Microsoft is claiming that around two million people have used their Facebook service within the first week. The service enables users to access Facebook through a special Xbox 360 themed interface. CNET is reporting that 10% of Xbox Live’s 20 millions members used the service, which is designed to bring social networking into the living room.
Never mind the fact that the interface is clunky and useless (and unless you have a keyboard, impossible to write on); who actually wants Facebook on their Xbox? I really can’t understand the attraction of having to sit in front of your TV to go on Facebook (although I don’t see the attraction of going on Facebook on any device).
Microsoft’s Neil Thompson told GamesIndustry.biz that “it’s just about giving people choice and giving them a slightly different experience.” A Twitter service was also launched, however no figures on its usage were released. Microsoft did note that there was “tweets from nearly every market where we have Xbox Live”, which basically means it hasn’t done very well. Microsoft seems pretty chuffed with 10% usage of Facebook, but I can’t see that figure rising much more, people will try it once, realise it’s shite and move on.
Try the services yourself and I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s pretty naff, but it seems that Microsoft is desperate to attract the more mainstream users to the Xbox and Facebook and Twitter seems to be their latest tactic. Of course not to be out done in the arms-race-of-useless-applications, Sony has added Facebook integration to the PlayStation 3 also.
It’s always nice to see companies pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on modern consoles; something we can do already that nobody actually wants.
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