Microsoft adds social and video sections to Xbox.com

GAMES CONSOLE MAKER Microsoft has announced it's replacing the My Xbox section of Xbox.com with social and video sections.

The new Social segment of the web site will let users easily see what friends are doing on Xbox Live and allow early access to the new Beacons feature. Beacons will be coming with the next Xbox 360 dashboard update and will mean that gamers will be able to flag games that they want to play with others.

Microsoft said, "If you're used to clicking 'My Xbox' to get to the page, note that the Xbox.com navigation menu is undergoing some changes to make room for our new Video page and some other new items. The new link to look for is 'Social.' The good news is that, if you're signed in to Xbox.com, you'll be taken right to the Social page when visiting Xbox.com."

The added Video section will let users browse the Zune video catalogue and buy TV shows or films. Within the Social part of the web site, users can click on Home, Friends, Messages and Activity.

The Message part has been revamped and the Activity page is new, which will show your most recently played games, what friends have also played those titles and what games you've set beacons for.

Clicking on an individual title will display yours and your friends' beacons for that game. This will integrate with Xbox 360 when the new dashboard is rolled out but will show up on Windows Phone devices straight away. µ