By and large the blogosphere doesn’t seem to have much of a long term memory if the excitement regarding Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Netflix streaming exclusivity language is any indication. A refresher: In addition to the “exclusive agreement” and “exclusive partnership” language found in Microsoft’s July, 2008 press release announcing Netflix streaming on the 360, it doesn’t get any clearer than this:
Xbox 360 will be the only game system that lets users instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix.
Of course, exclusivity deals aren’t necessarily perpetual (just ask AT&T). And we know Netflix has run a few customer surveys and a suggestive employment opportunity pointing towards possible PS3 and/or Wii support. But, for now, Microsoft obviously still has the gaming console space locked up. Which works for me.
Triggering this conversation, was the Xbox Live update that rolled out yesterday. I’ve reposted my video above, briefly running through the enhanced Netflix UI and avatar marketplace.
Okay let’s put it this way: xBox for gaming, theaters for watching movies. Netflix…hmmm, for next time. Pointblank. Simple :-) Life then is much easier.