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Spring dash update coming this week
Just a friendly reminder that the feature rich Spring dashboard update is coming sometime this week. As promised, the update will be going live during the week (this May 7th), but any other details are a little sketchy. The Xbox Live team may release it sometime today, tomorrow, or even Friday ... we just aren't sure. But be rest assured that once we hear any news about when it'll be going live, we'll let you know. Okay fanboys, the countdown to an unknown release is on.
Gather around and watch the Spring dash update
If you've been craving more information about the Spring dashboard update, then you aren't alone. That's why the fine folks over at on10 headed over to the Microsoft campus to record a video demo that showcases all the new Spring update features. The 20+ minute demo shows off all the UI and menu structure changes as well as explains (and shows) how the IM integration will work. Actually, every feature that has been announced for the Spring dash update is demoed in the video including the new text-input device that'll attach to your controller. So, if you're the curious type and want to see the new dash features in action, give the video a watch. Maybe you'll see something new that you just love (like the new Marketplace blade!). And remember, the new Spring dash update drops May 7th to an Xbox 360 near you.
Video walkthrough of Xbox 360 Spring Dashboard update
You know how it goes: pictures are fabulous, but videos are probably the next best thing to handling it yourself. In this case, a video walkthrough is about as close as you're going to get to May 7th whilst still chillin' in April, and considering you already know just about everything you can ever desire about the impending update and QWERTY thumboard, why not relearn it all again care of an "official" on-screen walkthrough? You know you can't resist, so be sure to hit the read link and pull up a chair, because you're going to get tired of standing after 25 or so minutes.[Thanks, Buck]
Fanpoll: will you use 360 instant messaging?
With all this hubbub over the spring update, we felt it time for a new fanpoll. Despite the revisions to achievement notifications and Xbox Live Marketplace, Live Messenger integration is definitely getting the most media play. As such, we thought it would be a good idea to gauge public interest in the concept. Obviously, the Xbox 360 already has voice chat, so IM seems like something of a step backwards. Of course, instant messaging promises cross-platform connectivity, allowing users to chat across the Xbox 360, PCs, and mobile devices. So, here's the big question: will you use instant messaging on 360? Is it something that appeals to you? Plug in your vote after the break and tell us what you think. We'll share the results during the next Xbox 360 Fancast.
Greenberg talks 360 Live Messenger
Speaking with Gamasutra, group product manager for Xbox Live, Aaron Greenberg, laid down some new specifics regarding the new Live Messenger functionality coming in the spring update. First, and most importantly, the service will be completely free to both Gold and Silver members. Big surprise, right? The Live Messenger integration is compatible with other versions of Messenger across the board, so users on 360 will be able to chat with users on PC and even mobile devices. Users can open up to 6 separate chats, but group chats are limited to 3 people. Greenberg uses the example of a player on a 360 chatting with a friend at work on a PC and a girlfriend on a cell phone all at once. We're not sure how often that kind of thing comes up, but it's cool nonetheless. Greenberg also makes a point to allay fears regarding the new thumbboard peripheral. Greenberg notes that the device is very light and shouldn't interfere with the gameplay experience. Furthermore, Greenberg says that he uses thumbboards often, so the peripheral is second nature. Of course, USB keyboards are supported as well.Discussing concerns of IM spam, Greenberg notes the messenger privacy features. The privacy features of the Xbox 360, including who you can and can't receive messages from, will apply to IM as well. There are also options like appearing online to Live friends but offline to IM friends. Finally, Greenberg says that the Xbox friends list is separate from the IM friends list and that IM friends have a different icon than the typical gamer picture associated with Xbox Live friends.So, is cross-platform IM something that interests you? Would you be willing to drop a few bucks for the thumbboard? Will you use IM at all?
Xbox 360 gets new 1080p HD video codecs
Ah, nothing like the smell of fresh codecs in the morning. Hidden inside the list of new features to be bundled with the spring dashboard update is a handful of new video codecs that will be supported by the Xbox 360. The new codecs are H.264 and MPEG-4 Part 2. What does all this mean? Honesly, we have no idea. Lucky for us, our similarly bewildered kin at Joystiq found an answer. According to the video wiz kids at Red Kawa, "This puts Microsoft at the head of the pack in the Apple TV vs PS3 vs Xbox 360 video battle royale." The 360 will be able to display 1080p H.264 Level 4.1 and H.264 High Profile. This bests Apple TV which is maxed at 720p H.264 Level 3.1 and H.264 Main Profile. As for the PS3, it supports 1080p H.264 but only at H.264 Main Profile. Take that ... probably!One important note, this does not mean that the Xbox 360 will finally support DivX or Xvid. All your torrenting fantasies will have to wait. Still, this will add some more decent HD video capability to the Xbox 360, and that's always a good thing.[Via Joystiq. Thanks to the video junkies that sent this in.]
MVPs get Spring Update early
Those Microsoft MVPs sure like to brag. Godfree from Gamertag Radio took time out of his busy schedule just to let us know that he and the other MVPs have already received the impending spring dashboard update. You know, the one that has Live Messenger and an improved Marketplace and all that jazz? Yup, he's already got it. While we're a little miffed that we have to wait, all is not lost, as Godfree promises to give us all some first hand impressions during the next episode of GTR. For now, we'll just have to play more Guitar Hero II and dream of the Halo 3 beta.
Spring dash update features revealed?
Well, well, what do we have here? Word on the street is that Gamespot accidently posted a complete list of the new Spring dashboard update's features and even posted a demo video (embedded above), but then promptly pulled the article. But, unforgiving as the internet is, they didn't yank all the information before everyone and their mothers copied down all the features and mirrored Gamespot's video to YouTube. And our friends over at MyGamerCard.net were nice enough to round up all of the article's information in one convenient place. Among what Gamespot posted for new dash features is Windows Live Messenger integration, a new Marketplace blade, more informative "Achievement Unlocked" pop-ups, and a low power mode for downloading Marketplace goods. Gamespot's article and video also state that the Spring update will be dropping on May 7th. Whether Gamespot posted the news prematurely or were posting a very late (and evil) April Fool's joke, we aren't sure. But if this is what the Spring dash update has to offer then what new features are you looking forward to?[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
What's not in the spring update: clan support
It's springtime again, which can mean only one thing. No, not the impending arrival of young couples making out behind the bushes at the park, it's time for Xbox 360 Spring update rumors. Clan support has been a rumored addition for a while now, and there are even some alleged pictures of it in action (see above). Before we define this a little further, let's just get this out of the way: clan support is not part of the upcoming spring update. This was confirmed by Major Nelson himself during our latest Xbox 360 Fancast.Now for clarification's sake, it's perfectly possible for any given game to have clan support. As such, screens like the one above may be legitimate. However, Major Nelson informed us that Microsoft has no plans to integrate clan support into the 360 itself. In other words, there are no plans to add universal clan support that spans multiple games. Clan support is offered by Microsoft, but it is up to developers to implement it into individual titles.So, there you go, no clan support in the spring update. Of course, that doesn't stop us from speculating about other features.[Thanks, todd]
Paradise by the dashboard light
Things to do in what are hopefully the final hours before the long-awaited Spring dashboard update becomes a reality:1. Watch and re-watch the above video walkthrough of the new features.2. Stare at the download screen for nostalgic purposes.3. Make aimless blog posts [Thanks SickNick](Update: The video is embedded after the break on accounta the autoplayin' and what have you. Seriously, GameVideos dudes, this should have been covered in Flash Embedded Video Player 101.)
