Apart from the well-stocked games catalogue the main reason 360 owners put up with their noisy and unreliable console is the genius of Xbox Live. Once you've got used to the ease of use - every title is supported so playing with friends is easy, as is nosing at their recently played games - it's hard to go back to the clunky online options of the PS3 and (especially) the Wii. And that's before you've factored in achievement points. But slowly the PS3 has been fighting back. Recent improvements have helped but the biggies have just been announced for the PS3's next update.
"The 2.40 system software update for PS3 will include "XMB" access in-game. The update will also include "trophies," an exciting new feature that we'll be providing more details on soon, as well as some other new enhancements."
What does this mean? Essentially it brings some of Xbox Live's best features to PS3. Trophies are clearly Sony's take on achievements. But XMB access is more interesting. This gives PS3 owners the Xbox Live style ability to manage and interact with their friends lists - think invites, messaging etc - while playing a game. Previously you would have had to exit out of the game. Ok, it doesn't sound that exciting on paper but cross media access has been top of many PS3 owners wish lists since the console launched.
Of course, Live remains more tightly integrated and is likely to remain the better service even with these PS3 updates. But the gap is closing and you have to wonder how long Microsoft can go on charging for access to Live when many of its features are free on PS3.
