In its efforts to put the spotlight on the all-in entertainment aspect of the upcoming Xbox One console, Microsoft will now shut down the MSN TV service starting September 30.

MSN TV, which was responsible for providing Internet access on the TV sets since the mid-90's, will now shift to SkyDrive, both for the users and the content, reports SlashGear.

SkyDrive will be the new service to host photo storage, so users are advised to convert photos that they want to retain to Shared Photos so they will automatically sync with SkyDrive.

For those who still have the MSN TV box need not worry, as it won't become entirely useless immediately. According to the report, you can still store videos and music once you hook it to the Internet and via the use of a PC.

But it's likely that any entertainment updates will no longer involve MSN TV in the near future.

New beta program for Xbox 360 update introduced

Over the weekend, the live update for the Xbox 360 has gone into beta mode and had started to accept registration.

However, in a recent update from Major Nelson, Xbox Live Community Manager, the registration was recently closed.

"We've had an overwhelming demand for participation, and have closed registration. If we re-open registration, I'll let you know."

A link to his Twitter suggests that Xbox 360 gamers should be on the lookout for any tweets that Major Nelson updates with regarding the beta program, if you want to be one of the first to try it.

The program will have updates slated to improve overall performance, as well as the capability to have transactions using local currency as a way to transition from the Microsoft Points that will be abolished once the Xbox One is released.

Keep in mind that, if ever the registration is re-opened, you can sign up through the Xbox 360 console. Just look for the Xbox Beta Program tile that should be in your Xbox Dashboard.

Interestingly, Japan was also not part of the previous signups, but that signups for members in that territory will be made available at a later date, suggesting that there may be a reopening even for those outside that territory, so keep your eyes peeled for Major Nelson's updates.

What the Xbox One could have been called

If you already think that the Xbox One name seems a bit off as a successor to Xbox 360, then it's a wonder how you'll receive the other names that the Xbox 360 could have been.

In a revealed list of names to Edge by Seamus Blackley, co-creator of the Xbox, and his crew, Edge reports that there could have been names such as Microsoft FACE, LEX, and Microsoft O2 for the game console.

According to the report, these were mostly anagrams to stand for terms such as "Full Action Center" (for FACE), "Optimal Ozone" (for O2), and "Live Entertainment Experience" (for LEX).

Blackley had been the guy responsible for coining the term DirectX Box, and on the list, there were a total of 35 names all in all. But the only one that comes closest to the original Xbox 360 was Microsoft TSO, to mean Three, Six, Zero.

Ever wonder what other names Microsoft came up with before they got the term Xbox One?

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