Upcoming Xbox 360 Netflix update is still gimped, Microsoft thinks you want it that way

by Tim Stevens posted Aug 5th 2009 at 9:26AM

If you haven't been lucky enough to preview the upcoming Xbox Live dashboard update like we did, there's a good chance you're eagerly awaiting its August 11 release so that you can finally modify your Netflix queue straight from the box. If so, prepare to be disappointed... or, uh, thrilled when you find out that the new experience isn't quite as comprehensive as you might have expected. It restricts users to perusing the Top 50 films in any of a handful of categories, meaning no searching by title and no browsing alphabetically. Why? According to Microsoft's Ben Smith, Director of Program Management for Xbox Live, that's how you want it. He says: "I think when people come to Xbox they're not really looking so much for functional, they really want to have fun, they want to be wowed." We're saying "wow," all right, but for entirely different reasons. There is a morsel of good news, though: if enough people indicate they actually like function and want an honest-to-goodness, full-featured Netflix experience Microsoft is fully prepared to upgrade the service. Again. Eventually.

-----

I found Ben Smith's statement quite .. eh.. dumb?! For a feature like this, a good search function is a must. "..not really looking so much for functional, [...] want to be wowed" Ha!

People in other countries don't have Netflix feature at all... One should be happy with what they get rather complain with what they could have gotten.

Sounds like it's at least better than what it was.

I like the fact that they put the newest 50 films for the categories. A search function would be great. Also a category for HD content.

Wish I had access to this mindblowing stupidity in Canada :(

It's not that bad.

Someone should start a petition....

The mindblowing stupidity part is not aimed at the update itself, rather the statement about the update.

"I think when people come to Xbox they're not really looking so much for functional"..."want o be wowed (instead)".

Its not like this is a big thing, its just a small search function. Imagine the meeting when they sat down to discuss this.
- "So first, a search engine would be nice so you can find what they are looking for fast, right?"
- "Naah.. the people dont want that."
- "Oh.. i just thought.. ?"
- "No. Instead we need to Wow them"
- "Okay. So what do you suggest?"
- "Uh.. i dunno? - But lets hold off on the search thingy, okay. Searching for movies. Ha! You crazy."

"I think when people come to Xbox they're not really looking so much for functional,"

Considering how many people put up with RROD there may be something to this statement. I mean no one really thinks the thing is going to work that would be crazy.

I was wondering why there isn't a search function, but I do like how they have the newest movies and tv shows added.