DiggThis

Microsoft has released a rather long list of features and changes that will be included in the next 360 dashboard update, which is expected soon.

However the main things we’d been looking forward to; Twitter, Last FM and Facebook, won’t be included in this update.

Here’s the full official list:

What does this Xbox LIVE Update include?

Netflix Updates

Now you can watch movies with your friends no matter where they are and manage your queue from the comfort of your couch.

Movie Parties – Xbox LIVE Gold members can sit together in a virtual theater with up to seven friends no matter where they are while your Avatars watch a movie, flirt or even throw popcorn at each other.

Manage Your Queue – Browse the Netflix Instant Watch video catalogue, choose from the most popular movies and genres and add to your queue all from the comfort of your couch – no computer required.

Enhanced Playback Experience – Enjoy a smooth viewing experience when your internet bandwidth fluctuates.

Friends Info – Richer information is now displayed in the Friends channel and in the Guide showing what you and your friends are doing.

Avatar Marketplace

Express yourself! Deck your Avatar out with the latest clothing and props from the top brands and game franchises.

Clothing – Download premium items, including branded apparel from your favorite fashion labels and Xbox 360 games such as "Halo."

Props – You can now equip your avatar with animated items they can carry around and interact with.

Awardables – The ability to earn Avatar clothing and props as rewards within games has been added. Please stay tuned for an update on supporting titles.

Games on Demand(Games on Demand will be available in the preview beginning early August.)

Enjoy 24 x 7 access to a growing online library of popular full game titles on Xbox LIVE whenever you want them, in the comfort of your living room.

Purchase Options – Browse and download a great selection of full Xbox 360 games using Microsoft Points, direct debit, or credit card.

Game Manuals – Game manuals for Games on Demand titles can be viewed, downloaded or printed on Xbox.com.

It’s Yours Forever! – As with other Xbox LIVE content, Games on Demand titles are linked to your Xbox LIVE account, so you can delete and re-download anything you have already purchased to the same console or another console.

User Ratings

User ratings help you find games that other people think are awesome!

Rate it – You can now rate every game on the Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace using a 5-star system.

Sort and Find it – Now you can easily find the games that everyone’s been raving about by visiting the Top Rated games in the Browse All category of Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace.

Xbox LIVE Parties

Everyone loves to Party! Check out the new and improved Xbox LIVE Party features.

Party Reconnections – If you are accidently disconnected from your party, Xbox LIVE will automatically reconnect you.

Streamlined Party Invites – Invites are now just one click away! No need to click through multiple screens to get all your friends together.

Video Display Options

We’ve made it easier for you to see your entertainment in the highest resolution possible on your TV using an HDMI connection.

Display Discovery – Make sure you can see and hear your entertainment in the highest resolution and sound quality possible with the option to override and select audio and video formats independent of the information your television sends to your Xbox 360 console.

Other Improvements

We’re always listening to you for feedback, and this Xbox LIVE update will include numerous dashboard updates.

Gold Member Veterans – Xbox LIVE Gold members get to show it off with a stamp on your Gamer Card that tells people how long you’ve been a Gold member.

Indie Games – Xbox LIVE Community Games has been renamed Xbox LIVE Indie Games. We feel this new name better represents the independent spirit of these titles.

Achievement Browser – We’ve revamped the Achievements browser so it’s now easier to read through all the achievements while playing a game. You can now also launch a game directly from the browser.

Achievements Tracking – A new view inside the profile panel which includes a summary of Achievements earned across all the games played, and shows of all your completed games.

Streamlined Navigation – Streamlined navigation, including new entry points in the dashboard for Active Downloads, redeeming codes, recovering Gamertags and more.

Voice Messages – No more blank voice messages! When recording a voice message, a warning will pop up if no audio is detected.

Friends List Sorting – It’s now easier to find your friends! Find and sort your friends by activity, Gamertag or online status by pressing the Y button while viewing the friends list in the Guide.

Memory – Time stamps now appear in the memory area, which particular handy when managing saved games.

Account Management

We’ve made some changes to make your life easier.

Subscription Notification – If your Xbox LIVE subscription is about to run out, you will now be notified when you sign into Xbox LIVE.

Updates for Invalid Windows Live IDs – If the Windows Live ID you provided has expired, you will now be prompted to update it the next time you sign into Xbox LIVE.

Account recovery – We’ve enhanced the account recovery process to make it faster and more reliable.

What does this Xbox LIVE Update not include?

The following features will be coming in future Xbox LIVE updates, which we’ll be sure to let you know about.

Facebook
Twitter
Zune video and 1080p Instant On
Last.fm

Related posts:

  1. Microsoft exec talks about handheld Xbox
  2. New Michael Jackson game in the works
  3. Portal for Xbox 360 offers nothing new
  4. Wii Hitting the Xbox 360 Hard
  5. Battlefield: Bad Company strikes gold

Search

Latest Articles

How to replace cracked iPhone 3GS screen

How to replace cracked iPhone 3GS screen

So you’ve just been to a party and woken up with a throbbing hangover to find your iPhone screen is cracked. Familiar story? It’s happened to me, too many times! Fret not though, it’s really easy to replace a cracked iPhone screen and can be done for a just a fiver!

Read Article »

Related Content

Dec 12

Angry Birds receives Birthday update

The hugley popular mobile and desktop game Angry Birds has now turned two years old. Rovio have celebrated by releasing an update that includes new levels and achievements.

Read the Story »
Dec 05

Roxio Game Capture

We all like to boast about our gaming abilities. If only there was a way to show the world your abilities though! Well, thanks to the Roxio Game Capture, recording, editing and sharing your Xbox 360 and PS3 gaming moments is now as easy as reciting the alphabet!

Read the Story »
Dec 05

Microsoft announce Xbox 360 entertainment update

A range of new features are set to hit everyones Xbox 360s tomorrow, Tuesday 6th december; bringing new content streaming features as well as Kinect voice search.

Read the Story »
Dec 01

Over 8 million sales for Battlefield 3

It’s fair to say that Battlefield 3 has done extremely well in terms of sales for the past few weeks, selling more than some games manage to in a lifetime. Having just topped the 8 million mark, what now?

Read the Story »