A Web Browser on the Xbox 360? : Mad Props!

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A Web Browser on the Xbox 360?

I hear a lot of people asking Microsoft to add web browsing functionality to the Xbox 360 dashboard.

I'm starting to think that this wouldn't be a good idea.

For starters, unless you have a high definition TV, you're running a resolution of either 480 or 576 pixels in height. When was the last time you tried doing anything on a PC running at 640x480? Most web sites now are almost unusable at that resolution.

How about navigation? Sure, you can plug a USB keyboard into the 360, so for those of us who have a spare one lying around we'll be able to type in URLs. What about clicking on links and/or scrolling pages? Navigating around a page using the remote or controller would be really cumbersome.

Then you have to ask yourself how many different standards an Xbox 360 browser should support. Just HTML? Javascript? Java? Flash? ShockWave? Heck, should it be able to view PDF files? How about embedded QuickTime videos? A lot of our daily browsing experience relies on these sorts of technologies.

Of course, as soon as you enable things other than plain old HTML then you're opening up the "attack surface area" of the platform. Do we really want to have to install virus scanners on our Xboxen? And how about parental controls? The Xbox 360 has very strong parental controls, but the web is pretty lax on that subject. Should protective parents just lock their kids out of the browser completely?

There are so many issues when you really think about it beyond the initial, "Ooh! I could read Major Nelson's blog on my Xbox!" Be careful what you wish for.

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Comments

# jordan 8/11/2006 9:15 AM	would be great to get something like youtube on my 360 so i could watch those videos on my tv when sitting around w/friends. just sayin. :)
# mabster 8/11/2006 9:40 AM	Yeah, a youtube viewer for the 360 would be pretty cool. It'd be nice if there were some sort of standard for video portals, because right now with YouTube, Google Video, SoapBox etc, there are simply too many ways to view videos to expect MS to support them all.
# Andrew Tobin 8/11/2006 1:24 PM	I doubt it'd be too difficult to think of which one Microsoft will standardise on... It'll definately happen... although I'm still surprised there isn't more integration between the 360 and MSN Messenger yet.
# mabster 8/11/2006 2:09 PM	You mean like this? http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2006/07/17/It_2700_s-back_3A00_-Friends-list-on-Messenger.aspx
# Andrew Tobin 8/11/2006 2:28 PM	Yeah, exactly like that, when are they going to do that? Voice chats between the two would be good, too.
# Pez 12/11/2006 10:55 AM	It shouldnt be too hard to browse the internet on a 360 with a pad cause I had a PSP and it wasnt difficult to use and also Microsoft is one of the worlds biggest computer and internet companies so why shouldnt they add a web browser onto the Xbox 360.
# Alexander Todorovic 20/11/2006 11:07 PM	Should protective parents just lock their kids out of the browser completely? What kind of a question is this. Who cares what kids are doing. I'm not in diapers anymore. Why would light parental control be a stand point for keeping the internet off 360. No part of my life is suitable for children, but i still live it. Thats the type of question that wal-mart answered by banning explicit cd's.
# mabster 21/11/2006 6:52 AM	Like it or not, parental control is a big issue in the gaming world nowadays. I'm a proponent of adult supervision rather than restricted functionality, but MS have pushed their parental controls very hard in the most recent dashboard update - it's something a lot of people feel very strongly about.
# Andrew Tobin 21/11/2006 8:57 AM	I agree... maybe there needs to be an easy way for parents to enable/disable the viewing of a browser - the best thing about it is that for the most part the xboxes would be in a family environment - ie the living room... so for once parents would supervise their kids. But yeah, it's a bit tough when there probably wouldn't be a "Net Nanny" of sorts. MS could do a pay-for proxy service though. But if you read about the PS3 their browser doesn't seem too complete either, with problems with javascript and ajax, etc. I think the best thing about the Xbox is that Live would push browser updates. The worst thing? The amount of idiots who complain that they can't run Firefox on it. I can just imagine now the EU handing down a ruling that they can't put IE on the Xbox because it forces consumers to use IE. I wonder if that'll happen to the PS3... that's a PC, right?
# Alexander Todorovic 21/11/2006 7:15 PM	No, you're missing what i'm saying. just have one parental control option. turn the browser on or off. if people are still having kids, which i thought was over at this point, they could just turn the browser off.
# mabster 21/11/2006 8:07 PM	Yeah, the ability to disable the browser altogether might work. Regardless, though, it'll be interesting to see how the browser pans out on the PS3. By all reports it's fairly crippled. I think an RSS reader with the feeds managed on your PC (as I blogged about after this post), would be a much better option.
# JIm bob 2/12/2006 11:19 AM	Well the ps3 has one so C'mon microsoft...
# JOhn 8/12/2006 5:06 AM	i heard microsift can't put IE on the 360 due to anti-trust laws... that's kind of strange...
# awesome 22/12/2006 11:03 AM	hey umm its been leaked that the keyboard connects underneath the controller (like on a blackberry) which soves the issue with using a mouse substitute.
# mikey 18/04/2007 2:17 PM	Dreamcast:1 Xbox:0
# Kaidra 30/05/2007 12:01 PM	I would love a browser on the X-Box. For those that don't want it for any of the reasons you mentioned, don't use it (I'm sure if released there would be an option to disable it). I have a PSP as well and the ability to turn it on and quickly browse something is a lot better than turning on a PC.
# El Capiano 9/06/2007 11:34 PM	Well, firstly, most people who have an xbox360 are either running 720p or 1080i - and a select few are running 1080p. Resolution really wouldnt be that much of a problem. Worked out well enough for the wii even on 480p - just required a bit of zooming in on certain things. Its a much better idea on the 360. As far as the x360 browser? IE.. java/flash etc etc should all be able to implement themselves into that easy enough. As far as PDF goes,maybe. Quicktime is not as popular as it once was. And if a protective parent wants to lock their kid off from the browser, so be it. Its not like theyre not doing that already.
# itsme 25/06/2007 11:39 AM	ok this is stupid........ who cares about potntial risks, microsoft is smart, theyll develop something good. think about it, cheat codes without having to go on your computer... myspace without ever getting up :) ive had a sidekick and blackberry, and really i hardly ever need java or flash. i would really appreciate having a webbrowser on the xbox and i think millions agree with me..
# Jeremy Jefferson 2/07/2007 3:33 AM	1. Many, many, people have widescreen TV's. Heck, we are no where near rich and have 3 high def TV's ranging from 32-42". Even if they don't what's the difference between a little 3.5" screen on your palm PC, huh? 2. Navigation, well, yea it would be easier with a mouse, but ever heard of the tab key? Try it out sometime. 3. What should the browser support? I think you listed most of what is needed. Of course dashboard updates can add functionality to it in the future that they forget or for something new that comes out. 4. Viruses? Welcome to the internet buddy, get over it. 5. Again, welcome to the internet. Face it, get over it, or lose it. I WANT A BROWSER MS!
# Anonymous 14/07/2007 11:22 AM	simple left thumb stick to scroll and the right to move the pointer and A to click or something like that
# Rob 20/07/2007 3:22 AM	Well i understand your point but we must remember that sony managed to get a functioning web browser on the PSP and Apple have got one on the iphone
# GMan 6/09/2007 10:04 AM	The browser for the WII is decent why not use something along those lines, and it's not that difficult to navigate with the remote
# Peter Reay 11/09/2007 6:24 AM	Re YouTube videos mentioned above - you can watch on your XBox! Install Orb on your home PC which will stream YouTube videos to the Xbox over the local network.
# scoobybabe 17/09/2007 8:43 AM	Well let's stop quibbling about which standard, and just get a basic browser module in there. LS = navigation and A/B = left/right click. I find it a real pain when on my XBox360 that if I want to check out something, I need to go into another room. C'mon you guys/gals at MS...do your customers proud! ...and I just HATE those smug sods that have the PS3 telling me to swap...never, I tell ya, NEVER!!!
# Zero200 6/10/2007 6:54 AM	I might just have to get a WII or a PS3 because of this. Damn you MS, I want to use my 1080p TV for a monitor with some light browsing. If it isn't fully functional browser I dont care. Just think. There are 3 consoles. Only one is made by a developer of computer software, and 2 out of 3 have a browser. Why is MS the odd one out?!?!
# eric 4/11/2007 4:17 AM	In my opinion we shouldn't have a web browser. Although I think microsoft should partner with sites like Youtube and make there videos accessible without going to their website on the 360. Or just have a the Xbox forums.
# iwantitnow 19/12/2007 5:50 AM	give me the browser aholes cheap want me to buy a new computer too not made of money buddy
# Andrew Tobin 19/12/2007 12:37 PM	My old computer works just fine to browse the internet. But to be honest, if you can't have a conversation without resorting to that sort of tone, it's better off we don't have you here.
# Amar 27/12/2007 10:31 AM	Hello, I am a newbie to Xbox 360, and have a basic question related to Internet browsing. I am interested in basic web browsing using the Xbox360 since it will avoid me dedicating a laptop for browsing the internet and watching on the TV. So, the questions are: 1. Can we browse the Internet using Xbox360 (I just bought it and it supposedly has the newer processor HD...??)? 2. If we can browse using Xbox360, what is the simplest way? i.e. without hardware modifications. Which browser should I use (I heard of Linksbok)? 3. Could you just outline the steps in terms of what software, tools to use, and the method of installing into xbox (i.e how to ftp into xbox> I read some of the stuff on the Internet on this, but none of them said clearly how to ftp into the box) thank you very much for any help
# Brisdman 13/01/2008 9:17 AM	Ok WHEN you said quicktime Ha that made me laugh because Quicktime Is with Apple you dimwit Microsoft and apple dont mix so you should change that to will it work with Windows Meadia Player since Xbox 360 is 10%windows
# mabster 13/01/2008 9:37 AM	Well, Brisdman, I think you just revealed yourself as the "dimwit" you accuse me of being. Why would I bother questioning whether a browser on the 360 would support Windows Media Player? That would be the first thing it would support! If you have an IQ anything over about 50, you should be able to understand that I'm questioning whether a 360-based web browser should support 3rd-party embeddable applications like Flash and Quicktime. Perhaps you should go back to school and learn reading comprehension. Or, y'know, just common sense.
# Brisdman 13/01/2008 11:02 AM	wats your iq then ? im 106 for a 13 yearold
# Brisdman 13/01/2008 12:49 PM	ok mabster im am smarter , im good@ videogames,i hate rap even though im black ,im FAMOUSE on youtube check them out@ Youtube.com/purpletriforce top that!!!
# crucible 13/01/2008 12:51 PM	Dude! You'd have to be 13 to think that comparing IQ points is in any way helping you win an argument. Plus, for a 13 year old? Does that mean Mabs has to adjust for the inflation of his years? Mabster is obviously talking about embedded elements within websites - when you go to myspace they have a little music player that you have to download - so should Microsoft make a 360 explorer that works on most sites, but not something that gets the hits of MySpace? Or maybe not Google Mail, or Yahoo! Mail, because of AJAX reloading? Hell that means most sites wouldn't work. I think a web explorer is probably the most difficult things to implement well - and I still don't hear much from anyone who has a Wii or a PS3 actually using theirs. For the record, my IQ is infinity! Ner!
# Brisdman 13/01/2008 1:59 PM	1st O_o 2nd i have myspace myspace.com/brisdman (lol i know it has nothing to do with it lol) 3rd there is no infinity in I.q if you dont know your iq goto tickle.com the test is 8-20min they will tell you
# Brisdman 13/01/2008 2:02 PM	hmmm i like this website im adding this to my favorite
# Brisdman 13/01/2008 2:05 PM	host or creater of this website can other people like me create a blog or forum?
# mabster 13/01/2008 2:17 PM	Not on madprops.org, but feel free to take part in the conversation by starting your own blog and linking back to here in your posts.
# Brisdman 13/01/2008 2:23 PM	problem\| I have A nintendo wii No Computer Im trying to sign up but it let me i mean i trying over and over to click the submit button nothing happens does this website hate wiis?
# Brisdman 14/01/2008 1:46 AM	Ive been thinking since microsoft made pc, Video games ,windowsmobile,mp3s, and entertainment ..... apple made macs, iphone,ipods,and entertainment... but no video games ..... i think in 2009-2010or11 they well invent i-game that does everything Note: im a Pc fan
# steve 26/01/2008 4:06 PM	Your a load of bull shit. If the fucking wii has one the fucking 360 can bear one... The wii doesnt even have a fuction to output on to an HDTV unless using component cables, but that doesnt make a difference... you dont know shit.
# mabster 26/01/2008 8:03 PM	And the winner of the most ridiculously vitriolic reaction to a more-than-a-year-old post is ... !
# Brisdman 3/02/2008 5:44 PM	Steve i have a nintendowii infact im using the wii right now as we speak(opera channel) u r a nintendo hatter and a screwup if u try residentevil ;chronical or red steel on high definition its a hell lot of fun !!
# Dava 3/02/2008 9:00 PM	Hi! The SEGA dreamcast did it successfully so should the 360. I knew a lot of people who had one, and I had one, n at the time it was a good way of getting on the net (gamefaqs lol) have we not moved on in the last 9 years oh and before you say "it bombed" that was only because the ps2 was awesome. if there was an alternte OS for the 360 I'd use it. becuse the 360 has more power than (tri-core procceser) my already pretty powerful PC. Microsoft would also profit becuse everybody would buy the 120 gb hard drive And the little Microsft 360 keyboard you can get for it now. it would be sooo easy to add another page to the OS in dashboard just to surf, how cool would that be on your TV, becuse nothing else lets you! so thats a niche in the market n that shouldnt be tolerated. Thxz! Dava.
# Kuja Sama 5/02/2008 11:16 PM	Great post, even if it is a bit old. I have been thinking about getting my hands on the 360 developers kit if that's even possible and working out a way to have a HTML only forum system Lets face it, Xbox.com has a large community, it should be possible to bring that community to your own Xbox, rather than having to use a computer or a Wii to do so. Whilst I wholeheartedly agree that the 360 should not have a 'browser' per se, a LIVE downloadable component that can let you view Xbox's forums, allow users to make their own forums for a monthly fee, we know how micro$oft loves the sound of money and allow basic HTML frontpages for their forums. This in turn would allow clans to have a setup that doesn't require users to check online with a PC/Wii/Phone to see information regarding the clan. Idealistic dream? Perhaps, but I am sure someday someone will make it happen. Kuja
# nicholass 25/02/2008 12:38 AM	brisd. i have a question. if your IQ is 106, why is your spelling/grammar at a 5 year olds level?
# Scott 10/04/2008 4:28 AM	Does anyone else think that possibly "Flash Support" might be a deterrent for MSFT adding a browser ? Suddenly Xbox Live arcade purchases becomes alot less enticing when you have thousands of free flash games available via the browser. A web browser without flash support, basically would exclude you from some of the coolest things on the internet. Realistically, if Sony and Nintendo were capable of adding a browser.... Isn't it quite obvious that it's about not wanting to do it, as opposed to capability. It would seem that the Xbox 360 would be the easiest one to add a browser to. Am I the only one who thinks that maybe "free flash games" is the real issue here ?
# mrp3sky 17/04/2008 9:26 PM	now I agree web browsing would not be needed on 360 but a way to use the BBC Iplayer on a 360 would be most welcomed.
# Sam 26/04/2008 8:46 AM	Brisdamn, your IQ has a tendency to decrease slowly after puberty. It never increases, so 103 at 13 is practically appalling. Anyway, as for the browser, once you've flashed your 360 drive (easy to do right now) you can install linux and use a generic linux browser. Simple enough, and it avoids all the issues seen here aside from navigation. However, it's easy to browse on a psp, and that has less buttons than a Xbox.
# EarMuffs 14/08/2008 10:11 PM	OK KIDDIES! heres why this is not gona happen 1. Original xbox BOND/MECH ASSAULT exploit 2. XBOX360 shader exploit on King Kong Bam easy ways to hack a xbox now M$ has put a lot of work into locking down this box. What did that get them? if i remember right the 360 was booting burned games within four months. Now there are hacks to dump your eeprom and roll back the dash to a more exploitable version and BAM* hypervisor privileges. It's similar to the exploits for the psp. So theres no way in eehhhemm that M$ is gona let me try my hat at a java flash or other browser related hack. The security on this system is tight and yet somehow swiss cheese they're not gona open the system more. which brings me the another point M$ makes you pay for crappy gamer pics. you think they're gona give you the whole wide internet so you can watch free movies instead of letting them take your money? Nope they want to control the media and make money. Additionally M$ makes windows so why give ppl a browser on the 360 when you want to sell copies of windows to ppl, make them buy a pc to browse.
# Roberto 24/02/2009 2:24 AM	Ahhhh they could do this, somehow. Maybe they could at least provide a hotmail client of some sort. No downloads etc., but just ability to check hotmail while on the xbox. Ultimately, I just plug my P.C. right into the back of my HD and I have everything I need as it's essentially a giant monitor. I'll never understand all the media editions etc., when any new tv today has a jack alla your monitor to plug your computer right in...easy peasy!

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