It is not uncommon for me to simply be browsing the Netflix Instant Queue out of boredom, and clicking on random TV shows or movies out of lack of motivation to find something good to watch or a game to play with friends.

Xbox Live plans on addressing this issue by allowing you to let your friends know that you are available to play a game with them, even if you are currently browsing your Netflix instant queue, or playing a different game.

This rather small update will lead to a dramatic increase in activity. Allowing people to explicitly know that you are available to play a game while doing another activity is a huge decrease in friction between gamers who want to play games together.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 essentially on demand with my friends? Beacon, here I come.