X360 warranty improves

Microsoft has decided to give its warranty policy a spring clean, updating its cover period on new Xbox 360 units from 90 days to one year.

You'll still have to pay for repair costs if you've already had your console for more than 90 days and it breaks down, but you'll be given a free year's worth of cover on return of your hardware.

If things do awry for you and you see the red ring of death, Microsoft will send you out a container for your unit and then pay for all shipping costs to and from the magical fixing shop. You should also find the service much quicker, with a promise that the company will repair it and ship it back out to you within five business days of it arriving at the factory.

It's also overhauling its customer service team, and says it's hiring more representatives and improving training with the aim of delivering a first-class service.

These enhancements are all part of a new focus for Microsoft, which has clearly been reading our forum and discovering the plight of red-light users first hand.

However, don't get your hopes up too high, as we're still waiting for confirmation from Microsoft UK that we'll definitely be seeing these changes in Europe as well as in North America.

You can find out more about the enhanced warranty over on Xbox.com.