Anyone thinking that the recently announced partnership between Microsoft and British Telecom would yield a new, interesting way to use the Xbox 360 might be a bit disappointed.

The new Xbox 360 service will launch this summer, and will only be available to BT Broadband subscribers. The service will feature access to on-demand movies, "near-live" sporting events, and "other content." What it won't do is record live TV, a feature that will be found in PlayTV, the personal recorder service being launched in Europe for the PlayStation 3

That said, Microsoft has contacted Eurogamer in an effort to clarify the situation stating that the "Xbox 360 is able to offer the complete Microsoft mediaroom experience, including both live TV and VOD, when delivered over an Internet Protocol network." Additionally, "customers can transfer live television content to their Xbox 360 that they have captured on their set top box."

So in other words, the new service is essentially an enhanced Video Marketplace service, right? Maybe? Yes?