Xbox 360 and iPod hand in hand (almost)

Microsoft is talking up the interoperability of Xbox 360, due later this month, and the iPod. Play any game on the new Xbox and simultaneaously stream music from almost any MP3 player instead of the game’s sound track, claims the company.

“When you plug your iPod in,” Xbox Digital-Entertainment Executive Producer Jeff Henshaw told CNET News.com, “the Xbox 360 automatically detects that it’s there. You can browse by artist or album or genre or by custom playlist.”

One constraint is the iPod’s DRM {Digital Rights Management] software which restricts music from iTunes. It seems Microsoft didn’t consult Apple Corp. when it built the connection. “We do not have an official relationship with Apple for the iPod connectivity,” said Scott Henson, Product Unit Manager in Microsoft’s Advanced Technology Group. He maintains that “Xbox 360 leverages standard protocols such as USB mass storage to enable iPod support.” Apparently Apple rejected the overture.

[From News.com]