XBOX 360 Dashboard Update To Feature 50 New Cable TV & Web Streaming Features

Microsoft has probably struck gold this time.Aimed directly @ Google TV,Microsoft has revealed that it has entered into an agreement with a huge list of media partners for the XBOX live which would enable the XBOX console to be a set-top box utility and also a super fast Broadband streaming/download platform,features not available with Google TV.Some big TV companies  appear in this elite list of 50 featuring Comcast & Verizon & the Web partners includes the likes of sites ranging from Youtube to HBO Go,Comcast Xfinity & Verizon's FIOS and many more.

 The Microsoft's dedicated partner list is shown below.As you can see some of them need full cable subscription while others don't.The biggest feature will be the Search menu running on Microsoft's Bing where you will be able to search for a particular show & Microsoft's app will find it for you.Kinect Users will have voice support as well.It is rumored that the entire XBOX is going to get a Windows-8 like face lift although it is yet to be made available:

Microsoft's Entertainment Partners:Based on country  & availability

·         ABC iView – Australia

·         AlloCiné – France, Germany, Spain, U.K.

·         Antena 3 – Spain

·         Astral Media’s Disney XD – Canada

·         AT&T** – U.S.

·         BBC – U.K.

·         blinkbox – U.K.

·         Bravo – U.S.

·         BSkyB** – U.K.

·         Canal+* – France, Spain

·         Channel 4 – U.K.

·         Channel 5 – U.K.

·         CinemaNow (Best Buy) – U.S.

·         Comcast – U.S.

·         Crackle – Australia, Canada, U.K., U.S.

·         Dailymotion – Available in 32 markets

·         EPIX – U.S.

·         ESPN** – U.S.

·         Facebook** – Available in all 35 Xbox LIVE markets

·         FOXTEL** – Australia

·         GolTV – Spain

·         HBO GO – U.S.

·         Hulu – Japan

·         Hulu Plus**– U.S.

·         iHeartRadio (Clear Channel) – U.S.

·         Last.fm**– U.K., U.S.

·         LOVEFiLM – Germany, U.K.

·         Manga Entertainment – U.S.

·         Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment/Real Sports – Canada

·         Mediaset – Italy

·         MSN with MSNBC.com – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, U.K.

·         MUZU.TV – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, U.K.

·         Netflix**– Canada, U.S.

·         Rogers On Demand – Canada

·         RTVE – Spain

·         SBS On Demand – Australia

·         Syfy – U.S.

·         Telefonica – Spain

·         Televisa – Mexico

·         “The Today Show” – U.S.

·         TELUS** – Canada

·         TMZ – U.S.

·         Twitter** – Available in all 35 Xbox LIVE markets

·         UFC – Canada, U.S.

·         Verizon – U.S.

·         VEVO – Canada, U.K., U.S.

·         VimpelCom** – Russia

·         Vodafone Portugal** – Portugal

·         YouTube – Available in 22 markets

·         ZDF – Germany

·         Zune**– Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., U.S.                                                                     The ones Highlighted are the  Internet streaming services.While it appears that more importance is given to Cable TV services which can be a bit expensive,but will definitely give the users a better experience.Its sad to note that Amazon's instant Video,Pandora & some other premier Internet streaming services cut out of the list,I am waiting for the day when HBO & ESPN wont charge me $ 100 a piece.