(8 December 2011 9:08 pm)

MUMBAI: US software major Microsoft has announced the launch of an all-new Xbox 360 experience including the first group of new, custom applications from world leading TV and entertainment content providers on Xbox LIVE.

Microsoft president of the Interactive Entertainment Business Don Mattrick said, "A new era in entertainment begins where all your entertainment is together in one place - your games, movies, TV shows, music and sports. With this update, Xbox 360 system owners will experience Kinect voice control integrated with Bing search, making your TV and entertainment experiences more social and personal than ever."

Forrester Research's James McQuivey said, "Microsoft has just built and delivered it: A single box that ties together all the content you want, made easily accessible through a universal, natural, voice-directed search. This is now the benchmark against which all other living room initiatives should be compared. With more than 57 million people worldwide already sitting on a box that's about to be upgraded for free, Microsoft has not only built the right experience, it has ensured that it will spread quickly and with devastating effect."

Microsoft says that for consumers finding entertainment is easier than ever. Last year, Kinect for Xbox 360 revolutionised controller-free entertainment by letting consumers use their body and voice to play games and entertainment, turning them into the controller. Kinect combined with the intelligence of Bing search is turning the consumer's voice into the ultimate remote control. With Bing on Xbox, consumers can use their voice to find the games, movies, TV shows and music and discover the best offerings on Xbox Live, by simply saying what one is searching for. Bing on Xbox voice search will initially be available in English in the US, Canada and the UK for Zune video, Xbox Live Marketplace and select content partners. For those who do not have a Kinect for Xbox 360, text search will be available in Xbox LIVE markets.

For the holiday season in addition to offering the best blockbuster and Kinect games, Xbox 360 consoles will deliver live and on-demand TV shows, movies, videos, sports, music and news. TV and movie fans can instantly stream their favorite episodes of current television shows all season long, as well as past favorites and new-release movies.

Xbox 360 is building on its catalogue of movies, sports, television and music available through Hulu Plus, Last.fm, Netflix, Zune music and video and ESPN, as well as on its existing lineup of great TV providers, such as AT&T U-verse TV in the US, Telus in Canada, BSkyB in the UK, Canal+ in France, Vodafone Portugal, VimpelCom in Russia and Foxtel in Australia, by also now rolling out new entertainment partners and apps.