New Dashboard features detailed....More to be revealed! EDIT: now includes video

From Major Nelson-

Xbox LIVE GM Marc Whitten (Notwen) has sent me the following letter to share with the Xbox LIVE Community. I goes into a little more detail about some of the new features that are coming as part of the new Xbox Experience this Fall. I'll work on getting Marc on a future show to discuss further.

Dear Xbox LIVE Member,

When we launched Xbox 360 in November 2005, Xbox LIVE was integrated directly into the console. Back then, Xbox 360 was the first system to deliver access to experiences beyond just the disc in the tray. With the Xbox guide and dashboard you had access to everything on your console as well as your community.

We also imagined that Xbox experience would continuously improve over time, through the power of software.

Since launch, you've always pushed us to continuously innovate. It is because you spoke with one loud voice that we added new features like background downloading, 1080p support, movies and TV shows, video chat, a Marketplace blade and instant messaging.

Over time, as we've delivered more and more content into the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, we've heard from many of you that it has become increasingly difficult to find the games and content you want.

And that brings us to today.

Because of your feedback, we started rethinking the entire Xbox experience. What we discovered was that we could not only provide a better experience for you, but also something that reaches out to new audiences.

What John Schappert unveiled for the world on stage at E3 was just a sneak preview, so I wanted to share some deeper details on some of the new features in the new Xbox experience.

Here is a look at some additional features you will find interesting:

· Play from hard drive. Copy your games from the game disc and play directly from the hard drive. Not only will the drive not spin, but load times are quicker, as well. Of course, you will still need the disc in the tray to prove you own the game.

· Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web. Browse and purchase Marketplace content whenever you want from Xbox.com and it downloads automatically to your console. Purchase that new map, television episode, the latest Xbox LIVE Arcade game or set up a movie to watch when you get home from work.

· Dashboard built into the new Xbox Guide. For everyone who loves the blades interface, it's not going away; they are now built directly in to the new Xbox guide. Every feature and option is available right from the guide. You can even access your full games library at all times. No matter where you are (in dash or in game), immediately call up your games played list and directly launch a game.

· LIVE Party system. Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos. It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not just upcoming games. LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the dashboard, so you can meet up before playing.

· Xbox LIVE Primetime. This whole new category of games is going to give you more reasons to get online with your friends. Games will support everything you'd expect, like Achievements and leader boards, but many of these games will include real prizes. You can invite your friends, and even set a reminder for an upcoming show. Each game is broadcast simultaneously, so everyone is answering the same questions. Many events will have a live host, calling the shots as they happen.

· Avatars. Your online identity started as a Gamertag - it then grew into a personalized Gamercard. Now, it has evolved even further into avatars. You can express your **** check out new outfits and share this with the community. Avatars will also be integrated into Xbox LIVE Arcade games, LIVE Party, as well as retail games.

· New display support. Because you asked for it, we are adding 16X10 over VGA or HDMI, and support for 1440x900 or 1680x1050.

This is only the beginning. Over the next few months, we will share more details on the upcoming changes.

See you online,

Marc Whitten

Gamertag- Notwen

The part where it talked about the dashboard being completely built into the guide really struck me....Looks like they have one upped sony again...

EDIT:

I finally found the video

http://www.xbox.com/NR/rdonlyres/8894D55F-A11F-47D0-8A75-434EE8DC5C1A/0/vidNXEe30801Hi.asx

pics are on the 2nd page...

wow thanks alotKirlok

Have they said WHEN this new dashboard update will be released?Phazevariance

Now the Xbox 360 allows installs.

Oh dear, a great big pile of hypocrisy is headed this way.
Burnsmiesta

Now the Xbox 360 allows installs.

Oh dear, a great big pile of hypocrisy is headed this way.
Burnsmiesta

Optional Installs =/= Mandatory Installs.

Wow, I am truly impressed with Microsoft. Maybe I am easily impressed but I think this E3 was very very good for them. New look interface ftw, new features (prizes???) ftw, the other big announcement, ftw. Live is seriously showing that Sony will need a miracle to catch up to it for their own PSN. Everyone thinks that once Sony implemented ingame XMB they would be equal, well microsoft hasn't sat on their successes but has continued to evolve life and that is the sign of a successful company. It may be time to reup for another year of Live.

Alan

· LIVE Party system. Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos. It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not just upcoming games. LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the dashboard, so you can meet up before playing. OMG, it's like home but without all that second life bull****. And it has netflix built in? wow, they just stole all the features and made it even better.jack_russel

Bingo!

how? PS3 already does that.killzowned24

how? PS3 already does that.killzowned24

[QUOTE="Burnsmiesta"]Now the Xbox 360 allows installs.

Oh dear, a great big pile of hypocrisy is headed this way.
After_Math

Optional Installs =/= Mandatory Installs.

Now the Xbox 360 allows installs.

Oh dear, a great big pile of hypocrisy is headed this way.
Burnsmiesta

You can choose.

Unlike mandatory installs there is a difference right.

Thats really awesome. Mass Effect 2 is going to rock. No more annoying loads from DVD...hey maybe they could even get rid of some elevators. Load from HD was one of the few good tings about PS3, but at least it wont be obligatory on the 360:Phywel69

I'm glad you can choose to do this, it sounds like a good idea.

[QUOTE="killzowned24"]how? PS3 already does that.wolverine4262

It does what you have highlighted, most importantly check your games and launch from any game.

[QUOTE="After_Math"]

[QUOTE="Burnsmiesta"]Now the Xbox 360 allows installs.

Oh dear, a great big pile of hypocrisy is headed this way.
Burnsmiesta

Optional Installs =/= Mandatory Installs.

[QUOTE="wolverine4262"][QUOTE="killzowned24"]how? PS3 already does that.killzowned24

It does what you have highlighted, most importantly check your games and launch from any game.

I hope it doesn't run like ****BLAUcopter

Agreed. It looks like it has all the features to be a huge upgrade, but hopefully it runs smooth and not slow. That sometimes seems to be the issue with the current Xbox 360 Guide, not slow, but sometimes doesn't run smooth.

[QUOTE="Burnsmiesta"]Now the Xbox 360 allows installs.

Oh dear, a great big pile of hypocrisy is headed this way.
-Ninja_Dog-

You can choose.

Unlike mandatory installs there is a difference right.

Play from hard drive. Copy your games from the game disc and play directly from the hard drive. Not only will the drive not spin, but load times are quicker, as well. Of course, you will still need the disc in the tray to prove you own the game.

Awesome.

[QUOTE="killzowned24"]

[QUOTE="wolverine4262"][QUOTE="killzowned24"]how? PS3 already does that.wolverine4262

It does what you have highlighted, most importantly check your games and launch from any game.

every feature that matters, do you really think you can watch your videos in game? also the part I said is most important even they say so by how its written.

how? PS3 already does that.killzowned24

every feature that matters, do you really think you can watch your videos in game? also the part I said is most important even they say so by how its written.

killzowned24

[QUOTE="killzowned24"]how? PS3 already does that.too_much_eslim

I can play Uncharted hit the xmb go to my games select warhawk and launch it in game.

New party system, XBL Prime time and Guide seem really cool. The rest are meh. waynehead895

[QUOTE="Phazevariance"]Have they said WHEN this new dashboard update will be released?wolverine4262

Oh, i was hoping for sooner... but yeah makes sense to do it before gears 2 or in and around that time frame.

[QUOTE="too_much_eslim"][QUOTE="killzowned24"]how? PS3 already does that.killzowned24

I can play Uncharted hit the xmb go to my games select warhawk and launch it in game.

[QUOTE="wolverine4262"][QUOTE="Phazevariance"]Have they said WHEN this new dashboard update will be released?Phazevariance

Oh, i was hoping for sooner... but yeah makes sense to do it before gears 2 or in and around that time frame.

[QUOTE="killzowned24"]

[QUOTE="too_much_eslim"][QUOTE="killzowned24"]how? PS3 already does that.too_much_eslim

I can play Uncharted hit the xmb go to my games select warhawk and launch it in game.

if you read i said what he highlighted.

if you read i said what he highlighted.

killzowned24

[QUOTE="too_much_eslim"][QUOTE="killzowned24"]

[QUOTE="too_much_eslim"][QUOTE="killzowned24"]how? PS3 already does that.killzowned24

I can play Uncharted hit the xmb go to my games select warhawk and launch it in game.

if you read i said what he highlighted.

I found some pics of the new inteface

I want all of that, but I really wish they just removed avatars all together.II-FBIsniper-II

So let me get this straight, the dashboard itself is getting a major upgrade, but then the in-game dash is also getting a major upgrade, as it will have all the capabilities of the current blade system? wow :D

· LIVE Party system. Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos. It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not just upcoming games. LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the dashboard, so you can meet up before playing. OMG, it's like home but without all that second life bull****. And it has netflix built in? wow, they just stole all the features and made it even better.jack_russel

Amazing Live Party System.

But they didn't make it better. You're doing the same thing, just with a different interface.

and 360 haters thought microsoft whouldnt upgrade XBL :roll:

So let me get this straight, the dashboard itself is getting a major upgrade, but then the in-game dash is also getting a major upgrade, as it will have all the capabilities of the current blade system? wow :D

TheDarkDisciple

seriously..thats just overkill :)