Gizmodo reports that Microsoft has started rolling out upgrades to the Netflix application on the Xbox 360. The new features include movie parties, queue management, and more:
Now you can watch movies with your friends no matter where they are and manage your queue from the comfort of your couch.
· Movie Parties – Xbox LIVE Gold members can sit together in a virtual theater with up to seven friends no matter where they are while your Avatars watch a movie, flirt or even throw popcorn at each other.
· Manage Your Queue – Browse the Netflix Instant Watch video catalogue, choose from the most popular movies and genres and add to your queue all from the comfort of your couch – no computer required.
· Enhanced Playback Experience – Enjoy a smooth viewing experience when your internet bandwidth fluctuates.
· Friends Info – Richer information is now displayed in the Friends channel and in the Guide showing what you and your friends are doing.
Has anyone seen the update yet?
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Posted by: CyberPhoenix | July 17, 2009 at 09:24 PM
Wow, I don't think complaining about Microsoft on a netflix related site is really the way to get your super-unbiased message out.
Way to go champ.
And no, I haven't seen the update myself.
Posted by: Cindy | July 17, 2009 at 11:14 PM
just signed into xbox live to see if update has hit, but no tomato yet...maybe over the weekend?
Posted by: mike | July 17, 2009 at 11:15 PM
@CyberPhoenix .. You must be a hoot at parties!
Posted by: Blah | July 18, 2009 at 12:56 AM
i think that sounds cool - almost like an interactive Mystery Science Theater
Posted by: jjfromnyc | July 18, 2009 at 08:45 AM
I believe that this update will be coming out later this summer, probably late August. The only news is that Microsoft announced that these features will be coming sooner, rather than later.
Posted by: Andy | July 18, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Yeah, this one of the batch updates coming out later this year, from what I understand. There's a rundown of them over here that I stumbled across earlier:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/digitaljoystick/archives/173970.asp?from=blog_last3
Posted by: Taylor | July 19, 2009 at 04:05 AM
I don't quite get it. Movie Parties?
Before I got my Home Theater setup I went out to a lot of movies at brick and mortar movie theaters. With only one exception, I can't remember every going to a film in a group.
I used to date a lot between marriages with the classic "dinner and a movie". These were always in pairs or maybe an ocassional double date. No groups.
I remember hay rides and dances in groups. I was also more likely to attend a concert in a group than a movie.
The only group movie experience I can remember was when one member of my staff (all programers) got a bunch of tickets for the SciFi movie AI and we all went to the Sony Metreon. We also played group electronic games and drank beer. BTW AI was a terrible film.
So I don't get it.
When I watch a movie at home I can pause it to make myself a Martini or pee. How does that work for a group viewing?
Posted by: PLB | July 19, 2009 at 01:00 PM
The update isn't supposed to come out till August, as part of their overall updates that were announced at E3. We're just seeing more details emerge now.
Posted by: Noah | July 20, 2009 at 09:04 AM
I thought this update was part of the complete Fall update coming later this year to Xbox Live (Facebook, Last.FM, ect)?
Posted by: Droymac | July 21, 2009 at 01:11 AM