Microsoft’s plan to transform the Xbox 360 from the humble games console to an all singing all dancing media centre continues, as over 40 new media apps have been added to Xbox Live this month.
Apps have become a big part of the console this year, with the likes of YouTube, Vevo and Lovefilm all landing on the console to bring something more to gamers. Microsoft has even launched some of its own, such as the recently launched Xbox Music service that hopes to rival the likes of Spotify and Pandora.
Microsoft’s own Major Nelson proudly announced the new additions via his blog, and the list is certainly impressive. However, not all 40 apps will be coming to every country; no doubt due to licensing limitations and such. Here in the UK we’ll get the following apps:
- Indieflix
- Livesport.tv
- Napster
- Sainsburys
- Gametrailers
- Fightbox
- All3M
Other apps are listed as coming to the “majority of LIVE regions” and may well come to the UK, including popular YouTube channel Machinima, Crunchyroll and the music streaming service Deezer. The latter is interesting, and we suspect that Microsoft won’t want to launch a rival to its own Xbox Music in too many regions.
Microsoft will also be launching Karaoke, an app that gives you access to 8,000 songs to sing to your heart’s content, in most LIVE regions. In the game, your avatar takes to the stage on screen to rock out as you sing, while the Xbox SmartGlass app can be used to control the music playback, browse for songs and even view lyrics. This is bound to be a hit over the festive season with families!
To view the full list of apps coming to Xbox LIVE, hit up Major Nelson’s blog here.