yes, XBMC is a prime example of original manufacturers killing a product well before it's time. The xbox was so much better than MS allowed it to be. Even just little things like internet radio, CDDB querying for audio CD's, internet time server updating of the system clock, picture and musci sharing over a home network, simple web browsing, virtual console style game emulation, upscaling DVD's to 720p resolution. All are being done right now using XBMC on the original XBox, and most still can't be done on the 360.
You can but an old xbox for £30 - $50 these days so if you've not done it yet, go buy one, mod it, have fun, and wonder at what might have been.
You can but an old xbox for £30 - $50 these days so if you've not done it yet, go buy one, mod it, have fun, and wonder at what might have been.