Gamers are starting to see a new trend as consoles are being used more as entertainment systems than for gaming. Sony's PlayStation 3 and Amazon are teaming up to take on Microsoft's Xbox 360 for the top spot.
Amazon Instant Video is now available for PlayStation 3 users, becoming the first of its kind to offer film and TV rental services through a gaming console. Owners of PS3 consoles can now access an array of entertainment services such as Hulu Plus, Netflix, MLB.TV, CinemaNow, NFL Sunday Ticket, and more.
"PlayStation 3 is a powerful home entertainment system and is incredibly popular with our customers," said Bill Carr, VP of video and music at Amazon.
"Since the launch of Prime Instant Videos one of the top customer requests has been to provide customers with an app for PlayStation 3."
The new apps will provide PlayStation 3 subscribers access to Amazon's digital library and streaming content. Sony's move came shortly after Microsoft announced its partnerships with HBO, MLB.TV, and Xfinity. The partnerships indicate that both companies are seeking to transform the gaming machines into a centerpiece for any home's entertainment room. This can especially be said for Microsoft and HBO.
"HBO and Xbox is a marriage of the two preeminent brands in their respective fields," Otto Berkes, senior vice president of consumer technology at HBO, said in a statement.
"During my tenure at Microsoft, we always envisioned Xbox as an entertainment hub and the addition of HBO GO represents a coming of age for the platform. The experience is one that will impress both the HBO subscribers and the Xbox fans."
If the new partnerships succeed, subscribers can expect to see a lot more coming through their game consoles in the near future as Sony and Microsoft heats up their rivalry. Though the Nintendo Wii currently is not in contention for streaming online TV and film content, the company does plan to offer online downloadable capabilities in its next-gen console the Wii U.
Amazon is celebrating its first launch of the PlayStation 3 app by giving their customers free access to hundreds of TV show episodes.
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