Microsoft Turns Your Xbox into an Elections Hub

Microsoft is getting into the Campaign 2012 coverage game in a big way. Today, they’ve announced the new Election 2012 on Xbox LIVE hub, which will bring live streaming coverage and a few other ...
Microsoft Turns Your Xbox into an Elections Hub
Written by Josh Wolford

Microsoft is getting into the Campaign 2012 coverage game in a big way. Today, they’ve announced the new Election 2012 on Xbox LIVE hub, which will bring live streaming coverage and a few other election goodies to the game console.

If you’re a U.S.-based Xbox LIVE user, you’ll be able to watch and interact with three different presidential debates. The “interacting” part comes in the form of poll questions throughout the debates, as well as “other unique election events,” according to Microsoft.

The hub will also feature live feeds straight from the Democratic & Republican National Conventions.

Live debate and conventions streams aren’t the only draws to Microsofts new election hub. It will also feature original content, such as “Conversations with the Next Generation,” which takes us to youth town halls in Tampa and Charlotte, surrounding the two conventions. Microsoft has also partnered with Face the Facts USA to bring additional content designed to help voters “more accurately understand the major issues surrounding the election and the candidates involved.”

Plus, the partnership with Rock the Vote will allow for voter registration information through the hub and actual voter registration via xbox.com/en-US/election2012.

One (unsurprising) caveat to this: some of the programming will require an Xbox LIVE Gold membership to access.

“Technology has been a transformative force in politics during recent years,” said Fred Humphries, vice president of government affairs at Microsoft.

“The launch of the Election 2012 Hub on Xbox LIVE marks another exciting moment of change. This platform will innovate how some voters engage in the political process, and it provides greater access to valuable information such as the perspectives of youth at our town halls, newscasts and voter registrations. By bringing the elections directly into the home through this Xbox platform, we hope to encourage greater participation in the democratic process this fall.”

Yesterday, YouTube launched their own elections hub. It also offers live convention and debates coverage, as well as additional original content.

Xbox LIVE members should see the election hub by next Monday, August 27th.

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