Industry analysts and retailers had wondered whether the company would lower prices before the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) starts later this week. Microsoft has opted against any current price cuts for the Xbox. 

Sony and Nintedo will hold a conference Tuesday. Microsoft hopes to broaden its console's appeal beyond pure gamers. Starting later this year, an enhanced version of Xbox Live will let subscribers find friends even when they're not signed in to Xbox Live. They'll be able to send notifications to friends using PDAs, PCs and cell phones, any device enabled with MSN Messenger.

The company also put its software center stage Monday, showing footage from "Halo 2," the follow-up to the console's most successful title (which will not be released until sometime in 2004). And, after months and months of speculation, Microsoft and Activision confirmed that much anticipated "Doom III" will be on the Xbox as well as the PC.

By: DocMemory
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