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Sky TV arriving on Xbox 360 in mid-October according to SkyMag; Twitter, Facebook & Zune to follow?
Live Sky TV viewing via Xbox 360 didn't make it into the most recent dashboard update, readers report page 17 of the network's most recent SkyMag indicates it will arrive around mid-October. Additional details flesh out what's available, while all Xbox Live Gold members (in the appropriate areas) will get access to the Sky Player similar to the PC implementation, you will need a Sky subscription with the appropriate channels to view sports and movie content. Look out for more updates at the skyplayer.com/xbox360 site, while those of us beyond the network's reach wonder whether we can expect other features like Twitter (you're following us, right?) Facebook and 1080p instant-on movie streaming to arrive at roughly the same time. [Thanks, David]
Xbox 360 system update preps Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm
If you're playing hooky from work or school today to get in some quality time with Halo 3: ODST, you know that a mandatory system update is putting a pause on your action. Major Nelson reports that the new system update doesn't bring any immediate changes to the Dashboard and only prepares some backend support for the upcoming additions of Twitter, Facebook and Last.fm to Xbox Live later this year.Oh, and if you do decide to link up your Twitter and Facebook accounts to your Xbox 360 when that update launches, be careful about faking sick when the next Halo rolls out. We'd hate for your boss or principal to find out you're all too well "pwning n00bs!"
Xbox Live's Twitter and Facebook free for Gold, for trial by Silver members
Always read the fine print. Part of a footnote from this morning's Xbox 360 price cut press release bore this little oh-by-the-way: "Xbox Live Gold Membership will be required for Twitter and Facebook when they are available." When MCV followed up on the tucked-away tidbit, a Microsoft spokesperson suggested that the press release's statement was "inaccurate" and that the company was "still formulating its plans" for integrating the social networking services into Xbox Live. A few short hours later, those plans appear to be formulated. A Microsoft representative has clarified for Joystiq, "Facebook and Twitter on Xbox Live will be free to Gold members, with a free trial period also available for Silver members." Specific details on what's included in the trial are not currently available, but clearly Microsoft is continuing its policy to reward Gold subscribers for, well, their subscriptions, despite what must be a tempting motivation to make Twitter and Facebook free-for-all features. Social networking's the killer app, after all (right?) -- and Microsoft could use some new ammo in the console war.%Gallery-65321%
How Xbox Live tenure on your gamercard works
Wait, but we've been using Xbox Live since its inception! Shouldn't our gamercard have a little seven in the upper right corner? According to Microsoft's Major Nelson, not exactly. In fact, the first ever gamertag created ("e," for Xbox Live operations manager Eric Neustadter), won't officially turn seven until tomorrow. "Your Gold Veteran Status counts full years so if you've been a Gold member for 2 years, 11 months and 27 days; your status will display 2 years," says the Major.In fact, there's a whole handful of little caveats regarding the tiny gamercard number that have been all layed out in plain English over at his blog. Unfortunately for us, regardless of those caveats, we'll likely never be as cool in Nerdland as Eric Neustadter.[Via Xbox Gaming]
Xbox Live Update has arrived, everything is going to be alright
It was almost a little cruel of Microsoft to offer its Xbox Live Update preview program so widely -- sure, all your stupid friends had the update, with their fancy new avatar clothing purchases and their cutesy little shared virtual Netflix screenings -- but there was you, updateless, sitting all alone, trying to squeeze out a few more experience points in Call of Duty while you held back the tears. Well, your wait is over. The newly improved Xbox 360 dashboard is live for everybody. Games on Demand, User Ratings, Avatar Awards... it's all there. Just ripe for the picking.
Xbox 360 officially the only console to stream Netflix -- sorry, PS3 and Wii
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/Xbox_360_now_ONLY_CONSOLE_with_Netflix_PS3_Wii_are_SOL'; We actually had to brush the fog off of our spectacles to ensure that hazy conditions weren't clouding our comprehension abilities, but sure enough, that Netflix streaming that Xbox LIVE members have grown to love won't ever land on Sony's PlayStation 3 nor on Nintendo's Wii (PlayOn notwithstanding). At the very bottom of Microsoft's long list of details surrounding today's Xbox LIVE update, we're clearly told that the Netflix Watch Instantly integration is now an "exclusive partnership," with Microsoft going so far as to say that the "Xbox 360 will be the only game console to offer this movie-watching experience, available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix unlimited plan subscribers." Of course, we'd heard rumors over the years that Netflix could sashay over to other consoles in due time, but it looks like the suits in Redmond had the foresight to lock things down while they still had a chance. So, are you reconsidering that Xbox 360 purchase, or just looking that much more intently in Roku's direction? Full blurb is after the break.[Thanks, David]
First batch of Xbox 'Games on Demand' titles revealed [update]
digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/first-batch-of-xbox-games-on-demand-titles-revealed/'; Can't be bothered to drag yourself to the nearest brick-and-mortar to pick up your Xbox 360 games? Don't worry, you won't be penalized for your sloth -- this coming Tuesday, the first batch of 21 titles will be added to the Games on Demand service, a new feature in the anticipated dashboard update. There are no costs attached to these titles yet, but Microsoft says they'll be similar in price to their tangible counterparts. We've got the full list of games posted after the break -- highlights include Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and ... Viva Piñata. What? We love ambulatory piñatas! Deal with it. Update: Turns out the initial list we got our hands on was for the European territories. We thought it was weird Bioshock wasn't on there! We've got the full list of 24 (!) games coming to the States posted after the jump.
Upcoming Xbox 360 Netflix update is still gimped, Microsoft thinks you want it that way
If you haven't been lucky enough to preview the upcoming Xbox Live dashboard update like we did, there's a good chance you're eagerly awaiting its August 11 release so that you can finally modify your Netflix queue straight from the box. If so, prepare to be disappointed... or, uh, thrilled when you find out that the new experience isn't quite as comprehensive as you might have expected. It restricts users to perusing the Top 50 films in any of a handful of categories, meaning no searching by title and no browsing alphabetically. Why? According to Microsoft's Ben Smith, Director of Program Management for Xbox Live, that's how you want it. He says: "I think when people come to Xbox they're not really looking so much for functional, they really want to have fun, they want to be wowed." We're saying "wow," all right, but for entirely different reasons. There is a morsel of good news, though: if enough people indicate they actually like function and want an honest-to-goodness, full-featured Netflix experience Microsoft is fully prepared to upgrade the service. Again. Eventually. [Via Joystiq]
Interview: Last.fm on Xbox Live
Last week we published the first part of our Last.fm on Xbox Live interview, speaking with Christina DeRosa, a general manager for Xbox Live. Today, we present the second part, a conversation with Orlena Yeung, VP of Marketing at Last.fm. After the break, read Yeung's take from the Last.fm side of the deal, as she discusses a range of topics, including why her company is better than Pandora, its social media plans, and how audio scrobbling works in APB.%Gallery-65408%
New dash update enables color choices for select Avatar apparel
click to super-duper sizeAfter having the weekend to explore the upcoming Xbox 360 dashboard update, we came across a very welcome addition to select Avatar clothing: the choice of color!Within' the new dash update, the classic Avatar "Power Tee" (which is currently available in both green and red flavors) can now be color customized. A small color palette icon can be seen attached to the tee and, once chosen, offers the option of nine different colors. Don't believe us? Check out the video footage of the color choosing process, embedded after the break.From what we can tell, the "Power Tee" is the only item that offers a color choice, but we hope more items (if not all) will receive this option in the future. Having the ability to change the color of Avatar clothing has been a popular request among the community and is a feature that adds an extra layer of customization. We encourage Microsoft to keep these color options coming!%Gallery-68760%
The 360's new (and improved) Netflix experience
Come August 11th, Xbox Live gold members will be treated to a new and improved Netflix, something we're calling the "New Netflix Experience". Catchy, no? Click through the gallery to learn more about the new features including movie parties, privacy settings and the ability for Avatars to express love, hate and laughter.%Gallery-68686%
A fashionable look at the new Avatar Marketplace
Seeing as we just got our mitts on the new Xbox 360 dashboard, we figured we'd share the dash love with a preview of the upcoming Avatar Marketplace. Click through the gallery to experience Avatar shopping, view the stylish pirate apparel and, if you're daring enough, take a peek after the break for a look at Avatar cotton swabbing. Yes ... cotton swabbing.%Gallery-68679%
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%
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.
Interview: Xbox Live on Last.fm
By now, you're aware of the news that Last.fm is coming to Xbox Live, along with Twitter and Facebook in a social media onslaught. We wanted to find out what that means for the service, so we spoke with Orlena Yeung, VP of Marketing at Last.fm (which was purchased by CBS two years ago for a big chunk of change), and Christina DeRosa, a general manager for Xbox Live, to find out how the experience will work on our consoles.We've already reported on the planned Last.fm pricing, but read on after the break for DeRosa's take on the Xbox side of things, including her thoughts on a Pandora partnership, how Xbox will enhance Last.fm (Party Mode?), and where the service fits into the Xbox Live music channel that's in the works. (One interesting note: Xbox says that the console won't audio scrobble, while Last.fm says it will. We've reached out to both parties in search of a definitive answer.)Update: Microsoft got back to us with the following information, "We circled back on this one and can confirm that music played in other parts of the dash will not be scrobbled. In other words, you can't put in an audio CD and scrobble." So, that's a bit of a bummer.%Gallery-65408%
Xbox Live Dashboard update arrives Aug. 11
Microsoft has just announced that the upcoming Xbox Dashboard update will be hitting Xbox Live on August 11. The update is set to include many new features, including Games on Demand, improved Netflix performance (along with Movie Parties), Avatar Awardables, Avatar Marketplace, the ability to rate games, new Friends list sorting options and more. The announcement also mentions that previously announced Twitter, Facebook and Last.fm support is slated to arrive this fall.Also, don't forget that Microsoft is currently accepting entrants for an upcoming preview, allowing many gamers a chance to check out the update before it's available to the general public. If you don't make it, rest assured that Joystiq will be taking the update for a spin and will be posting plenty of coverage.
Last.fm on XBL: free to gold subscribers, 3 hours per month for others
Microsoft announced at their E3 keynote last month that Last.fm would be coming to Xbox Live. We're working on an interview with key players at both Last.fm and Microsoft to bring you more details about the collaboration soon. However, we can share one tidbit: today we spoke with Christina DeRosa, a general manager for XBL, and she let us know who the service will be available to."Silver users will be able access what we're considering a trial period of three hours a month, which comes with video advertising. Gold users will have unlimited ad-supported access, so they can use it 24 hours a day. There will also be a premium offering on a subscription basis from Last.fm, that will be commercial free and will also have more sophisticated personalization features, like Loved Tracks."Last.fm's subscription prices are currently $3.00 US (€3 EU or £3 GBP) per month, so you'll have to shell out an additional $36 a year if you want to avoid the ads and have full access to their service. You'll also need a Last.fm account, in case you haven't set one up already. Luckily, that part is free.%Gallery-65408%
Pachter: Last.fm, Twitter the most important features of E3
What was the biggest news of E3? Was it the PlayStation Motion Controller? Project Natal? The triumphant return of Samus? According to Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter, it was none of the above. As part of the Gamasutra Analyze This feature, Pacther stated that he believes the biggest announcement was actually Microsoft's injection of Last.fm, Facebook and Twitter into the Xbox 360 dashboard.Pachter states that Microsoft's announcement was "far and away the most important one of the show," and one that the media failed to latch onto. Pachter says that Microsoft's ultimate goal is to solidify the Xbox 360 as "a functioning computer that happens to be located in the living room and is connected to the television." The Facebook, Last.fm and Twitter applications open the Xbox to the internet -- if only in a limited way -- moving it one step closer to the mythical, do-everything set-top-box we've been hearing about since the days of WebTV.The analyst makes this point in reference to Apple, which hasn't managed (successfully) to do the same thing with AppleTV. Granted, that doesn't make much difference to gamers, but from a pure business perspective, we can see Pachter's point.
Facebook on Xbox Live: What it is, and what it isn't
We have a tendency to lose our focus when confronted with the adorable, spritely Felicia Day. As a result, our attention was diverted from her presentation about the upcoming Facebook functionality that's coming to the Xbox 360. In order to discern the console capabilities of the popular social network, we chatted up Facebook developer Gareth Davis. The highlights of his explanation of the service can be found after the jump!
Facebook, Twitter on Xbox Live this fall
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Facebook_Twitter_Coming_to_Xbox_Live_on_the_360'; Felicia Day (of The Guild) just demonstrated a new Xbox Live version of Facebook. Facebook on Live uses NXE-style navigation, allows you to view both of your Xbox friends and your Facebook friends in the same interface. Most interesting: the ability to post text and even screens from in-game. So now, not only will you get to voice chat with annoying jerks on Live, you can see what they're playing and read about their chemistry exams or whatever.Also: Twitter is coming to Xbox Live! We'd say more about it, but that isn't in the spirit of Twitter.%Gallery-65321%
