Microsoft's XBOX 360 to Support Netflix streaming movies

Microsoft made an important announcement today saying that it will support the movie rental service Netflix as a part of its system software update for the XBOX 360. This means that for those console owners who are Netflix subscribers no additional software or hardware will be needed from now on to enjoy Netflix's streaming movie service on their consoles.

If you are an XBOX 360 user there’s another reason to be thrilled – the newly updated party chat system will include viewing streaming movies with other users on your friends list.

The feature makes it possible that you watch and control a streaming movie with up to 7 other people as part of a party, which currently, on the browser-based iteration you can’t do. This is something Lycos and YouTube did a great job with.

The announcement is all the more interesting if taking into consideration that the XBOX 360 doesn’t include a Web browser at this time compared to consoles offered by competitors like Sony and Nintendo. Another thing worth mentioning is that you are required to use Internet Explorer if you want to take benefit from Netflix's watch it now service.