Microsoft May Make Xbox 360 Work with Rivals

Archived from groups: alt.games.video.xbox (More info?)

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/rsstory/44022.html

Jiji Press
06/21/05 8:37 AM PT
Microsoft May Make Xbox 360 Work with Rivals

Of the three major console makers, only Microsoft has yet to release a
portable game machine, and the company is apparently hoping to overcome this
weakness by making Xbox 360 connectable with the two rival firms' portable
machines, the Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS.

Microsoft has developed technology to allow its next-generation home-use
video game console, Xbox 360, to be connected online with portable game
machines of rival firms, according to company statements made last week.

Users of the Sony (NYSE: SNE) PlayStation Portable (PSP) and the Nintendo
DS will thus be able to connect their machines with the Xbox 360 and play
Microsoft's games over the Internet, Microsoft officials said.

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) appears to have already started sounding out Sony
and Nintendo on possible collaboration on the matter. Xbox 360 is slated to
be released in Japan by the end of this year.

All three companies plan to equip their next-generation game consoles with
advanced Internet connection functions.

Of the three, only Microsoft has yet to release a portable game machine, and
the company is apparently hoping to overcome this weakness by making Xbox
360 connectable with the two rival firms' portable machines.

Microsoft is also considering making Xbox 360 connectable with Apple's
(Nasdaq: AAPL) iPod portable digital music player.

© 2005 Jiji Press English News Service. All rights reserved.