>> "They're about getting a multimedia PC attached to your TV."
The problem is, the xBox is absolutely unusable as a media thing. It's ridiculously noisy, big, and useless. A mac mini beats it hands down. Or any small lightweight PC. The xBox still doesn't even have a browser for the love of god. We live in a time when new calculators probably have web browsers included.... but not the xBox.
I've used the Xbox to watch media almost every day since the day it launched. I download all my files through bittorrent, stream them to the Xbox. I also use PlayOn to let me watch Hulu there.
It's not too noisy if you have the latest version and aren't running a DVD. A Mac Mini is not better (though it is smaller and quieter) and it's significantly more expensive and harder to use for living room applications. I know because I tried.
The Wii has a browser, and I've used it once and then only to check it out. Wtf would I want a browser on my TV for? All the Xbox needs is a YouTube app, and then there'd be no reason for one.
I have wii, xbox, mac mini hooked up in the living room.
wii: family games (Agreed, the browser is crappy, no keyboard, etc), but games are best for kids/family.
xbox: guitar hero, good if someone wants to shoot random stuff or do real racing games.
mac mini: browser, youtube, photos, play backed up dvds, movie trailers, itunes, etc etc.
IMHO The UI in the xbox isn't good, and their insistance on reimplementing the web in 'apps' isn't one that I agree with - facebook, twitter integration? Just use a browser. I just simply can't stand to use the xBox more than is really necessary. It's painful :/ Whilst everyone else is moving towards the web as a platform, Microsoft still seems to think the web is irrelevant.
The problem is, the xBox is absolutely unusable as a media thing. It's ridiculously noisy, big, and useless. A mac mini beats it hands down. Or any small lightweight PC. The xBox still doesn't even have a browser for the love of god. We live in a time when new calculators probably have web browsers included.... but not the xBox.