Xbox Wireless Adapter
The Xbox wireless adapter is a network interface controller that connects to a network of some sort. In the case of the Xbox wireless adapter, it connects to Microsoft's very own online gaming network called Xbox Live. It is an online gaming service that is free or with charges depending on which package you are signed up with.
It is currently the only multiplayer network available to Xbox users to play with their friends on. There are two ways to connect to Xbox live. You either used a wired connection or you use a Xbox wireless adapter to do the same job.
You will also require some form of high speed internet connection in order to connect to Xbox Live. This can be either a cable connection or a DSL connection. There are many benefits to using Xbox live. Chief among them is the ability to play with a wide range of people from various corners of the world.
Playing with your friends have never been so fun with this service and using it is almost mandatory to fully enjoy the gaming experience that Microsoft has presented us with the Xbox 360. Friends are managed via Windows live messenger which is integrated with the service. There is also a chat system which allows as many as eight people to communicate during game play.
It records and can display various achievements that a player earns in various games. Each player will have an avatar as a representative and users are also able to download games and demos. There are also a number of streaming channels available to players. Netflix has teamed up with Microsoft to offer their entire library of movies for players to enjoy. Additionally, CNN, Foxsports, ESPN as well as Sky News is also viewable.
Wireless network adapters are not cheap by any means. Expect to pay anywhere between thirty and fifty pounds for a unit. By now you must probably be wondering, "can I use the common wireless adapter for use on the Xbox?". The answer is no. While you can plug them into one of the five USB ports that comes standard with the 360 console, it will not work. This has to do with a driver issue and there is no way around it unfortunately. Essentially, Microsoft does not allow the installation of device drivers on the console.
Because of this, all wireless adapters designed for the Xbox do not require a driver installation for it to work. Most of the time however, peripherals that are designed for a console by the parent company are products that get the job done but not much else. Its usually the 3rd party companies that design these peripherals well beyond what is offered by the parent company. This is true for most consoles including the Playstation 3 as well as the Nintendo Wii. However, the Xbox network adapter designed by Microsoft can be said to be an excellent piece of kit. All adapters by Microsoft feature dual band capability in a small and neat package. It will also work immediately without any need for setting it up, unlike most other adapters. All in all, Microsoft nailed it with this product. The price may be a bit steep, but its worth every penny.
