Xbox 360 To Support Blu-ray Via External Drive?

Although the Xbox 360 initially supported HD DVD through an external drive, Microsoft has made it quite clear that they have no objections to supporting the Blu-ray format if it were a “profitable” move. So, every other month or so, we get a quote or some rumors that imply that we will see some sort of Blu-ray compatible Xbox 360. This month isn’t an exception. According to a report
both Toshiba (the manufacturer for the failed HD DVD) and Samsung have been contracted to make an external Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360.

“Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology Corp., a joint venture between Samsung Electronics and Toshiba Corp., has been contracted to manufacture external Blu-ray disc drives for Microsoft Xbox 360 game console. While the exact specifications of the product are unknown, it is rumoured that Microsoft aims at $100 - $150 price-point for the device in order to compete against Sony PlayStation 3 with Xbox 360 + external Blu-ray drive combination.”

To be honest, I really don’t think that the Xbox 360 needs a Blu-ray drive. If they are serious enough about competing with Sony, then they can add more HD videos to the video store. The PlayStation 3 isn’t convenient because it plays Blu-ray, it is convenient that it plays Blu-ray disks right out of the box with no extra cost or any additional hardware. Microsoft has nothing to lose by creating an add on like this, but I don’t think it will be successful, or at least not significant.