The absence of the blu-ray drive in Xbox 360 is one of the major factors differentiating it from Sony PlayStation 3 gaming console. In an interview with Gizmodo, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spilled beans on the same stating Xbox 360 owners would be availed Blu-ray drives as an accessory for the system. Rumors that Xbox 360 will get Blu-ray support were earlier dumped but now, the information comes directly from the chief's mouth!
Sony PlayStation 3 scores over Microsoft's Xbox 360 with built-in Blu-ray, Bluetooth and WiFi support. Xbox 360 owners need to purchase accessories separately to get those features. Ballmer told Gizmodo in an interview, "Well, I don't know if we need to put Blu-ray in there - you'll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories."
On asking an unnamed Xbox spokesperson about Ballmer's statement, Gizmodo got an obvious response: Our immediate solution for Blu-ray-quality video on an Xbox 360 is coming this fall with Zune Video and 1080p instant-on HD streaming. As far as our future plans are concerned, we're not ready to comment.
It's quite possibile that Microsoft is thinking of including Blu-ray as an internal or external drive. With no particular time period specified, it's likely that Xbox 360 might get external Blu-ray drive as an accessory.
Before Blu-ray won over HD DVD, Microsoft used to sell external HD DVD drive as an accessory. But once HD DVD eloped, Microsoft has been pondering over bringing HD content some way or the other on Xbox 360. But as the company is planning 1080p instant-on HD streaming, Blu-ray drives for the console might be eminent to stay in competition.
