Xbox 360 Gets More Social - Adds Twitter and Facebook

Notices just went out to Xbox LIVE subscribers that there will be a mandatory Xbox LIVE service update on November 17.  LIVE allows players to play Xbox games against real players in addition to bots.

The update will allow subscribers to read and post "Tweets" on Twitter and share real-time status updates and photos with friends on Facebook.

Microsoft is also adding MSN News and with Zune you can watch movies and TV shows in HD streaming video "with no downloads and no delays." So that you never have to leave your TV, you will also be able to tailor your own radio station with Last.FM.

I suppose that next they will have one-click pizza ordering.

Read more at  Xbox.com

Accenture: Embrace Web 2.0 Cautiously

IT consultancy Accenture has advised businesses to accept Web 2.0 working practices but to beware of possible impacts on the IT department.

Accenture's head of research and development, Martin Illsley, on Monday advised businesses that mashups, web applications combined with more traditional business software, were becoming increasingly useful but have to be managed so as not to overwhelm IT departments.

"Systems can be integrated in a lightweight manner," said Illsley. "But mashups and the like have to be managed very well or they drift out of the IT department into many departments. Most IT departments are aware of that and spend an awful lot of time trying to keep things together."

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