Microsoft loads Xbox 360 with Instant Messaging

Microsoft’s mission has always been to provide top-tier technology, deliver great software and reliable services, on Monday has announced the launch of Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360, as part of its efforts to make Windows ubiquitous.

With the launch of Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360, Microsoft has apparently tried to bring instant messaging from the computer to the television, providing Xbox 360 owners worldwide with access to Windows Live Messenger features, broadening the communication options on the Xbox LIVE social network.

This update to Xbox 360 will connect the worlds of Windows and Xbox 360 by connecting people using Microsoft Windows-based PCs and Windows Mobile-powered devices with those using company’s Xbox 360 consoles.

"The big news we are integrating instant messaging to live," said John Rodman, Senior Product Manager for Xbox LIVE and Xbox 360. "You can instant messenger to the Xbox from anywhere in the messenger family."

After announcing the HDMI-enabled Xbox 360 Elite game console and new HD content offerings on Xbox LIVE, the Redmond-based company now promises users the ability to easily connect and chat directly from their television using Windows Live Messenger.

The new feature that Rodman said would be free to Silver and Gold users will allow users to have six instant message conversations going at once, each with multiple contacts. The message boxes will pop-up in an opaque box similar to the standard game messaging that already is treated on the console.

The software giant will expand its Windows Live Messenger service, with more than 20 billion relationships and more than 260 million active accounts, to the Xbox 360 through a software update, called Xbox Live Spring Update, an online download, early next month.

"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," said Jerry Johnson, product unit manager of Xbox LIVE at Microsoft.

"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 simultaneously communicating with one another through video, voice and text chat. With this announcement we are simultaneously expanding the access of Xbox LIVE users to existing friends and family while introducing Windows Live Messenger users to the benefits of Xbox 360," Johnson added.

Although the instant messaging will support the virtual keyboard and USB keyboards, Microsoft is planning to add a small sized QWERTY-style keyboard featuring 47 keys to its popular gaming console controller. This attachment can be snapped onto the bottom of the controller through the headset jack for thumb typing.

Using keyboard, gamer will be able to view and send messages through a small on-screen overlay, without switching away from a game.

The company has not yet revealed any names or the price of the QWERTY text-input device that would likely be released in summer. the Xbox 360 Spring Update will become available May 7, 2007.