| Do you know what's special about the Xbox 360? | | | | You can also upload photos to the hard drive and |
| Here are some of the features you can expect | | | | share them with your friends on Xbox Live. The |
| from Xbox 360: | | | | Xbox 360 also features DVD movies. Unlike the |
| Ring of Light and Xbox Guide Button. The ring of | | | | original Xbox, the Xbox 360 can display them in |
| light is the power button and it is divided into four | | | | progressive scan. It seems like DVD playback will |
| quadrants that can display a number of different | | | | be available out of the box and will not require the |
| colors depending on what is going on. | | | | purchase of an extra remote or anything. |
| The Xbox Guide button is prominently featured | | | | Definitely an improvement. |
| on the controller as well as the Xbox 360 remote. | | | | Personalizing your console. With the |
| This will allow you to instantly access information | | | | interchangeable faces of the system itself, you |
| on person who just challenged you on Xbox Live. | | | | can change the color of your system whenever |
| Or you can even jump right to where you can | | | | you want by simply snapping on a new face. |
| find downloadable content for the game you are | | | | You do not even have to buy new faces because |
| currently playing. The Xbox Guide button will also | | | | you could simply paint the stock face yourself. It |
| allow you to turn the Xbox 360 system on and | | | | is guaranteed that Microsoft will roll out a line of |
| off from the comfort of your couch. That is one | | | | limited edition and collectible faces to lure people |
| great idea that is has long been overdue. | | | | in, though. |
| Xbox Live - There will be two types of Xbox Live | | | | You will also be able to customize the look and |
| for the Xbox 360. | | | | feel of the Xbox Guide browser on the system. |
| The Silver version is free. It allows you to access | | | | Suspiciously similar to changing themes in Windows |
| the Xbox Live Marketplace as well as | | | | on your computer. Customization is always a |
| communicate with your friends using voice chat. | | | | good thing and while these features do not really |
| However, you cannot play games online. | | | | mean anything in the long run, they certainly |
| With the Gold version of Xbox Live, you get all of | | | | provide a nice change every once in awhile. |
| the possible features. Most importantly, you can | | | | Xbox 360 and its great features are a great deal |
| play games online. Your achievements and | | | | unto itself. |
| statistics will be stored so you can check them | | | | Basically, the hard drive is the one playing a major |
| whenever you want. You will also be able to use | | | | role in how you can use the Xbox 360. You are |
| video chat and video messaging. Microsoft has | | | | given the choice of saving the progress of the |
| announced that all new Xbox 360 owners will get | | | | game on the hard drive, as well as rip your CDs |
| Gold Service feature for the first month. After | | | | to it. |
| that, the pricing will be similar to Xbox Live on the | | | | You can transfer music, videos, and photos from |
| current Xbox. | | | | your mp3 player or other USB devices. It will also |
| Xbox Live Marketplace. Another great feature of | | | | be necessary to spend more time on Xbox Live |
| Xbox 360. The marketplace is an area where you | | | | because custom content, patches, and other |
| will be able to download game demos and trailers | | | | downloadable content needs to be put stored |
| as well as new content for games such as new | | | | somewhere and a little 64MB memory card isn't |
| levels, characters, vehicles, weapons, and many | | | | going to cut it. |
| others. Some things are free of charge but you | | | | The hard drive is required for backwards |
| will have to pay for some premium content. | | | | compatibility. The other bonus to having such a |
| Digital Entertainment. The Xbox 360 allows you to | | | | hard drive is that loading time is faster especially |
| rip your music to the hard drive to be used during | | | | in some games and other performances boosts. |
| games. It will also stream music off of any MP3 | | | | With all these Xbox features up for grabs, what |
| player that you plug into the USB 2.0 ports. This is | | | | more can you ask for? |
| including Sony PSP. | | | | |