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Why denying web access to 360 gamers is a big mistake.

This opinion piece at gameplayer looks at how Microsoft is the only console maker that doesn't let gamers surf the web - and how this is a huge mistake.

"The reality here is that Microsoft has surrendered territory to the enemy, and without a fight."
Mok Swagger - contributor
Published: 531 days 12 hours ago | Article | PlayStation 3 | Xbox 360 | Wii | Nintendo DS
 
 

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Showing: 1 - 50 of 58 Comments
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niall77 - 531 days 13 hours ago
1 - IF the 360 got a version of IE it would run rings around the Ps3's browser
But giving the 360 access to the internet and all the free content (like youtube/flash games) would damage MS's way of milking every last Microsoft point out of its customers.
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BigBaehr - 531 days 12 hours ago
1.1 -
more like "it would run 'red' rings around the Ps3's broswer"
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mikeslemonade - 531 days 12 hours ago
1.2 -
It can be used as a gameplay element. Remember that game that uses google maps? And uploading your own game replays to youtube? And I can download mods for UT3 straight from the Web Browser without twisting my neck and arms over to the computer. It's just another feature that the free service has and the payed service doesn't.
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pav2323 - 531 days 11 hours ago
1.3 -
The first thing I thought of after reading this is how well Microsoft's OS's do with virus's. That could be a reason they prefer not to include a browser. Of course there is not an OS immune to everything.
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jidery - 531 days 11 hours ago
1.4 -
well....unix and linux are virtualy unhackable.... the PS3 system OS is built off of unix
1.5 Megatron08 | 531 days 10 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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mikeslemonade - 531 days 8 hours ago
1.6 -
It's the OS that is easily hackable which is Windows in this case. The web browser on the PS3 doesn't run on Linux it runs on the PS3 OS. The virus excuse is a non-issue.
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Wii60Fan - 531 days 13 hours ago
2 - Most everyone
Who has a 360 already has a PC
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Tmac - 531 days 12 hours ago
2.1 -
Poor excuse, even the Wii has it.
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PirateThom - 531 days 12 hours ago
2.2 -
Hell, even the PSP and DS have it.

Same with wi-fi.
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Peekay - 531 days 12 hours ago
2.3 - I'm o.k with the interweeb
but for heavens sake I wish they'd open up their hard drive to allow stuff to be copied on like the PS3. And yeah the Wi-fi thing is a biggie as well, but they cant really open that up.
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mikeslemonade - 531 days 12 hours ago
2.4 -
How ironic the payed service is the only system who has no web browser. PC, DS, PSP, PS3, and Wii all have web browsers.
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PimpHandHappy - 531 days 12 hours ago
2.5 - thats like saying
ingame music is stupid because everyone has a cd/mp3 player!

MS wants total control of the 360 and XBL! All the proof you need is how you spend money on it! Spend MS points! Thank you come again

If you havent seen PSN gift cards around you they are around now. I bought a $20 spot and got SSHD!

I dont want to flame this because this can be a real debate (doubt it) but how you spend your money tells ppl more then you think! When XBL goes free they will also lose MSpoints and they will go the way Sony has gone! Level up with medals and use real money to buy things!
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thebudgetgamer - 530 days 20 hours ago
2.6 - @9
can you plese tell me where you got the psn prepaid from?
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IDemonstalkerXI - 531 days 12 hours ago
3 -
I just made my first PS3 theme yesterday finaly. Then made a revision today. I mention it because I want to gloat yah baby, Yeah!....... but it is relevant since I do appreciate browsing for P3T's on sites that enable DD to PS3 HDD. I do not share this theme though it has like 16 Backgrounds of my Goddess. The PS3 Webrowser needs flash update badly and I don't mean someone running by and opening a trench coat revealing...and taking off.
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PimpHandHappy - 531 days 12 hours ago
4 - yea i get my themes from the PS3 browser
i also use the PSN themes but you can find cooler themes online!

Does MS make you pay for themes? anyway

yea i use the browser
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IDemonstalkerXI - 531 days 12 hours ago
4.1 -
MS makes you pay for the good ones. The ones like Dr. Pepper or movie promotion ones are usually free though.

Edit: If this is not so do tell me how to get those nice free themes. I could of swore they charged me for that Ninja Gaiden II theme.
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Baka-akaB - 531 days 12 hours ago
5 -
WoW , i'm a 360 owner and i didnt even noticed that (eh my case is special , i bought a core for jrpgs and nj gaiden 2 and i have yet to bother going online ...)
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Bigpappy - 531 days 12 hours ago
6 - It is a console! Not a PC!
Why do some people want to make consoles into PC's. The last thinking I want is for someone to be surfing the web on my 360. Go find a computer. That is what you use to surf the web. M$ does not want a browser on the 360 because it already has windows with a browser include. Please delete this dumb post.
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Baka-akaB - 531 days 12 hours ago
6.1 -
Thats your problem if you dont want to browse with it . fact is its a feature even the "weak" Ds hardware can provide .
Your attitude is just silly imo , the same argument could be made against those numerous chat options , videos and many other things that arent essential to play videos games .
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silverchode - 531 days 11 hours ago
6.2 -
surfing the web on a 50inch tv is kinda cool.
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macalatus - 531 days 10 hours ago
6.3 -
Don't forget, watching Youtube music videos on your HDTV and with a 5.1 theater surround sound beats a computer monitor and rinky-dinky computer speakers anytime!
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Some_One_Plays - 530 days 13 hours ago
6.4 - Bigpappy
I haven't really read the article yet but this would mean you don't like surfing the internet on your mobile phone for ring tones (you can even watch TV on mobile phones now). Another example would be having an MP3 Player that only plays music. Basically the more you can do the better the technology is and it actually helps with mods on Unreal Tournament 3.

Think about it would you rather download a file from the internet or go on another device to port the content from a flash drive to your PlayStation 3?
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IDemonstalkerXI - 531 days 12 hours ago
7 -
One day there will be a game that supports mods like UT3, yet in this one you can DD Mods to your HDD then install just like PC. I like the idea. That and viewing Clan, community websites. Metal Gear Online uses the web browser well.

The other thing that rocks is that feature coming where you can record gameplay and upload it to youtube and peep everyones vids.
Alot of folks used to spend Mad cash on Screen Capture equips to do this.
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Fragking28 - 531 days 12 hours ago
8 -
you see i dont care about that i bought my console for the games everything else is an extra incentive. People are to lazy nowadays if you want the internet get your fat arse up and go to the computer you couch potatoe. " oh no i might lose a few pounds getting up a couple of fet to use the computer" you guys are so lazy.
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IDemonstalkerXI - 531 days 11 hours ago
8.1 -
I am lazy yet I prefer to call it efficient. My PC is connected to the same 50" Plasma HDTV that my PS3, Wii , and 360 is so I do not have to get up if I want PC access. I just sit my keyboard in lap and ever so slightly reach for my mouse. I also have this Wall mounted Disc holder so I don't have to open a frigan dvd/bd case every time I want to pop a different game or movie in my machines. Sometimes I wish they would make these consoles with 5 disc changers.

I rarely sit on a couch. I am often on my bed. Its huge. I share it with a H4WTY every night. I am not the type to have multiple H4WTY's FYI. My workout ...yeah it does not consist of walking from one machine to the next....No....It consists of various activity's, pumping mad iron etc.
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PimpHandHappy - 531 days 12 hours ago
9 - yea MGS4 did use the browser well
but

i hated how they used the online sign-up! It felt like they just wanted to milk me for something and it turns out they did try...

off topic: MGS3 online failed and MGS4Online is kinda good but once again Socom will take that spot for me

maybe the xbox720 will have a browser?!?!
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IDemonstalkerXI - 531 days 11 hours ago
9.1 -
Yeah, that sign up and charging for more character slots is janky.
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Some_One_Plays - 530 days 12 hours ago
9.2 - PimpHandHappy
Actually there were people playing MGS3 Online until the very last day they shut down the servers. On the PlayStation 2 it had more of a PC online experience making a user / account for every game. They Sony has combined the two elements together to create the PlayStation Network.
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KLEPTOMANIAC - 531 days 12 hours ago
10 - ummm
because Sony gives you internet access for free
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beavis4play - 531 days 11 hours ago
11 -
who is approving these worthless "opinion pieces"? stop it! man, it must be a slow news time.
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XBOX 360 Messenger - 531 days 11 hours ago
12 - Are you sure when placed this issue? I think so
you're so sick when u placed this issue

we don't need a web on a Entertainment Console

we have a PC ,, so go to hell
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silverchode - 531 days 11 hours ago
12.1 -
wouldnt the internet be a source of entertainment and that would make the 360 an incomplete entertainment console?
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macalatus - 531 days 10 hours ago
12.2 -
@360 messenger,

Funny how you would specifically put a PC and a console in their own respective domains, whereas many 360 fanboys (long before the various updates made the PS3 the "multimedia center" that it is today) often bragged how their 360 console is just basically another PC when it comes to multimedia.
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bleachrulez - 531 days 11 hours ago
13 - dam the ds has a web browser
that is new to me btw im using my psp's web brower right now (*__*)
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XBOX 360 Messenger - 531 days 11 hours ago
13.1 -
you're right silverchode and i'm with u in this

but we don't need it , cuz its a Entertainment
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Hububla - 531 days 10 hours ago
13.2 - It may be entertainment bud butt.....
Its not like alot of ppl just sit there and browse the web on their console... if they are like me they use it for other things that enhance the gaming experience like downloading themes! Wich is something i love to do personally... i prolly had 30 different naked ladies themes on my PS3... Also downloading mods for games like UT3 straight from the web browser... and on top of that the 360 may have a video download service (wich the PS3 has now too) but if you find a good website on the ps3 you can either stream it off the web page or just download directly to the hard drive... so.. yea its not being lazy its more of a almost essential and expected service on a next gen console.. dont you think?
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ceedubya9 - 531 days 11 hours ago
14 - I just don't
surf the web with my consoles. I don't miss not having this option on the 360. I've done it once on my PS3, and never did it again. Nice option if you care about it.
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Sayai jin - 531 days 11 hours ago
15 -
I do not use it for my PS3 so I know I would not use it for my 360.
16 midgard229 | 531 days 11 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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Tyrael - 531 days 10 hours ago
17 -
That's funny, as I type this statement I am multiplaying on HALO and using my laptop as an internet device, as it should be
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Cyan8313 - 531 days 10 hours ago
18 - Who the hell
wants to browse the internet on your console ? Walk those 10 feet to the computer and do it 10 times faster.
18.1 arngrim229 | 531 days 10 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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zo6_lover27 - 531 days 10 hours ago
18.2 -
Maybe they don't want to take the time and wait for their computer to boot up
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Dzpool - 531 days 10 hours ago
19 - Because
the next thing you know you will have people sucking up xbl server space downloading bit torrents of some damn tv series from england or japan
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jmecase - 531 days 10 hours ago
20 -
Purely a business decision I would think. You buy your $299 XBox from Microsoft, and if a browser was put on it, it would have to be some sort of Windows program, most likely Vista since it is the latest and well, hmmmm, greatest, heh. How can they justify putting a $130 operating system into your $300 gaming machine without raising the price.

Microsoft lets the 360 play games (and they make money), pay for XBL (more money) and lets us buy a computer to run windows (and they make even more money). Pretty smart really. Put windows on the Xbox and some people may not buy that computer.

Look at it this way, the more money that Microsoft milks out of us, the more games they can buy to make multiplatform.
20.1 arngrim229 | 531 days 10 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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macalatus - 531 days 10 hours ago
20.2 - Good one!!
I have one nagging question though: How much percentage in cuts does MS secretly gets from shipping companies (UPS or FedEx) for all of the RROD inflicted 360s that got sent for repairs?

Hmmmm...interesting theory, but knowing how MS operates their business, it makes sense!
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r2kcipher - 531 days 7 hours ago
20.3 - how bout this!
norton pays hackers to infest ur computer with viruses and spyware. don't worry precious microsoft gets a cut too. for making it easy for the hackers.
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Deathlord26 - 531 days 9 hours ago
21 - Now that i think about it.
Ya my ps3 is better in a way. I guess buying new pictures for my xbox and buying new themes seems unfair because i can just download themes from the INTERNET on my ps3. I dont think not having internet on my xbox is ok cauze my laptop is always a foot away.
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