Microsoft has sent out details about this spring’s Xbox 360 update, which will release on May 7. The spring update will have a truckload of features, but the one major thing that will be welcomed by Xbox 360 gamers is the instant messaging feature.
It will enable the Xbox 360 gamers to connect with more than 260 million Windows Live Messenger users on Xbox 360, Windows-based PCs and Windows Mobile-powered devices.
Xbox 360 gamers will be able to text chat with up to six people on their contact list at a time, while playing games, listening to music or watching movies. And if you are wondering how’s it going to be possible to text chat in a quick manner on the messenger, worry not! Microsoft will also launch the QWERTY text-input device, a new accessory that will connect directly into the Xbox 360 controller to support text and instant messaging.
The Spring Update for Xbox 360 includes the following features also:
Jerry Johnson, Product Unit Manager of Xbox LIVE, Microsoft says, “Bringing the largest IM community in the world, Windows Live Messenger, to Xbox 360 makes sense, as Xbox LIVE has really become the largest social network on television. For our growing community of 6 million on Xbox LIVE, using Xbox 360 is a very social, connected experience. They are using Xbox 360 to play games, music and movies while concurrently communicating with one another through video, voice and text chat. With this announcement we are at the same time expanding the access of Xbox LIVE users to existing friends and family while introducing Windows Live Messenger users to the benefits of Xbox 360.”
The Xbox 360 Spring update will be free and can be downloaded through Xbox LIVE or on Xbox.com. Microsoft will release the price details about the QWERTY text-input device some time later.
The instant messaging feature is one of the best features so far, to be added on the Xbox Live as more than 2 million text and voice messages a day are sent on the network. This and the QWERTY add-on device will be really useful for the Xbox 360 gamers!