In what could be seen as a big plus to all Xbox 360 users out there (save for those that have units that are more than a year old), Microsoft has extended the warranty of all Xbox 360 consoles from 90 days to a full year in the United States and Canada. This latest move comes exactly three months after Microsoft decided to offer free repairs to Xbox 360 manufactured before 01/01/2006

As if the case with most all electronic purchases, the one-year warranty period starts from the original date of purchase. Customers that have already paid out-of-pocket for Xbox 360 repairs after the original 90-day warranty period, but before the new one-year warranty period will receive automatic credits for repair costs. Customers will not need to contact Microsoft at all for the reimbursement checks which will be mailed out within 10 weeks.

"Customer satisfaction is a central focus and priority for the Xbox 360 system," said Jeff Bell, corporate VP of Global Marketing for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. “The Xbox 360 system now offers this extended warranty upgrade. It is truly the industry's most compelling home entertainment offering."

The free warranty upgrade should also be welcome news to Xbox 360 owners who've had their consoles bricked by the Fall Dashboard Update. There were numerous reports of Xbox 360's being "taken out" by the update. One California man, Kevin Ray, was asked to fork over $140 to repair his Xbox 360 after the Fall Dashboard Update failed. Ray responded by starting a class action lawsuit over the matter.

View : Microsoft extends Xbox 360 warranty MSN Money