Recently, Microsoft has been inundating the internet with more and more exciting news. Along with recent stories of the Xbox One Kinect-free bundle packages coming this June, the company has also been announced that Xbox Live will officially be dropping Gold subscription requirements for entertainment apps.
Beginning next month, users will no longer have to pay subscription fees to gain access to services like Netflix and Twitch. For apps that require separate paid accounts alongside Xbox Live’s subscriptions, this is a definite step in the right direction towards our current age of multimedia entertainment devices.
Of course, access to multiplayer features as well as free downloadable games will still require Xbox Live Gold as before, but fans will no doubt be pleased with this latest announcement. With the drop in subscription fees for entertainment apps, what else will users be able to get access to without additional payments? According to Xbox boss, Phil Spencer, gamers will be able to use apps such as:
Machinima, Twitch and Upload, popular video services like Netflix, Univision Deportes, GoPro, Red Bull TV and HBO GO, sports experiences like the NFL app for Xbox One, MLB.TV, NBA Game Time, NHL Game Center and more.
Along with the new Kinect-less Xbox One coming shortly, Microsoft’s contender in the current-gen console market is beginning to lean more towards what Sony’s PlayStation 4 and its equivalent online service offers. With price drops being announced and entertainment services being open to non-Xbox Live users, the next few months will be an opportune window of time for the Xbox One to gain an equal footing with its competition.
