Xbox 360 dashboard update beta coming in October

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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

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

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-BeastModePosted:

I Don't like it that much , But i guess once they have it on i'll have to live with it :P

HolmesyPosted:

Hopfulley they get it spot on.

waaaaaatPosted:

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.

iJarH3adPosted:

To be honest... This dash look crappy! -_-

XHomerPosted:

i sware down if they do this im getting a wii

KramaticPosted:

I stand by my comment a while back.

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

ImmortalTechniquePosted:

looks weird but cant wait to see what new things it got

Z_RO---Posted:

I hope it ruins my xbox, so they have to send me a new one, and hopefully I can jjust fix the old one, and then have two xbox's :)

Q4caFP2vPosted:

So will I be able to Download in october and put on my spare box? Hope so!
And for those who think they want the blade dash back, No party chat, No Join Session, No Kinect, No Avatars, No Zune,ESPN,Facebook,Last FM,Zune,Video Chat. so I dont want it back unless it can incorporate all those features

ToL_VooDooPosted:

TheBlackParadeIsDead Microsoft should allow us to choose what dashboard we want to use, we shouldnt be forsed to use the most recent one :( I want the Blades dash back.

Yep same here D: