Xbox Live is the best online console gaming service so far. Actually, at the moment it\'s the only one of its kind. Many folks have discussed whether or not Sony and Nintendo can compete with Microsoft\'s well-established gaming service.

Nintendo has made clear that it will follow its heart and handle its online services in its own unique way. Of course, we\'ve only seen a small glimpse of what Nintendo has in mind for their full-blown Revolution service. We know users will be able to purchase and download games from previous Nintendo systems, and general online multiplayer is a given. But how deep leaderboards, media content offerings, and friends systems will go is still a mystery that Nintendo will likely protect until closer to Revolution\'s launch.

Sony has been a less known quantity, recently reporting their commitment to creating a centralized online gaming service called HUB. Not much is known about HUB so far, but it appears the service will be very similar to Xbox Live. Access to media downloads and content sales will be available for all PlayStation 3 owners, and for a fee users will gain access to a Sony-supported online gaming network.

While the argument can be made that Nintendo doesn\'t truly compete with anyone else, Sony at least is directly competing with Xbox Live, and that is no small threat. Of course, from the Xbox Live point of view, it might not look like there\'s a lot to improve: Aside from occasional issues, the system is very much the most pleasant online gaming service we\'ve every used. But there is still room for improvement.

Following are three things we\'d love to see in future updates to Xbox Live.

• Send to my friends links
  
  If I find a trailer or demo that I like on Xbox Live Marketplace, there\'s no easy way for me to tell my friends on Xbox Live about it. I have to catch them in a game, send them a message through the separate create message interface, or call them on the phone. Granted, this isn\'t too tough, but it definitely isn\'t seamless. As the offerings on Xbox Live Marketplace continue to grow, organization and access is going to be an issue.
  
  The solution to lots of content, of course, is some user-based social ranking and recommendation system. We need user ratings for demos and Xbox Live Arcade Games. We need instant recommend to a friend or \"send to friends\" links that can allow us to share cool trailers and demos with friends.
  
  
• Unified central hub
  
  Along the lines of the social-based solutions for finding content on Xbox Live Marketplace suggested above, Xbox Live needs a unified hub that can be accessed through the Xbox 360. Currently there are key features of Xbox.com that are not available on Xbox Live itself-- such as the calendar of special gaming events and themed evenings.
  
  In addition, to check for new games on Xbox Live Arcade and new content on Xbox Live Marketplace, users must click to several different areas in the Xbox 360 Dashboard. A centralized \"What\'s new in Xbox Live\" hub service would help users keep track of new content and trailers.
  
  
• Xbox Live TV
  
  One thing that we\'ve found ourselves wanting over and over again at the GF! Offices is the ability to watch other players on Xbox Live. We can find out what game a friend is playing, including the level and whether or not they are winning or losing, but can\'t actually spectate on the game itself. It would be really fun and very educational to be able to watch other gamers playing multiplayer matches.
  
  There are so many possible benefits to a spectator, or \"Xbox Live TV\", mode. Not only would it help new players become familiar with the various ins and outs of online games, but it would also facilitate more successful tournaments and team or clan-based events. There is little to no coverage of competitive gaming, although there is a lot happening online, and building a dedicated fanbase seems crucial to the long-term success of gaming leagues. Coupled with the popularity of gaming run-through videos, there seems to be a real market in broadcasting gameplay.
  
  Finally, if it were possible to peek in on another person playing a game, it could definitely help sell a title. While a demo is always best, the second-best tool to decide whether or not to buy a game is often videos of gameplay footage. What is better than a video? Live broadcast.