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Xbox 360 Twitter and Facebook only available to Gold users photo

Looking forward to being able to check your Facebook and Twitter from the comfort of your couch on an Xbox 360? Better cough up those credit card numbers. Hidden away in the press release announcing the most recent changes to pricing for the Xbox 360 Elite console is confirmation that the Twitter and Facebook applications coming to the Live platform in the fall update will require Gold membership. The information is tucked in a footnote, which reads:

Xbox LIVE Gold Membership will be required for Twitter and Facebook when they are available, and is required for Netflix. Games, media content and Netflix membership are sold separately; a hard drive is required for storage.

By now, it should probably come as no surprise that the features are only available to paying members. Expecting Microsoft to give you something you might actually want for free is on the level of believing in the Tooth Fairy. If you wanted to find a bright spot in it, at least they didn't give the feature to everyone only to lock it up for paying customers a few months later. It's nice to see them adding value to the Gold subscription instead of simply taking it away from Silver users as they've done in the past.


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74 comments | showing # 1 to 50

Pic0o's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:06
Pic0o
Color me shocked.

:p
Kif 's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:07
Kif
I think I'll stick to Tweetie/Twitterfox. Not being able to tweet from the guide button is a huge letdown really.
Tralfmadoria's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:07
Tralfmadoria
Let's see...I could throw a bunch of money at Mircrosoft for these features, or I could walk a whole 5 steps from my 360 to my computer and access Twitter and Facebook for free. Great move, Microsoft. This totally doesn't make you look like greedy bastards...
xenon's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:13
xenon
How exactly do you determine whether a feature is taken away from Silver members or given to the Gold ones? Personally, I believe everything but pure online gaming is something taken away from the Silvers rather than added value for the Golds. Restricting the ability to use a paid service like Netflix certainly is shameful. Timed demo exclusives (considering that demos are also, albeit not only, a marketing tool) also suck.
Nic128's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:14
Nic128
What Tralfmadoria said.
covah's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:15
covah
Sure, why not?
Takeshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:16
Takeshi
They just keep on going don't they?
Sexualchocolate's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:21
Sexualchocolate
Bahahahaha - fuck me Microsoft are funny.

Pay to use Facebook? - or you could just type (on that USB/Bluetooth) keyboard "www.facebook.com" into your PS3's browser!
Crunshii's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:27
Crunshii
oh my we are on a roll today! w00t! I get to pay Microsoft for free access!!! WHAT A DEAL BREAKER!!! excuse me how I rush to the nearest store that sells the #1 bricking console in the world!

Truly sad... truly... sad... I pity anyone with a xbox.
Marioland's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:28
Marioland
What Xenon said and... you can add the browsing addon to your Win XP/Vista Media Center PC and navigate facebook and twitter right from your Xbox360's media center extender. Stupid MS is stupid unless they plan to make it free for everyone sometime in the future.
casualweaponry's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:36
casualweaponry
Or I can always just use my cellphone. Microsoft is a little naive If they think Twitter/Facebook integration will turn Silver members into Gold.
atastysammich's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:37
atastysammich
Man, I'd pay to not have those things.
koehler83's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:39
koehler83
Paying for things that are free everywhere else. Jump in!
that1dude24's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:43
that1dude24
I couldn't care less. Really.

I have my 360 hooked up to my monitor. It will literally take me a second to switch to my computer.

Sad thing is, I'm sure this will convert at least a few members.
SolidCake's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:43
SolidCake
@Sexualchocolate
I love my PS3 but the browser is fucking fail. You need to come up with better points. Or just remain silent.

What am I saying? You're an obvious trolling fanboy. Fake laughter and the use of "fuck me Microsoft are funny". Couldn't be more obvious

Also Microsoft IS funny. Microsoft's employees ARE funny. It's one company.
Zantetsuken's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:48
Zantetsuken
I could pay for the access...

Or I could just have my laptop on the couch with me.

gg MS
Hammersmith's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:50
Hammersmith
I dont' think this will matter that much. They added MSN to 360 and I turned that off after a couple days because I didn't want people harassing me while I was trying to play games.
Sexualchocolate's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 08:51
Sexualchocolate
@Solid Cake - Sure the Ps3's browser is no firefox - but it's a SHITLOAD better than the 360's browser! - perfectly usable for facebook / email / blogs / even streaming tv shows!

I'm not trying to hide that i'm a "trolling Fanboy" - I'm male (bit older than a "boy" but i'll let that slide) I'm a FAN of the Playstation 3 and apparently speaking your mind on fucking internet forums makes you a "troll".

So uh, yeah in your opinion i'm a "trolling fanboy" AKA someone with a an opinion who likes to put his argument across despite other people not agreeing.

Fanboy and troll are fucking lame insults, they mean nothing. Dickhead.

The point is, on a PC / PS3 / MOBILE FUCKING PHONE can veiw facebook and twitter for free, but a 360 (the best value console around, apparently) makes you pay.

It's laughable, hence the "MS make me laugh" - more to the point, anyone who has bought more than 1 360 makes me laugh - EPIC FAIL right there.
PhazonYoshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 09:00
PhazonYoshi
but... both services are free. And have extensive, open, free APIs. Microsoft want you to pay for what, exactly? The front-end?

What am I saying, this is the company who's managed to get people happy about being able to get rid of their moon dollars by buying avatar clothing. There's either some hypnosis going on here, or they're marketing geniuses.
SolidCake's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 09:06
SolidCake
"Fanboy and troll are fucking lame insults, they mean nothing. Dickhead."

What did you say about being older than a "boy"? Calling somebody a dickhead on the internet is really mature. Great reply dude. Hats off...

Although I think it's bullshit what Microsoft is doing they haven't raised the price on a Gold Account. Technically more features for the same amount of money.
natetehgreat's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 09:08
natetehgreat
Wow, charging for access to free social networks?

I could MAYBE understand this if it were a one time fee and if my 360 had no ads in the Dashboard...but they're charging $50 annually and sticking ads in my dashboard! >.<
Skrilla's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 09:13
Skrilla
"Microsoft is a little naive If they think Twitter/Facebook integration will turn Silver members into Gold."

I would imagine that more people will become Gold members for the integration than will drop their Gold subscription because the Silver's don't have it. Win for Microsoft.

Sure, you can go grab your PC/Mac to use Twitter and Facebook. If that suits your fancy, by all means, do it. If you would like to reap benefits from the work that Microsoft is putting in on their service, expect to pay for it. If you don't want to, then don't pay for it. Ah, I love the smell of capitalism in the morning.

No wonder Americans have been embracing socialistic change in government. You all want everything for free. I suppose when Twitter finds a way to monetize it's service (that's right, they are a huge sinking hole of cash as we speak) there will be crying and gnashing of teeth in the tone of "I'll never use Twitter again if I have to pay for it/look at ads/etc."
Frohike's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 09:35
Frohike
Nope, still not sold. Try harder, MS.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 09:42
Cowboy TTop
Frankly, this is no surprise. The alternative is to use them for free on your laptop or PC. If you don't want it, don't bother with it.

You want the real deal, just get the gold account and stop painting it as being some almighty evil. Like I said, you get what you pay for. think about it, these services still have to use bandwidth that gold members pay all for to maintain. The more gold members there are, the better and swifter the service can be for everyone, for servers etc.

Remember, these servers are hosting, gaming, streaming movies and soon podcasts and music, without any lag or cuts. The cost of a gold account is worth it, and I feel i get more overall value, than someone who plays WoW or has PSN.
casualweaponry's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 09:51
casualweaponry
@skrilla
wow, maybe MS should make a dictionary available on the 360, so that you can truly know the definition and proper context of the word socialism.

And if Twitter/Facebook wanted to make money, they should have charged a fee from the get-go. Why in the world would I pay for someone's useless drivel on their choice of breakfast pastry?

And using these things on the 360 is a pain, since I can't even plug in a keyboard to type. Controller typing = FAIL. I'm an MS fanboy, still on my launch 360 (knock on wood), will gladly pay for Last.FM intergration (whoooo!), but FB/T integration on the 360 is a little too clumsy to expect people to pay for.
MrAhh's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 09:53
MrAhh
Cowboy TTop where are the ads on the PSN? and the last time i checked when i select Warzone and press X on my controller i wait about 15 secs, select join game, and then something really strange happens. I find myself playing against wait for it..... other people. AND LETS FACE IT that's the real reason for LIVE right? or were you pre paying for all these services?
Crunshii's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 10:09
Crunshii
@Cowboy TTop

idk what you mean there cuz I have had more than excellent connection on PSN, 0 online lag on ALL of my games and movies.

+ No Ads whatsoever
+ Saved 50$ per year (thats 50$ x 3 = $150p/y since owned a PS3)
+ Great experience and great pron... from browser, USB HDD, Bluraiis!

oh yea... I can even access Destructoid/Facebook/Twitter/Playboy/Hulu/Netflix/ANYTHING for free... Don't believe me? check it out:

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/how-to-stream-netflix-movies-to-your-playstation-3/
Char Aznable's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 10:10
Char Aznable
Anyone that uses Twitter on their Xbox is being removed from my friends list.
Skrilla's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 10:27
Skrilla
@casualweaponry
If you're unable to see the connection between socialistic ideas and getting things for "free" all by yourself, there would be no point in me attempting to explain it to you.

My only point was that a fundamental tenant of capitalism is that if you offer a service for a price, either your current and potential customers purchase the service because they think it is worth the cost, or they don't.

QQing about how Microsoft is the devil because they are adding value to a monetized service instead of giving away the service for everyone to enjoy is a bit juvenile.
CloneTrooper's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 10:31
CloneTrooper
I pay 80 bucks a year to play games with my mates...

I dont pay to use shit like Facebook or Twitter, but hey since I'm Gold and I'll get to use these features, might as well make use of it...

...even though my 360 is hooked up to the monitor that is 5cm away from the monitor that is hooked up to my PC.

Im lazy ;p
Elsa's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 10:32
Elsa
Actually, this is the type of service that should be only available to gold members.. it's an "extra". Online play is no longer an "extra" it's a basic to playing games and should be free.
kelvinc's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 10:56
kelvinc
Though I doubt this actually affects a lot of people, I'm not really surprised at MS's ham-fisted way of dealing with Facebook. MS has a $240m equity stake in FB but the MS WinMo FB app is a dud compared with the iPhone or Pre apps, and if your browser is incompatible with FB Chat (wonky issues with Chrome a few days ago), FB will recommend you to download Firefox, not IE7.
ObjectiveBelow's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 10:57
ObjectiveBelow
Don't Want.
Emrah's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 11:02
Emrah
I am sure this won't turn silvers into golds, but it adds to the overall value of gold membership. This is not to turn silver accounts into gold accounts, but it's one of the small incentives, and serves to make gold account users feel better about their investment. People who are interested in online activities should already have a gold membership, right?

(Xbox silver does not have online play, right? I am a happy ps3 user btw..)
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 11:06
Cowboy TTop
I personally have no intention of bothering with Facebook and Twitter on my 360, whereas Last FM is a real bonus. Now I'll can get my Giant Bomb podcasts without going through my PC.
SolidCake's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 11:07
SolidCake
Char Aznable wins in my book.
Mockingbird's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 11:07
Mockingbird
Did anyone honestly think his would be available to Silver members?
Crunshii's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 11:33
Crunshii
Of course not Mockingbird! Microsoft giving a free service for free, ludicrous!
Gnome Enthusiast's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 11:54
Gnome Enthusiast
Twitter is for fuckheads
Soulwax's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 12:04
Soulwax
It seems to me that Microsoft is struggling to find things in order to justify the cost of live and instead of giving us all features that compliment the gaming experience they've decided to punish silver members.
Shirley Temple's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 12:14
Shirley Temple
Oh, yay. They try to justify the cost of LIVE by adding more features that you can get free anywhere else. That includes the PS3.
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 12:27
brainderailment
Why isn't this captain obvious?
Arch649's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 12:33
Arch649
I honestly don't see what the big deal is.

No one in their right mind would ever get a gold membership solely for Twitter or Facebook. But Those who do have gold, getting access to Twitter and Facebook from their Xbox is just a cool bonus.
Lebowski26's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 13:00
Lebowski26
Twitter blows anyways.

Next!
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 13:17
Holyetheline
Elsa just brought up a great point. We pay for our fucking internet so why pay for a gold subscription so I can play online in a world where online multiplayer is so normal... it's useless.
aerofan11's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 14:00
aerofan11
Who's cares about Twitter and Facebook on their console? My friend is eating cereal? Exciting! I want Last.FM, not the social network crap. Do you need gold for that? Even though I can use it on my computer for free.
Add Spotify premium to the 360, and then I'll be ok paying gold.

@Sexualchocolate. You're not really a "man" if you're calling people on the internet "dickhead". Stop being a douche and try to be a better troll.
swiftj's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 14:02
swiftj
@Arch649 : Well said.
fetusmilk's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 14:46
fetusmilk
another reason why ps3 is better. it already has a web browser, can do face book , and who cares about twitter anyway.
Pyroph's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 15:44
Pyroph
Uh, duh? If you didn't pay for Gold why would you want to use twitter on it?
Dan CiTi's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/27/2009 15:57
Dan CiTi
The more I look at, the dumber that way to twitter looks.
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