Topic: Why put other media in video game consoles?

Why do people want youtube, netflix and other apps through the video game consoles and handhelds? Aren't they soley used for playing games only? Why do this and why even bother with it?

Convenience?

the all in one factor. would you rather have a separate device for each application?

Why put other media and features on a computer? Isn't it just for porn?

Well, yes, it is convenient. Though nothing I couldn't work around with my PC/smartphone. While inevitable, I've never really liked the "consoles becoming multimedia devices" thing and as a purist I prefer the days when consoles were just simple games machines and that was it. For me, the GameCube was the last pure home console and the DS Lite was the last pure handheld.

What I find baffling though are the people on this site who claim that "the Wii U is a pure games console unlike Sony and Microsoft's multimedia machines" Even though the Wii U does all that stuff as well (Netflix, YouTube, Browser, Chat, TiVii, etc.)! I know it's the sort of inane soundbite that neatly fits into the rose-tinted Nintendo narrative that's been created, but I don't see how even the most deluded and narrow-minded of Nintendo fanboy can think that, when it's so clearly not true.

I love using my PS3 as an all-in-one media device.

It all comes down to the convince factor really. Also it does stem from Japanese society as well. In Japan house are smaller then in the US so most of the people have to maximize space. Having a video game system, streaming device for Netflix like a Roku, and a device to stream Youtube would take up alot of room around a TV especially if you don't have alot of room. Also factor in the money factor with today's economy can people afford all those devices? Probably not.

As for the handheld its for convince especially for someone who travels alot and again this stems from Japanese culture. Most people in Japan are always on the go, working long hours at the office and such. A handheld is perfect for them that way they dont have to care 110 things with them, and they still can watch movies, play dating sims etc.

I remember having to take a 2 hour commute each way to and from work years ago. I would take my DS with me all the time in fact that is when I started to get into handheld gaming big time. Also when I went to school I would take my 3DS (That was one of the main reasons I bought it) and in between class which would be aware from 30 minutes to an hour and a half I would watch some Netflix or Youtube.

At first I was like you I was like WTF why have all that stuff on a video game system? But I have to say I have grown very fond of it. In fact I was kinda disappointed that the PS4 didn't have a Youtube app.

Convenience factor.
Whether I admit it or not, I watch Netflix and youtube videos on the Wii U. I use the PS3 as a blu-ray player. I put my own music on the PS3 since some games let you customize the in-game music (ie Fifa, NHL, Gran Turismo etc.) and I'd rather listen to my own tunes.
At the end of the day though, my console is for games.

DVD was a big factor in PS2 sales I think, if your device can do more than one thing that free's up a bit of shelf space and socket space, so if the price is right why not?

That was one of the main reason the PS2 was my first console that gen and the Gamecube I bought after that.

That was also a reason I got my PS4. My Blu ray player busted about a year ago so I held off getting one.

Overbloated marketing schemes to lure people with seemingly "useful" features

Better question is why not? They don't hurt anything. Extras are always welcome.

More bang for your buck. You as a consumer benefit from this. One device to do it all rather than spending a bunch more on several devices.

As long as it doesn't detract from what it would or could have been.

Netflix is an app that can be programmed to everything, and doesn't require any special hardware.

All Netflix is doing is taking up so and so MB of HDD space. There's no reason for it not to be there.

Because the 80's and 90's finished a long time ago

Yep, this is ultimately the right reply.

But I can still live in the 80s/90s in my mind of awesome retro nostalgia time

I am glad to be the techno-hermit who still willingly uses a flip phone.
I still carry my portable consoles around and even on my 3DS, I rarely use the Internet features. I shopped on ebay once for the novelty. Tried looking up maps once on a game I got stuck on. My 3DS (and also my PSP) couldn't load my favorite game maps page (though that's probably a fault of the page than the console). Still doesn't change that browsing on a portable is annoying.
I wouldn't want to sit and watch youtube on a tiny screen.
But I can see why people would want to watch them on a home console.

They did it again with the PS3; if I recall, the PS3 was cheaper than some standalone BluRay players.

More like ALL players. Sony's big justification for buying a PS3 for $600 at launch was that the CHEAPEST standalone BD player on the market at that time was $1000. (though that was when it was also competing against HD-DVD. Of course when the rival format surrendered, it increased the market demand for BD)

Then if that's the case, then what's the point of getting DVD players and mp3's when your game console can do all that? Sure not everyone's gonna get a console but you might as well make them because the DVD players and all would be pointless when the game consoles are doing that.

If you want just a video player, it's generally cheaper, probably better at the job since it's dedicated, and usually more compact.

Why complain about a good thing? If it doesn't interfere with the games, so you got no need to worry.