Xbox 360 dashboard update beta coming in October

4.4
Microsoft is prepping to launch another major update to the Xbox 360 user interface, otherwise known as the dashboard, later this year. Today new previews of the dashboard update were posted on several web sites, including word that a beta test for the update will launch in October before the final version will be distributed free to all Xbox 360 owners. When the Xbox 360 launched back in 2005, it had a "blade" design that was dumped in 2008 with the New Xbox Experience update.

Venture Beat reports that the design of the new dashboard update resembles the tile-themed UI created for Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 and the upcoming Windows 8 operating system. It also allows Xbox 360 users to go through content much faster which is needed since the amount of content available to Xbox 360 owners has increased dramatically over the years.

The new update will also take advantage of the Kinect motion controller camera add-on that launched in November 2010. Players will be able to use the Kinect's voice recognition feature to navigate though the new user interface or you can simply move and wave your hand to interact with the new dashboard. Joystiq reports on the new Bing-based search features that will enable users to look up anything available for the Xbox 360 via the controller or with Kinect via the voice feature.

Other new features include players highlighting Xbox 360 game achievements and then sharing them via your Facebook or Twitter account, and "beacons" that let players send an open and invite for friends to play games. Unfortunately, Microsoft is not yet talking about its plans to offer live television via Xbox 360, first revealed at E3 2011 in June, although that should also be a part of the next dashboard update.


http://www.neowin.net/news/xbox-360-dashboard-update-beta-coming-in-october

Posted:

Comments

"Xbox 360 dashboard update beta coming in October" :: Login/Create an Account :: 54 comments

If you would like to post a comment please signin to your account or register for an account.

TheBrownGuyPosted:

VS4_Reviews
XeX_XENONZ i see a bing tab! INTERNET
Finally we might have internet capabilities!

That would be great

VS4_ReviewsPosted:

XeX_XENONZ i see a bing tab! INTERNET
Finally we might have internet capabilities!

XeX_XENONZPosted:

i see a bing tab! INTERNET

MPAAPosted:

waaaaaat i like it, its always nice for something new. change is good. and they wouldnt update it unless it was some how better so im looking forward to this.
Not every change is a good one, smartphone display style on a TV sucks hard.

PodcastBandit_FanboyPosted:

I'm looking forward to this, i hope im a beta tester! :D

TTG-JasonVPosted:

Youtube
and bbc
Iplayer XD

DsR-FuSii0nZPosted:

OMFG! First the Blade dash 2005-2008. NXE Dash 2008-2011. Now this **** shit?! You gotta be **** kidding me! This dash is shit. I don't want my **** xbox to look like and windows 7 phone >:(

bsmPosted:

Looks alright..although even if i didnt want it i have no choice..

Oz_x_MaJikzPosted:

meh its ok
BUT IS THAT YOUTUBE I SEE!
OMG!
If youtube comes to xbawx then i will be very happeh :P

MatthewSteierPosted:

Kramatic I stand by my comment a while back.

This dash will complete ruin the Xbox 360 experience. I promise it.

Really? This will ruin everything? The dashboard will effect the games you play, the games that make up the real experience? If you honestly think that this will effect anything other than how you navigate, you are mentally handicapped.