Xbox 360 Dashboard Update Features Revealed

Microsoft Studios has begun contacting registered members of Xbox LIVE to inform them of a service update coming to the Xbox 360. Following an update to the terms & conditions of the service agreement for the Xbox LIVE network, gamers will soon receive features most closer in relation to that of the Windows Phone platform and forthcoming Windows 8 OS.

[mathsman]

Whole bunch of improvements there, but you might think they're a little late really.

[kevco33]

Cusomisable dashboards have been too long coming, especially since WP7 has featured it with a similar interface for two years.

And I bet you still won't be able to get rid of the ads.

[crxss]

anyone remember the "blades"?? that was a cool UI back then

[HammadTheBeast]

I hate how they optimize the UI specifically for ads. I can just Imagine, 4 tiles of ads for one useful feature.

[otherZinc]

Stop complaining about those ads.

Ive been playing games all damn day, I turn my console on, I'm online, I hit the A button & the game starts! I havent seen an ad yet!

Its ridiculous how people complain about things that dont matter. When I have nothing to do, I'll look at the ads, I often find things I've forgotten about.

The ads are fine, if you dont want to look at them, dont...

[M_Prime]

i think people complain about ads because we pay for LIVE and they expect no ads. Though i honestly don't mind them. Sometimes they remind me about something cool

[knifefight]

It'll be interesting to see what they can do with it.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

What people seem to forget is the body of Xbox Live is ALL of your entertainment into one. Xbox Live is the central hub of most entertainment movies/Tv sports, music popular game sites IGN, gamespot TV and of course games. MS is promoting everything.

I could care less about the ads they don't bother me I don't look at them. I either head straight to gaming or I head straight to Netflix or YouTube or whatever else I feel like doing. Ads are small, minor easily avoidable.

[Legion]

You have maybe 1 add in the lower right hand box. You act as if it something that pops up and hits you in the face.

Not a single add is obtrusive and glares at you in the face.

They are simply placed and hinder the experience absolutely none at all.

[wages of sin]

@M_Prime,

No, people complain about the ads because they are ignorant and in some cases stupid.

Almost everything you buy or pay for has ads. Do you pay for cable? Your phone, it doesn't have ads? When you pay for a movie, you don't see ads?

Furthermore most of the ads deal with gaming or entertainment. Most of the time I don't even notice them and it's not a big deal considering the quality of the service. PSN has some of the same features but it isn't even close in terms of quality and ease of use. If you live in some country where live isn't fully featured then that's understandable. I don't have that problem so it's not even debatable.

[SilentNegotiator]

"anyone remember the "blades"??"

Uhhh....YEAH. Still my absolute favorite. The most simplistic of all of them. No mess of boxes made to impress an optional interface....just simple left/right, up/down control.

[SilentNegotiator]

"Almost everything you buy or pay for has ads. Do you pay for cable? Your phone, it doesn't have ads? When you pay for a movie, you don't see ads?"

You know, I usually see the other side of an argument, at least a little bit, but in this case.....this argument...is STUPID.

First of all, don't hang cable ads over people's heads...you're probably too young to have seen it, but in the 90s, there was a big resistance to paying for TV when ads already existed. Look at today even...a lot of people disagree with paying for public TV when they already run on ads.

Phone ads? Do you mean telemarketers (which is like blaming doors for Witnesses), or ads in optional services?

And movie previews? Those are 99% previews for OTHER FILMS. The ads appearing on the 360 are 50x as often not game related.

[r1sh12]

I can understand why quite a few people dont like the Ad's, but they are not too intrusive, many of the ads are based around what is available on the Xbox, a few are of outside products E.g Lynx deodoran etc..
MS arguement >
"Im sure that many users do not notice the ads too"
So they can continue with them.
Personally they aren't too bad, but if I pay for XBL then I should have a choice to opt out of them, or some form of discount.

Back on topic
The evolution of the dashboard has pretty much moved with the times, MS knew the previous iteration was not efficient, they made it better to an extent. With the hardware not changing they made the dashboard more responsive and fluid, now they are incorporating it into the ecosystem.
MS are now aiming to make an all in one ecosystem, so wherever you go you can access something that is very similar if not identical.

[Quetzll]

Not just the ads.. but the big huge gray thing that takes up the bottom half of EVERY theme. never understood that.

[Perjoss]

lol @ ad complaints, they are advertising things that are available on Live, you see the same on PSN too, in fact the ads on PSN are the largest 'box' are they not?

stop moaning and start gaming.

[Megaton]

Now they defend ads, too. Microsoft's running powerful pimp game.

[ziggurcat]

@ otherzinc:

if you're paying for XBL then you shouldn't have to deal with ads, honestly. PSN is absolutely free, and there aren't any ads plastered all over the XMB.

[deno]

Many improvements but where are the games?

[iamgoatman]

Forza Horizon at the end of the month with Halo 4 shortly after that.

[deno]

Halo 4 and forza horizon are definitely day one purchase. I just want microsoft to concentrate on games like they did with the original xbox. You guys remember, jet set radio, panzer dragoon, doom 3, otagi 1 & 2, gunvalkyrie, outrun 2, steel battalion, the suffering, hunter. Dashboard is great and all but I and many xbox fans want more games. New ips are crucial. Always loved microsft products. I have a zune hd, nokia lumia 900, acer timelinex 5830tg laptop, xbox original, xbox 360, microsoft blue mouse and arch keyboard.

[tallkidoPL]

cod bo2 is coming out soon

[optimus]

I've had the beta version of this for about a month or so and i think i've only used the browser once just to see how it works, overall, so far the dashboard is nothing special.

[OneAboveAll]

Why are people disagreeing with you? You are 100% corrects. I'v only used it once to see how IE worked and while smooth, I don't like how you have to use the courser to move around the virtual keyboard to type.

They couldn't have just used the system they have when sending messages on 360 where you can use the d-pad? It's a lot faster.

I also don't like how everything seems... bigger. The dash also seems to take longer to boot now too.

What I wish MS would do is fix the terrible party chat system. Still tired of getting randomly kicked.

[greenpowerz]

They hit disagree because they disagree with his @55 lol

Most have thought It's a great update. Perhaps a troll would come to his defense of a comment not worth the time it took to type it.

A fool may wonder why people would dare disagree. Lol

[M_Prime]

I know what you mean. I have my PC hooked into my TV so browsing the web will always be faster on my PC. Also on the wii I used to use the browser for youtube to show my friends stuff but now there is a YOUTUBE app so no reason for that. I think a few people will find the feature useful but the majority of us will not care. I know the PS3 has a browser and i, nor my friends ever use it. I would rather look something up on my Iphone then use my console to browse.

however i do have 1 friend who has a old laptop and uses his xbox for all the steaming services so he may have a use for IE

[optimus]

@OneAboveAll... I think that the people that disagree are the ones that just READ about the features but haven't actually experienced them like you and I... They read "custom dashboard" in an article and right away think "cool" but having a "block" on your dash dedicated to content you have pinned isn't exactly customizing... There are countless posts and threads in the beta forum complaining about that aspect of it...

And if i don't see the big deal about a browser that WILL NOT have flash support and cannot be used along side other apps or while playing games but they do then they can disagree i guess...whatever floats their boat.

A lot of people like to disagree sometimes because they don't have enough bubbles and it makes them feel like they said something...ah well, we'll see if they'll love the dashboard as much as they think they will in a month or so...they'll be back here complaining about it i'm sure.

[JasonBloodbourne]

Your on the nose about the time it takes too boot up mate. I swear with every update in this beta program it's taking longer and longer for my Xbox to boot up! Really starting to get on my nerves

[ALLWRONG]

He maybe getting the disagrees because people think he is full of it. Lots of stealth.

[mcgrottys]

yeah the browser doesn't seem special on its own, but I have tried using a WP7 (companion app acts as a xbox remote) with it and it was much better than hooking up my laptop, because I don't have to plug it in. But I don't see myself adopting it for a while.

And I just remembered the xbox does support USB keyboards so that might be something I might try using as well.

[etownthree]

if the keyboard is so important just use the Xbox controller keyboard accessory for the controller

[mcgrottys]

@etownthree

I don't have it, though I may get it eventually.

[ramiuk1]

i also in beta and the browser cant even play youtube ,i suppose there is an app but its not the point.
the dash is slower than the current dash with more ads.

still no smartglass app for android so that part hasnt been tested.
getting to message people still takes forever so i dont bother,
no idea why it cant be a quick button press to thank the current fifa player or something,instead it takes about 3 minutes just to get to the message and send it.

icons bigger on dash
has a tv guide on it but then it just gives info about programs with no way to play them(deadly 60 for example)

you CANNOT customize it either(beta at least) the most you have choice with is pin stuff into a folder.

[ChunkyLover53]

Its definitely one of the benefits to being an Xbox Live Gold Member, we all await the new dashboard features, I personally love the new look, I didn't hate the last look, but found it a bit confusing at first, definitely like the new one much better.

I've been in the dash beta since it started and think the pin features, larger icons and additions of Internet Explorer and some of the other features really tighten up an already tight online service.

[M_Prime]

i wish they would have brought back all those VIDEOS like SENTUAMESSAGE and all the other programs like that. Though SENTUAMESSAGE was my fave because it was funny and informative and i honestly bought games i saw on those programs.

I know its not a feature but i miss them

[gcolley]

yeah, they seem to have gone backwards in the game video department over the years to the point where it is completely lost.

[Syntax-Error]

I used to be a huge 360 supporter, but I swear that $60 a year is a killer for me now. The fact that PSN charges $50 a year as CHOICE and not mandatory is a thumbs up for me. PSN plus members get free games, discounts, and demos that regular non paying customers dont get. As for XBL, you have to PAY 2 PLAY. That's bullshit! PSN gave away inFamous 2 for free. When has XBL given a free 360 game? Gears 1 is old as dirt and they are still charging you to download it. Fuck the browser, PS3 had it out the box since 2006.

[DiRtY]

Why are so many people talking about the ads? I don't even notice them. I mean if you go to the video store and you see one icon with a link to a new released movie to get on VoD - Is that the 'oh so bad ad' for you?

Going to the games section and new DLC for Forza 4 is promoted - Is that a bad thing? I actually think it is more informative than annoying.

Anyway, people will try to find a bad thing about this as well. If MS cures cancer, N4G will whine about all those doctors losing their job.

[optimus]

There are a heck of a lot more whiners in the xbox beta forums than in here that's for sure. Like you, the 1 or 2 ads don't bother me but everyone else calls the promotions you see in the other boxes ads and all they do is create threads complaining about them...kids these days, i swear.

[OneAboveAll]

Because they have ads that aren't related to gaming also. Or game ads for games that aren't even on the Xbox!

Such as World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria. WHY IS THAT THERE? WE CAN'T PLAY IT!

[DiRtY]

okay, big deal then.

[GearSkiN]

Can wait to try smartglass

[Mikefizzled]

I've been part of the beta and its fracking awesome.

[gcolley]

not being in the beta myself, what do you use it for?

[GearSkiN]

its available at the beta...?? coz im at the beta...

tried to look on my Nexus 7 and it wont show any so i guess cant try it yet

[M_Prime]

Same here. It looks so cool

[Blankman85]

I've been in the beta for so long I forgot it was a beta. Old (current) interface seems so archaic compared to the new one.
Love the dash, hate that being in the beta means updates almost weekly. Overall however, I'm very pleased.

[hennessey86]

I gone IE it gets an update lol

[whitesoxfalife1976]

whitesoxfalife is my tag if yall hit me up

[thebudgetgamer]

I wish I could try it now.

[whitesoxfalife1976]

guess ill chime in on this one (sighing) but see if these gamers wud actually click on them u may get a avatar prop or something free out of it i dont mind it at all actually i makes sure i hits all the ads for that main purpose to get free avatar props, shirts, or hell rare points....the beta is lovely as always..able to fix up the dashboard how u want it man thas heaven...i dont care what they saying bring dem ads on more freebies for us if u look around....oh just in case yes i buys a lot of avatar stuff... i don't look for handouts mines at 240 bought/free avatar items right now and counting

[WrAiTh Sp3cTr3]

Did not know that, thanks!

[stage88]

Just found out you can't download videos and music from the web browser? Also you cant watch videos. WTF?!

It's not even worth having the browser. Crap.

[ALLWRONG]

Of course you can't download movies or music. You can watch videos so you fail there. You PS3 guys need to google before you comment.

[stage88]

"Of course you can't download movies or music."

Yes, because every other browser can't download videos or music either.
Think before you type.

[Mikefizzled]

That Tinternet Explorer is actually pretty good even in beta. Shame the scrolling is a little laggy.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

I've been in the beta for awhile. My favorite feature is definitely the "pins" and "recent" at the start of the dash. No more having to browse different areas I can just point and click 2 to 3 steps not 5 lol.

Can't wait for ad based free music streaming and more F2P games.

[AD705]

I still wish I could go back to the blade system.

Then again this seems to be a lot better than the last dashboard update.

[M_Prime]

the reason they got away from blades is that they needed a way to house more content as well as manage that content. The Blades were cool but they did not lend themselves to the volumes of data available now.

To be honest (i am not in the beta) my fave was the dashboard right before this one. It was so easy to navigate.

[AD705]

To me I find that content pointless.

facebook, youtube, facebook, IE, espn, zune marketplace, Tv, and many other things why would I need that on my console? Sure i do like netflix and amazon instant watch. But it just seems like pointless shit to have and I'm better off just doing these things on my PC than my 360. I also hate how horribly integrated they are.

I bought the 360 to play games not stream music and watch tv. I got other things for that and the 360 doesn't do it better.

[AD705]

but I do agree with you about the dashboard before the one we have now. That was pretty good but i still perfer the blades.

[liquidhalos]

Yeah i thought the upddate before the current one was the best, like you said it was much, much easier to navigate. I seem to spend ages looking for the things that i only use once in a blue moon. That never happened on the previous dash. I hope this years update fixes that.

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

Personally I like YouTube on my TV. Anything I'd enjoy in 40", I'll occasionally watch on the browser videos or I'll look through pictures on Facebook. A dedicated app is much better than a browser (not much better tho).

Gaming is the motivation, but as a PS3 only owner, I'm glad XBox 360 has all this additional content. It's partly why I now have it.

[M1chl]

What about push guide button? Works for me : )

[cedaridge]

Ppl really do complain to much! On one hand you have ps3 guys "All xbox guys is doin is paying for adds" and on the other hand you have xbox 360 guys "Well you get what you pay for and ps3 is boring." When it should be about the games and if YOU like all the consoles then purchase them all. I prefer not to pay for online BUT i'm not against it, Either! I do have a xbox 360 250gb slim just not online right Now! psn: cedaridge

[etownthree]

Funny seeing all the trolls putting in their two cents when PS is obviously copying MS tiles dashboard with their next psicología update.

[ramiuk1]

a major issue i have with all the app features on 360 is they are seperate apps,they should be able to pop up with guide etc.
stuck on a game,youtube o wiki for help.
u cant with this.

[kingslayer1000]

not worth $60 a year

[NYC_Gamer]

MS always had nice updates xbl feature wise

[mochachino]

MS has done a very good job keeping 360s OS exciting with new updates and features.

I use to hate the ads but now I find they're useful, they are mostly game related and pretty much just tell you when new demos and previews are out or stuff like Forward Unto Dawn which is awesome.

I like the apps too (when they work), I'm glad MS is trying hard to innovate...now they just need to invest a little in AAA new ips.

[Orionsangel]

IE works very well on the 360. It's fast and gets the job done. Flash is another story though. It doesn't always work. When you go to Youtube and watch a clip. You get the message to download latest Adobe flash update. Other times you don't and the Youtube clip works, but it's a tad slow.

[1nsaint]

Man., every update i hope they increase how many friends you can add.. Still a cap of 100 it seems like...

It just sucks to delete friends to make room for new people.
MS might think 100 is enough, but u'd be suprised how many friends u add when playing alot games where people are wearing headsets, games like GTA 4 Freemode, halo custom games etc.

[1nsaint]

Oh and i was just complaining because everyone did xD besides the remaining friend cap its a cool update :p

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

lol everyone here pays to play multiplayer lol.
MS sucks they caiter to kids, casuals and dashboard gamers.
http://n4g.com/news/1099727...

[G33K]

Or they just want to cater to both by providing an excellent service and making it easy to use.

P.S. Blocking me after you messaged me first just proves your an immature child.

[2pacalypsenow]

I miss the blades