14 DAY TRIAL // It seems that those who are looking to browse the Internet on the Xbox 360 will do well to hang on to that desktop or laptop because Microsoft is not interested in introducing a web browser to its device, like those that can be found on the rival Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3 from Sony.
Edge magazine asked Aaron Greenberg, who is the product director for the Xbox division, whether the Microsoft home console would be getting a web browser in order to enlarge the activities possible on it. He said, “No. We really believe that the web browsing experience on TV is a poor one, and the real magic is to take those web experiences and optimise them for the living room. That's what we did with Netflix. So, sure, you can go on the PS3 and go to Facebook and try to navigate, but it's an absolute nightmare.”
The Microsoft man then added that there are some bits of the PS3 that he likes and that the company is looking for other experiences that can be introduced on the Xbox 360. Lately, the strategy for both Sony and Microsoft has been to show off that their home consoles can do more than just deliver videogames. Both have access to Netflix, both are gearing up to get a motion tracking peripheral and both are aiming to add as many collateral features as possible in an effort to get new customers interested.
It's true that Internet browsing is better done with a keyboard and mouse but the same was said about first person shooters, which currently reside mainly on consoles, and about real time strategies, now making a strong push on the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. With the PlayStation Move and Project Natal coming in the fall, browsing might also make a push on the console and the software giant might regret not being prepared for it.