Microsoft puts Twitter and Facebook on your Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 will no longer be a dedicated games console, with a swath of new functions and services to complement its gaming features.

Before Christmas users will be able to access a custom-designed version of both Facebook and Twitter on the console, which will take advantage of the Xbox console format.

In addition users will be able to access a movies on-demand service, which will remove the waiting time on a download by streaming the movie in high definition through the console.

Senior product marketing manager for Microsoft’s entertainment devices division, Jeremy Hinton, said people are spending significantly more time using the console as it continues to move from just games to a mainstream form of entertainment.

“It’s becoming part of a person's social experience and expression,” Hinton claimed. “As we add more functionality to the console we aim to have it become the centre of entertainment for the household.”

Microsoft is also looking at partnerships with online music service, LastFM, and has formed a partnership with SkyTV in the UK.

The average Xbox 360 user is operating the console for five hours a week, according to Microsoft.