Microsoft is about to offer 360 degrees of coverage for instant messaging, or more accurately Xbox 360 IM coverage! Beginning in may Xbox Live subscribers will be able to IM to users on the Xbox 360, but also to Windows based PCs and even Windows Mobile-powered devices. The Xbox Live community will use the Windows Live Messenger to text chat with up to six people, while also playing games, listening to music or watching a movie.

New features include updates to the Xbox Live Arcade, with auto download options and progressive download controls. The spring update for Xbox Live will be free beginning the week of May 7.