PS3 Netflix Gets EZ Mode

Last week, Fast Company reported that 61% of the total 15 million Netflix users have used the services streaming option in the past year. That's a huge jump up from last year's number of 37% of users streaming movies. I'm sure much of this can be attributed Netflix's reach. You don't have to be stuck in front of a computer to stream a movie these days, options like Boxee, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3 allow users options and ease when streaming. 

As awesome as it is to have Netflix streaming on our gaming consoles, we can't help but think that it's a bit watered down. Sure, the service allows us to access instant cue, new additions, several genres, and what's been suggested for us, but one of the most important aspects has been missing until very recently. PS3 is the first to strike with a search function of the service's streaming catalog. 360 users will have to wait until November for this handy upgrade. Wii owners, who the hell knows. Enjoy it while you can PSNers. I guess they had to do something to offset having to pop in that stupid disc every time you want to stream something.

E3: Xbox Live

According to some hotshot at Microsoft, there are a lot of great changes and additions in store for Xbox live. First and foremost, Netflix for XBL is no longer borderline worthless, as you can now search for titles to add to your instant queue right from your Xbox. What a novel idea! Some other things were said, blah blah blah, who cares. The only other thing of interest is probably the ESPN content streaming over XBL. Watching ESPN programming on your 360 is pretty cool. Taking ESPN trivia, declaring team allegiance and polling your online friends about their favorite teams, not so much. But it's the idea that counts, right?