While Sony continues to flap around with the PSX in Japan, Microsoft is planning to launch its own multimedia add-on for the Xbox this November in the States, allowing gamers to hook up to media libraries on their PC via network and stream the results through the console.
Windows Media Centre Extender for Xbox, announced earlier this year, is due out in the US on November 15th, priced $79.99, and comprises a software disc and a custom remote control and infrared receiver (ala the DVD playback kit) for controlling the streaming action from the comfort of your settee. You can also order your PC to record and download things using the remote control, which should prove useful.
News source: Eurogamer.net
