Microsoft has so far had issues with striking a balance between operability and the eye-candy factor. Windows Vista is probably one of the most prominent examples.

The “curse” seems to have been lifted with the Xbox console series. While the first was clearly not bad to look at, the new generation of Microsoft’s gaming consoles are probably the best product Microsoft has come up with.

Playing games and Web access are now at the click of a button, as are managing music and video files and downloading demos. Change is beneficial for any business dealing with technology, and progress and modernization is the key to getting ahead. Since November 2005, when the first Xbox 360 was released, every version was significantly improved to provide the ultimate gaming, socializing and entertainment experience. The most recent update bears the name of “New Xbox Experience”, NXE for short.

You are able to create your own Avatar (a feature similar to Nintendo Wii’s Miis), and you can adjust the eyes, ears, nose, mouth. After customizing the physiological features, you can choose what your Avatar is wearing, out of an array of clothing, and even put make-up on it.

When you reach the interface, the options are no longer blades, but panels that slide to the front of the screen or sit in the back, according to what you want to access.

The graphics of the menu and its response speed are both amazing with the NXE. Probably the most breathtaking feature on the NXE is the addition of Netflix, which has agreed to provide Xbox with over 300 titles (for now), all in HD. The addition makes Xbox the first console to provide Netflix streaming.

After its partnership with Microsoft for Xbox Liove Service, Netflix has signed another major deal. Netflix and Tiivo have teamed up to deliver movies and TV shows via the Internet.

However, you will have to wait a little bit until the service offered by Netflix will be available through your TiVo. First the two companies will perform a technology test and apparently the fist movies will be made available in early December.

The new service will be offered with no additional costs for the customers and Netflix will made available its entire library of 12,000 movies and TV shows.