The new Xbox Live dashboard update preview is... live!

That's right kids. Netflix movie parties, avatar accessories, Games on Demand (though no proper Xbox 360 titles yet -- this is just the preview after all). We just got the update and are exploring right now, so stay tuned. If you're one of the select few, let us know in comments!

Some notable bits thus far:

• Netflix now has way, way more options. You can actually browse content via the app, which is great. As a commenter points out, HD content is now denoted with a tag.
  
• There isn't any avatar prop content available just yet -- hopefully we'll get to pick out an awesome gun to carry around soon though.
• No Games on Demand content from the current gen console is available, but apparently the games will start rolling out in early August (sigh).
• As we noted in previous posts, the preview doesn't boast any of the Last.fm, Facebook, or Twitter additions yet.
• We know they're still working the kinks out, but there seems to be noticeable slowdown when shifting between pages, something we've never noticed before in the NXE.

Xbox Live dashboard update first look

[soren121 Posted Jul 24th 2009 1:39PM]

That message looks really harsh.

[cloud858rk Posted Jul 24th 2009 1:39PM]

Um hello people, the press got the update today. Not those who signed up for the preview. >.>

[cloud858rk Posted Jul 24th 2009 1:50PM]

Just to clarify you could get it today, but "participants will be notified by July 31st."

[Erluti Posted Jul 24th 2009 2:02PM]

Didn't Microsoft say that the avatars will never have guns?

[serialtoon Posted Jul 24th 2009 3:27PM]

*yawn*

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2009 3:53PM]

I can't believe I'm reading things that say the update makes things slower.... why? WHY? It needs to be faster, not slower!

[mgrochowalski Posted Jul 24th 2009 5:16PM]

Didn't get it either.
I thought this update was supposed to be faster. :(
Does it at least get rid of the 10-25 second freezes? Right now the guide won't exit if I'm on my friends list and not all of the gamerpictures have loaded yet.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2009 9:10PM]

all iw anna know is how many peopel have to have a netflix subscription to start a movie party because if its one tahts cool cu z everyone can mooch I hope only 1 person needs it

[cgeers Posted Jul 25th 2009 1:24AM]

I'd love to get one of these bad boys so i can shoot some huge panos of the colorado mountains. I've got some 360 panos up on my site www.carlgeers.com

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2009 1:02PM]

anyone know if this will mess up the 1.6fw (you know what i mean) to play my backups?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2009 9:14PM]

any 1 get there update wanna chat

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 1:02PM]

What is the version number of this "update preview"? I'm at 2.0.8495.0

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 4th 2009 5:47AM]

well i got the update an hour ago, august 4. I did not receive an e-mail will last.fm automatically come on and facebook when its ready if you are a part of this beta?