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TiVo teases long-awaited HD guide upgrades for fall DVR update
When we originally reviewed the TiVo Premiere DVR back in 2010, one of our laments was that its revamped HD guide style didn't cover all of the screens in its menu system, and the issue still existed when we reviewed the XL4 earlier this year. Finally, that's being addressed, as TiVo VP Margret Schmidt has confirmed the upcoming fall update will bring reworked screens for the To Do List, Season Pass Manager and My Shows (for networked DVRs), and tweeted screenshots. Also of note are a number of Comcast areas recently added to the list of places that support Xfinity VOD via TiVo, so check your zip code to be sure. As far as the update goes, as usual, if you'd like to be first on the list to try it out, go ahead and sign up on the Priority list right away.
DirecTV HR34 DVR 'Genie' recommendations and autorecording get previewed ahead of fall launch
DirecTV paired its HD interface with the five tuner, RVU ready HR34 Home Media Center DVR back in March, so what will it do next to take advantage of the multiroom boxes with five tuners and massive hard drives? The answer is Genie, a new feature / rebranding that should be very familiar to TiVo users, since its aim is to find other shows you might be interested in and store them on the DVR without being prompted. The folks at Solid Signal and DBSTalk have had an early preview of the fall software update that will enable it, and have both posted hands-on impressions. Once the user enables the feature, after a few hours it begins episodes of shows similar to the ones they already watch and recording them automatically. The feature uses hard drive space that's already reserved for DirecTV's video on-demand (so user accessible recording space is not impacted) and works in selections available from VOD. Watching a program at your leisure VOD-style, setting up a series recording for a new favorite or blasting it from your drive is just a click of the remote away on the DVR or one of its multiroom extenders. Helping viewers discover new content is a field suddenly filled with competition, from the social networking based to Dish Network's Hopper that records everything on primetime network TV and even filters out commercials. That Genie can let you watch already recorded episodes right away and pull from any broadcasts its finds may give it a leg up, but so far we haven't seen recommendation systems good enough to promote switching from one service to another. Hit the source links for more details on how it all works, along with a video preview, also embedded after the break.
New Xbox dashboard now has a name: Twist Control
Update: It sounds like "Twist Control" is a generic name for the panel-scrolling UI element which has appeared in various Microsoft products, such as the Zune HD, and not the proper name for the Dashboard. We thought it was a little fishy -- in an interview with Joystiq earlier this month, Microsoft's David Dennis said the company was calling the updated interface the "new dash," because "we didn't want it to stick like NXE did." We apologize for the confusion. During floor demos at Gamescom, Microsoft revealed the moniker of its new, Kinect-centric Xbox 360 Dashboard: "Twist Control." We think we can all agree that this is the best name that the platform's navigation tools have had thus far. Well, okay, "Blades" might give it a run for its money, but it'd be a pretty close race. Then again, we haven't seen much twisting from the interface -- isn't there a more context appropriate title out there? Something like "Space Windows" or "Wizard Buttons" or "The Telekinesis Engine" or "Intangible Frames" or "The Even Newer Xbox Experience" or "Minority Report" or "Bark Commands at Your Xbox Until Your Neighbors Think That You Are a Legit Crazy Person."
Video: How the new Xbox Dash watches your every move
Microsoft has released a new video about the upcoming Xbox 360 Dashboard update. There's not a great deal of new information to be had, though this is one of the few public glimpses of the new dash offered by the company. One worrying note about the video: There's a large emphasis on the revised Dashboard learning about the user. As Xbox Live corporate VP Marc Whitten forebodingly puts it, "It's not about you learning about our technology, it's about our technology learning about you [emphasis added]." In other words, you might want to stop gaming in your underwear.
Boxee users without a Box on PC, Mac or Ubuntu are getting a fall update, open source release
Ever since the Boxee Box was released fans running the software on their PCs have been left by the wayside, but as we expected that changes this fall with updates for the PC, Mac and Ubuntu versions. CEO Avner Ronen announced on the official blog that while updates for the downloadable version "will most likely lag behind the versions of Boxee for devices" the company hopes to keep them more up to speed going forward. Still think you could do a better job of updating the software yourself? Done, since Boxee also plans to make an open source version available. There's no date attached to that effort and given past experience with delayed Boxee releases we wouldn't clear our college football watching schedule just yet, but for everyone who would rather roll their own media device there is still a future in the Boxee platform.
Xbox 360 Dashboard update is out!
It's out, right on schedule and it's a biggie. The new Fall 2010 Xbox Live Dashboad update is being rolled out right now in preparation for Kinect to hit shelves on November 4th (or November 10th in Europe). The update includes Netflix search, Zune music, an ESPN entertainment hub, and much much more. Since you probably overslept anyway and don't have time to do the update before heading into the coal mines, why not check out our in depth preview of the update from a few weeks ago. Go ahead, don't cost nothin'. Otherwise, Major Nelson has the full breakdown in the link below. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Moxi "Fall Update" now available, adds Live TV streaming for the Moxi Mate
Moxi Mate users should be enjoying Live TV streaming as well as new GUI tweaks regarding used storage space and series recording defaults now that the update announced last November has finally arrived. Could we suggest a few more changes? Sure, but for now these will have to do. [Thanks, Lee & Bob]
Xbox Dashboard update demo'd on video, hilarity ensues
Out of the bajillion self-involved Tweets which were released unto the internet yesterday, one 140 character dispatch in particular pierced the din -- "I'm tweeting from Xbox Live," exclaimed Andrew Yoon, our correspondent from a future where such technology is within the realm of possibilities. Fine, he's not from the future -- he was actually tweeting from a Microsoft Open House event where the Fall Xbox Dashboard Update was previewed for a number of outlets. Check out the above video (shot by our cohorts at Engadget) to see the new Facebook, Twitter, Last.Fm and Video Marketplace functionality in action. Make sure you stick around for the last minute, in which the conversation breaks down in a hilarious, Comedy of Errors-esque manner.
Xbox Live Dashboard update preview goes live
The preview of the upcoming update for the Xbox 360 Dashboard is now live, giving a few lucky Xbox owners -- for now, mostly press outlets -- a chance to place their eyes upon many of the new features, such as Games on Demand, improved Netflix functionality, unlockable Avatar items, purchasable Avatar items, a community-controlled games rating system, and other minor improvements.We'll have a video preview and some additional image galleries of these new features up later today. Fear not, non-chosen ones -- you'll get your hands on the preview shortly, and everyone will be able to install the update when it goes public on August 11.Update: We've edited this post to clarify that while the preview is technically live, its access is currently limited to press and a select few "MVPs." Those of you lowly commoners chosen for the preview should be granted access in the next several days.%Gallery-68139%
MS admits to 360 audio problems caused by NXE, working towards a 'solution'
Looks like the audiophiles over at the AVS forums weren't wrong about the New Xbox Experience killing some gamers' Xbox 360 audio (did you really doubt 'em?), because Microsoft has officially acknowledged the problem and promises a "solution" in the near future. "We are aware that a handful of Xbox LIVE users are experiencing audio issues" a Microsoft rep informed Shacknews, promising that they're "diligently monitoring this issue and working towards a solution." According to numerous internet reports, after the NXE update was released a few weeks back, some Xbox 360 HDMI users lost all game audio.Gaming without sound is no fun. Hopefully we can haz the NXE caused HDMI audio problems fixed soon.
Top 10 things to do with the NXE
Now that you have had ample time to mess around with today's newly released New Xbox Experience, we figured we'd point out a few NXE features that you may not have discovered.Major Nelson created a list of the "Top 10 things to do when you get the New Xbox Experience", which pretty much covers a lot of the NXE's new additions and hidden bits. Didja know you can delete your zero Gamerscore games from your profile? Did you remember to look through the new Community Games? What about installing a game to your hard drive? Go get edjumicated!
Reminder: NXE releases early this morning [update]
Update: The New Xbox Experience is now available, ENJOY!We're mere hours away from the public release of the biggest and newest Xbox 360 dashboard update, the New Xbox Experience. The dashboard update will start releasing at 5:00AM eastern (2:00AM pacific) when everyone connected to Xbox Live will be prompted to download the NXE and go through a relatively simple install process. Note that you may not receive the NXE at exactly 5AM eastern seeing that this is a "rolling update" that will take a while to make it to everyone's console. If you're still not sure what's included in the NXE, be sure to check out our comprehensive video analysis of all the NXE features and enhancements. The wait is almost over, the New Xbox Experience is almost here and Avatars, Netflix, and parties are all waiting for you. Our fingers are crossed in hopes that Microsoft's servers can handle the stress and that you, fellow fanboy, come to love the NXE. Bring on the update!
NXE given to everyone who signed up for preview
Major Nelson just sent word that EVERYONE who signed up for the New Xbox Experience preview a few weeks back will be receiving access to the NXE later tonight. That is, if you correctly filled in your console ID.We're told that the NXE will roll out within' the next few hours to every guy and gal that signed up for the preview. True, you'll only be getting NXE goodness a day early, but it's a day earlier then the masses which instantly makes you uber l33t. Now run along and go enjoy the NXE.
New Xbox Experience intro video is triptacular
Behold, fanboys, it's the New Xbox Experience introduction video that you'll be viewing on your own Xbox 360 this Wednesday when the NXE makes its official debut. The video is full of trippy and spectacular visuals (triptacular), a melting logo, some racing, intense tree climbing, a few musical things and a whirly wind of rainbow excitement. It's the NXE, it's exciting and it's an introduction video to the most newest xboxiest experience ... everest? Yeah, we'll admit, the trippy visuals have officially altered our state of mind.
Video: Installing the New Xbox Experience
Our pal Major Nelson just posted a video detailing the New Xbox Experience installation process that everyone will be participating in next week when the NXE rolls out to the general Xbox Live public.The installation process is rather straight forward, sign into Live, download a mini-update, restart, download big NXE update, restart and enjoy the welcome video. (Protip: The NXE welcome video is visually epic.) That's it, NXE installed! All that's left is a quick Avatar creation and then you're set to enjoy all that the NXE has to offer. We're sure your fanboy enthusiasm for the NXE is boiling over ... only a few days to wait!
Reminder: Find out if you get NXE preview access [update]
Update: Major Nelson just informed us that the NXE notification emails are being sent out over the next few hours. Good luck, fanboys!Today is the day that separates the men from the women, the hardcore from the casual and the l33t from the n00b. Today is the day we find out who was accepted and who was denied New Xbox Experience preview access.Sometime in the next twelve hours, Microsoft will be emailing those who were accepted into the NXE preview program which will ultimately give access to the NXE prior to its November 19th launch. NXE access as early as next week. So, for those of you who were able to fill out the survey and sign up, cross your gaming fingers and obsessively check your inbox, because NXE preview notification emails are being sent out today!
HD Netflix set to debut on the Xbox 360
High definition Netflix content streaming is something we didn't think was possible, especially on the Xbox 360. Well, it is possible and HD Netflix streaming is going to debut on the Xbox 360 when the New Xbox Experience releases on November 19th. According to our friends over at Engadget, Microsoft and Netflix will soon announce that Xbox Live gold members will have access to high definition Netflix movie streaming to their 360s come November 19th. HD movie streaming that isn't available with Netflix's current "Watch Instantly" portal, Roku hardware or Samsung and LG's Netflix enabled Blu-ray players. The HD Netflix roll out will be slow at first with approximately 300 movies being available in HD on day one of the NXE's launch. To recap: Netflix subscription + Xbox Live gold + NXE = HD movies and very happy Xbox 360 owners.[Thanks, DeadPlasmaCell]
Surprise! Avatar store coming next Spring
According to the peeps over at VideoGamer.com, Microsoft will be launching an Avatar store next Spring where gamers can purchase and download additional customization options for their 360 Avatars. "The plan of record will be to launch a more extensive Avatar Store from spring time onwards next year," said <a href="http://www.eyewonderlabs.com/ct.cfm?ewbust=0&&file=http://cdn1.eyewonder.com/200125/755069/1021684/NOSCRIPTfailover.gif&&eid=1021684&&name=Clickthru-NOSCRIPT&&num=1&&time=0&&diff=0&&click=http://www.rockstargames.com/midnightclubLA" target="_blank"> <img width="300" height="250" src="http://cdn1.eyewonder.com/200125/755069/1021684/NOSCRIPTfailover.gif" border="0" alt=""> </a> <iframe valign="top" width="300" height="250" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" hspace="0" vspace="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" bordercolor="#000000" src="http://wrapper.teamxbox.com/a?size=300x250&sizew=300&sizeh=250&js=false&pagetype=txb_article&articletype=news%20story&subdomain=news.teamxbox.com"> </iframe> Live EMEA product manager Robin Burrowes. "That store in theory would have branded content in there, game publisher IP stuff in there as well." No surprise there.To be honest, we're still torn about Avatars, the role they'll be playing in our New Xbox Experience, how Microsoft is approaching the monetizing of them and whether or not we'll be willing to pay for a Gears of War 2 t-shirt for our Avatar next Spring. Because ... you know ... an Avatar rockin' a Gears 2 tee would be rather badass.
Were you accepted into the NXE preview? Find out on Oct. 29th
For those of you who were able to register for the New Xbox Experience preview before it closed, circle this Wednesday, October 29th on your daily planner, because that's when NXE preview notifications will be sent out. On his latest podcast, Major Nelson confirmed that emails will be sent out this Wednesday to those who were chosen to participate in the NXE preview. Because - as you should know by now - those who signed up for the NXE preview are not guaranteed entry. Only a few thousand will be chosen. Also note that this Wednesday's NXE emails will only notify those who are accepted into the preview program and will not be the official start of the preview. Downloading the NXE will come at a later, yet to be determined date that will be before November 19th.
NXE: A brief look at Netflix and the XBVM
As is customary every week, the Gamerscore Blog crew just highlighted a New Xbox Experience feature to show off and this week they're talking Netflix and the new and improved Video Marketplace. Their informative NXE blurb doesn't inform us of anything excitingly new, but does reinforce the fact that 10,000 Netflix videos will be available for streaming to unlimited rental Netflix subscribers and that 20,000 pieces of XBVM content is available as well. Check out the NXE screen grabs below and keep those NXE preview fingers crossed.%Gallery-35345%
