Yesterday I had the chance to speak with some people working on the new Microsoft Xbox Experience and I was given an in person demo of the new Dashboard and even got to play with it my self.
But first I would like to dispel some rumors. A lot of people are saying that if you have the Xbox 360 Core system you will not be able to upgrade to the new dashboard. That is not true. Microsoft says every single Xbox 360 system will be able to upgrade. However Core system users may face a problem. The new dashboard is 128 MB in size, so if your core system doesn’t have enough space then you face an option, delete content or get a memory upgrade module from Microsoft for free. Microsoft said they will be offering core system users a memory module upgrades for free. Microsoft will also make the 20 GB hard drive available to core system users for just $20. I will post more details on how the free upgrade and $20 dollar offer will work.
So as I said, I got to play with the new dashboard a bit, I also got to see how avatars were made and how they each had their own little personality. It was kind of cute to see the fear in the avatars face when you were about to delete it. In some games you will even play as your avatar.
The Dashboard seemed to work pretty fast, I kind of worried my self that the new update would be a bit resource intensive and may even lag the system a bit. But it actually was pretty fast.
I also was able to check out the Netflix channel and it pretty much works as any online video service, and the quality of the movies are near DVD, Microsoft said they can push HD content to you via the Netflix channel but it really is up to Netflix to do that. But just because Netflix is there it doesn’t mean the Movie Rental service in the Xbox Marketplace is going away.
So I asked Microsoft, why there is no music service channel. I was told it’s coming and possibly a Zune music channel. I wasn’t given a date and I wasn’t told anything about it I was just told that I’ll see something. So that kind of implied it’s coming but it’s months away.
I was pretty stoked about the new Xbox 360 Dashboard before my demo yesterday, but after seeing the demo I am even more so now. I can’t wait for November 19th to come around in fact I may just throw a Xbox 360 New Dash Board part from the night of the 18th into the 19th.
By the way no pictures because I am an idiot and left my camera at home. :( sorry
Comments: (8)
Chris on Thu, Oct 16th, 2008 at 06:03 AM
I saw a video on YouTube for it I like it. My 360 crapped on me so I can’t get the update but I may just buy a new one
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=new+xbox+360+dashboard&search;_type=&aq=f
Michael on Thu, Oct 16th, 2008 at 08:14 AM
yeah its nice I can’t wait for the 19th
Angelina on Thu, Oct 16th, 2008 at 01:36 PM
The avatars remind me too much of the Wii Characters. :O
Mr. Roboto on Thu, Oct 16th, 2008 at 03:38 PM
I hope Microsoft surprises us and releases it early. I do hope Zune comes to it soon as well, be nice to buy music on the 360 or sync my zune with the 360 even itunes support would be cool.
Celidus on Thu, Oct 16th, 2008 at 09:27 PM
I have seen some of it and I hate it already. It has nothing I want except the ability to install games to the HD. Everything else is just a gimmick to get you to dump money into Bill Gates’ wallet. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Xbox. I just can’t stand what they are doing to the dashboard. The old dashboard has a more grown-up feel to it. This new dashboard looks like it was designed for 9 year olds - especially with the Mii’s (avatars). Because of this update I will no longer be able to go on Xbox Live or be able to increase my gamerscore. Thanks for nothing Micro$ucks!
Angelina on Fri, Oct 17th, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Why wouldn’t you be able to go online?
Why wouldn’t you be able to increase your gamerscore?
The update does not affect those two aspects 1 bit.
Also, this really can’t be a gimmick seeing as the update is free.
Also, they are not forcing you to do the update.
Also, last I knew, video games target children and young adults mostly, not adults. Hence why there is barely any AO games out there.
Matty on Thu, Oct 30th, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Why wouldn’t you be able to go online? - as the update is a requirement for online gaming when it is launched
Why wouldn’t you be able to increase your gamerscore?
you can but i think new games might adopt a new coding or way or submitting your gamerscore
The update does not affect those two aspects 1 bit.
Also, they are not forcing you to do the update.
Yes they are. You will NOT be able to play online if u dont use this update, microsoft have stated that.
rentacar on Sun, Jan 31st, 2010 at 05:57 PM
I’m using my xbox 360. Excellent film in terms of music and gaming device. Everyone should have an xbox 360. thank you http://www.stellarrentacar.com
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