Xbox

Microsoft Doesn't Want the Xbox 360 to Go Wi-Fi

We'll stick to the WLAN adaptor for now

By Alexandru Stanescu, Editor, Gaming Reviews (Consoles)

25th of September 2007, 06:46 GMT

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It seems that Microsoft won't be delivering a Wi-Fi enabled Xbox 360 console too soon, in order to match the competition's similar offer. The Wii's got it, the PS3's got it... even the PSP's got it! However, an Xbox 360 owner

is forced to buy a wireless adaptor if he plans on using wireless connections. Now, when buying Microsoft's next-gen gaming device you'll receive an Ethernet cable and a 1 month subscription to the Xbox Live included in the package.

Microsoft probably knows that most of the average gamers don't care about the WLAN support of their consoles, mostly because many of them don't even know that their devices offer such a feature. It's easier to just plug in the Ethernet cable, go online and start downloading the latest Xbox Live demos. The problem with the inclusion of default Wi-Fi support is that the console's price will have to go up, which will be a marketing disaster for Microsoft.

�60 for an Xbox 360 wireless adaptor is a bit too much nowadays, when everybody's saving money, in order to buy Halo 3 or the upcoming October gaming hits. Wi-Fi seems perfect for portable consoles, so there's not much of a need for such a feature in the case of the so-called "desktop gaming devices". A WLAN connection on the go would be more appropriate for a future Microsoft surprise, like a portable Xbox or some sort of new gaming device, a potential rival for the DS, GBA or PSP.

I'm not betting that the Xbox 360's producers' statement is something to take for granted, as they might change their mind if the market keeps setting the trend for a Wi-Fi console future. With or without this feature, the Xbox remains a gold mine and there's a lot to exploit about it.

TAGS:

Microsoft | Wi-Fi | Xbox 360 | WLAN | Next-gen

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