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Xbox, Redbox To Partner on Videos By Adam Dickter February 5, 2013 4:17PM     "Microsoft working with Redbox/Verizon to add their new streaming service is a natural step for both the service and the Xbox platform," said analyst Michael Inouye. "Microsoft and the other game console companies are still positioning their platforms as media hubs that extend well beyond gaming alone, so this isn't a surprising move."   Related Topics Xbox Microsoft Redbox Streaming DVD Blu-ray Latest News Reality TV's New Stars: Small Biz Soundbars Up the Ante on TV Sound Google Glass Raises Privacy Concerns Pentagon Gives iOS 6 Security OK Should Enterprises Skip Windows 8? Xbox, meet Redbox. In its continuing quest to make the Xbox 360 an entertainment, social and information portal rather than just a gaming console, Microsoft has entered into yet another content agreement, this time with the $1 easy-video-rental company. "Today we're happy to reveal that Redbox Instant by Verizon will be coming to Xbox 360 in the very near future," said Microsoft's Larry Hryb, writing on the Major Nelson Xbox blog. "If you are currently a Redbox Instant beta participant, you'll receive an e-mail with a unique code to access the app on Xbox 360 in the coming days." If not, you can request beta entry at www.RedboxInstant.com. Taking on Netflix The Redbox Instant app by Verizon, exclusive to Xbox 360, costs $8 a month for DVD or an extra buck for Blu-ray flicks. That buys you four one-night credits for the latest releases at Redbox kiosks and access to the service's Netflix-targeting library of movies available for unlimited streaming. Netflix does not offer a streaming plus DVD combination. Its monthly subscription rate for unlimited streaming is $7.99, and its monthly rates for DVDs are $7.99 for one at a time, $11.99 for two at a time and $15.99 for three at a time. ($9.99, $14.99 and $19.99 for Blu-ray.) "Microsoft working with Redbox/Verizon to add their new streaming service is a natural step for both the service and the Xbox platform," said Michael Inouye, digital home analyst at ABI Research. "Microsoft and the other game console companies are still positioning their platforms as media hubs that extend well beyond gaming alone, so this isn't a surprising move." The analyst added that the exclusive arrangement with Xbox is temporary, as Redbox and Verizon will eventually support other connected devices and perhaps other consoles. "But it is a good win for Microsoft to have exclusive console rights -- even if it is only temporary," Inouye told us. "Microsoft's console is a good place to start because it incorporates a good search function that does a fairly good job searching for content across multiple services." For instance, he said, users can search for a movie and the Xbox will return a list of services that offer it. "Xbox 360 users who stream movies and play multi-player games also pay for the premium service, Xbox Live Gold, so they have a tendency to be heavier users of these complementary features," he said. Lots to Watch Rival Nintendo is already out with a new console, the Wii U, leaving Sony and Microsoft in a race to get their own next-generation consoles out first sometime toward the end of the year. So Microsoft has tried to keep an edge with new content partners. In December, Microsoft announced 40 new available apps for Xbox Live subscribers to view content from PBS, MTV, the CW network and Vimeo, as well as offerings for users in other countries.   Tell Us What You Think Comment: Name: Also Visit: iPad Info Center Billions of Bytes Mobile Device Now Apple Info Center TopTechWire.com

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Network Security Spotlight

Syrian Electronic Army Hacks Financial Times The Financial Times is the latest victim of the Syrian Electronic Army, a group that supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The U.K.-based newspaper said a blog and its Twitter accounts were hacked.   Patch Tuesday Hyper Focuses on IE 8 Microsoft on Tuesday issued 10 security bulletins that fix 33 vulnerabilities. These updates include MS13-038, which will address the Internet Explorer 8 issue described in Security Advisory 2847140.   Surge of Venture Capital Buoys Tech Security Sector With companies and governments spending billions to repel cyberthreats, a surge of venture capital is pouring into companies developing cybersecurity technologies, the front line of the conflict.

Enterprise Hardware Spotlight

U.S. Defense Department Gives iOS 6 Security OK In a vote of confidence for Apple's iOS devices, the Defense Department has given the all-clear for employees to use iPads and iPhones for work. But only those running iOS 6, and only if issued by the government.   Cisco Surges After Profit Exceeds Analysts' Estimates Networking equipment giant Cisco's net income jumped 14 percent in the latest quarter as revenue at all four of its divisions rose for the first time in a year and a half, as tech spending increases.   HP and SAP Team To Advance HANA Database Technology The two tech leaders are working on a system that SAP says could fundamentally change the database market. HANA is SAP's technology that keeps data in-memory, for super fast processing.

Mobile Enterprise Spotlight

Google Glass Raises Congressional Privacy Concerns The buzz around Google Glass continues, but it's not all good. Some in Congress have questions. "We are curious whether this new technology could infringe on the privacy of average Americans," their letter to Google says.   Windows Phone Now No. 3 in Market, BlackBerry No. 4 Has Microsoft Phone moved into a coveted though distant third place for smartphone platforms behind Google's Android and Apple's iOS? A new report says yes, while BlackBerry has slipped to No. 4.   Intel Going Mobile with Its New CEO In his first speech as Intel's CEO, Brian Krzanich said he plans to focus on beefing up Intel's presence in mobility. The next step: a world tour showing mobile devices based on Intel chips, from PCs to phones and tablets.

Enterprise Technology Spotlight

HP and SAP Team To Advance HANA Database Technology The two tech leaders are working on a system that SAP says could fundamentally change the database market. HANA is SAP's technology that keeps data in-memory, for super fast processing.   Cloud Computing Gains Another Competitor with Google Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure now have a full-on rival in Google, with its I/O announcement that it is opening its hosted Compute Engine environment for virtual machines to all comers.   Hackers' New Tool of Choice: Smartphones Smartphones are increasingly popular not only with consumers, but with thieves who see the devices as another way to tap into bank accounts and other sensitive information, experts say.

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