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Microsoft bends

Those who are familiar with the Xbox hardware know that the machine has the capability to do more than just play games – after all, Microsoft’s gaming console is nothing more than a closed- PC. In order to unlock some of the more versatile traits hidden within the big black box, some users have resorted to modifying their consoles by adding a modchip into his system. Microsoft is most against that idea, and has gone to great lengths to dissuade people from doing anything perverse to their machines. While getting some guy thrown in jail and making silly threats are to be expected, Microsoft went ahead and did the unexpected – well, sorta.

Xbox corner of E3\'s South Hall

You see, one of the additional uses of a modded Xbox is as a media player. Instead of having to listen to your digital music from your computer or view videos on your monitor, a modded Xbox allows you to do all that from your home entertainment center. So, Microsoft has decided to give users what they clearly want and to legitimize the Xbox as a multimedia machine – well, kinda.