Xbox Live

Turn the car around; no need to go out to the nearest Redbox anymore, as the company's Redbox Instant arm is coming to Xbox 360 in the "very near future." Current participants in the Redbox Instant beta will receive an email invite to the Xbox Live app within weeks.

Redbox Instant monthly subscriptions are $8 per month for DVD rentals plus unlimited streaming or $9 per month for Blu-ray rentals plus unlimited streaming. In the Xbox Live app, users can also opt to purchase and rent new releases without signing up for the monthly service.

Between Netflix, Hulu Plus, and HBO Go, we've found plenty of ways to get your movie on through the Xbox console. Which service do you prefer?

Wish you could use your iPad to control the Xbox media center? Well, now you can. The free My Xbox LIVE app now has iPad compatibility. You can't use your tablet to play games, but whenever you're watching Netflix, playing music, or browsing through the entertainment options, you can put the Xbox controller down and connect with your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch.

With the My Xbox LIVE app, not only does your smartphone turn into a remote, but also, you can track your performance, connect with your friends, and receive breaking news from Xbox LIVE. Plus, the new Discover section helps you explore new entertainment options that might become your latest media addiction.

This week, Sony announced the launch of its new Google TV set-top box, the NSZ-GS7 Internet player, giving us one more option for watching TV and movies minus the cable box. If you'd like to shift content from your small-screen laptop to the giant flat-screen in your living room, then there are now plenty of options available. Check out these five popular picks to see which player suits your viewing habits best:

1. Sony NSZ-GS7 — Powered by Google TV, the Android-based device will hit retailers nationwide on July 22 for $199. The Internet player includes a two-sided remote — one side includes a touch pad and the other features a keyboard — and users can use their own voices to search for content.
2. Apple TV — Thanks to iCloud, Apple TV allows all your purchases (music, movies, TV shows, photos) to instantly stream on your big screen. The AirPlay feature also lets you stream movies and TV from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
3. Xbox Live — Take your Xbox 360 online via Xbox Live. The free membership allows you to rent or buy HD movies, while the paid Xbox Live Gold subscription offers access to Netflix, HBO Go, and Hulu Plus, plus special video chat options.
4. Roku — As the original streaming player, Roku is a basic, user-friendly way to access your existing media subscriptions. Even better? Starting at $49, it's a smart, affordable option.
5. PlayStation Network — The free PlayStation Network subscription serves as an all-access pass to several gaming and entertainment services, from Netflix to Hulu Plus to Amazon Instant Video. Bonus: the console doubles as a Blu-ray player.

Do you have a favorite way to watch TV? Share in the comments below!

Former cable subscribers that fled the rigors of triple digit monthly bills for the comforts of their Xbox 360 console-based video streaming have a new app to add to their at-home entertainment options — Amazon Instant Video. Xbox Live Gold is required to access Amazon's library of 120,000 movies and TV episodes and Amazon Prime members get the added benefit of an extra 17,000 instant videos to choose from. The app even includes Kinect functionality so you can shout and wave your viewing choices without searching for the remote or game controller.

Amazon Instant Video isn't the only streaming option for Xbox users though; while services and entertainment channels may vary by region and country, these seven other Xbox Live apps may have you cutting the cable cord for good.

• HBO GO — If you're already an HBO cable subscriber, this will stream your favorite HBO programming directly into the Xbox dashboard.
• Hulu Plus — Catch up on a broad selection of network television programming and movies at $7.99 per month.
• Comcast Xfinity — Available to Xfinity TV subscribers, Xfinity On Demand brings the most current episode of shows, along with season archives, and movies to the Xbox Live dashboard.
• Vevo — Check out the latest music videos without cramming around a computer screen or worrying about software plug-ins.
• Verizon FiOS TV — Available in time for the holiday season, Verizon is slated to bring a selection of live TV channels to Xbox 360 that will also be integrated with Kinect.
• Netflix — Netflix has long been available on Xbox Live, but it's a classic complement to the slew of new programming on the platform. This may be the call to drop the DVD subscription as well.
• Youtube — Don't forget the viral videos. You can still view the buzz-worthy videos of the Internet with YouTube on Xbox.

This Tuesday a major change (for the better) takes place on Xbox Live. With a revamp of the dashboard and the addition of media content partners, Microsoft hopes to turn the Xbox into the living room's primary entertainment hub. The free upgrade will push to all Xbox Live accounts Dec. 6, opening the gate to a larger world of media applications to be released in waves.

The initial media partners released alongside the software updates are Today from MSNBC, Epix, and changes to the Netflix and Hulu Plus dashboards. Look for other well-known partners and apps including TMZ, Verizon FiOS TV, Vevo, Vudu, and YouTube (finally!) to hit Xbox Live later this month. As with Hulu Plus and Netflix, many of these programming options will require a paid subscription.

The addition of a smartphone remote and voice-controlled Bing search bring an extra dash of competitive technology to Xbox. The Xbox Companion app for Windows Phone syncs to the larger onscreen console display and searches across the program partners for content, updates social statuses, and does something as basic as fast-forwarding through a movie. Kinect owners can also choose to speak their search queries and navigate the entire dashboard through voice.

Check out a gallery of images highlighting Xbox Live's new features and sleek dashboard here.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 is a popular gaming system, but fans can use for much more than games given its streaming capabilities and Internet connectivity. Xbox Live, Microsoft's Xbox content service, now has 25 million subscribers worldwide, which is officially more than top cable company Comcast. This is bad news for the cable service, which has been seeing a recent decrease in subscriptions, down to 23 million subscribers nationwide.

Find out why Comcast should continue to worry after the jump.

Starting Nov. 15, Windows users will be treated to a brand-new version of Microsoft's Games For Windows Marketplace, a browser-based store for purchasing digital copies of video games.

Over 100 game titles will be available at launch including popular favorites like Fable III, Gears of War, and Halo. Windows users can access the store from any PC and enjoy fast transfer and fewer clicks to purchase a game. Plus, the improved store features easier navigation and search and dedicated publisher pages for finding new titles.

Access the store via your Xbox Live gamertag, Zune tag, or Windows Live ID, and also use it to make new purchases and access prior purchases. Users should also keep an eye out for special "Deals of the Week," heavily discounting and promoting popular titles.

If you've got an Xbox 360 (and quite a few of you do), you know that it can do a lot more than just play games — an Xbox can be like your own personal media center.

If you are in fact an Xbox lover, it's likely that you've signed up for an Xbox Live account, which lets you download cool arcade games, demos, previews, access multiplayer games to play with friends online, stream Netflix movies and TV, and lots more. But for new and old subscribers alike, using your Xbox to its full potential is about to get a bit more expensive. Find out why after the break.

Mobile gaming just got a lot more exciting — Microsoft recently announced its lineup of games coming with the upcoming Windows Phone 7, which includes a large number of Xbox Live games. We already knew that you could hook up your Xbox Live avatar to the Windows Phone 7, but Microsoft wowed the crowd at this year's GamesCom 2010 in Germany with the sheer number of games that will be made available to mobile gamers. Looks like Microsoft is ready to take on the iPhone (or the PSP?) in the mobile gaming arena.

Not only will you have access to a ton of Xbox Live games, but you'll be able to try them before you buy, see live Xbox gaming leaderboards, and play along with your pals in turn-based multiplayer so you don't have to game alone. Additionally, your Xbox Live friends, achievements, and messaging will be made available right from the Windows Phone 7 when it hits this holiday.

Want to see a few of the Xbox Live games you'll be able to play? Then just keep reading!