Neowin
When Microsoft began rolling out the new version of its Xbox 360 dashboard earlier this week, two things it didn't bring along for the ride were the Xbox 360's Facebook and Twitter apps.
On Nov. 17, 2009, Microsoft released Xbox 360 apps for both Facebook and Twitter. Now, about three years later, the apps are no longer listed in the Microsoft console's list of apps available for download. Prior to the new dashboard's launch, Microsoft hadn't indicated the apps would be removed from the store.
The apps may have been removed now that Internet Explorer has been made available for the console, although having a browser available has never prohibited social networking apps from being included in stores for smartphones, tablets and other devices.
Though the apps are no longer included in the app marketplace, users who previously downloaded the Facebook app can still launch it from the quick launch option or "My Apps." The Twitter app was entirely web-based and never downloaded to a user's hard drive.
Despite the delisting, both apps are still included on Microsoft's "Be Entertained" page that lists its Xbox Live service partners.
Whether or not Xbox 360 users will actually miss the apps is debatable. Neither had been updated in years, and the Facebook app actually included a design that was at least two dashboard generations old.
Neowin has contacted Microsoft and asked if the Facebook and Twitter apps will return to the Xbox 360 marketplace at some point in the future.
Update: A Microsoft spokesperson has issued the following statement on behalf of the company confirming new Facebook and Twitter apps will not be released.
We are retiring the Facebook and Twitter apps. Xbox LIVE subscribers will have the ability to access these sites through Internet Explorer on Xbox, available through the Web Hub located on the new dashboard.
