social media entertainment hub

Microsoft is breathing new life into its Xbox Live online video game network.

When the network's 14 million members log in on Nov. 19, they'll automatically get a new, more user-friendly, 3-D version of the Xbox Live software.

They'll find customizable animated avatars, similar to the Mii characters on the Nintendo Wii; an iPod-type display style that lets you flip through pages of content as you would sort through album covers; and instant viewing of movie rental downloads from Netflix.