Editing Xbox 360

{{Infobox information appliance
|logo=XBox360_logo.png
|logo caption=
|image=[[File:Xbox-360-Pro-wController.jpg|85px|Left: Xbox 360 Elite, Center: Xbox 360 S and new-style controller, Right: Xbox 360 E and new-style controller]][[File:Xbox-360S-Console-Set.jpg|85px|Left: Xbox 360 Elite, Center: Xbox 360 S and new-style controller, Right: Xbox 360 E and new-style controller]][[File:Microsoft-Xbox-360-E-wController.jpg|85px|Left: Xbox 360 Elite, Center: Xbox 360 S and new-style controller, Right: Xbox 360 E and new-style controller]]
<!-- the caption only needs to mention the logo if it requires identification, like if there are multiple logos -->
|caption ='''Left:''' Original model Xbox 360 Premium (2005)'''<br />Center:''' Redesigned slim model Xbox 360 S (2010)''' <br />Right:''' Latest model Xbox 360 E (2013)
<!-- the caption only needs to mention the logo if it requires identification, like if there are multiple logos -->
|developer=[[Microsoft]]
|manufacturer=[[Flextronics]], [[Wistron Corporation|Wistron]], [[Celestica]], [[Foxconn]]
|family=[[Xbox]]
|type=[[Home video game console]]
|generation=[[Seventh generation of video game consoles|Seventh generation]]
|lifespan=2005–2016
|discontinued = WW: April 20, 2016
|media=[[DVD]], [[compact disc|CD]], [[Xbox Live Arcade|digital distribution]]<br />
'''Add-on:''' [[HD DVD]] <small>(''discontinued'')</small>
|os=[[Xbox 360 system software]]
|storage=Storage media
* [[hard disk drive|Detachable Hard Drives]]<br /> <small>20, 60, 120 or 250&nbsp;GB (older models); 250 or 320&nbsp;GB (Xbox 360 S models)</small>
* [[Memory cards in video game consoles|Memory Cards (Removable)]] <small>(Original design only)</small><br /><small>64&nbsp;MB, 256&nbsp;MB, 512&nbsp;MB</small>
* On-board storage chip
** Arcade Consoles <small>(later models)</small><br /><small>256&nbsp;MB, 512&nbsp;MB</small>
** Budget level "Xbox 360 S" consoles:<br /><small>4&nbsp;GB</small>
* USB storage device (requires system software update)<br /><small>1&nbsp;GB to 32&nbsp;GB</small>
* Cloud storage (requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership)<br /><small>2&nbsp;GB </small>
|display=Video output formats
* [[Composite video]]<br /><small>[[480i]], [[PAL|576i]]&nbsp;(PAL)</small>
* [[S-Video]]<br /><small>480i, 576i&nbsp;(PAL)</small>
* RGB [[SCART]]<br /><small>480i, 576i&nbsp;(PAL)</small>
* [[Component video|Component]] ([[YPbPr|YP<sub>B</sub>P<sub>R</sub>]])<br /><small>480i, 576i, [[480p]], [[720p]], [[1080i]]</small>
* [[D-Terminal]] (YP<sub>B</sub>P<sub>R</sub>)<br /><small>480i&nbsp;(D1), 480p&nbsp;(D2), 720p&nbsp;(D4), 1080i&nbsp;(D3), 1080p&nbsp;(D5)</small>
* [[VGA connector|VGA]]<br /><small>640×480, 848×480, [[XGA|1024×768]], 1280×720&nbsp;(720p), 1280×768, [[SXGA|1280×1024]], [[Wide XGA|1360×768]], 1440×900, [[WSXGA+|1680×1050]], 1920×1080&nbsp;(1080p)</small>
* [[HDMI]] (later models)<br /><small>480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p</small>
* Note: 1080p video playback is limited to content from the Zune marketplace
|controllers=Controllers
4 maximum* (any combination):
* [[Xbox 360 Controller]] (USB wired, 2.4&nbsp;GHz wireless)
* [[Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel]]
* [[Rhythm game]] controllers
* [[Big Button Pad]]s*
* [[Xbox 360 accessories#Xbox 360 Arcade Sticks|Xbox 360 Arcade sticks]]
* [[Xbox 360 accessories#Xbox 360 Ace Combat 6 Flight Stick|Ace Combat 6 Flight Stick]]
* [[Kinect]]
<small>*4 Big button pads may be used in addition to other controllers.</small>
|connectivity=
'''Original models'''<br />
<small>2.4&nbsp;GHz wireless, 3 × [[Universal Serial Bus|USB 2.0]], [[Infrared communication|IR]] receiver, 100&nbsp;Mbit/s [[Ethernet]]<br />'''Add-on:''' Wifi [[IEEE 802.11|802.11]] [[IEEE 802.11a-1999|a]]/[[IEEE 802.11b-1999|b]]/[[IEEE 802.11g-2003|g]], Wifi 802.11a/b/g/[[IEEE 802.11n-2009|n]]</small><br />
'''Revised "S" models'''<br />
<small>2.4&nbsp;GHz wireless, 5 × USB 2.0, [[TOSLINK|Digital Optical audio]] out, IR receiver, 100&nbsp;Mbit/s Ethernet, Wifi 802.11b/g/n, AUX port, HDMI port</small><br />
'''Revised "E" models'''
<small>2.4&nbsp;GHz wireless, 4 × USB 2.0, IR receiver, 100&nbsp;Mbit/s Ethernet, Wifi 802.11b/g/n, AUX port, HDMI port</small>
|compatibility=[[List of Xbox games compatible with Xbox 360|461 original Xbox games]] <small>(requires [[Xbox 360 components and accessories#Storage|hard drive]] and the latest update)</small>
|predecessor=[[Xbox|Xbox]]
|successor=[[Xbox One]]
|website = [https://xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/]
|releasedate=November 22, 2005<br>
'''Original Xbox 360'''
*NA: November 22, 2005
*EU: December 2, 2005
*JP: December 10, 2005
*[[Colombia|CO]]{{!}}[[Mexico|MX]]: February 2, 2006
*[[South Korea|KR]]: February 24, 2006
*[[Hong Kong|HK]]{{!}}[[Singapore|SG]]{{!}}[[Taiwan|TW]]: March 16, 2006
*AUS: March 23, 2006
*[[Chile|CL]]: July 7, 2006
*[[India|IN]]: September 25, 2006
*[[South Africa|ZA]]: September 29, 2006
*[[Czech Republic|CZ]]{{!}}[[Poland|PL]]: November 3, 2006
*[[Brazil|BR]]: December 1, 2006
*[[Russia|RU]]: February 11, 2007
*[[Peru|PE]]: February 25, 2008
*[[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]: October 28, 2008
*[[Nigeria|NG]]{{!}}[[Turkey|TR]]: 2009
*[[Seychelles|SC]]: Spring 2010
'''Xbox 360 S'''<br />
*NA: June 18, 2010
*AUS: July 1, 2010
*[[New Zealand|NZ]]: July 8, 2010
*EU: July 16, 2010
'''Xbox 360 E'''<br />
*NA: June 10, 2013
*EU: June 20, 2013
|title= Xbox 360
|CPU=3.2&nbsp;[[Hertz|GHz]] [[PowerPC]] Tri-Core [[Xenon (processor)|Xenon]]
|GPU=500&nbsp;MHz [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Xenos (graphics chip)|Xenos]]
|Memory=512&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] of GDDR3 RAM clocked at 700&nbsp;MHz
|unitssold=Worldwide: 84 million <small>(2014-06-09)</small> ([[Xbox 360 sales|details]])
|Sound=
* Analog stereo
* Stereo [[LPCM]] <small>([[TOSLINK]] and HDMI)</small>
* [[Dolby Digital]] 5.1 <small>(TOSLINK and HDMI)</small>
* Dolby Digital with WMA pro <small>(TOSLINK and HDMI)</small>
|onlineservice=[[Xbox Live]]
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|topgame=''[[Kinect Adventures!]]'' <small>(24 million as [[pack-in game]] for [[Kinect]])</small>
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<!-- ALSO ENSURE THAT FIGURES ARE FOR XBOX 360 SALES, NOT MULTI-PLATFORM -->
}}

=Introduction=

The '''Xbox 360''' is a [[home video game console]] developed by [[Microsoft]]. As the successor to the [[Xbox (console)|original Xbox]], it is the second console in the [[Xbox]] series. It competed with [[Sony]]'s [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Nintendo]]'s [[Wii]] as part of the [[seventh generation of video game consoles]]. It was officially unveiled on [[MTV]] on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information announced later that month at the 2005 [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]].

The Xbox 360 features an online service, [[Xbox Live]], which was expanded from its previous iteration on the original Xbox and received regular updates during the console's lifetime. Available in free and subscription-based varieties, Xbox Live allows users to: [[Online game|play games online]]; download games (through [[Xbox Live Arcade]]) and game demos; purchase and [[Streaming media|stream]] music, television programs, and films through the [[Xbox Music]] and [[Xbox Video]] portals; and access third-party content services through media streaming applications. In addition to online multimedia features, it allows users to stream media from local PCs. Several peripherals have been released, including wireless [[Xbox 360 controller|controllers]], expanded [[hard disk drive|hard drive]] storage, and the [[Kinect]] [[motion sensing]] camera. The release of these additional services and peripherals helped the Xbox brand grow from gaming-only to encompassing all multimedia, turning it into a hub for living-room computing entertainment.

[[Xbox 360 launch|Launched]] worldwide across 2005–2006, the Xbox 360 was initially in short supply in many regions, including North America and Europe. The earliest versions of the console suffered from a high [[failure rate]], indicated by the so-called "[[Xbox 360 technical problems|Red Ring of Death]]", necessitating an extension of the device's warranty period. Microsoft released two redesigned models of the console: the ''Xbox 360 S'' in 2010, and the ''Xbox 360 E'' in 2013. As of June 2014, 84 million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold worldwide, making it the [[List of million-selling game consoles|sixth-highest-selling video game console in history]], and the highest-selling console made by an American company. Although not the best-selling console of its generation, the Xbox 360 was deemed by [[TechRadar]] to be the most influential through its emphasis on digital media distribution and multiplayer gaming on Xbox Live.

The Xbox 360's successor, the [[Xbox One]], was released on November 22, 2013. On April 20, 2016, Microsoft announced that it would end the production of new Xbox 360 hardware, although the company will continue to support the platform.

=Specifications=

==Hardware==
[[File:Microsoft-Xbox-360-E-wController.jpg|thumb|right|The Xbox 360 E model, announced at 2013's [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]], shares many aesthetics with the [[Xbox One]].]]
The main unit of the Xbox 360 itself has slight double concavity in matte white or black. The official color of the white model is Arctic Chill. It features a port on the top when vertical (left side when horizontal) to which a custom-housed [[hard disk drive]] unit can be attached.

On the Slim and E models, the hard drive bay is on the bottom when vertical (right side when horizontal) and requires the opening of a concealed door to access it. (This does not void the warranty.) The Xbox 360 Slim/E [[Hard disk drive|hard drives]] are standard 2.5" [[Serial ATA|SATA]] laptop drives, but have a custom enclosure and firmware so that the Xbox 360 can recognize it.

===Technical specifications===

Various hard disk drives have been produced, including options at 20, 60, 120, 250, or 320&nbsp;GB. Inside, the Xbox 360 uses the triple-core [[IBM]] designed [[Xenon (processor)|Xenon]] as its CPU, with each core capable of simultaneously processing two [[thread (computer science)|threads]], and can therefore operate on up to six threads at once. [[Computer graphics|Graphics processing]] is handled by the [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Xenos (graphics chip)|Xenos]], which has 10&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] of [[eDRAM]]. Its main memory pool is 512&nbsp;MB in size.

===Accessories===

Many accessories are available for the console, including [[Xbox 360 Controller|both wired and wireless controllers]], faceplates for customization, headsets for chatting, a [[Xbox Live Vision|webcam]] for video chatting, [[dance pad|dance mats]] and [[Gamercize]] for exercise, three sizes of [[Xbox 360 accessories#Memory units|memory units]] and five sizes of [[hard disk drive|hard drives]] (20, 60, 120, 250 (initially Japan only, but later also available elsewhere) and 320&nbsp;GB), among other items, all of which are styled to match the console.

====Kinect====

[[File:Xbox-360-Kinect-Standalone.png|thumb|A [[Kinect]] sensor device. The Xbox 360 E revision has an Xbox logo to the left of the Xbox 360 branding.|alt=A long, black plastic tube with a stand on its bottom and sensors arrayed along its front. The Xbox 360 brand is displayed next to the sensors.]]
Kinect is a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" for the Xbox 360. It was first announced on June 1, 2009 at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]], under the codename, ''Project Natal''. The add-on [[peripheral]] enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without a [[game controller]] by using gestures, [[speech recognition|spoken commands]] and presented objects and images. The Kinect accessory is compatible with all Xbox 360 models, connecting to new models via a custom connector, and to older ones via a USB and mains power adapter. During their [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES]] 2010 keynote speech, Robbie Bach and Microsoft CEO [[Steve Ballmer]] went on to say that Kinect will be released during the holiday period (November–January) and work with every 360 console. It was released on November 4, 2010

[[File:Xbox 360 Chatpad+controller.png|thumb|right|Xbox 360 Chatpad from the Messenger Kit attached to a wireless controller]]

=== AV output ===
Built-in
* [[HDMI]] (only made after 2007)
* [[S/PDIF]] (only Slim)
* Stereo Audio, [[Composite video|Composite Video]] - [[Phone connector (audio)|Jack 3.5&nbsp;mm]] (only Slim E)
Through AV connector (excluding E models which have no AV connector)
* [[Composite video|Composite Video]]
* [[S-Video]]
* [[SCART|SCART RGB]]
* [[VGA connector|VGA]]
* [[YPbPr|YP<sub>B</sub>P<sub>R</sub>]]
* [[D-Terminal]]
* [[S/PDIF]]
* [[RCA connector|RCA]] - [[Stereophonic sound|stereo audio]]

===Technical problems===

[[File:Xbox360-ringofdeath.jpg|thumb|Three red lights on the Xbox 360's ring indicator representing a "General Error requiring service of the Console or Power Adapter," commonly nicknamed the "Red Ring of Death."]]

The Xbox 360 (not Slim and E models) has been subject to a number of technical problems. Since the console's release in 2005, users have reported concerns over its reliability and [[failure rate]].

To aid customers with defective consoles, Microsoft extended the Xbox 360's manufacturer's warranty to three years for hardware failure problems that generate a "General Hardware Failure" error report. A "General Hardware Failure" is recognized on all models released before the Xbox 360 S by three quadrants of the ring around the power button flashing red. This error is often known as the "[[Red Ring of Death]]". In April 2009 the warranty was extended to also cover failures related to the E74 [[error code]]. The warranty extension is not granted for any other types of failures that do not generate these specific error codes.

Since these problems surfaced, Microsoft has attempted to modify the console to improve its reliability. Modifications include a reduction in the number, size, and placement of components, the addition of dabs of epoxy on the corners and edges of the CPU and GPU as glue to prevent movement relative to the board during heat expansion, and a second GPU heatsink to dissipate more heat. With the release of the redesigned Xbox 360 S, the warranty for the newer models does not include the three-year extended coverage for "General Hardware Failures". The newer Xbox 360 S and E models indicate system overheating when the console's power button begins to flash red, unlike previous models where the first and third quadrant of the ring would light up red around the power button if overheating occurred. The system will then warn the user of imminent system shutdown until the system has cooled, whereas a flashing power button that alternates between green and red is an indication of a "General Hardware Failure" unlike older models where three of the quadrants would light up red.

==Software==

===Interface===

The Xbox 360's original [[graphical user interface]] was the ''Xbox 360 Dashboard''; a [[Tab (GUI)|tabbed interface]] that featured five "Blades" (formerly four blades), and was designed by [[AKQA]] and [[Audiobrain]]. It could be launched automatically when the console [[booting|booted]] without a disc in it, or when the disc tray was ejected, but the user had the option to select what the console does if a game is in the tray on start up, or if inserted when already on. A simplified version of it was also accessible at any time via the Xbox Guide button on the gamepad. This simplified version showed the user's gamercard, Xbox Live messages and friends list. It also allowed for personal and music settings, in addition to voice or video chats, or returning to the Xbox Dashboard from the game.

On November 19, 2008, the Xbox 360's dashboard was changed from the "Blade" interface, to a dashboard reminiscent of that present on the Zune and Windows Media Center, known as the "New Xbox Experience" or NXE.

Since the console's release, Microsoft has released several updates for the Dashboard software. These updates have included adding new features to the console, enhancing Xbox Live functionality and multimedia playback capabilities, adding compatibility for new accessories, and fixing bugs in the software. Such updates are mandatory for users wishing to use Xbox Live, as access to Xbox Live is disabled until the update is performed.

====New Xbox Experience====

At E3 2008, at Microsoft's Show, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg and Marc Whitten announced the new Xbox 360 interface called the "New Xbox Experience" (NXE). The update was intended to ease console menu navigation. Its GUI uses the Twist UI, previously used in [[Windows Media Center]] and the [[Zune]]. Its new Xbox Guide retains all Dashboard functionality (including the Marketplace browser and disk ejection) and the original "Blade" interface (although the color scheme has been changed to match that of the NXE Dashboard).

The NXE also provides many new features. Users can now install games from disc to the hard drive to play them with reduced load time and less disc drive noise, but each game's disc must remain in the system in order to run. A new, built-in Community system allows the creation of digitized [[Avatar (Xbox 360)|Avatars]] that can be used for multiple activities, such as sharing photos or playing [[Xbox Live Arcade|Arcade]] games like ''[[1 vs 100 (Xbox 360)|1 vs. 100]]''. The update was released on November 19, 2008.

While previous system updates have been stored on internal memory, the NXE update was the first to require a storage device—at least a 128 MB memory card or a [[hard disk drive|hard drive]].

Microsoft released a further update to the Xbox 360 Dashboard starting on December 6, 2011. It included a completely new user interface which utilizes Microsoft's [[Metro (design language)|Metro design language]], and added new features such as cloud storage for game saves and profiles, live television, [[Microsoft Bing|Bing]] voice search, access to YouTube videos and better support for Kinect voice commands.

===Multimedia===
The Xbox 360 supports videos in [[Windows Media Video]] (WMV) format (including [[High-definition television|high-definition]] and [[Microsoft PlaysForSure|PlaysForSure]] videos), as well as [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC|H.264]] and [[MPEG-4]] media. The December 2007 dashboard update added support for the playback of [[MPEG-4 Part 2|MPEG-4 ASP]] format videos. The console can also [[Avatar (computing)|display pictures]] and perform slideshows of photo collections with various transition effects, and supports audio playback, with [[Digital audio player|music player]] controls accessible through the Xbox 360 Guide button. Users may play back their own music while playing games or using the dashboard, and can play music with an interactive visual synthesizer.

Music, photos and videos can be played from standard USB [[Data storage device|mass storage devices]], Xbox 360 proprietary [[Data storage device|storage devices]] (such as memory cards or Xbox 360 hard drives), and servers or computers with [[Windows Media Center]] or [[Windows XP]] with [[Service pack]] 2 or higher within the local-area network in streaming mode. As the Xbox 360 uses a modified version of the [[Universal Plug and Play|UPnP]] AV protocol, some alternative UPnP servers such as uShare (part of the [[GeeXboX]] project) and [[MythTV]] can also stream media to the Xbox 360, allowing for similar functionality from non-Windows servers.
This is possible with video files up to HD-resolution and with several [[codec]]s (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV) and [[container format (digital)|container formats]] (WMV, MOV, TS).

As of October 27, 2009, UK and Ireland users are also able to access live and on-demand streams of [[Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)|Sky television]] programming.

At the 2007, 2008, and 2009 [[Consumer Electronics Show]]s, Microsoft had announced that [[IPTV]] services would soon be made available to use through the Xbox 360. In 2007, Microsoft chairman [[Bill Gates]] stated that IPTV on Xbox 360 was expected to be available to consumers by the holiday season, using the [[Microsoft TV IPTV Edition]] platform. In 2008, Gates and president of Entertainment & Devices [[Robert J. Bach|Robbie Bach]] announced a partnership with [[BT Retail|BT]] in the United Kingdom, in which the [[BT Vision]] advanced TV service, using the newer [[Microsoft Mediaroom]] IPTV platform, would be accessible via Xbox 360, planned for the middle of the year. BT Vision's DVR-based features would not be available on Xbox 360 due to limited hard drive capacity. In 2010, while announcing version 2.0 of Microsoft Mediaroom, Microsoft CEO [[Steve Ballmer]] mentioned that AT&T's [[U-verse]] IPTV service would enable Xbox 360s to be used as set-top boxes later in the year. As of January 2010, IPTV on Xbox 360 has yet to be deployed beyond limited trials.

In 2012, Microsoft released the Live Event Player, allowing for events such as video game shows, beauty pageants, award shows, concerts, news and sporting events to be streamed on the console via Xbox Live. The first live events streamed on Live were the 2012 [[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]] Golden Gods, Microsoft's E3 2012 media briefing and the [[Miss Teen USA 2012]] beauty pageant.

===XNA community===

XNA Community is a feature whereby Xbox 360 owners can receive community-created games, made with Microsoft XNA Game Studio, from the XNA Creators Club.  The games are written, published, and distributed through a community managed portal.  XNA Community provides a channel for digital videogame delivery over Xbox Live that can be free of royalties, publishers and licenses. XNA game sales, however, did not meet original expectations, though [[Xbox Live Indie Games]] (XBLIG) has had some "hits."

==Services==

===Xbox Live===
{{Main|Xbox Live}}

When the Xbox 360 was released, Microsoft's online gaming service Xbox Live was shut down for 24 hours and underwent a major upgrade, adding a basic non-subscription service called Xbox Live Silver (later renamed Xbox Live Free) to its already established premium subscription-based service (which was renamed Gold). Xbox Live Free is included with all [[Stock-keeping unit|SKUs]] of the console. It allows users to create a user profile, join on [[Internet forum|message boards]], and access Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade and Marketplace and talk to other members.<ref name="XboxLiveFree">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31092/Microsoft_Renames_Xbox_Live_Silver_to_Xbox_Live_Free.php|title=Microsoft Renames Xbox Live Silver to 'Xbox Live Free'|author=Kyle Orland|accessdate=January 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/NR/exeres/F925FE0C-E310-491A-82E0-7A604A353BFB.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204212851/http://www.xbox.com/NR/exeres/F925FE0C-E310-491A-82E0-7A604A353BFB.htm |archivedate=February 4, 2009 |title=Xbox Live The Silver Age |accessdate=September 30, 2006 |last=Barker |first=Ben |date=September 19, 2005  |publisher=Microsoft }}</ref> A Live Free account does not generally support multiplayer gaming; however, some games that have rather limited online functions already, (such as ''[[Viva Piñata]]'') or games that feature their own subscription service (e.g. [[EA Sports]] games) can be played with a Free account. Xbox Live also supports voice the latter a feature possible with the Xbox Live Vision.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/hardware/xbox360/morethangames.htm |title=More than Games |accessdate=September 30, 2006 |last=Gettys |first=Jim W. |date=September 17, 2005 |publisher=Microsoft |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060908092939/http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/hardware/xbox360/morethangames.htm |archivedate = September 8, 2006 |quote= }}</ref>

Xbox Live Gold includes the same features as Free and includes integrated [[online game]] playing capabilities outside of third-party subscriptions. Microsoft has allowed previous Xbox Live subscribers to maintain their profile information, [[Contact list|friends list]], and games history when they make the transition to Xbox Live Gold. To transfer an Xbox Live account to the new system, users need to link a [[Windows Live ID]] to their gamertag on Xbox.com.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/xbox360/xboxlive/myaccount/managemyaccount/accountmanagement.aspx |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024111920/http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/xbox360/xboxlive/myaccount/managemyaccount/accountmanagement.aspx |archivedate=October 24, 2008 |title=Xbox Live Account Migration to Xbox 360 |accessdate=October 7, 2006 |publisher=Microsoft }}</ref> When users add an Xbox Live enabled profile to their console, they are required to provide the console with their passport account information and the last four digits of their [[Payment card number|credit card number]], which is used for verification purposes and billing. An Xbox Live Gold account has an annual cost of US$59.99, [[Canadian dollar|C$]]59.99, [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]90.00, [[Pound sterling|GB£]]39.99, or €59.99. On January 5, 2011, Xbox Live reached over 30 million subscribers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/Features/2011/jan11/01-05CESBallmer.mspx |title=2010: A Year Filled with New Experiences for Consumers |date=January 5, 2011 |accessdate=January 11, 2011 |publisher=Microsoft |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109002607/http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/Features/2011/jan11/01-05CESBallmer.mspx |archivedate=January 9, 2011 |df= }}</ref>{{Clear}}

===Xbox Live Marketplace===
{{Main|Xbox Live Marketplace}}

The Xbox Live Marketplace is a virtual market designed for the console that allows Xbox Live users to download purchased or promotional content. The service offers movie and game trailers, [[game demo]]s, Xbox Live Arcade games and Xbox 360 Dashboard themes as well as add-on game content (items, costumes, levels etc.). These features are available to both Free and Gold members on Xbox Live. A hard drive or memory unit is required to store products purchased from Xbox Live Marketplace.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360harddrive/harddriveornot.htm |title=To Hard Drive or Not? |accessdate=September 30, 2006 |last=Gettys |first=Jim W. |date=August 19, 2005 |publisher=Microsoft  |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070427045612/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360harddrive/harddriveornot.htm |archivedate = April 27, 2007 |quote= }}</ref> In order to download priced content, users are required to purchase [[Microsoft Points]] for use as [[scrip]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/microsoftpoints.htm |title=Xbox 360 Get the Points |accessdate=September 30, 2006 |last=Barker |first=Ben |date=September 20, 2005 |publisher=Microsoft |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123003030/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/microsoftpoints.htm |archivedate=January 23, 2009 }}</ref> though some products (such as trailers and demos) are free to download. Microsoft Points can be obtained through prepaid cards in 1,600 and 4,000-point denominations. Microsoft Points can also be purchased through Xbox Live with a credit card in 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000-point denominations. Users are able to view items available to download on the service through a PC via the [[Xbox Live Marketplace]] website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/11982/Xbox-Live-Pipeline-Browse-Live-Marketplace-from-your-PC/ |title=Browse Live Marketplace from your PC |accessdate=October 13, 2006 |last=Berardini |first=César |date=October 12, 2006 |publisher=TeamXbox |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210090053/http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/11982/Xbox-Live-Pipeline-Browse-Live-Marketplace-from-your-PC/ |archivedate=February 10, 2007 }}</ref> An estimated seventy percent of Xbox Live users have downloaded items from the Marketplace.<ref name="Live Stats">{{cite web|url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12028/Latest-Xbox-Live-Facts-and-Stats/ |title=Latest Xbox Live Facts and Stats |accessdate=October 19, 2006 |last=Berardini |first=César |date=October 18, 2006 |publisher=TeamXbox |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104053646/http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12028/Latest-Xbox-Live-Facts-and-Stats/ |archivedate=November 4, 2006 }}</ref>{{clear}}

===Xbox Live Arcade===
{{Main|Xbox Live Arcade}}

Xbox Live Arcade is an online service operated by Microsoft that is used to distribute downloadable video games to Xbox and Xbox 360 owners. In addition to classic [[arcade game]]s such as ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]'', the service offers some new original games like ''[[Assault Heroes]]''. The Xbox Live Arcade also features games from other consoles, such as the [[PlayStation]] game ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]'' and [[Personal computer game|PC games]] such as ''[[Zuma (video game)|Zuma]]''. The service was first launched on November 3, 2004,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://money.cnn.com/2004/10/13/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm |title=Xbox Live Arcade to launch Nov. 3&nbsp;– Oct. 14, 2004 |accessdate=March 23, 2009 |last=Morris |first=Chris|date=October 14, 2004 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> using a DVD to load, and offered games for about US$5 to $15. Items are purchased using Microsoft Points, a proprietary currency used to reduce credit card transaction charges. On November 22, 2005, Xbox Live Arcade was re-launched with the release of the Xbox 360, in which it was now integrated with the Xbox 360's dashboard.  The games are generally aimed toward more casual gamers; examples of the more popular games are ''[[Geometry Wars]]'', ''[[Street Fighter II|Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting]]'', and ''[[Uno (video game)|Uno]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://majornelson.com/archive/2006/12/30/2006-top-xbox-live-games.aspx |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530191824/http://majornelson.com/archive/2006/12/30/2006-top-xbox-live-games.aspx |archivedate=May 30, 2008 |title=Top Xbox Live Games of 2006 |accessdate=July 26, 2008 |last=Hryb |first=Larry |date=December 30, 2006 |publisher=MajorNelson }}</ref> On March 24, 2010, Microsoft introduced the [[Game Room]] to Xbox Live.  Game Room is a gaming service for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows that lets players compete in classic arcade and console games in a virtual arcade.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20001073-56.html |title=Xbox Game Room launches, but with issues |accessdate=March 25, 2010 |last=Fried |first=Ina |date=March 24, 2010 |publisher=CNET}}</ref>{{Clear}}

[[File:DVD-ROM for Xbox 360.jpg|thumb|DVD-ROM for Xbox 360]]

===Movies & TV ===
{{main|Microsoft Movies & TV}}

On November 6, 2006, Microsoft announced the Xbox Video Marketplace, an exclusive video store accessible through the console. Launched in the United States on November 22, 2006, the first anniversary of the Xbox 360's launch, the service allows users in the United States to download high-definition and standard-definition television shows and movies onto an Xbox 360 console for viewing. With the exception of short clips, content is not currently available for streaming, and must be downloaded. Movies are also available for rental. They expire in 14 days after download or at the end of the first 24 hours after the movie has begun playing, whichever comes first. Television episodes can be purchased to own, and are transferable to an unlimited number of consoles. Downloaded files use 5.1 [[surround sound|surround audio]] and are encoded using [[VC-1]] for video at 720p, with a [[bit rate|bitrate]] of 6.8&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref name="Xbox 360 live video">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2006/11/06/microsofts-xbox-live-video-hdtv-and-hd-movie-downloads-for-you/ |title=HDTV and HD movie downloads for your 360 |accessdate=November 11, 2006 |last=Block |first=Ryan |date=November 7, 2006 |publisher=Endaget }}</ref> Television content is offered from MTV, [[VH1]], [[Comedy Central]], [[Turner Broadcasting System|Turner Broadcasting]], and [[CBS]]; and movie content is [[Warner Bros.]], [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]], and [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]], along with other publishers.<ref name="Live Video announcement">{{cite press release |title=Movies and TV on your Xbox |publisher=Microsoft |date=November 6, 2006 |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2006/1106-moviestv.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061211062527/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2006/1106-moviestv.htm |archivedate=December 11, 2006 |accessdate=July 26, 2008 }}</ref>

After the Spring 2007 <!-- do you mean 2008? -->update, the following [[video codec]]s are supported:
* H.264 video support: Up to 15&nbsp;Mbit/s, Baseline, Main, and High (up to level 4.1) Profiles with [[2channel|2 channel]] AAC LC and Main Profiles.
* MPEG-4 Part 2 video support: Up to 8&nbsp;Mbit/s, Simple Profile with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.
As a late addition to the December Xbox 360 update, 25 movies were added to the European Xbox 360 video market place on the December 11, 2007 and cost 250 Microsoft points for the SD version on the movie and 380 points for the HD version of the movie.<ref name="Video Marketplace launches in Europe">{{cite press release |title=Movies and TV on your Xbox 360 in Europe|publisher=Microsoft |date=July 12, 2007 |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/news-features/news/Video-Marketplace-announcement-041207.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620173136/http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/news-features/news/Video-Marketplace-announcement-041207.htm |archivedate=June 20, 2008|accessdate=July 26, 2008 }}</ref> Xbox Live members in Canada featured the ability to go on the Xbox Live Marketplace also as of December 11, 2007 with around 30 movies to be downloaded for the same amount of Microsoft Points.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/12/11/xbox-live-video-marketplace-live-in-canada-uk-and-elsewhere/|title=Xbox Live Video Marketplace Live in Canada, UK, and Elsewhere|author=Christopher Grant|publisher=''[[Engadget]]''|date=December 11, 2007|accessdate=October 9, 2015}}</ref>

On May 26, 2009, Microsoft announced it would release the [[Zune HD]] (in the fall of 2009), which was then the next addition to the [[Zune]] product range. This was of an impact on the Xbox Live Video Store as it was also announced that the Zune Video Marketplace and the Xbox Live Video Store will be merged to form the [[Zune Marketplace]], which will be arriving on Xbox Live in 7 countries initially, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland and Spain.<ref name="Zune Marketplace">{{cite press release|title=Zune Marketplace |date=May 27, 2009 |url=http://tech.uk.msn.com/news/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=149641612 |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=May 27, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714132908/http://tech.uk.msn.com/news/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=149641612 |archivedate=July 14, 2011 }}</ref> Further details were released at the Microsoft press conference at [[E3 2009]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://kotaku.com/5274608/zune-video-comes-to-live-in-1080p-hd-this-fall/|title=Zune Video Comes to Live in 1080p HD This Fall|author=Brian Crecente|publisher=''[[Kotaku]]''|date=June 1, 2009|accessdate=October 9, 2015}}</ref>

On October 16, 2012, Xbox Video and Xbox Music were released, replacing the Zune Marketplace. Xbox Video is a digital video service on that offers full HD movies and TV series for purchase or rental on Xbox 360, Windows 8, [[Windows RT]] PCs and [[Tablet computer|tablets]], and Windows Phones.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-16-xbox-360-dashboard-update-rolls-out-from-today|title=Xbox 360 Dashboard Update Rolls Out from Today|author=Tom Phillips|publisher=''[[Eurogamer]]''|date=October 16, 2012|accessdate=July 11, 2015}}</ref>

On August 18, 2015, Microsoft rolled out an update renaming it Movies and TV similar to the Windows 10 App.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-updates-movies--tv-and-groove-music-apps-on-windows-10|title=Microsoft Update Movies & TV and Groove Music Apps on Windows 10|author=Andy Weir|publisher=''[[Neowin]]''|date=August 18, 2015|accessdate=October 9, 2015}}</ref>

===Groove Music===
{{main|Groove Music}}
[[Xbox Music]] provides 30 million music tracks available for purchase or access through subscription. It was announced at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012]] and it integrates with [[Windows 8]] and [[Windows Phone]] as well.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-07-03-microsofts-itunes-spotify-rival-xbox-music-out-later-this-year-report|title=Microsoft's iTunes, Spotify Rival Xbox Music Out This Year – Report|author=Wesley Yin-Poole|publisher=''[[Eurogamer]]''|date=July 3, 2012|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref>

In August 2015 Microsoft rolled out an update renaming it to Groove Music similar to the Windows 10 App.

===Xbox SmartGlass===
{{main|Xbox SmartGlass}}

Xbox SmartGlass is one of the newer features that allows for integration between the Xbox 360 console and mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.<ref>{{cite web |title=Microsoft aposenta aplicativo do Xbox 360 SmartGlass |url=https://olhardigital.com.br/games-e-consoles/noticia/microsoft-aposenta-aplicativo-do-xbox-360-smartglass/76203 |website=Olhar Digital |publisher=Olhar Digital |accessdate=18 August 2018}}</ref> An app is available on Android, Windows Phone 8 and iOS. Users of the feature can view additional content to accompany the game they are playing, or the TV shows and movies they are watching. They can also use their mobile device as a remote to control the Xbox 360 console.<ref>{{cite web |title=E3 2012: A closer look at Xbox SmartGlass |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/e3-2012-a-closer-look-at-xbox-smartglass/ |website=CNET |publisher=CNET |accessdate=18 August 2018}}</ref>

== Game development ==

PartnerNet, the developers-only alternative [[Xbox Live]] network used by developers to beta test game content downloads and games developed for [[Xbox Live Arcade]], runs on Xbox 360 [[debugging|debug]] kits, which are used both by developers and by the gaming press. In a podcast released on February 12, 2007, a developer breached the PartnerNet [[non-disclosure agreement]] (NDA) by commenting that he had found a playable version of ''[[Alien Hominid]]'' and an unplayable version of ''[[Ikaruga]]'' on PartnerNet. A few video game journalists, misconstruing the breach of the NDA as an invalidation of the NDA, immediately began reporting on other games being tested via PartnerNet, including a remake of ''[[Jetpac]]''. (''Alien Hominid'' for the Xbox 360 was released on February 28 of that year, and ''Ikaruga'' was released over a year later on April 9, 2008. ''Jetpac'' was released for the Xbox 360 on March 28, 2007 as ''[[Jetpac Refuelled]]''.) There have also been numerous video and screenshot leaks of game footage on PartnerNet, as well as a complete version of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I]]'', which caused for the whole PartnerNet service to be shut down overnight on April 3, 2010. In the following days, [[Microsoft]] reminded developers and journalists that they were in breach of NDA by sharing information about PartnerNet content and asked websites to remove lists of games in development that were discovered on the service. Sega used feedback from fans about the leaked version of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I to refine it before they eventually released it.

Additionally, a pair of hackers played their modded Halo 3 games on PartnerNet in addition to using PartnerNet to scoop up unreleased and untested software. The duo passed their hacked Halo pics to their friends before they were eventually caught by Bungie engineers who left a message for the hackers on PartnerNet which read "Winners Don't Break Into PartnerNet.". Other games that were leaked in the PartnerNet fiasco include [[Shenmue]] and Shenmue 2.

[[Category:Microsoft consoles]]