dashboard-update-fall-2011
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AT&T stops offering Xbox 360 U-verse bundle until it can deliver an updated version
In a relatively strange fashion, AT&T's quietly pulled the plug on its U-verse kit for the Xbox 360 -- at least for the time being. According to a note on its own site, the company's taking some time to focus on "improving and enhancing" its U-verse bundle. This is probably a reference to the updated app (that would also require XBL Gold) AT&T promised for the new dashboard with Kinect support and a new UI, but has yet to deliver. As Multichannel points out, earlier last week Netflix had filed a complaint with the FCC, claiming that AT&T's U-verse on Xbox violated network neutrality regulations -- though, it's unclear whether this had anything to do with the outfit's decision to suspend the service. AT&T has said the set-top kit won't "be available until the new enhancements and functionality are added," so we'd recommend not holding your breath for too long.
PSA: Xbox Live color playback issue patched
Xbox users may have noticed a mandatory patch preempting their power-up procedures today, the effects of which were either immediately apparent or completely unnoticeable, depending on whether a certain color display issue had reared its head. The patch doesn't apply to apps, however, so developers will have to implement the fix independently; a process that will take place "over the coming months," according to Major Nelson.Technically speaking, "over the coming months" could mean any time between now and the heat death of the universe, but the fact that Microsoft has corrected its own services is a promising start.
Microsoft confirms Xbox dash video issues, is working on a fix
The Xbox 360 dashboard update left some users seeing gray -- not metaphorically in the "their lives had lost all color and meaning" way, but in a literal sense. Videos on the new dash have appeared washed out and dull for some users, with black reading as gray, and Microsoft had previously ignored the complaint, even when it was brought up in beta testing, Eurogamer reports.Xbox's Major Nelson tweeted yesterday that he's heard the public outcry -- or maybe he saw Eurogamer's in-depth demonstration of the new dash's short-range RGB levels -- and he says the team is working on a solution. "We're aware of the colorspace issue w/ some Xbox video apps & are working on a fix," Major Nelson wrote. "No ETA yet but we hope to have an update soon."For now, maybe pretend all the new videos you watch on the Xbox dash are in "sepia" mode.
Microsoft aware of Xbox Live profile 'Error 801540B7,' working on fix
We've received complaints about Xbox Live profile errors over the last week. Subscribers are prevented from downloading their profiles off Live, locking them out of the online network and purchased content. The code we've been tipped on the most is error "801540B7," but we've also seen a similar issue with "80070571," both relating to Live profiles. We contacted Microsoft to find out if there was a common cause that we could report on and help prevent. We've only heard about these problems since the new Xbox Live dashboard became available earlier this month. "We have recently identified an Xbox Live profile data error that results in Error Code '801540B7' for a small number of Xbox Live members. The error instructs users to attempt to re-download their Xbox Live profile and directs them to customer service support for further assistance," a Microsoft spokesperson told Joystiq. "We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused to our loyal Xbox Live members and are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible." If you've experienced error "801540B7," or a similar profile error, contact us and describe exactly what happened when the error occurred.
Microsoft launches YouTube, TMZ, FiOS TV apps and many more on the Xbox 360 today
For those of you in the Xbox 360 Dashboard preview program, some of this stuff is old hat, but for the rest of us today's launch of a dozen new applications on the Dashboard is all brand new. Beyond the addition of YouTube, FiOS TV, and TMZ (can we give that one back?), Xbox 360 users get access to MSNBC content, iHeartRadio (actual radio!), and a handful of other services starting today. Though we expected as much, certain services are region-specific and will only be available to certain audiences (Rogers On Demand only exists in Canada, for instance, as it's a Canadian cable provider). Head past the break for the official list, regions and all.
How to block ads on the Xbox 360 Dashboard
Tired of turning on your Xbox 360 and seeing Chuck Norris advertise a game for another platform? Redditors have found a solution. It's ... complicated, involving a lot of fiddling with your Xbox settings, clearing your hard drive cache, and signing up for an OpenDNS account, but the end result is that the domain rad.msn.com is blocked. That way, you can get to your game of Doritos Crash Course without distraction, or get right to the business of restoring Wendy's restaurants to a repressed world.
All Xbox dash apps must have Kinect functionality going forward
With Microsoft's Kinect-friendly Xbox dashboard update now available to the masses, it looks like users can expect a lot more Kinect functionality built-in going forward. That is to say that every future dashboard app will be required to have Kinect functionality, according to Kotaku. We got the word directly from Microsoft. From now on, all apps must offer Kinect support in some form (and it may be optional for users). We were told by a representative, "With the new dashboard our objective is to bring the power of Kinect functionality to every experience where voice and gestures make sense." Controller support, obviously, won't be abandoned, but Microsoft wants to insure that "consumers can simply use gestures, voice and their controllers in a seamless way." [Update: Adjusted the post to make it clear that support is required from developers, not users.]
New Xbox Dashboard features leave Indie Games in the lurch
Now that the new Xbox 360 Dashboard is out there, many are finding the new features don't extend to Indie Games. Sure, Indies haven't supported Achievements for a while, and there's always been a price ceiling, but it looks like Beacons don't work with them, cloud storage isn't supported, and new releases don't appear under, well, new releases. It's all in the video above, provided by GameMarx. Even that new Xbox iOS app doesn't list Indies. Why is nobody thinking of the little guys?
Xbox Live Companion app hits Windows phone, bests iOS app
While the statistical majority of us were busy checking out Microsoft's new (and entirely unexpected!) iOS app, My Xbox Live, there was another mobile Xbox app released that may be of interest to some of you. The Xbox Companion is a Windows Phone app that goes beyond what the iOS app can do. In addition to checking out your Gamerscore, sending messages to friends, or setting a beacon, the Companion app can navigate the "unified Xbox catalog for movies, TV shows, music, games and apps." And if you connect your Windows Phone to your Xbox, you can "launch a movie, TV show, game or app on the connected console" and even control playback of video or audio. What's less clear (and less likely we suppose) is whether or not that level of functionality will ever make it to the iOS app. For now, we suppose we should be thankful that the powers-that-be at Microsoft released anything outside of Windows Phone, so we won't push it just yet. We'll definitely push it later, though. %Gallery-141083%
PSA: Xbox dashboard update 'slightly delayed' (Update - rolling out to subscribers now)
(Update: According to Major Nelson's Twitter feed, the dashboard update is being pushed to accounts in batches, and should be widely available over the next few hours.) After Microsoft announced several new services would miss the December 6 launch of the Xbox dashboard update, it has revealed that another major component will also miss the planned launch, namely the dashboard update itself. Major Nelson tweeted the news, noting, "the timing for the Xbox 360 dashboard update has been slightly delayed." Concerned citizens will receive a status update "later today." Given the last minute nature of the delay -- so last minute that it didn't halt this morning's press release announcing the rollout -- we can't yet say for sure whether it's a matter of hours or days.
BBC player finally coming to Xbox early next year
Though we focused last night on what's being delayed from the Xbox Live TV service, there are a couple of things we didn't have timelines for in the past to be excited about! Or, at least, for UK residents to be excited about. Like Lovefilm, which will be available tomorrow. Having finally hammered out an agreement in October allowing access to both Silver and Gold members, the BBC will be available through Xbox Live in the UK in "early 2012." Microsoft and the BBC had better get back to hammering, though, as the actual details of the offering aren't final. "We're still working with the BBC to define exactly what we're going to be bringing, but it's going to be 2012," XBL UK product manager Pav Bhardwaj told Eurogamer. "We're working with them now to make sure it's a really compelling, strong application." Basically, it's unclear whether the BBC app will be an implementation of the existing iPlayer app or something else. What is clear is that, as required by the BBC, it'll be free to everyone who pays license fees. "As long as you're connected to the internet it will be free to every Xbox Live customer," Bhardwaj said. Once again, that's every Xbox Live customer in the UK. Sorry, New World Whovians.
Xfinity, Verizon services miss this week's Xbox 360 dash update
The long-awaited "Metro" update to the Xbox 360 dashboard is finally launching this week, but you might not want to make any popcorn just yet. A number of Microsoft's recently announced content partners won't be showing up to the party on time, most notably Comcast's Xfinity on-demand library, Verizon's Fios live-tv service, and the HBO GO app. Microsoft has given a nebulous "early 2012" release window for HBO and Xfinity, though Verizon should be bringing Fios to Xbox Live "later in December" - along with SyFy, UFC, and a number of others. A full list of partners, and when to expect them, is available after the jump.
New Xbox Dashboard brings Cloud storage, Beacons, and more on December 6
Despite a 2AM email announcing it, we managed to find out that December 6 is the big day for Microsoft's next Xbox 360 dashboard update. Major Nelson reconfirmed as much this morning on his blog, noting the variety of new features that the update will bring: cloud storage for games saves and profiles, beacons and Facebook sharing, "enhanced family settings," a more thorough set of voice commands with Kinect, and, of course, Bing voice search (US, UK, and Canada). Beyond the new functionality, the Dashboard will see a visual redesign, and the introduction of "customized applications for television, movies, internet videos, sports and music" (YouTube, cable TV, and so forth). Frankly, we're just eager to keep talking to a machine instead of leaving the couch.
