Microsoft managed to live up to its promises and released earlier today the update to its Xbox firmware and also to its Xbox Live service. The new release is called the New Xbox Experience and it is now available in 26 countries, with menus in 11 languages. The company has extremely high expectations from its new software and hopes that the new features will soon make its product the number one choice on the market when it comes to home entertainment. The Xbox is aiming the market shares gathered by the PS3, Nintendo Wii and Apple TV.

One of the best parts, which users will surely enjoy, is the unlimited Netflix HD streaming feature. Still, there seem to be several issues with the service, as there have been several error reports from users who updated their systems. The plan was to allow users with subscriptions to both Netflix and Xbox Live Gold to stream all of the company’s video content to the console, free of charge. The problem with the access to some of the content from Netflix’s Watch Instantly feature was identified and explained by Netflix’s vice president of corporate communications, Mr. Steve Swasey: "Today, titles regularly come in and out of license and there is a natural ebb and flow to what we have on license at any given point in time," he said. "In the case of Xbox 360, a few hundred titles are temporarily unavailable to be streamed via the Xbox game console. Those titles are still available to be watched on subscribers' computers and on TVs via other partner devices, and we hope they'll be licensed for Xbox 360 shortly."

 The general belief is that Microsoft made a big step forward and its officials are also very confident that the upgrade truly represents a "transformation in home entertainment."

Users will now be able to completely change the look of their avatars, as the detailed customization options will provide numerous options. They will be able to choose the color of their hair, their clothes, accessories and even tattoos.

The new Virtual Parties feature enables up to eight people to play games together, while allowing voice chat and instant messages during games. The subscribers to Xbox’s Live Gold membership are also allowed to share photos in real time.

Microsoft explained that it is determined to "put more games and entertainment at gamers’ fingertips than any other device connected to the TV," as it is now clear that the appeal of a gadget is not found only in its hardware, but also in the additional services, the free and premium content which accompanies the products; the best example for such a combination’s success is without a doubt the combo between Apple’s iPod and its iTunes music platform.

The company’s strategy is connected to the upcoming holiday season and the new offer is meant to significantly boost the sales over the next two months. The upgrade has raised the bar when it comes to these services and the other players in the market will surely attempt to come out with attractive and competitive products.