Microsoft's new Xbox Live dashboard will ship next week, according to tech site Win Rumors, which has also published a video showing off the revamped interface's Windows Phone integration and Kinect features.
Win Rumors caught sight of dashboard version "Belfiore" at the Nokia World event on Wednesday, which the site claims is the final version. Users will be able to search and browse media on their Xbox 360s remotely using a Windows Phone.
A Kinectimals app was also demoed. After crafting and accessorising your pet on your phone, you'll be able to generate a QR code (those pixellated box things in the corner of tube adverts) and transfer the animal to the Xbox 360 game simply by holding the screen up to the Kinect scanner.
Alongside new Kinect functions, the redesigned dash offers more Facebook integration and the promised Cloud data storage functionality, hotly anticipated wherever Xbox 360 owners with broken hard drives cluster together.
The manufacturer has signed up the BBC, Channel 5 and Channel 4 among other TV and film providers to stock Xbox Live's pockets.
[Source: WinRumors]
23 comments so far...
Bezza89 on 27 Oct '11 said:
I'm doubtful, I signed up to the beta or whatever two weeks ago, I haven't seen the new dash yet, unless MS just thought 'Oh there's that Bezza guy, he said Max Payne wouldn't be as good as its predecessors, let's not give him the beta'.
Adabut Shadon on 27 Oct '11 said:
Is that the dashboard preview coming next week? Registration for the dashboard preview only opened up on the 13th of October, Majornelson said 5 days ago the preview programme is not even ready yet so im hoping it is as i registered and im looking forward to having a play with the new dashboard.
OXM ETboy on 27 Oct '11 said:
Feel free to go into more detail about your beta experiences (or non-experiences), Bezza (EDIT: and Adabut) - I'll update the piece.
Bezza89 on 27 Oct '11 said:
I might be getting mixed up with beta and preview... I just saw something to sign up for and did. Now I have a scar on my lower back right side...
Adabut Shadon on 27 Oct '11 said:
You werent asked to take either the blue pill or the red pill at the same time were you?
If you have signed up for the dashboard preview/beta you should be able to log into your microsoft connect account and go from there into the private beta forums on xbox.com which you can only see if you have been accepted into it.
zPuddock on 27 Oct '11 said:
The Beta hasn't been released yet
Bezza89 on 27 Oct '11 said:
No they just asked; 'Do you like chloroform?' - Do I!!
Checked the forums, they said the beta hasn't rolled out yet so I think OXMs source may be confused with the beta. Now looky here... a beta that is rolled out just weeks before worldwide release, where have I seen this before?
Pizzapete32 on 27 Oct '11 said:
Erm Yeah the preview/beta thing isn't even out yet so it won't be the full release next week
Decent_Jam on 27 Oct '11 said:
To be fair, microsoft love releasing multiple versions of things, like Release Candidate versions of windows 7 in the first place, so I'm not surprised there's confusion.
Not bothered at all by Windows phone connectivity, have an HTC, and I don't have Kinect so I get the feeling much of this update will feel very muted...
Still, TV will be handy since I don't have an aerial on it at the moment.
comabob on 27 Oct '11 said:
In the p[icture
why is Games - the SIXTH tab/section?
Depressing that MS consider Games the 6th most important feature of their game console.
m4ster b4ker on 27 Oct '11 said:
I'm a little worried of this because the dashboard now is perfectly fine and does everything I want to, especially the cool smooth style, very different from ps3 and wii. This new dashboard looks all 2D which does nothing new and just copies ps3. Will there be an option to not download the update? I'm not sold on it
Decent_Jam on 27 Oct '11 said:
I am almost certain it will be mandatory if you actually want to be able to use your Xbox.
Of course if you disconnect from LIVE now and never connect again you should be able to avoid it
msbhvn on 27 Oct '11 said:
They put Dashboard updates on game discs for just that reason, DJ.
It'll take a couple of weeks of getting used to, like the previous "Fall" update last year, there'll be the usual scare stories of the update giving you an RROD, bits of the UI won't work properly for a few days, and there'll be more advertising than ever.
The new TV services sound good, but since I don't have a decent Internet connection, I won't be able to use them.
vind4loo on 28 Oct '11 said:
I want my blades back!
Dellboy on 28 Oct '11 said:
here, here!
greycloud007 on 29 Oct '11 said:
Awesome, makes me feel even better that i chose windows phone over android and iphone.
The kinectimals game on phone 7 live is awesome, but they've taken it off the marketplace...glad i bought it when i did
nspy131995 on 1 Nov '11 said:
when is this new dashboard going to arrive and will it take much time? sorry for my english...
greycloud007 on 5 Nov '11 said:
Damn I didn't receive a beta key although I signed up
If anyone has one and they haven't used it 3 times yet, i'd be very grateful if they would share
KernowDevil23 on 17 Nov '11 said:
I now have this on my Xbox as I signed up to the "preview program" and was lucky enough to be selected!
Trouble is, I can't talk to you about it because I'll have the fed's banging on my door!!
greycloud007 on 20 Nov '11 said:
If anyone wants to exchange a beta key for a 2 day xbox live code let me know
Bezza89 on 20 Nov '11 said:
You don't recieve a beta key, you register online (which closed more than 4 weeks ago), you download an app that gets your console information through your gamertag, and BAM you get the beta, it's really good but we're not allowed to talk about it.
Ultimately you can't get it greycloud, so ner ner!!
Decent_Jam on 20 Nov '11 said:
Wow you guys get to be in a geek version of Fight Club
Bezza89 on 20 Nov '11 said:
You're just jealous. About nothing.