Users can’t pick up an Xbox One just yet, but when they can they’ll have access to a pretty substantial list of entertainment apps for when they aren’t gaming or watching live television.
Microsoft announced its slate of entertainment titles headed to the Xbox One in a news post on the Xbox Wire blog today. In the United States the slate of third-party services includes Amazon Instant Video, Crackle, CW TV, ESPN, FOX Now, FX NOW, Hulu Plus, Machinima, MUZU TV, Netflix Redbox Instant by Verizon, Target Ticket, TED, The NFL on Xbox One, Twitch, Univision Deportes, Verizon FiOS TV and VUDU.
You’re not imaging that the list seems a bit light. When compared with the Xbox 360’s line up the Xbox One’s slate of entertainment apps leave a lot on the cutting room floor. For example, those switching from the Xbox 360 to the Xbox One will lose, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Revision3, Disney, PBS, Nickelodeon, IGN and more. Microsoft has confirmed that HBO Go is coming to the Xbox One, however it won’t be immediately available at launch.
Today’s press release also confirms that Xbox Fitness, Xbox Video, Xbox Music, Internet Explorer, Skype, SkyDrive and Upload apps will also launch with the Xbox One. Users will still be able to watch YouTube through Internet Explorer if they choose. Still, those who have specific apps needs should probably hang on on to their Xbox 360 until the app they need arrives on the Xbox One. Microsoft says that it has plans to release more applications for the Xbox One and Xbox 360 “weekly.”
Each one of these applications includes support for the Xbox One’s Kinect 2 sensor and the Xbox One’s new Snap Mode for multitasking.
