Xbox 360 Dashboard Update to arrive in November?

The next Xbox 360 Dashboard update promises to be a big one, with a totally revised menu system, Netflix support, and Wii-like avatars, but so far Microsoft's kept mum on when it's coming -- but we'd circle November on your calendars for now, since that's what MS UK apparently told the crew at RPG-TV. It's still not official official, but at least now you have something to look forward to in November besides awkwardly hanging out with people from high school over Thanksgiving.

[DYLAN C @ Aug 25th 2008 6:08PM]

Wow November. I was hoping for late Sept. - early Oct.

Oh well.

[Raheem @ Aug 25th 2008 6:17PM]

Seconded. I was really hoping for a September launch also... oh well, I guess I'll just play a game of Civilisation until then :P

[robothouse @ Aug 25th 2008 8:58PM]

I would recommend a game of Mavis Beacon

[Velorium @ Aug 26th 2008 4:13AM]

Why is this surprising to anyone? The fall update has been in November each time, and the spring update in May (sans this passing year). Move along. Wake me when it's actually here.

[tiuk @ Aug 26th 2008 10:22AM]

Yeah "Fall Update" and "Spring Update" are misleading names. MS should just call them winter and summer updates and stop getting hopes up. Better to overestimate and look like a hero when you release "early" than give the impression that something is coming sooner than it really is.

[Raheem @ Aug 27th 2008 8:57AM]

"Robothouse," excuse me?

[CJLrsn @ Sep 27th 2008 6:53AM]

It's not surprising, it's just that in June they said the new dashboard would be out September 8th...

[Dster @ Aug 25th 2008 6:09PM]

Will this update let me fast forward or rewind music?

If not, keep the avatars.

[o29 @ Aug 25th 2008 6:56PM]

An updated music player would be nice. Sometimes I want to see how long a song is or how far into it I am, but there's no way of knowing.

[Doug @ Aug 30th 2008 3:17AM]

Hear, Hear! I totally second that point. I'm not sure why it's so hard to enable fast forwarding and rewinding in music. Come on!

I remember reading an article months ago about how Microsoft wanted to make the xbox 360 "open to podcasts," but if that were the case, imagine how unbelievably frustrating it would be not to have REW and FFWD?

[Flashpoint @ Aug 25th 2008 6:15PM]

Just in time for Gears of War 2 and Call of Duty: World at War.

I just hope i'll have a choice of keeping my old switchblade theme cause I really don't like the look of the new layout.

[JAmerican @ Aug 25th 2008 6:36PM]

No Infinity Ward... no thank you.

[Striker @ Aug 26th 2008 12:35AM]

Too bad, the blade system will only be around for the Xbox Guide menu, not the dashboard, I don't care what you have heard, it is wrong, trust me, I'm a doctor.

[Matt @ Aug 25th 2008 6:17PM]

Makes sense. I'd image this requires a LOT of testing.

[Kamal @ Aug 25th 2008 6:19PM]

not soon enough. But better to get it right than brick my console.

[Slick @ Aug 25th 2008 8:26PM]

cough-Sony PS3 2.0 updated firmware-cough

[Dorf @ Aug 25th 2008 6:21PM]

I'm excited for the Netflix, actually.

[water.and.sand @ Aug 26th 2008 3:36AM]

I have netflix... and out of 98 movies currently in my queue, there are streaming buttons next to... 7.
I'm thinking this netflix integration might sound better on paper than it'll really turn out to be. Not saying it'll be bad, but since you have to have a subscription to netflix anyway, I think you'll be relying more on the mailman than your 360.

[grull27 @ Aug 25th 2008 6:23PM]

It sucks that it can't be released some months earlier but I'm still excited for it.

[Bernie @ Aug 25th 2008 6:27PM]

Why are you hanging out with people you feel awkward around?

[JAmerican @ Aug 25th 2008 6:39PM]

I do it all the time. It's called Xbox Live lol :)

[Bernie @ Aug 25th 2008 6:57PM]

Touche

[teej @ Aug 26th 2008 8:38AM]

^^

, salesman

[darthweder @ Aug 25th 2008 6:34PM]

The guys in Official Xbox Magazine mentioned november in their article too, and they made it sound like they had said the exact release but I couldn't find it. Maybe Microsoft pulled the plug on releasing the date at the last second.

[aaron @ Aug 25th 2008 6:36PM]

if ms is smart they will launch it before nov 7 (gears of war 2).... because 360 usage that day will skyrocket and it would be a good idea to introduce people to the new ui when many of them will be online and playing (especially the install to hard drive feature)

[bob_sd3 @ Aug 25th 2008 6:56PM]

the last thing your gonna want is millions of people worldwide downloading one update when you want to be using the service for gears

[aaron @ Aug 25th 2008 7:04PM]

not the same day.... i was talking about having it there a few days before so people can play with the new stuff for the biggest 360 title this christmas season.

[JuR7 @ Aug 25th 2008 7:03PM]

... The last update bricked my console... just got finished downloading Galaga too....

[CaptainMalarkey @ Aug 25th 2008 7:04PM]

@ Flashpoint - The old blade system is going to be the part that pops up in the middle of the screen when you press the guide button on your controller.

As seen at about 4mins in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9JonXfgKpg

[drumdbeat @ Aug 25th 2008 8:21PM]

I was wonderong about that.

I like the new Guide-Dashboard... Looks pretty good.

[ClassicGuy911 @ Aug 25th 2008 7:13PM]

Wow, I am bumed... :( when they said Fall update I thought more like the first day of Fall!! Well like Engadget said it's not official so I'll be hopeful!!!

[Xepol @ Aug 25th 2008 7:45PM]

They could wait till november 2108 for this load of merde as far as I am concerned... Mark me down as one not pleased by the "proposed update"

[Jordan @ Aug 25th 2008 9:17PM]

"load of merde?"

did you just bust out french on me?

sacre bleu!

[giuliop @ Aug 25th 2008 7:59PM]

Pity. I was hoping for never.

[decadeofevil @ Aug 25th 2008 8:24PM]

i wanna know if i can play music off my ipod touch with the fall update?!!!

[Luketouch @ Aug 26th 2008 1:15AM]

That'd be tight.

[lanejasper69 @ Aug 25th 2008 8:33PM]

I'm all for updates, but I think this is FUGLY personally....hopefully you can "theme" it...I definitely dig the Avatar addition but it looks too "Kiddie" for me. Bring the NetFlix, iPhone/iPod-ability, and keep the "stacks" framework(?), But please, keep it "theme-able" as I said, this is FUGLY.

[Andrew @ Aug 25th 2008 10:34PM]

It's still going to be themeable to some extent, they've said that, but yes, it's certainly a downgrade. I'm not into this crap of what's pretty and cute, and as far as terms of usability go, this is a step back. We're going from a display that uses the entire screen to output info and can be flipped through with the triggers, to something that will use a little squares. I think it's terrible, but I guess if it gets more sales, then it's a logical move for them.

[Alex @ Aug 25th 2008 8:40PM]

It also features a rip-off of Front Row from Mac OS X.

[Ruben @ Aug 25th 2008 9:24PM]

Where?

[Darren @ Aug 26th 2008 2:54AM]

All over.

[Viduka09 @ Aug 25th 2008 8:44PM]

i was just want to have the netflix and be able to listen to my ipod touch and the install to hard drive feature i dont want this ugly looking cover flow-apple and the avatars-wii

[pinkiguana @ Aug 25th 2008 10:18PM]

Im a PS3 person, but i have to say, I wish i had the streaming netflix option. That is pretty awesome. At least it will be when you can stream good movies in HD.

Don't love the new Dashboard, but its OK.

[dtomilson @ Aug 25th 2008 11:52PM]

I for one like the new dashboard and would like Sony to improve on the ps3 ui as it needs an overhaul.

[James @ Aug 26th 2008 12:34AM]

Then its NOT really a fall update is it.. Try Winter Update

[Luis Argote @ Aug 26th 2008 12:14AM]

I HATE the avatar things, they're extremelly lame!!!

[CaramelZappa @ Aug 26th 2008 12:23AM]

I can't stand it. I'm really excited for features like party chat, netflix, and installs.

I don't want Mii's all over the dashboard. I don't need a little guy that I can buy clothing for to "represent myself." I don't want a mandatory cover-flow menu. I want the simple but very functional blade menus. I don't want my dashboard to look like itunes, I want it to get me to my games and media quickly and easily. I bought an xbox to play games, and aside from party chat this update is nothing but harmful to that desire.

[Quix @ Aug 26th 2008 12:47AM]

Coverflow from the Mac. Miis from the Wii. Looks like the creative juices are flowing freely in Redmond, as always.

Microsoft: The Freedom to Innovate. (TM)

[Tiptup300 @ Aug 26th 2008 3:49PM]

Yes because reflections were invented by apple.

[QuadwinG @ Aug 26th 2008 2:00AM]

Wish X360 had high resolution playback like PS3, would surely grab one for myself.