Microsoft just announced at E3 that they'll be giving the Xbox 360 a total software overhaul this fall. "When people turn on their Xbox 360s this fall, they'll get an entirely new interface and Dashboard, an entirely new Xbox through the magic of software," said John Schappert, head of Live services. New features will include those
fancy new Mii-like 3D Avatars, a new emphasis on community with IM, video chat, and photo sharing, along with a brand new 3D slide interface for the main Dashboard screen. Avatars will be integrated into your GamerCard, but you can also create a "Live party" and invite your friends, with as many as 8 of your three dimensional homies hanging out at once -- though you're not hanging out in an actual 3D environment. You can use your avatar in certain Live Arcade games like Uno, and even in third party titles such as the upcoming Scene It? title. It sounds like Microsoft is taking cues from the Wii, Sony's Home and Facebook all in one fell swoop, not bad at all.
posted Jul 14th 2008 2:50PM
My dashboard could use a bit of a makeover...
Those avatars are such a Wiipoff.
Does anyone know if the 60GB 360 will have an HDMI output? Personally, I think all of these hardware revisions are bullsh*t. Build it once. Making people buy the same thing over and over is ridiculous.
Dear Nintendo,
Welcome to the wonderful world of competing with Microsoft.
Sincerely,
Apple
they didn't just copy Nintendo, it works using a Coverflow interface "an innovating experience" they say. Thanks god they didn't call their new music player "walking man", I bet they mentioned it during meetings...
Can you believe people have spent 1 Billion dollars on XBL?? that's a lot of horse armor!
they didn't just copy Nintendo, it works using a Coverflow interface "an innovating experience" they say. Thanks god they didn't call their new music player "walking man", I bet they mentioned it during meetings...
Can you believe people have spent 1 Billion dollars on XBL?? that's a lot of horse armor!
WAt i do hope dat Xbox Live does do is somethin facebook did wit da Im and let us use Aim or have a choice to choose between aim and msn messenger cause no one uses msn compared to aim That to Me would be awesome
Innovation brought to you by microsoft..
I can't believe my eyes, that is such poor quality as far as UI design goes. Blades were much better. Can't beat the elegance of the xmb.
"..an entirely new Xbox through the magic of software."
They're fixing RRODs via software updates now? Because that's the only "entirely new Xbox" most people REALLY need...
: )
To bad Engadget's comment system never gets any new things through "the magic of software". Like Edit or Delete buttons and the even more needed feature of "Block dumbass comments".
Then you would just need a little script like Pochi.BlockDumbassComments=True;
They have already tried addressed the rrodz with a hardware update, i.e. the falcon chips.
Regardless, I think this new dashboard likes like it belongs on a wii and I hope I have the option NOT to download it. Personally I prefer the original xbox's dashboard concept. Why is xbox getting steadily less badass?
Yeah. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Engadget, add an "Ignore" feature. A blog post without having to read the endless crap coming from oceans/claks/Steffen Jobs/etc would be soooo much nicer. And who knows, maybe people would actually start to comment sensibly again because they get the idea that nobody listens to them if they're just constantly PITA'ing...
I don't know what you guys are talking about, Clak is a genius.
I'm a Clak groupie :-)
@GadgetNut
We need to support his every word from this day forward.
i still need to get it hooked up to my router =/
Yeah, same here. I quite like the current dashboard though :) Don't know too many people with xbox 360's, so I never got around to hooking it up before.
While the new dashboard doesn't appeal to me, the avatar thing seems cool enough.
About time.
Change for teh sake of change is bad.
There is nothing wrong with the old style.
Now don't get me wrong, an update is nice, but I really hope it is really thought out to improve usability...
M
I don't think they will do something to decrease the usability of the 360 interface, look at the MCE interface, where the XBox gets a lot of its design queues. I think if anything this will improve the usability and provide more streamlined access to things, like playing games, or streaming your media, or connecting to a media center.
That better be really you in that pic
I hope they give us the option of using the old dash. Something tells me they won't, though.
Oh well, hope I like the new one.
I just read one part from the keynote that I liked:
"You can chat with or send messages to your friends, but there's something new: create a Live party, private groups of up to 8 people, always connected and chatting as a party."
That's awesome news and about damned time. It's ridiculously hard to get a group of friends all together to play something, and actually keep the group together as you change matches (let alone games). If they do this right I'll be one happy guy.
They said you wouldn't have a choice... I personally loved the Xbox 360 Dashboard, I always get frustrated with the Playstation 3 interface and I don't know why but I got the impression it will feel a lot alike! Anyway I do like the group thing too, if well implemented it could make it a lot easier manage a group of friends!
New Dashboard: Combination of Apple's Cover Flow and Nintendo Channels
New Avatars: Combination of distorted Nintendo Miis and PS3's SL clone "Home"
More middle-of-the-road, please-everyone "innovation" from the world's most notorious intellectual property thieves.
If anything it looks like Flip 3D. Cover Flow has a centered image, with additional images facing each other from both sides. They also essentially sit at the same/close (x,y) coordinates. The new dashboard has tiles progressing into the distance. Like Flip 3D.
But plz, TROLL MOAR. Long live teh flame warz.
@ John
Actually, this is really similar to one of their original ideas for the dashboard, long before coverflow came out. I saw it on some video somewhere.
So, do the world a favor and swallow a knife? I'm sooo sick of people claiming someone copied someone else...
-Taylor
no matter from who they rip it off, it's still a ripoff nonetheless.
Reading the description, I thought exactly the same thing - CoverFlow and the Mii Channel combined.
There's definitely a dash (geddit?) of AppleTV 1.0 in there too.
Actually, I thought one of the better features of the 360 was its dashboard. Maybe it wasn't awesome, but it was distinctive and different. They just needed to fix the terrible music playback interface, and the networking (getting that set up reliably is, frankly, voodoo). Whether this is a copy or not (it happens so many times, "coincidence" is pushing the limits of belief a bit), it *looks* like a rip-off of everything popular, and it's the perception that counts...
"If anything it looks like Flip 3D. Cover Flow has a centered image, with additional images facing each other from both sides. They also essentially sit at the same/close (x,y) coordinates. The new dashboard has tiles progressing into the distance. Like Flip 3D."
That's reaching. Of course this is a copy. That's like saying "Hey dude you are wearing the same clothes as me!!" "not really, I'm wearing an XL while you are wearing an L size, that's not copying!"
I like that they are re-doing teh dashboard and adding what sound like cool features but cenetering all this around that boring avatar makes me scared.
@FoxHoundADAM
Hey, look on the bright side its not like the Avatar is going to pop up and say "Hey, its looks like you're writing a letter."
Clippy says, "It looks like you are having trouble with this level n00b. Would you like me to complete it for you?"
holy freaking wow
I'm at work and i literally laughed quite loudly
Clippy FTW
lol Alareth wins
so when is the BS3's HOME coming out... oh wait its delayed till 2014
Xbox and PS3 were (are) much cooler without avatars. =(
I agree... If i want to play little kids games, ill buy a Wii.
How incredibly boring.
I can't wait to see how much I have to pay monthly to have an Avatar.
But wait, maybe I can buy a Platinum Live account®™ and have up to 5* custom made XbileMee®™ for free*!
You registered today just to troll.
How incredibly pathetic.
The Dude: You checked. Mr Pot, meet Mr Kettle?
Coverflow.
ehhh...I'll have to reserve judgment till it drops.
I was never a big fan of the current dashboard, (thought it was too "cluttered" and had too many blades) but it serves the purpose. I am however always looking for new GUI's and really dig the whole Aero/Coverflow look. XBl is (imho) the best game network service out there fright now, so heres hoping MS doesnt drop the ball on this one!
Can't wait to see it in motion!
Some of you guys are major drama queens. Jeez, if you don't like it then don't buy it. No one really cares about your "review" of Microsoft's business model or having "avatars". Don't like it don't use it, Paula...
All the talk about stealing intellectual property is ridiculous and should stay with 16 year old gamestop employees. There are laws.
If you already have an xbox 360 and want to continue playing online, there's no don't buy it don't use it option. You have to upgrade if you want to keep doing what you already were doing.
well that brings up a good point. I bought the Xbox for an adult experience. I didn't buy it for Wii avatars and other myspace 10 yo bullshit. So I'd have to say that Microsoft owes us the ability to turn all of that kiddie shit off.
What is that a "Mii" on the dashboard? Lol.
(Mii's + Coverflow)
If the design team of Nintendo and Apple had a baby, it would be this dashboard.
LOL, couldn't agree more, screw all the low ranker's...
even though The Dude is right about Flip 3D, i don't think my box needs anything else to keep it running hot and closer to death...
ehhh...I'll have to reserve judgment till it drops. I was never a big fan of the current dashboard, (thought it was too"cluttered" and had too many blades) but it serves the purpose. I amhowever always looking for new GUI's and really dig the whole Aero/Coverflow look. XBl is (imho) the best game network service out there right now, so heres hoping MS doesnt drop the ball on thisone!
i'm optimistic. if they do mess some things up, they'll hear about it and tweak things in the weeks to come, but should go over great. this has just been long awaited. last changes were pretty minor.
Looks like Microsoft is trying to toss out the hardcore gamer audience as much as possible in any attempt to capture the casual crowd. The Wii is doing what MS hoped to do with the Xbox, get into living rooms as a lifestyle device.
The Xbox Dashboard interface was terrible from a usability standpoint but it had a hardcore look that the 12-25 male demographic liked. The new dasboard looks like a turnoff to the people that made the Xbox brand what it is. To change it now is to alienate that demographic in order to capture a market that will never look at the Xbox as a viable platform.
However, I don't think hardcore Xboxers give the slightest care what the console dash looks like or how well the hardware holds up. The 15 million house that Halo built can only be taken down by the complete business failure of the E&D division.
I agree with you this seems to just be another attempt to make the 360 a lifestyle device. They really should just be trying to make it the ultimate media hub for your entertainment set up. (I'm all for direct downloads).
Anyways the layout of that new dashboard looks kind of cool I don't think it will turn away users. That avatar thing however looks kind of lame. I think they might want to model in actual characters from games I know that would spawn forth an army of master chiefs and marcus fenixs but whatever....
I will say this though all those dollars we threw into themes for the old dashboard better be updated to work with this new dashboard. Otherwise MS better be ready to give back a lot of points.
Sorry, but I couldn't disagree with you more.
The Wii is NOT a lifestyle device. For the vast majority of users, it is a single-game system. It is a sports simulator - that's why the average Wii owner has what...2.4 games? People are not centering their "digital lives" around the Wii. They are not engaging in internet and video chats, streaming media, sharing pictures, or doing any of the things that make a device a "digital lifestyle device". It doesn't even play movies, it's JUST a game system, which is all Nintendo wants it to be.
What they're trying to do is lower the threshold of acceptance: People are wary of the Xbox as a media device precisely because it feels too much like a game system, and even though it sits in their living room connected to their networks, many don't think of it as a media player. In the current incarnation, playing a movie is seven or eight clicks deep, chatting with a friend is at least 4.
The goal of the update appears to bring much of the enhanced functionality (like media streaming, chatting, internet video downloads, etc) that already exists to the forefront, and make it simple enough that anyone can sit down and start watching a video, or enter a chat.
I don't envision the Avatar being a particularly successful component, even Microsoft isn't focusing on it that much. It's a "me too" feature that people expect, but I doubt you'll see page after page of review extolling it's value. It's just sort of there. But when I can just hit "play me some music" or "start watching that Netflix movie" in a few buttons? That'll have value.
I agree with you 100% if that's the interface we're forced to use I will abandon the 360 altogether! I don't want a kiddie looking interface! Nice job Microsoft, way to lose a loyal customer!
Brad you're so right!
Celidius, then how can you be loyal if you dish MS over a f****** avatar system?
Let me put it like this - What if you loved Corvettes and one day you were able to afford one and so went out and got one in the color of your choice? Nice chrome rims, tinted windows, extra wide tires, the works. Now, you love your 'Vette and you love Chevy for making the 'Vette. You have always been a Chevy man and have stuck with them right from your first car. Loyal right? Now, all of a sudden Chevy mechanics show up at your door one day and tell you they're there to "upgrade" your 'Vette and you have no choice, you have to do it or else you can't drive your 'Vette on public streets. So you let them do it. A short time later your 'Vette is pink and says Barbie across the side of it and the interior isn't custom leather it's pink plastic with Barbie on the seats and the wheels have fake plastic chrome spinners on them. Now how do you feel about your 'Vette and Chevy? Some things are just too much to keep a loyal customer loyal.
have they said anything about a browser? after using ps3's browser. it actually is useful at times. I WANT ONE.
Agreed, PS3 browser has gotten really good lately. If you attach a Bluetooth keyboard (and maybe mouse), it's good enough for most stuff.
Unfortunately, PS3 is considerably louder than my HTPC (which is totally silent) so I can't take it seriously as a media center.
I don't think they could possibly use less space on the screen.
An incredible failure for MS. Their current dashboard has quite a bit of dead space that could be used for User customizeable content.
Now I see a huge void, of blank screen to depress me.
Xbox Interface FAIL.
no...i do believe YOU fail
I think I agree.... it looks pants :( I prefer the current dash.
It does also look very Wii'ish - theres no point doint what ninty have done, they've pretty much got that market covered. Still, I do question the longetivity of the Wii, maybe MS do too - maybe they want to "take over" from the Wii if they start to lag. I must admit, the poor graphics on the Wii is a very limiting factor (for me anyway) - i'm almost spot on that 2.4 stat!
The new dash reminds me a bit of the PS3 XMB/GT5/Singstar interfaces aswell - which I must admit I really like.
Come on MS, we need some originality!
Now there's even less content on screen. Doesnt' MS listen to its user base?
Look at the videos section, there's no blurb about the movie. Looks like you'll have to select each one to get a write up.
:thumbs down: to avatars replacing gamercards. Why oh why force this on us?
The blades system was good, they should had refined it.
Not liking this at all.
So, you know all those dashboard themes that people PAID for, will they now be useless (I know, I know... they pretty much were anyway)?
I only ask as for some reason I am having issues with the images on this and the live blog post while on the work computer.
ok, now I CAN see the images.
So ye, now all the gamerpics/dashboard themes we bought are useless? Can we all get a refund then MS?
All petty moaning aside, I much prefer the gamerpics to a 3D avatar, I hope there is a choice.
heh...am I the only one who is GLAD they didn't blow money on themes that will soon be obsolete when this new dashboard arrives?
No wonder Microsoft was passing out free themes left and right on the LIVE is 5IVE deal last year. They will soon all be trash! Probably the same for gamerpics.
Microsoft better do some serious making up.
Exactly, this on top of the fact that xbox live hasn't worked properly in 7 months, ever since that debacle during the xmas holidays, the live service has been a disgrace!
The lag has become a disgrace at certain points of the day, and is still almost unplayable any time there is a public/national/school holiday.
I thought the reason that we were not getting a spring update was for MS to fix the live service, not develop some useless avatar thing and a dashboard update that renders even more of our hard-earned cash wasted.
My live-subscription is up in two weeks, I almost feel like it should be giving to me for free for the next year after seven months of hassle.
So what does this mean for people who have modded their Xbox 360's? Do you think this will affect them?
Probably, but who would have been silly enough to do that anyway? I mean, with all the traps microsoft have set up to leave any modded xbox unusable over xbox live when found out, who would risk it?
mhmmm, me thinks it looks good.
I REALLY hope that's not the new dashboard in the photos! I HATE the look of Media Center. What a waste of space!
How much customization goes into these 3d characters. Would be awesome if the could do some sort of face mapping with the Live Vision Camera.
Rather than MS trying to "re-invent" the wheel...(and by re-invent I mean stealing from Sony and Nintendo to include useless sh!t; read "avatars") into their product, why cant they work off of the idea that Xbox360Fanboy featured for a concept of the Dashboard 2.0 update...it seems alot for functional more my personal needs for the system, which are playing games and not trying to make imaginary friends...
Check it..http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/07/01/360-dashboard-2-0-mock-up-is-microsoft-listening/
or
http (colon) //www (dot) xbox360fanboy (dot) com/2008/07/01/360-dashboard-2-0-mock-up-is-microsoft-listening/
Sorry the link was actually from Platform Nation's site and was designed by "mik" and was linked to by X3F...also I apologize for the grammar, as I obviously cannot talk on the phone and generate a legible post at the same time....
I would much rather Dashboard 2.0 than the Aero Flip3D/Wii channels nonsense that Microsoft is about to roll out.
I'm really quite dissapointed with this, I don't like it at all.
It all looks very kiddie in nature. That's one of the reasons I sold my Wii. I hope Microsoft doesn't forget about the "hardcore" userbase that's currently using the 360.
there's nothing really "hardcore" about playing video games. its just a dashboard update. relax.
as long as the in-game dashboard is quicker, i don't really care what it looks like.
As a 360/PS3 owner, I'm really not impressed with this keynote. And to the guy who said "this was the bestest keynote for Microsoft EVAR!", your an idiot.
I was pretty impressed.. Maybe that means "you're" the idiot..
It looks like a combination of Zune's menu and the aero effects of vista... a little.
Wow, Microsoft with a great design. This is fantastic
Cause the original dashboard still looks like it was designed by a 15 year old that just built his first website.
Thank the lord, I just hope it's better than flipping though numerous blades.
you really still are practically flipping through blades. You still have to press left or right on the d-pad (or analogue stick) to go between whatever you call those boxes, then enter into it's own page. It really isn't all that different, control wise.
that was supposed to me a reply to Shadowkain
my mistake
The real question is if those darn little kids will make their avatar to resemble them or someone who is much older and has gone through puberty
I don't know if I like this move. The Dashboard itself was just fine. But, I guess, as long as the new UI is just as functional, I can't complain.
What's gonna happen with all those Dashboard Themes people purchased?
I like the idea of avatars and some of the social features in the new version. But the Romper Room, Wii-Wii avatars belong on Nintendo's kiddie console, not the 360 (or PS3).
reminds me of the wii...
If they include all Shrek like avatars in the Dashboard - Im sold! :-)
Words cannot describe how much I hate, hate, HATE anthropomorphized crap like this!
Concentrate on making it WORK!
You can add cutesy, cartoonish crap later.
Is the Live Party what they showed with the Mii60's standing around in what looked like a farm?
pleaaaaase answer
is this only for the new 60 giggers or will it be available for the old 20 gigs? can i download it off marketplace?
Oh, you'll be getting it - it's a mandatory update. Whether you like it or not.
I hope that it will be better than it looks. I am a fan of the current dashboard. Everyone's right...it's a mix between PS3 and Wii. I would've bought a PS3 or Wii if I wanted those features. I like gamercards much better than...GamerMiis???
Hopefully it won't be too bad. I just want to know how they MS will integrate gamerpics and themes that we have all bought.