Microsoft warns of Xbox 720 scam sites

@Meta-Gnostic Sony just gets hacked instead.

@Meta-Gnostic Because Microsucks

@xSaulxTighx That makes no sense at all.

You're saying that Netflix is a better experience on Xbox. It's not.

You're saying that Browsing the internet with Internet Explorer is a better experience on Xbox because of Xbox Live. It's not.

The things that you mention [b]only apply to online multiplayer[/b].

Xbox Live's online multiplayer isn't all that superior to other services. It's the best, but not $60/year better. However, if Microsoft wants to charge for that, then that's more reasonable than charging for access to Hulu and Last.fm. But online multiplayer is not worth $60/year all by itself, so the cost has to be more reasonable. (There really should be some form of online multiplayer that is free, whether it be limited by time or features, or not limited at all.)

That's what your argument lacks. It lacks any acknowledgment of services that are requiring Xbox Live that should not require it.

The "infrastructure and maintenance" makes no sense in these cases because those things do not apply to these types of services. For example: Microsoft doesn't pay for or maintain Netflix's servers, so there is no cost for Microsoft. And if Microsoft is running those services through their own servers, that's a bad design decision purposefully crafted for forcing people to pay for Xbox Live Gold. Proof is in every other internet connected device that does the same things.

For a direct comparison, the PS3 and Wii both have Netflix and web browsers. They do not charge for those features. PS3 is the most popular device for watching Netflix in the US. Going by your argument, there is no way Sony could ever afford to provide Netflix for free. Sony and Nintendo have no problem with this because they aren't unnecessarily throwing their own servers into the mix.

If you want to argue this issue, you have to come with a much stronger defense then that. There is more to this issue than server maintenance costs.

@Hvac0120

Sorry dude the network infrastructure, bandwidth. maintenance and providing a far more stable and better experience than there competitors for 55 million subscribers costs a lot of money. If you work in IT you would understand. I play on steam and on my friends ps3 and xbox live and so far ahead its not funny.

@Suikogaiden you do not understand how the Internet works. People pay a service provider to connect their home to the Internet. All of the devices in your home that connect to the Internet use this connection.

The providers that offer home Internet own or contract the physical wiring that is under the ground that provides your home with the Internet connection. Comcast, BrightHouse, Time Warner are examples of cable providers that also provide home Internet. AT&T and Verizon also offer home Internet. Microsoft does not provide Internet.

Xbox connects to Xbox Live using your existing Internet connection. Even if you pay for Xbox Live, you still have to pay for an Internet service from a different company in order to access it.

TVs, Pcs, tablets and other devices that run Netflix and other streaming apps use that same connection to access those services and those devices do not need to be filtered through a server owned by the device manufacturer. Example: when use watch Netflix on an iPad, Apple isn't sending the video through their servers. It comes directly from Netflix over your Internet connection.

If Microsoft is running these services through Xbox Live servers then that is bad design and/or intentional design.

Xbox is capable of not needing to use Xbox Live servers for browsing websites or watching Netflix or listening to Last.fm. Microsoft purposefully does not open the platform like this in order to make more money from Xbox Live. As I have stated, they do this to force Xbox owners who have no need for Xbox Live to pay for a Gold subscription.

I suggest you do some research on some of this. You do not understand how all this works and if you are going to debate on this topic you should at least have a basic understanding of what you're talking about.

I'm not dogging the Xbox or Xbox Live for what they are; great console and solid service. But I am concerned with the business model for the console and its services. They don't make sense, are not justifiable, and nobody at Microsoft or it's Xbox division will even try to explain their thought processes for restrictions and pricing.

Why doesn't Microsoft be more transparent about it?

Because they know they are scamming people but can't come out and say it. They will only put a positive spin on the service and will ignore anything that puts it into question.

I just want a fair system. Xbox Live is not such a service.

@Hvac0120 This just in....on the xbox 720 you will need gold to watch a blu ray movie on your tv! (so they can pay Sony for the blu ray rights) lmmfao xbox live is a sucker service.....F M$

@Suikogaiden Xbox is the ONLY device to charge extra to use these features. Your argument is not believable and you've been scammed to think that way.

If by chance you are correct then that's purposefully bad programming from Microsoft designed to support their subscription scam called Xbox Live.

With so many competitors out there providing the same services without extra fees to the user, there is no way that Xbox is a special case where Microsoft's servers HAVE to be used to connect those services to Xbox users. Your argument fails on many levels.

Plus did you hear that from a Microsoft rep or did you read that on the internets? Because Microsoft does not comment on is subject. Provide sources for your claims to back them up.

@Hvac0120 who the hell uses silver??? lol Xbox live is great. The dashboard is way beyond Sony... You can't even chat without a struggle on PSN. lol.

@JLCrogue it not so much a problem with charging to play online (though that should probably be free too).

My biggest complaint is that you can't even browse the Internet on an Xbox without paying for XBL Gold. If Microsoft wants to charge, they need to be careful how much and for hat they are charging. If things stay as they are now, I will not be getting the next Xbox either.

@SingletreeAve Quit your bitching. When you purchase a subscription, it says in clear text that it will be automatically renewed. As soon as you complete the transaction, you agree to that.

Who doesn't know this?

@emperiox They're admitting more and more people are becoming interested in the Next XBox. Haven't seen any sites for beta testing the PS4.

@emperiox ...How?

@6orange6 Apple's updates usually freeze your products. *Hint, Hint*

@6orange6 How stupid do you sound? Would you seriously go out and buy a new console year after year? The iPad argument is irrelevant seeing as how people who buy those devices don't even upgrade every year. And when was the last console cycle that lasted 10 years? Please tell me.

By the way, mobile gaming will never surpass the PS4 and next Xbox. Mobile gaming hasn't even surpassed the current generation.

@6orange6

Apple updates the IPad every year because they know their stupid rabid fanbase will run out and buy them every year. lol!! I have an IPad 2. I won't upgrade until the IPad 5 or 6. Game consoles don't need to be upgraded every year. Upgrading every 4-5 years is fine.

@Zoza24 Chances are that if you have a decent pc u won't need an xbox. I like sony for the games but I couldn't get used to the controller. But I think most people will get both systems especially if microsoft can do something special with Kinect 2.0.