and now that i think back on it. Im not even surprised at all the backlash about Drm (myself included) you know all the people i knew when i was in college that had a modded 360 to allow bootleg games almost half of the people i knew had modded 360 which is why it always surprised me how 360 games sell so well//

No, they saw Sony's E3 and the preorders that followed. 

@ OP

It's strange that they got rid of the 24 hr check-in, yet still require an online connection to first play your games, at all.  Also, will taking away the 24 hr check even matter if many of MS's games will require the power of the cloud to work?  That would still require an always online connection.  I'm guessing we're going to be seeing some One cases with "Internet Required" on them. 

We'll also have to see if they address the Kinect required restriction, as that was a big negative for some, as well.  Of course, Sony still has them by $100 and is backed by the popularity of the PS brand WW.  So, while I think this will definitely help MS sell several million more units, I don't think it will be enough to beat Sony this gen.

I can that a lie.

I mean why MS insisted all these days with all this PR about the features like family sharing and others if they wanted to drop it before E3... just didn't do that to focus E3 in games.

Makes no sense... why announce the family sharing feature at E3?

This decision toady was taked yesterday... Gamestop preorders numbers was essencial for that.

I think the gaming community should celebrate, we did it. I knew there was a chance they could chance their minds as long as we kept on bashing on it!

Im a gamer and i feel sorry for genuine potential xbox one owners now you have a console stuck trying to please everyone
thats not good.. who are you xbox one to me this whole deal is a mess

There's always the Kinect requirement. 

Also, since the One is now just like the PS4 in terms of online (minus the initial check) and used games, only $100 more expensive and less powerful, does that mean those that defended the One's DRM, and "the benefits" it brought, should be switching to the PS4.  I think so. 

B-b-but Don Mattrick!?

Yes, they changed! I was totally on the fence about the Xbone and leaning towards the "no buy" category (and there's no way I'm getting a ps4), but now it looks like I will be picking one up.

This is a really big win for consumers for sure. :)

MS back in the fight, will be an interesting 8th gen now.