This is so strange. If you ask me it's almost like Microsoft has paid very close attention to all of the conversations we've been having here on VG charts. Hmmmm...

It is for full games.

So you can go out, buy Lost Odyssey or Blue Dragon, and download all the discs to your HDD. Then, you can just keep 1 disc in it (for verification), and get the benefit of no disc swapping, and faster load times.

Basically, your getting the advantage of what the PS3 does in installing parts of games into the HDD to help load times, but it's an option, not a requirement.

SONY is pwned.

The image will be the same yeah I realise that, but having played PC  games at 1440x900 on this monitor for a longtime before my 360 came along, the difference is there on the lower resolutions and it is very noticable, even at 1360x768. It's just to do with the way the monitor outputs resolutions other than what it's specifically designed for (like alot of 16:10 monitors), and 1440x900, my 360 games will instantly look sharper and more vivid purely because they'll match what the monitor should be outputting at.

It won't be a huge difference, but it will be a very nice difference all the same :)

You can build a highpower machine but you need software to make it what you really want and that is where MS can build on the 360. Netflix, fully downloadable games, more on Demand TV.

It's why I bought a 360 and am happy with my purchase

They have to keep it as an option not to piss off the Core owners, but as long as we have an option to install it too that's just awesome.

when are we supposed to see an official statement regarding these new features?

Spectrum - The official announcement was yesterday on Major Nelson's forum. He's the public outlet of XBL information, and updates, and it was on his website yesterday right after the MS press conference.

Hurray!!!! I only have space for one game X_X...

lol but yea wasnt this a hack on the original xbox