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.