Xbox 360 spring dashboard update leaked?
By Ryan Block 
posted Apr 7th 2007 1:43AM
posted Apr 7th 2007 1:43AM
- The update hits May 7th
- Your contact list will now integrate Windows Live Messenger, and show joinable session status
- Messenger contacts can see what game you're playing, and your gamertag
- Marketplace will now have its own blade, which will be skinned independent of your theme
- Users will now get inline achievement updates
- Low-power download mode and auto-shutdown
- You can watch partially downloaded movies
- You can text chat messenger six friends playing games watching movies
- Multiple tweaks on the user interface
[Thanks, Sherveen]
Looks real to me, I hope so. I'd like to be able to me on Live messenger and check my Friends on Live, rather then turning on my console or going to Xbox.com. Looks like I might have to get a USB keyboard for my 360 afterall.
If thats fake - jesus is a girl!
Although, little disapointed...
Yeh, its got some nice new stuff, but its nothing compared to what the PS3 can do! Web browsing, etc....
I suspect that you already have a web browser, call it a hunch.
But really, there's something to be said for the way dashboard is designed, built around games and xbox live with some added video and music stuff.
You find yourself doing a lot of web browsing on your TV through your PS3? Yeah... that's what I thought. I've got a Wii (and a 360) and I know the browser feature has been loaded exactly once. I have a laptop near my couch for a reason.
Awesome!
Looks real to me.
This is amazing. It definitely looks real to me. I want it so much. I've been waiting to get an Xbox 360 for awhile. Ihaven't had one yet, but compared to to using the 360, Wii, and PS3,from my friends, I've been wanting the 360 for a long time. With thisupdate, and probaly many more, it definitely sounds like a good reasonto get one. I'm going to save up some more money just to get the elitewhen it comes out. Man, this is cool.
I own a PSP, yup sucks but moving on, and have used the web browser on it. Wow, talk about the most inefficient and frustrating way to view the web. Seeing as the PS3 has the same basic interface AND the fact that the Wii's browser is also just as inefficient, I am going on the limb here and stating that consoles have no business going on the web, especially since we all obviously have computers.
I would much rather have access to HD movies, game demos, trailers, themes, gamer picts, voice chat, text chat, etc..
These new features seem great and I agree that the marketplace needs it's own blade just like the multimedia tab. Navigation is getting a little too complex and goes against the entire idea behind the blades. Glad to see a new update and keep 'em coming MS.
>I've been wanting the 360 for a long time. With thisupdate, and probaly many more, it definitely sounds like a good reasonto get one.
Let me get this clear, you're getting a 360 because.. of an update to the online layout and the ability to use the messenager?
You do realize that 360 is a GAMING device, right?
I think there are a few reasons why Microsoft's doing this
*to combat Sony's HOME.
*to make it more secure
*to sell its marketplace video/movie/tv show.
not too impressed with it, It's better, but it could've been much better giving that it's the only console that require paying online service.
I still think the number 1 priority within 360 is to lower its price. lower its core system price to 248 so it will steal some of the business away from Wii.
Just a quick response. The reason Live does require a subscription is because it does put every online gaming service to shame. Now Live has become the second largest movie download service behind Apple's Itunes. You get all this for about $1.50 a week, something tells me that if you can put money down on a 360, PS3, HDTV, and/or even a Wii the price isn't even worth mentioning.
However, something tells me that if the Live and Movie Downloads get even more popular (more downloads and advertising) then the Live service will become free.
I do agree that the price of the console should be dropped but with the elite coming out I think they will drop the price of the premium to $349 and the core to $249 to compete with the Wii. Also free Live wouldn't hurt either, although if your waiting for that you're going to be missing a lot of great gaming (I guess that goes for the 360 price drop as well).
Look, it's not exactly the update itself, that's just going to make me jump an buy one right now. It's just that this, and future updates, that seems as good as this, just makes me feel that I'm going to buy a product that's just going to live for a long time. I've already been saving money for a Xbox 360 Pro, but the Elite is also now what I'm aiming for. Yeah, I know the updates are minor for some, but I still want it. So I'm not stupid, and won't buy it because of this update. It's just because the fact that reading this makes me feel even more that I'm going to get a great product. I just had to express it you know.
You all bought the 360 when it didn't have these features. How dare you complain that the free addition to "your" enjoyment wasn't good enough. They are giving you new features to add on. If you didn't like the dashboard from the beginning why did you spend the $400? As for text input, use the new QWERTY add to your controller you keyboard complaining baby's. Grow up...seriously...
Thats it. Thats all they could come up with in that amount of time? WHERE IS THE FREAKING BROWSER???????? I want a browser I can pull up mid game and look up how to get past a level or a boss without getting out of my chair and going to the computer. Come on people.
its a gaming console, not a pc.
actually you can browse with the 360 already. Its a pretty crippled browser though. Its just this thing you download for windows media center and then you can get to it through the xbox. But its just really hard to enter the letters and it doesn't have flash or anything, so its not really worth it. Im just saying that you CAN browse on the 360.
why don't you just pause the game, go to your PC or wireless laptop and check that way?
You = Lazy
Besides, Browsers for Consoles(And the PSP) are all quite annoying to use. It's just not practical... Use your computer for surfing the web, use your game console to play games with friends. Besides, there are no virus scanners for all those people who want it to look at pr0n without leaving their livingroom/kitchen.
If you want to look for how to beat a boss just get on the computer and do it, and that way you can just pause the game, rather than closing everything down, opening the browser, then slowly trying to type "w, w, w, dot, g, a, m, e, g, u, i, d, e, s, dot, c, o, m". It's just not worth it for most people.
buy a laptop!
Yeah, I'm pretty unimpressed.
Am I the only one thinking "Is that all?". This is the biggest software company in the world and they give us an update with a few new chat features and basic downloads features that should have been there from the beginning. People should be asking for a more optimised dashboard from the ground up. The sliding blades are to slow and too often navigation in the marketplace is too vague and over complicated. I'm totally baffled as to why we have to put up with these issues in such a powerful console. The Dashboard just feels totally bloated and cumbersome.
Ahh, don't let them haters get to ya Micheal. I agree the dashboarad is not earth shattering but does add some nice features.
To all those people moaning and growning about not having a web browser, are u serious? Surfing the internet is so lame on a console. Come on people, use a freaking PC!!! It's way easier and efficient to just jump on a computer and surf. I have a Wii and having the browser is cute but surfing the internet on it is cumbersome and not worth my time. Web browsers on consoles is just a gimmick and only looks good on paper. Besides, why open yourself to the open internet and run the risk of downloading malware and spyware on console (it will happen eventually, just watch).
Arman
Perhaps surfing the internet on a PC wouldn't be a problem if damned MS had installed the wifi adapter in the 360, rather than forcing people to front $100 for it. If I hadn't bought the wifi adapter for 20% off, I'd still have to disconnect my ethernet cable from my PC everytime I wanted to get on Xbox Live.
And whats with all this talk about haters? We (for the most part) have the same Xbox360 system you do.
There is however a difference between someone who drools over 360 just because its a 360 and an intelligent gamer who recognizes the pros and cons of the 360, PS3 and Wii.
The Xbox 360 Dashboard runs SUPRISINGLY slowly for a 3 gigahertz CPU with loads of memory. During a game, when I get an update and press the guide button, the system seems to chug so it can open the panel.
Furthermore I'm dissapointed that MS didn't include wifi in the 360 (something both Nintendo and Sony did) and even with the 360 ELITE, is still not including it. Are they gonna come out with a BLACK PAINTED adapter that is 802.11N? No word on it yet.
BloodFalcon, I hear ya loud and clear. I can appreciate the argument for including web browser on a game console but like I said before, it is just not that intuitive and user friendly. I think if you are talking about making the 360 a home theater/media hub than I can understand the arguement for including internet functionality but I just don't think it is that big of a deal if it's not there. It seems the opinions are diverse on this topic and we just have different tastes.
Now as far as your Wifi woes, I can understand the frustrations with not having those capabilities built in. I posted awhile ago though that there are cheaper alternatives to the MS product but before I mention does did you consider buying a router or switch to expand you wired setup so that you would not have to deal with cable switching. As far as alternatives to Wifi consider this product for only $30!!!!:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833176105
here is the review on Cnet:
http://www.cnet.com.au/wireless/routers/0,239028894,239116690,00.htm
I haven't tried this solution but it looks very promising.
One day before Halo 2 Vista (and thus GFW Live) gets released! Just noticed that.
btw, just to let you guys know, you can already watch a video that's only partially downloaded. I got that free HD South Park episode when it came out, and it alerted me it could be watched while it was downloading, and I was able to do so. My connection blew, so I ran out of downloaded video while I was watching it, but it's possible already. Perhaps you or they mean streaming?
give me freedom from XBLA trails on my Gamer care or give me death!!
I'm glad Microsoft isn't adding a gimmick like web browsing. A console that is based around gaming and media shouldn't have to resort to web browsing to keep their attention. The 360 has become a great media powerhouse for people, it does your games, it does your music, and with a little extra effort it can become the center of your home theater. Things the PS3 has done are cool and all, but real life implementation is failing and the 360 will stand tall against the PS3 for a long while.
* USB keyboard & MOUSE support
* Internet browser
^^ Thats ALL I wanted, nothing special, nothing amazing, just so I can watch game trailers from my sofa!!!
Damn MS, they piss me off sometimes, they are aiming to sell the 360 as a media platform, NOT just for games, but we have no browser? EVRYTHING has a browser!!!
!!!
why do you need a mouse and internet browser to watch game trailers? any game thats worth buying gets game trailers put on the market place.
I own both a 360 and a PS3
* The 360 is great and being an Achivement Whore is fantastic. When you look at the clock at 5am while trying to find that last Orb you know the 360 is addictive. But it is a hard core gamer console and if M$ want to make it in the living room they need to add more features. Not everybody wants a pc and games console in the living room and with the price of Vista and a new pc.
* The PS3 is great but needs AAA games. Don't discount the browser, it may not be fantastic but it does work. I can pop the PS3 on in the morning and get the traffic report before I go to work. No need to wait 5 minutes for my lappy to warm up. It was also a life saver when the lappy crashed and Vista would not boot.
The 360 needs a browser, if you use it great, if you don't then don't let it ruin your life you can still play games.
Brian, I guess you have found some use with the browser, good for you, but I just don't understand why people get all bent up about not having it, like it's this colossal disappointment.
Very true.
It's so blatantly obvious that Microsoft is skipping over the idea of implementing a browser for the 360. That's why us Xbox owners are getting so wound up, maybe not as much as some. But, some users have made valid points as I've read here today.
What console/handheld DOESN'T have a web browser by now? The PSP has one, the PS3 has one, the Wii has one, even the DS will soon have one! What's up with that?
It seems to me Microsoft wants its users to stay in one place - the Marketplace, just so they can get people to buy tons of useless Gamer pics, wallpapers, over-priced DRM movies and other junk based on a funky Points system.
It's not that we are getting so riled up over not seeing a web browser, it's the idea that the Xbox 360 should have had a one to begin with. There's nothing technologically advanced about having one, it's a tool, and it's about time we get one. It's simply trivial!
eh, not really that impressed. I was hoping for more. Like clearing up some issues with the HD-DVD playback, a more intuitive OS (or at least more responsive) and less freezing or something major. These quarterly updates are supposed to be a huge deal, but the changes isn't huge at all. This could have been any other regular update and I probably wouldn't have noticed...
I hope they include the ability to remote desktop to a vista computer.
Just add a wireless keyboard and I will consider to drop my HTPC.
I feel that this and the new WM6 is shaping up nice for MS.
I am the only one who wants to be able to have more than 1 person in private chat?
what no VGA resolution fix????
I found the PS3 web browser pretty convenient for showing my parents some funny Youtube movies the other day. It wasn't in high def, but it was definitely a cool way to show it to them. I've also used it to look up gamefaqs on something when I was stuck. There are tons of uses for it and not having it would mean running in the other room, booting up my PC and waiting for it to boot before accessing some of this stuff. Not to mention having to get the friends and family clambering around my office when they could just sit on the couch and I can show them whatever I want.
This Live update looks like a typical update your going to see though. There's not much more that I can forsee MS adding to the service.
This looks like a pretty nice update. I'm a bit uneasy about the Windows Live - XBOX integration though. Like most people, I use Windows, and enjoy Messenger and Media Center. But it seems to me like they're using the desktop PC monopoly as leverage in to the games console market.
And if I had a 360, I wouldn't care. In fact, I'd love it. Integrated communications between the work machine and the living room sounds great. Problem is, I don't have a 360. I don't have a PS3 either, but that's the side I'm leaning towards for when I can afford one. Microsoft is linking two markets in such a way that I'm pushed to use a 360. Just because I use Media Center for my media, and I choose Windows Live Messenger for instant messaging, shouldn't mean I have to buy a 360 to enjoy those services elsewhere.
It really should be an open protocol. I want to enjoy these services without being locked in to Microsoft's platforms across other markets.
It's clear why they're going down this path, because it adds cool features for 360 customers. But I can't help seeing an EU lawsuit coming if they keep locking interoperability to their proprietary platforms.
Karl
There's already an open protocol for devices to act as Media Center extenders. There's nothing preventing Sony from making the PS3 such an extender. D-Link was able to do it, after all. Please, let's keep the EU's big nose out of this.
There's already an open protocol for devices to act as Media Center extenders. There's nothing preventing Sony from making the PS3 such an extender. D-Link was able to do it, after all. Please, let's keep the EU's big nose out of this.
the trick is, while you can watch currently downloading tv shows and movies, game trailers and the like have no such ability, at least until the update hits. change "movie" to "video" to clarify Joysiq.
hehe, wrong blog name, don't kill me please.
Needs some improvements to its audio/video streaming capabilities
@djphatjive: buy a laptop.
Not impressed. My contacts are on AIM, not MSN. The movies give you a 24 hour period to watch, you don't keep them; marketplace doesn't impress me and I especially do not like the tactics Microsoft uses like selling 1600 cards in stores but various points online (but not 1600). The pricing scheme is to force you to buy things you did not want to purchase because you have leftover points. At least for the PS3 you pay face value for what you want.
I wanted a web browser and didn't get it. And the best part of this whole update is that they will have Xbox Live offline and it will be unusable for at least a day.
A web browser would be sweet. This looks a little fake, though.
Yea Right a Leak. Good for PR eaters.
Did any other gamer notice that the Marketplace blade is the first blade? Meaning - you have to changed blades to actually play your game?
This will piss me off, I have my tv automated, so switching between inputs takes a moment, so i tend to scroll the through menu blind and the game is loading before the right input is selected.
M$ is pushing the media entirely too hard, I want to play a game, not have to mess with the lousy interface. Sure, the dashboard is kinda cool for certain purposes, but thats why i liked the PS2, it went right to the game, XB360 should have the startup option of going right to the game or loading up the inconvenient dashboard.
@NavyMSU: Just because it's the first blade, it doesn't mean it will start up on that first.
There already is the option to boot straight to the game, it was added in the last update (I'm sure it boots to the game as default because I remember having to change it to boot to dash, which I prefer).
Um...Go to the System Blade > Console Settings > Startup > Disc
That'll make it so that the disc in the disc tray will play automatically when you startup your 360.
Are Sony fanboys more prevalent on this website or is the 360 that unpopular? Right now, for the unbiased consumer, the 360 is a far better buy, browser or no. Browsing on a console without a mouse or keyboard always sucks. ALWAYS. This seems like a nice update. I don't understand what the controversy is? XBL blows doors on the PS3's nothing right now online community. I doubt that MS is shivering in it's shoes about an announced product that could never launch smoothly or on time. And it would take them, um, 6 months to roll something similar out, with better infrastructure.
Ugh I wanted to be able to add more people to private chat.
4 ppl private chat would be AWSOME!!
It all looks really col, but I was hoping for a little more then that, like maybe support for MPEG and AVI video files without media center. But it all looks real to me.
I agree with you.
Because of the WIFI (browser)and BLURAY player, EVEN IF PS3 HAD NO GAMES AT ALL it would still be the better piece of hardware. I have my PS3 set up to a 1080p HDTV and I use it like Webtv. I enjoy it more than my PC cause hey - ITS A PLAYSTATION.
Now my xbox360 has 2 USB ports on its front...
Why does it have no browser and no Microsoft Xbox 360 brand mouse/keyboard?
A Web Browser CAN'T BE THAT HARD TO ADD TO THE EXISTING SOFTWARE. They did it for PSP.
Sweet tip! I never realized this. I actually want it to not auto-load the game, as I usually am watching videos on my Xbox and not playing a game. (Well, 50/50 - but it confuses/scares the girlfriend when Gears of War loads automatically when she's trying to watch SATC)
Why does everyone want a browser so badly? I've used Internet Explorer 7.0, and you do know the same company behind that browser would be involved in making the browser for 360 right?
GP/ JOHN
Understand that 360 and Ps3 are COMPETING system for the "BEST HARDWARE", "BEST GAME SYSTEM" rights.
Thus far, many gamers and reviewers recognize that the PS3 is THE BEST PIECE OF HARDWARE because of its BluRay player and its built in Wifi, browser, built in media card reader, HDMI and 60 GB HDD.
Sure Xbox Live is better than PS3's current multiplayer setup but PS3 IS FREE to PLAY while LIVE costs $50 a year
Mircrosoft is trying to NARROW THE GAP between 360 and PS3 by making the Elite (120GB HDD + HDMI).
Problem is, just adding a bigger HDD and HDMI isn't enough. The average gamer DOESN'T HAVE AN HDTV so they could give a sh!t about HDMI.
360 owners ( like me) want to see 360 gain everything there is to gain on PS3 - a Web Browser (hell, put windows Vista in that bitch!), Wifi and HDMI
@ GP
Haha great point. IE = SuxorZ
FIRE FOX PWNZ
Besides, Even if they did release a stupid 360 browser, I wouldnt use it. ITS A WASTE OF TIME SINCE ALL OF YOU HAVE COMPUTERS THAT YOU WROTE THESE COMMENTS ON!
"Perhaps surfing the internet on a PC wouldn't be a problem if damned MS had installed the wifi adapter in the 360, rather than forcing people to front $100 for it. If I hadn't bought the wifi adapter for 20% off, I'd still have to disconnect my ethernet cable from my PC everytime I wanted to get on Xbox Live."
Buy a fucking router, retard.
I have a very good job so I am the type of person who doesn't mind paying a little extra for brand name equiptment. I just don't like being ripped off.
last week I was deciding whether to get the Xbox360 wifi adapter - or to get a regular gaming bridge. I decided I might as well go with the 360's wifi adapter since the prices were so close ($99).
When I went to Gamestop, I lucked out cause they had an open boxed unit. The manager gave me 20% off so I ended up paying just $79 + tax for the brand 360 wifi adapter.
Now when I actually think about the prices of 360 and my PS3... Xbox 360 is actually MORE EXPENSIVE than the $600 PS3.
I payed $400 for 360 PRo
$79 for the wifi adapter (which would have been $100) and $200 for the HDDVD drive.
The PS3 comes with the wifi built in, and a next generation BluRay player.
We already know a BluRay player goes for about $1000 so in the long run, PS3 IS THE BETTER PIECE OF HARDWARE HANDS DOWN ---while the 360 is the better gamer device for the time being. A couple posts back someone got it exactly right "PS3 NEEDS AAA GAMES".
I'm nopt hating on either system cause in the end, I win either way since I (and many others own both) but as a CONSUMER, I always want the best bang for my bucks.
I will give you one thing - the average gamer doesn't have a HDTV, so HDMI is unnecessary. But with that same argument you point out one of the sole flaws of having a browser - the web on SDTV sucks. So that same "average gamer" would get a horrible experience with a browser.
Now I'm sure there is one in the works, but probably being held onto until a better market saturation of the HDTV is poignant enough to actually matter.
But the point about PS3's free online versus XBOX Live's pay service is starting to get a little old. $50 a year is nothing when you look at it from a $4 a month fee. To me, that's like saying that a meal at a soup kitchen, because it's free is better then a meal at Wendy's.
I give you your points, and they are valid, however they may be a year ahead of actually being relevant to the current status in the market. XBOX 1 was the superior piece of hardware last gen, and ended up finishing a distant second to the PS2.
My point about the browser is as such - if they release a pathetic excuse for a browser, it could hurt them even more than not having one. In some things it's better to try, but in the tech sector we know that when you try and fail, you get judged harshly.
One update in this not mentioned above is a fix for those of us having VGA issues with some displays. It includes a new setting now to select between 0IRE and 7.5IRE, which should correct the "washed out" appearance many have with VGA. THAT is the big one for me, I don't ncessarily have to buy an Elite. It also adds DTS support.
THE DASHBOARD LOOKS GOOD BUT THEY COULD HAVE AT LEAST PUT IN A WEB BROWSER LIKE THE PS3 AND THE WII YA DIGG!!!!
I think the incremental update is fine, but I REALLY wish Micro would make the PC music and video streaming capability more readily available for XP users. I can't get that Zune bullshit to work, and I'm not putting Vista on my boarderline obsolete computer. I want to stream my videos, Microsoft, give the Vista campaign a break.
Does anyone know if this Messenger upgrade will allow for video conferencing? I stay in touch with my family via Messenger's video conferencing and right now we all huddle around our computer once a week in a small at home office. I sure would love to do that from the comfort of our family room. I know that the 360 already has a video camera available so I think all the hardware is in place to make this possible.
Not yet, but they say it might at some point support voice and video. They are in beta for Xbox live on PC (Games for Windows logo program) I have used my Xbox controller and mic plugged in to my PC(XBOX LIVE on PC) to send messages and talk realtime to people playing in private chat so I don't think this is too far away. I'm sure it's security and bandwidth between the PC Network and XBOX Live network.
This update is to help support the new PC to Xbox games coming out. I haven't seen anything about it but these games are starting to see beta testing. Keep in mind that the Beta of Halo 3 with Video play back and replay is coming out just 1 week after this update. You know there are alot more enhancements in this patch.
MSN Messanger has 155 million users. Microsoft is merging xbox live group and msn messanger groups together.
Don't for get microsoft lost 300+ million on the gaming side last year. They are trying to cut costs.
where's the party chat??? that's what i really want to know. texting is cool and all but why not go the whole nineyards?? just a few examples... could help organize clan get togethers and Battlefield2:mc would be a lot more fun (very simple reasons but there are many more). just my opinion.
wat time is the update gonna come