Xbox One Will Play Media from USB Devices, DLNA Servers

New submitter Mauro sends word that Microsoft has announced upcoming Xbox One support for streaming media both from attached USB devices, such as flash drives, and DLNA media servers. Compatibility with a broad list of media formats will be added by the end of the year, including .MKV files. They also followed up last week's announcement of a digital TV tuner with an interesting twist: it will be able to stream broadcasts over a local network to devices running the Smartglass app, which is available on Windows, Android, and iOS.

I read this article differently:

[Jahoda]

So, am I actually to understand that, in 2014, the Xbox One is not currently capable of playing standard media formats such as MKV and that to this point, a console owner has been unable to play media off a flash drive or DLNA?

Well done, MS. Keep fuckin' that chicken, guys.

Re:Wow, flash drives?

[gstoddart]

it's about making sure people can't just copy downloaded games onto a USB drive and make multiple copies and pirate games that trivially whilst making sure they can use USB storage for games

Right, so it's not a technology issue, and never was.

I'm so tired of technology being crippled in the name of copyright and DRM it's not funny -- the copyright lobby has more or less decided we can't do anything without their permission.

worse, the 360 even had it's own bespoke memory cards originally

I'm aware of that, and again, I've always assumed it was because of corporate greed.

At the end of the day, the Xbone is a very anti-consumer piece of technology, and I simply will not buy one.

I will buy a spare for my beloved 360 before that ever happens.

Microsoft can shove their DRM, copyright protection, and POS system up their collective asses.

Will they care even a little that I'm doing this? Absolutely not. Do I expect others likely are making the same choice? Definitely.