will serve you better.
Browsing like a Rental store is a better "on the fly" method, I think.
Also, have you ever tried to search Netflix for a Instant watch movie you REALLY want to see? 9/10 times you'll be disappointed, but that's not saying all instant watch movies are bad. They just aren't the kind of movies you'd usually want to search for anyway.
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For movies you really want to see, you have them in your instant queue already. You don't need a search function. Most people are closer to a computer than they are a console, so if you want to add an instant movie to watch later, the computer will serve you better.
Browsing like a Rental store is a better "on the fly" method, I think.
Also, have you ever tried to search Netflix for a Instant watch movie you REALLY want to see? 9/10 times you'll be disappointed, but that's not saying all instant watch movies are bad. They just aren't the kind of movies you'd usually want to search for anyway.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 9:37PM Tiptup300 said
That's one thing I fucking HATE about the NXE. The marketplace and everything wasn't setup very well if you're looking for a specific thing. It's just TERRIBLE, that's all there is to it. They need to slightly modify how the actual NXE works to enable search in a way that's intuitive and effective.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:39PM (Unverified) said
I'm using the update and I like what they did with it. Although there isn't a search as in typing in a specific title there is a much broader range of movies that you can start without queuing it up...right from the dashboard.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:40PM (Unverified) said
Thank you for this post. Netflix really needs to step in on this one and take control of how their content is displayed on the Xbox. C'mon Xbox, just give me a Genre, Date Added or any type of sorting function. Hell, I'd be happy just being able to separate Movies from Documentaries from TV Shows.
Do something Microsoft!
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Do something Microsoft!
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:47PM (Unverified) said
Your thanking for a post that isn't correct? How does that work? I can see reporting what the dude said but at the least they should point out what the update addresses.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:50PM (Unverified) said
They have in the new Xbox Update, I got in the preview program and the genre browsing they added to Netflix is the thing I'm enjoying most of the new experience.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:49PM PlatinumSkeet said
First Netflix needs to either give us Hulu or consistent new movies to watch on the instant queue before Microsoft has to address anything IMO...
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:13PM tangocat said
Netflix's content is displayed the same way as on their website as far as I've seen in the beta (if you're not in the beta and don't have Netflix, you should check it out). The only difference is that you can't search.
I don't see why the line that begins "As visually pleasing as a wall of pretty boxes.." is even there when you consider Netflix's front page scrolling method when you login -- which is what Xbox Live is now doing.
I'd say the quote is just out of context, or really poorly worded.
At least now you don't have to go back and forth to your PC/Mobile to add things to your queue list.
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I don't see why the line that begins "As visually pleasing as a wall of pretty boxes.." is even there when you consider Netflix's front page scrolling method when you login -- which is what Xbox Live is now doing.
I'd say the quote is just out of context, or really poorly worded.
At least now you don't have to go back and forth to your PC/Mobile to add things to your queue list.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:14PM ytilanigiroon said
I'm with Skeet on this; and I'd really like to see every movie available on Blu-Ray to be streamed in HD. This picking-and-choosing which movies are available in HD is recockulous. If money is your reasoning (meaning that the streaming of Netflix HD titles would be undercutting available HD titles in the Video Marketplace) then just say so.
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Posted: Aug 5th 2009 10:12AM (Unverified) said
I think almost everything you just mentioned is in the update.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:42PM (Unverified) said
This article is a little disingenuous because it doesn't tell you that the update everyone else will be getting on Monday; allows you to do just that. Not to mention the party feature is really cool. Watching your movies with your friends ala Mystery Science Theater is cool. You can even rate the movies as well, right from your dashboard.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:46PM MystileArmor said
It doesn't allow you to do that. You can't search for movies in it. Just browse through various lists. And you don't get the full selection of what's available.
I want to be able to look through everything and when I pick something, see the various movies that are similar to it.
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I want to be able to look through everything and when I pick something, see the various movies that are similar to it.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:52PM (Unverified) said
Point taken. As I stated, it isn't a total search ability like it is on the actual site this is true. However, to say that it isn't vastly improved or as in the case of this article, not to mention it at all is disingenuous.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:02PM arkweld said
those movies the NXE shows at the top are the best of a very weak crop. You could add search and start typing but the fact is if the movie isn't available on Starz you won't find it. Which means a lot of movies are not available to stream.
You would just be wasting time search typing when you could scroll through the entire lineup of decent flicks in a minute. After that you are in territory that you wouldn't even think to search for like "Blood Fury 27: Attack of the Zombie Bananas"
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You would just be wasting time search typing when you could scroll through the entire lineup of decent flicks in a minute. After that you are in territory that you wouldn't even think to search for like "Blood Fury 27: Attack of the Zombie Bananas"
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:13PM incendious said
Mystery Science Theater is only interesting because the comments are more entertaining than the actual movie. When I'm watching a movie I'm really interested in, the last thing I want to see are the backs of Avatar heads moving around and voices of friends watching the same movie, especially when they talk at inopportune moments, like during an important twist in a movie.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 7:45PM (Unverified) said
That's the reason I pointed out Mystery Science in the first place. By and large most of the movies available for stream aren't ones you'd normally want to see. This would allow you reminisce in what made MS fun to begin with.
And as far as talking during key moments of the film, why is that an issue? First the avatars emote during the movie, not talk. Second, if it's your friends that your worried about taking during the movie just mute them.
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And as far as talking during key moments of the film, why is that an issue? First the avatars emote during the movie, not talk. Second, if it's your friends that your worried about taking during the movie just mute them.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:51PM butaneko said
Cover flow in iTunes is a crappy novelty I'm pretty sure no one uses after the first day. It kind of blows me away that Microsoft decided to make it the core of their 360 experience. Did it test through the roof with 45-60 yr old women or something? It sucks as a way to navigate menus.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:54PM (Unverified) said
I'm previewing the Update I like it a lot so far...the menus seem WAY quicker, and that is a big plus for me. I had netflix before and cancelled...then restarted it when i got the update...it's MUCH MUCH better now and I think I'll keep it now...you can update your view list straight from the xbox rather than going to a computer, it's SEEMS more steady and reliable, I love the party watch idea...that seems awesome to me. One thing I don't know why they haven't done (this isn't specifically Netflix), is why can't you make a "playlist" of downloaded videos from the marketplace or whatever...that way you can just download a whole series, and let them run back to back....or just jumble random shows together...I don't know, maybe that's just me. I'm also a big fan if the unlockable avatar awards...that's awesome.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 4:57PM (Unverified) said
I haven't gotten any of the avatar awards, have you? if so, how and for what games?
I agree with you on your statements, most noticeable is the speed of everything. For example when you look at your friends avatars, they load in only a fraction of the previous time.
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I agree with you on your statements, most noticeable is the speed of everything. For example when you look at your friends avatars, they load in only a fraction of the previous time.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 6:45PM (Unverified) said
I think what he means by taking us back to the rental store is being able to go into the interface not knowing which movie you want to watch.
Personally I've never had any problems w/ the netflix functionality, but I'm extremely organized, and already have my queue sorted before I turn on my xbox.
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Personally I've never had any problems w/ the netflix functionality, but I'm extremely organized, and already have my queue sorted before I turn on my xbox.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:13PM spin cycle said
I think I see where he is coming from. Browsing emphasizes the titles they have, whereas searching merely underscore the titles they don't have (most of them). If I were a marketeer I might think the same way.
But thankfully I'm not a marketeer. I want function first, and that includes a good selection of titles. Right now Netflix streaming isn't very valuable to me because only one of the top 16 items in my queue is available to stream.
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But thankfully I'm not a marketeer. I want function first, and that includes a good selection of titles. Right now Netflix streaming isn't very valuable to me because only one of the top 16 items in my queue is available to stream.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:16PM RobAccomando said
take away the requirement of having to have a Gold Membership to be able to use the service and I'll be wowed.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:25PM MrMichael said
Yes it is good to be able to finally browse, but you are limited in what you see. You can actually reach the end of the browse lists which I know are not everything that Netflix has available to stream. Also the Netflix streaming servers are still crap. They either need more of them or need to spread them around the country better. A 20mb internet connection should never step down when streaming an HD movie.
Overall this new dashboard update is nothing but fluff. I haven't seen anything in it yet which is remotely interesting. Now if MS came out and said their direct download of 360 games is available as game rentals then that would be something but nope. Nothing but fluff.
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Overall this new dashboard update is nothing but fluff. I haven't seen anything in it yet which is remotely interesting. Now if MS came out and said their direct download of 360 games is available as game rentals then that would be something but nope. Nothing but fluff.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:38PM meatee said
The addition of a few categories on the NXE update is nice, but I'd like to actually be able to CHOOSE what categories show up, instead of it picking for me. So, yes, Microsoft we want function!! I'd take just the plain website with all its functionality on the 360 over Cover Flow any day.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:45PM (Unverified) said
The 360 isn't like a brick and mortar experience. It is different browsing from NetFlix.com OR a video store. At least in both of these environments a person can A) search or B) browse titles in alphabetical order.
The Netflix in the 360's interface looks like the titles are just thrown in randomly. No order whatsoever.
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The Netflix in the 360's interface looks like the titles are just thrown in randomly. No order whatsoever.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:48PM ElementalFiend said
I read this and all I see is whine whine whine.
Blame the fallbacks of Netflix on Netflix, not Microsoft.
The latest dashboard updates have been focused heavily on streamlining the whole experience. The coming update looks to reduce button presses on many screens and speed up the dashboard as a whole. Despite what the executive says, I don't think anyone would agree that the previous dashboard and guide was more efficient than the current one.
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Blame the fallbacks of Netflix on Netflix, not Microsoft.
The latest dashboard updates have been focused heavily on streamlining the whole experience. The coming update looks to reduce button presses on many screens and speed up the dashboard as a whole. Despite what the executive says, I don't think anyone would agree that the previous dashboard and guide was more efficient than the current one.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 9:57PM (Unverified) said
You saw it here. Straight from the horse's mouth.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:55PM edgore said
This reminds me of all the marketing dopes back in the 90's that thought VRML was going to lead to a bold new world of 3D internet storefronts where you could browse through aisles of products *just like in the real world*!
At this point I could also insert a comment about waiting in line in Home to play a virtual bowling game, but that would be poor form.
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At this point I could also insert a comment about waiting in line in Home to play a virtual bowling game, but that would be poor form.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 5:58PM Starcade said
I think a search would make sense if all movies were available to watch instantly, but since it's just subset of all available movies, I can see why you're simply browsing through what is currently available.
I suspect that Netflix interface will continue to evolve over time.
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I suspect that Netflix interface will continue to evolve over time.
Posted: Aug 4th 2009 6:24PM ALittleWeeny said
The streaming itself has improved GREATLY with the new update. I have about a 3 MB connection and I would get that "Internet connection has slowed" quite often and now I never get it. If it ever changes quality it does it right when you are watching the video and it has a very brief pause or no pause at all. It also shows the bars you are getting in the info pane. Before I would usually get 1 or 2 bars and now I always get 3 bars. It even switches to HD sometimes (usually at the end of a TV episode).
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 6:26PM andysexton said
Excuse for dumbing down the interface. Plus, it probably means less development for them vs building a 10 ft interface for search and queue management. Which arguably would be hard to do to make something as usable as you'd have on the PC, especially when most people use the controller.
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Posted: Aug 4th 2009 6:26PM ai3rocks57 said
Netflix is by far my favorite function of the NXE. The ability to browse the catalogue is awesome even though we can't search. But it'll come eventually, we have to walk before we run...
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http://tiny.cc/yzUel
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http://tiny.cc/yzUel
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