Gamers could soon be able to receive alerts on their mobile phones when their friends are playing on Microsoft's Xbox 360 games console.
The software giant is working on a system which would let players on its online gaming service, Xbox Live, send instant messages to a friend's mobile.
Microsoft UK mobility business manager Jason Langridge told the BBC the system should be live within six months. It is part of Microsoft's strategy to connect its various online services.
'Very near'
In an interview with the BBC News website, Mr Langridge explained that a team at Microsoft were working on integrating Xbox Live with its instant messaging program, MSN Messenger.
Messenger is included as part of a compact version of Windows for mobile phones. About a fifth of so-called smartphones in Europe use Windows Mobile as the operating system.
"So on my device I sign in with my MSN account and it sets up Hotmail," explained Mr Langridge. "There is no service fee and you can do MSN messaging chats."
The alerts would be sent over the internet via Xbox Live and come to a mobile over the air as an instant message.
Gaming life
The project ties in with the emphasis on community of the Xbox 360. The software on the console has a gamer scorecard which can tells others via Xbox Live what games you have played and how far you have got in them.
t means that gamers are much more aware the gaming life of their friends.
The plan for mobile alerts is in line with Microsoft's aim to bring together its various online services under the Windows Live umbrella.
At the US launch of the Xbox 360 in November, Microsoft boss Bill Gates talked about tying in its online gaming service with Windows Live.
Mr Gates announced Windows Live in early November, as part of efforts to compete with web-based services from rivals such as Google and Yahoo.
With Windows Live, Microsoft is aiming to provide a one stop shop that brings together a range of services, such as e-mail, search and other elements.
Source
The software giant is working on a system which would let players on its online gaming service, Xbox Live, send instant messages to a friend's mobile.
Microsoft UK mobility business manager Jason Langridge told the BBC the system should be live within six months. It is part of Microsoft's strategy to connect its various online services.
'Very near'
In an interview with the BBC News website, Mr Langridge explained that a team at Microsoft were working on integrating Xbox Live with its instant messaging program, MSN Messenger.
Messenger is included as part of a compact version of Windows for mobile phones. About a fifth of so-called smartphones in Europe use Windows Mobile as the operating system.
"So on my device I sign in with my MSN account and it sets up Hotmail," explained Mr Langridge. "There is no service fee and you can do MSN messaging chats."
The alerts would be sent over the internet via Xbox Live and come to a mobile over the air as an instant message.
Gaming life
The project ties in with the emphasis on community of the Xbox 360. The software on the console has a gamer scorecard which can tells others via Xbox Live what games you have played and how far you have got in them.
t means that gamers are much more aware the gaming life of their friends.
The plan for mobile alerts is in line with Microsoft's aim to bring together its various online services under the Windows Live umbrella.
At the US launch of the Xbox 360 in November, Microsoft boss Bill Gates talked about tying in its online gaming service with Windows Live.
Mr Gates announced Windows Live in early November, as part of efforts to compete with web-based services from rivals such as Google and Yahoo.
With Windows Live, Microsoft is aiming to provide a one stop shop that brings together a range of services, such as e-mail, search and other elements.
Source