As Microsoft enters 2009, its video game console may be the “X factor,” as the Xbox 360 represents software giant at its best, according to a new report. “Microsoft delivered a reasonably solid and full- featured product ahead of rivals,” said Christopher Saunders of InternetNews. “With the Xbox 360, it cultivated publishing partners, kept hurdles relatively low for software developers, remained aggressive in pricing and managed to adjust the platform to evolve with the times -- most recently upping its focus on downloadable video and Wii-like avatars.” “Sure, there were some problems, such as the so- called Red Ring of Death reliability issues. But overall, the Xbox 360 represents Microsoft at its best: leveraging its tremendous resources to deliver a product that fits the needs of next-gen console users. And it did this after brute- forcing its way into the game console space.” “But a look at the Vista operating system experience also threatens to make the Xbox success an exception to the rule,” he said. Read the full article