Microsoft said at E3 that Xbox Live users would need to be Gold members (requiring an annual fee) to access Last.fm without paying for a Last.fm-specific subscription; Silver users would just have extremely limited access. What Microsoft didn't mention, however, was that these limitations would extend to both Facebook and Twitter, as well.
This news was buried in Microsoft's late night press release about the new Xbox 360 price adjustments. Here's what the press release says:
"Xbox LIVE Gold Membership will be required for Twitter and Facebook when they are available, and is required for Netflix. Games, media content and Netflix membership are sold separately; a hard drive is required for storage."
When Facebook and Twitter's Xbox Live extensions launch later this year, you'll need to be a paying subscriber to access the applications. The press release doesn't get anymore specific than saying the social networking add-ons will arrive sometime "this fall," as Microsoft has said in the past.
What do you think about limiting Facebook and Twitter to Gold members?
Comments
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DefiantBrood
I cant see why you would need a gold membership to watch netflix. after all its streaming from the netflix servers, not the xbox servers. same with lastfm, twitter etc. it doesnt cost m$ a penny. does your pc or roku device require a yearly membership fee? No it doesnt.
such is m$. Shafnitz is right. why a gold membership for every profile? should be for the console.
membership for gaming is understandable though.
quantumhelix
What's the point of paying for something that's already available online. FOR FREE!!! Charging for Netflix makes sense, charging for Facebook and Twitter dosen't. It's like McDonalds charging you extra for napkins and condiments.
KilledFirst
I'm still waiting to see why I pay $50 a year for XBOX live. I can go to those sites on my computer without logging into XBOX Live. Adding a portal to a third party service does not say gold membership item. I'd like to see 15-30% off all download purchases for GOLD Members (Now that would make my annual fee worth it).
WildxXxRiot
Why don't we all just have one big free membership? Like a Platinum Membership? That would be cool.
heeroyuyz13
lol you can get on twitter and facebook for free with the ps3 internet browser
The_Gun_Slinger
I think its fair enough to have to have a Gold membership.
After all you are going to be using their network, Servers, Bandwidth to use these services. These are not free or for that matter cheap to maintain.
So it's only fair you have to pay for it.
JasonMK
Let's face it, how many Silver members visit, read, and post on G4's web site? It is a little hard to be a 360 gamer without Gold. So of course most of us don't mind, we have already been shelling out the money for XBL for years. Having said that, it seems odd/frustrating that EACH profile would need to pay the $50 gold fee to access these new features. I understand paying $50 a month for internet access, but every computer in the house gets to benefot fro it. Gold should allow the same, seriously.
miccloud13
yes
pmc_soap
what i dont understand is why they ccant put an entire internet browser rather than restricting xbox to facebook and twiitter th played out websites used by everyone including business tv shows and celebrities that make mistakes on they're short blogs only to get criticized by comedians it woyld just be much easier to put an internet browser that restricted porn websites and redflag virus sites that would corrupt your xbox all they need to do is puut a a more powerful firewall and put the internet browser so it can only go on social networking sites including sites like youtube
deadmanattacks
hey .. i think xbox live ..should ago think about puting myspace on xbox live to .. bc not alot of people have face brook .. i dont have it bc i like useing myspace . pluse all of m y friends have it ...other then that xbox keep doing what you guys are doing . xbox live is awsome , im happy that i become a member of a wonderful commitutie .
your buddy
deadmanattacks form live ..
OpieKenobi
I like the idea but just wish they went with myspace than face book. I use Myspace 98% of the time and Facebook 1% of the time. Just really disappointed in xbox live's choice. Never really cared on the lay out or the set up for Face Book. I am how ever looking forward to the Last FM cause all the music video's on the dash board (Really Stinks) for my favorite bands such as Godsmack there is like 5 or 6 songs but green day gets 20 listings. Not sure why that is cause green day is not that popular these days! Also I would never use or see my self using Twitter, I think its just a waste of time! "It's a piece of GARBAGE!"
MindCarrot
i though that was understood! i mean come on people why would microsoft give you something for free like that? you want them tweets you gotta pay!
Sawblood45
oooo forget it, just use it on your pc or ps3 for free....if you dont have gold n such.
ACEquan
I feel sorry for 360 users. i have a ps3 and u can go on twitter and facebook with out paying for anything.and for last.FM...................... everheard of pandora radio??????????
FingerGum88
The way I see it, Gold members are getting Facebook and Twitter for free. We're paying for their premium online service, and we're being rewarded for it. I think they're trying to persuade silver members to upgrade to Gold, but they obviously don't have to...if silver members don't play online, what's the point of getting gold just for Facebook and Twitter? There isn't one, duh.
To sum it up, silver members shouldn't upgrade to gold just for these new features, and gold members should feel like they're being rewarded for being loyal customers by receiving these new features for FREE.
Mr_Eko_73
You can get 12+1 month subsciptions on Ebay and Amazon for 40 bucks. Thats $3.33/month or $0.77/week. Live a little people.
token123
whats the big deal with adding twitter and facebook on a console anyway? i have a pc for that.
klyonawesome
They should really just do away with silver membership. It's like getting a blackberry without paying for data. I don't have an Xbox anymore so I don't care about facebook and twitter, but i feel like gold members get the real 360 experience.
GeneralKumar
Why would you have your Xbox hooked up to XBL and not have a gold membership... cuz all the videos and what-not you can find on the internet... XBL and a gold membership go hand in hand...thats like buying a iPhone and using it as only an iPod
SASQUATCH3000
So when is this coming out, for what I can only assume to be another update download
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