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Here's what the 'new' New Xbox Experience looks like
Anxious to see how your Xbox 360's UI will transform this fall? We've got some new images for you to flip through -- you can't gesture through our gallery, but you can click through. That's kinda the same thing, right? Right? %Gallery-125518%
Xbox 360 Dashboard update 'preview' open for signups
As it has done in the past, Microsoft is offering early access to its next Xbox 360 Dashboard update (which integrates Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm and Zune Marketplace) to those who sign up -- and are then selected -- to preview it. Major Nelson has just updated his blog with word that the signup process has begun for the program, mentioning that Microsoft is looking for "multiple thousands" of users to test out the update. So, sounds like chances of getting in are good.Those wishing to put their names in the hat for preview access can do so by hitting the Microsoft Connect site and filling out a survey. The preview program is being offered in all territories where Xbox Live is available, but keep in mind you'll need a Windows Live ID in order to apply. The Major says those who've been picked will receive an email in about a week; after which the update will be pushed out to their consoles, and they can start bragging about their early access via Twitter and Facebook right from their 360s.If past Dashboard preview programs are anything to go by, everyone who signs up will eventually gain access just prior to the update's release -- which may happen on November 17.%Gallery-65321%
Xbox 360's new Netflix Movie Parties disabled for Starz Play titles?
Ever get a sinking feeling in your stomach, like it's November 2008 all over again? Yes, just like when Sony Pictures blocked its films from Netflix on Demand for a then-fresh New Xbox Experience update, so too are the early adopters of the new Xbox Live Dashboard update seeing select films excluded from the joys of its group sharing "Movie Parties" mode. Our BFFs at Joystiq have done some preliminary testing on the issue, and it seems the common link is that all guilty videos hail from the Starz Play catalog. In other words, you can all but forget about watching Pineapple Express synchronized with your Xbox 360-toting friends and family thousands of miles away -- for now at least. With any luck, like the previous issue with Sony Pictures, this problem will eventually fix itself, and with any luck, it'll be smooth sailing by the time the Xbox Live Dashboard update is officially pushed out to the masses on August 11th. Video proof of the misdemeanor can be seen after the break.
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.
Microsoft touts 30 million Xbox 360s sold, 20 million Xbox LIVE members
Sony may have been the first to claim the 20 million users number, but most will no doubt agree that Microsoft has a considerably stronger claim to that title, as their just-announced 20 million users apparently includes only "active members," and doesn't include users that have simply signed up to use their online forums. Even less debatable are Microsoft's latest sales numbers for the console, which now officially top 30 million worldwide. As Microsoft points out, that translates to a whopping $14.5 billion in sales across all Xbox 360 categories, or an impressive $5.9 billion in game sales for third-party publishers. Other tidbits include the fact that Xbox 360 users own 8.3 titles each on average, and that Xbox LIVE has seen a 136% increase in new members since the launch of the New Xbox Experience last year.
Avatars go professional, get business gear
Brand new Avatar threads are now available for your virtual-selves. This week's additions include business clothes for men and women ... just in case your Avatar was planning on attending a job interview or something. One thing to note before you dress up for that next online date, change your shoes. Business suits and sneakers don't work.Male Business Attire Blue Formal Shirt Moleskin Pants Waistcoat and Shirt Suit and Tie (pictured) Female Business Attire Pencil Skirt Slacks Pinstripe Blazer Twin Set
Poll: Has your Xbox 360 been dealt the E74 error?
Move over RRoD, it looks like there's a new Xbox 360 hardware failure in town. According to anecdotal data collected by Joystiq as well as Google Trends, there's been a steady rise in reports and discussion of the E74 error since mid-October, with no apparent correlation between any specific model or year of purchase. From what we can tell, the E74 error is related to video problems caused by either a faulty AV connector or, more often, a loosened ANA / HANA scaling chip. Symptoms include visual glitches like random lines or snow and a single red light on the console in the lower right quadrant (see picture). The time frame for the rise in issues makes NXE and its November debut a suspect, but it's worth noting that the uptick started just before that launch, so perhaps it has more to do with hiccups caused by spurred interest in turning on the console after a long period of dormancy. We're curious to know how the issue has affected the Engadget readership. Has your Xbox 360 gotten the Red Arc of Death? Let us know in the poll below.%Poll-28318%Read - Joystiq SurveyRead - Google Trends [Via Negative Gamer]
Joystiq survey: Xbox 360 E74 errors on the rise since NXE [update]
var digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/19/joystiq-survey-xbox-360-e74-errors-on-the-rise-since-nxe/'; When we recently posted about the Xbox 360's E74 error and asked for your input, we weren't prepared for the staggering response we'd receive. Within a few hours, we had dozens of emails from readers like you who had experienced this particular hardware failure (typically caused, according to unofficial web reports, by a loose scaling chip). It was surprising to touch such a nerve, but what really knocked us for a loop was what we found when we started compiling the data sent to us.
New western Avatar clothing for the cowboy in us all
Brand new Avatar apparel is available via the Xbox 360's Avatar customizer and, this week, it's all about the western flavor. The new western-wear is supposedly inspired by this week's South by Southwest celebration, but we think the design team just wanted to see what a female Avatar looked like in a knee high denim dress. Well ... now we know.For the Cowboys Black Cowboy Hat Rodeo Jeans Black Trench Coat Western Duster Cowboy Boots For the Cowgirls Cowgirl Shirt Rhinestone Cowgirl Hat Denim Skirt Dungarees Cowgirl Boots
Confirmed: NXE update on Xbox 360 game discs
There was a rumor floating around today about NXE shipping on Xbox 360 game discs (via MCV) and, as you can imagine, we were surprised. So we put in a question to Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb, who confirmed that Microsoft has begun including NXE with Xbox 360 games.As to whether Tom Clancy's HAWX and 2K Sports' MLB2K9 will be the first games to feature the NXE update -- as the rumor suggested -- Major Nelson could not confirm. But, from here on out, expect the update to be included on all retail game discs.
Just in time for Valentine's, Avatars receive formal attire
Check your Avatar closet, because freshly pressed clothing has just magically been added. Spiffy new (and free) formal wear, in fact. Male Avatars now have the option to wear a black formal suit and blue dress-shirt combo. Female Avatars have the option to sport a sexy (can we refer to Avatars as sexy?) red dress. We're also told that the new duds are perfect for this weekend's special holiday. That is, if you express your romantic feelings over Xbox Live.
Rare: Unlockable Avatar duds coming 'in time'
Well aware that most all Avatar supporters, and non-supporters alike, demand clothing individuality, Rare art lead Lee Musgrave and producer Stacey Law recently hinted to VG247 that fashionable Avatar apparel may be treated like unlockable achievements ... sometime in the future."Games will be able to give away clothes and accessories just like Achievements," Musgrave admitted, being sure to vaguely note that such a feature would come "in time." As far as corralling developers' interest, Law is optimistic, making mention that their team is "currently working with multiple partners who have expressed interest in using Avatars."It's either unlockable Avatar apparel, being able to change clothing colors or allowing us to put our Vision camera creativity to good use. Those are your options, Microsoft. Your call.
Xbox 360 HDMI audio fix arrives tomorrow morning
Notice something missing from your Xbox 360 ever since the NXE went live? Some HDMI-connected gamers lost all audio after the update, and a fix is finally on the way. According to Major Nelson, it's due to arrive February 3 at 2:00 a.m. PST in a mandatory dashboard update that should address the issues experienced with some HDTVs. That problem with your idiot friend always triggering the witch while playing Left 4 Dead? Still unaddressed.
Reminder: 360 memory upgrade program ends Saturday
Last call for those Xbox 360 Arcade console owners who are looking to take advantage of Microsoft's NXE storage solution offer. The program -- which was setup to get Arcade console owners storage to install the NXE -- ends this Saturday, January 31st when Microsoft will pull the plug on the website. To receive either your free 512MB memory card or to take advantage of their 20GB HDD deal, simply head over to the official memory request website, enter your console information and review what storage solution offers you receive. There is no time for procrastination, so get to it![Thanks, Beagles]
Preview premium NXE themes before you buy
Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes of the long defunct Dashboard Themes website, comes a new site that has the simple goal of giving XBLM consumers a chance to preview premium dashboard themes. NXE Themes has screenshots of the entire catalog of premium dash skins, including all free and paid content. It's quite the nice community service NXE Themes is offering, seeing that a premium download can cost upwards of 250 Microsoft points.The only negative we can find with the site is the amount of bandwidth that is required. Dial-up users stay far, far away. [Thanks, NBA Kirkland]
Pachter: Xbox 360 a 'gold mine' for Netflix growth
All-knowing, all-powerful games industry analyst, Michael Pachter, sees the partnership between Microsoft and Netflix as a very good thing for the latter's bottom line. GameDaily quotes the silicon seer as calling Xbox Live a "proverbial gold mine" for Netflix.How's that? Pachter estimates that roughly one million Xbox Live Gold members are also Netflix subscribers, and that 200,000 or so of them signed up for Netflix after the debut of the New Xbox Experience in late November, 2008. Pachter's posse of prognosticators at Wedbush Morgan Securities feel that the influx of 360 owners to the video rental service "will continue at super-normal levels for quite some time."In fact, Pachter expects to see "as many as 1 million [XBL Gold members] join as Netflix members in the next year," and furthermore predicts 35% of those who buy a 360 in 2009 will also purchase a Gold membership, hence the proverbial gold mine. Note to Netflix: We suggest you nix any plans to add the Leprechaun films for Instant Queue viewing, lest you wish for the rapscallion to make off with said gold.
Fresh Avatar apparel, more polos and pants
Today being an official Avatar Wardrobe Expanding Wednesday (patent pending), Microsoft has unleashed a bunch of new Avatar clothing selections. All of which can be accessed via the 360 dashboard's Avatar customizer. The new apparel includes various jacket and polo combinations for male Avatars along with new bottoms and suspenders for dressing up. Female Avatars now have access to a Lavender polo, new shoes, and some trendy chinos. Check the break for a listing of all the new fashionable duds you can use to play Avatar dress-up.
CES 09: MS solidifies Primetime's launch this Spring
More Xbox 360 news coming from CES, Microsoft has just announced that the long delayed New Xbox Experience feature Primetime will be releasing to the masses sometime this Spring. Microsoft's Robbie Bach demoed Primetime on stage, showing off Primetime's gameshow 1 vs. 100 all while showing what the experience will look and feel like. Primetime is the live, social and fully interactive Xbox Live channel that lets the community come together, play games and win prizes.
Queue the applause: Columbia Pictures films return to Netflix 360
Were you feeling super bad that Super Bad got yoinked from your Netflix Instant Queue mere hours after the launch of the NXE? Well, turn that frown upside-down, because it appears that the entirety of Columbia Pictures' streaming movie catalog is once again available to Xbox 360 owners.Most of the catalog became accessible to Netflix 360 at the end of November, but site 360sync reports that everything is back as of today -- yes, even Super Bad. Of course, given the evidently squirrely nature of Netflix licensing, they could be gone again at a moment's notice. So, to ensure minimum trauma, "Watch Now" for real.[Via X3F]
Columbia movies back on Netflix instant view
Keen-eyed observers (or at least one keen-eyed observer, anyway) over at 360Sync have noticed that movies from Sony's Columbia Pictures are once again available for Netflix streaming on Xbox 360. After the titles were first yanked from the service in November, we later reported that most of the Columbia movies had returned, but it seems that now all of them are available once again. Just to be sure, we decided to see if our beloved Paprika had returned. Lo and behold, it has! Now go and add some movies to your queue! Do it because it's more fun than working.
