Tons of news today out of Microsoft’s E3 keynote… The two primary themes revolve around enhanced social connectivity and expanded methods of physical interaction (Project Natal motion control, Tony Hawk skateboard controller) being deployed to Xbox 360 consoles over the next few months.
In addition to a rebranded and upgraded “Zune” video marketplace with instant 1080p streaming (see ya, Vudu?), the Netflix blade will soon allow for PC-free content browsing. There’s also a Last.FM blade on tap (which may or may not sell you out to the RIAA). And then we have the requisite Facebook and Twitter apps on tap, joining existing avatars, groups, and messaging.
Of course, the Xbox is also a powerful gaming platform. Select full game titles will optionally be available for download… perhaps speeding the demise of physical media should our broadband caps allow it. The Daleisphere has a rundown of Microsoft’s exclusive titles expected later this year. Of today’s game previews, I’m most eagerly awaiting (the non-exclusive) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 scheduled to arrive in November.
Click to enlarge these pics swiped from Gizmodo:
