MSFT announces first major Xbox 360 update

91 Comments by Christopher Grant May 26th 2006 12:35AM
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360

I just spoke with Aaron Greenberg, Group Marketing Manager for Xbox Live, about the first major update to the Xbox 360 since last November's launch. The spring update is expected to be released to all Xbox Live users "in about a week" and will be followed up with a fall update, as part of their plan to release two major updates each year.

Read on for details about all the improvements and additions, including background downloading, boot to Dashboard, and improved Marketplace layout.

Xbox Live Marketplace

Aaron talked about how XBLM has grown compared to their expectations: by E3, they expected roughly 100 items available, after E3 there's over 1000. They expected 3-4 million downloads by E3, after E3 there's been 24 million. Lower download per item, which is to be expected.

New Media and Entertainment Menu

The upgrade has focused content into groups. Despite promising categories like "Television" and "Short Films" there's been no announcement of additional content to populate them. DirecTV maybe?

The popular iPod AAC plugin has also been placed "near the top" to streamline that process.

Games Menu

The Games screen now has a "Newly Released" section, so new additions to the Xbox Live Arcade, or new game demos, can be quickly located and downloaded.

Demos and Game Videos

Themes and Gamer Pictures

New Background Download Manager

View Active Downloads

The single most requested feature: background downloading. As detailed earlier, you'll have a queue ...

Manage Up To 6 Downloads

... with up to six download slots available. You'll be able to use the console as usual while downloading; if you take a game online, the downloads will pause until you're done.

Downloads are Easier to Find

Trailers has become Game Videos. In addition, you'll be presented with options upon completion of a download: play now, apply theme now, etc.

Fast Forward/Rewind All Downloaded Marketplace Videos (2X-16X)

Simply play/pause functionality when playing back downloaded clips was another major annoyance. Glad to see this has been added, even if this sort of functionality is really basic.

Music Player & DVD Playback Improvements

Although the CD player previously queried the internet to populate artist/track information, Greenberg assures me this functionality has been improved. The major enhancement is that the custom music you're playing -- whether from an iPod, CD, HDD, or network share -- will stay consistent as you switch from one console function to the next. No more tracking down the playlist you were listening to and starting over.

The DVD player also supports bookmarking now; if you're watching a movie and receive an invite from a friend, you can replace the movie disc with a game and return to the same spot in the movie when you resume it.

General Usability Enhancements

Similar to an instant messaging client, you'll be able to set your status as away (red) when your console has been inactive for a certain period of time (15 minutes).

There will also be "full" USB keyboard support ... goodbye clumsy text entry, hello wireless USB keyboard!

New Startup Feature - Launches Direct to Dashboard

Another major feature request, especially those that use their console as a media center extender. Instead of automatically booting into whatever game is loaded in the drive, you'll be able to set your console to boot into the Dashboard by default.

You'll need to have your Xbox 360 online and an Xbox Live account to download the update (it takes "less than a minute"), but it won't be available to burn to a CD ala backwards compatibility updates. They plan on eventually bundling the update with retail game discs for those of you without an online console.

Greenberg was quick to note that previous updates have either been one-off game-specific updates (like PGR3) or security-related updates (like that mysterious one in March?). As for when to expect it, considering Major Nelson's earlier warnings regarding demos not being made available on Fridays (as they're unable to observe potential errors), we're guessing it won't be next Friday but the week of the 5th. There will be a list of all additional features on Xbox.com in the coming week.

Tags: Dashboard, XBL, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Marketplace, XboxLive, XboxLiveMarketplace

(Page 1) Reader Comments

Rhys: May 26th 2006; 12:47AM

Awesome! Great to see how Microsoft is supporting XBL.

Just one of the reasons I doubt Sony’s ability to provide a on-line component even half as good as XBL has become.

bv: May 26th 2006; 12:47AM

I think it's awesome that they just call you up and let you know this breaking news. I can't imagine someone like Nintendo or Sony taking the time to have a one on one with a blog. Microsoft really cares about the gamers, which is quite suprising coming from such a huge company.

About the updates, is there any way you can skip to the next song on your playlist while playing a game without having to access the dashboard, i.e. hitting the right d pad to skip to the next track? Always wish this was included from day 1. Anyways, thanks for the news Chris!

dsub: May 26th 2006; 12:48AM

well done MS, well done. This will be a welcome update that we have long awaited for. I think I'm speaking for many when I say that our voices have been heard, and we now know that MS is listening.

Can't wait for the download.

SuiXide: May 26th 2006; 12:48AM

See, now this is good on Microsoft's point. If they can keep up the updates like this, they'll definately have alot of happy users. I can only hope Sony and Nintendo follow suit.

Course, I'm still shocked about the PS3 price.

Silent Xenocide: May 26th 2006; 12:48AM

FINALLY!!! BACKGROUND DOWNLOADS, and the boot straight to dashboard is nice, I was wanting that.

The Guru: May 26th 2006; 12:51AM

All welcome changes. Expecially liking the up to six downloads and will continue downloading while you play single player games.

Kickee: May 26th 2006; 12:59AM

The Xbox360 is shaping up to be great entertainment center (that also happens to play games).
When you think about it you have a quite cheap, powerful computer there under your tv and the Xbox Dashboard is becoming a nice OS for basic entertainment purposes. If this OS evolves forward, comparison with Mac mini's and media center pc's is inevitable, as the latter are several hundreds of bucks more expensive. All in all I think you're getting a lot of value for your money with this machine and would make a nice companion for my Wii and not the other way around ;)
I think sony has reason to be afraid

epobirs: May 26th 2006; 1:21AM

#2

I think that would be up to game developers.

Rob: May 26th 2006; 1:22AM

BV...if you want to skip to the next song during a game without accessing the guide, hit the >>| button on the remote.

Without the remote? Don't know.

The remote will always skip backward and forard through tracks.

R

shankley: May 26th 2006; 1:24AM

Microsoft is awesome. Thanks Microsoft.

SickNic: May 26th 2006; 1:25AM

Kudos to MS for listening to the gamers, and listening to their suggestions. I'm pretty amazed at how many annoyances they fixed up. Even more kudos for using the fasted route to reach us gamers: A gaming blog. I gotta give Microsoft credit, they know what their doing.

OMAC: May 26th 2006; 1:35AM

Only thing missing is mouse support!

Mojo: May 26th 2006; 1:38AM

Did I just read 8 comments in a row praising Microsoft? Soylent Green is people!

Limestallc: May 26th 2006; 2:06AM

Well the reason why they seem to care is because Microsoft as a whole isnt responsable for xbox just the one division and I think that j allard and peter moore really do care and listen to what we want which is why they do such a good job of improving XBL.

McClintock: May 26th 2006; 2:09AM

@2

If you have a remote (any 360 or media center remote will do) you can use the skip buttons on those.

Zachary: May 26th 2006; 2:28AM

Microsoft could have kept quiet, now "in about a week" message boards all over are going to be on fire with idiots saying "where's my update? it's been a week!" It happened with some Steam update awhile ago(bots for something maybe) they say we will release it X month X day at 5:00pm and when nobody saw it at 5:01 the steam message boards went ape s**t.

David: May 26th 2006; 2:29AM

If this is a "springtime" update I guess we can expect the fall update around February :P

smellslikepie1: May 26th 2006; 2:37AM

" If this is a "springtime" update I guess we can expect the fall update around February :P"

It's only missed springtime by about a week.

GamerG: May 26th 2006; 2:39AM

Brilliant, the boot to dashboard is getting switched straight on!!

Conn: May 26th 2006; 2:58AM

Oh hell yes.

ForbidenMaster: May 26th 2006; 3:15AM

Note the first picture. One of the downloads is the Leeroy Jenkin's video. I wonder why they put it up there. I guess just to get some laughes just like the r vs B vid.

Ryan: May 26th 2006; 3:19AM

Another feature that you didn't mention: custom gamer pictures (according to TeamXbox).

"It’ll also be possible for you to use the Xbox camera to create your gamer picture, though parental controls can squelch the viewing of user-created content for younger gamers. "

link - http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/1596/Xbox-360-Spring-Platform-Update-Details/p1/

I'm quite excited about this little update. I'm not going to download another file off from XBLM until I can do it "actively". I wonder if "Play Now" will be fixed also...

Tommy Mang: May 26th 2006; 3:25AM

Great job MS!

bv: May 26th 2006; 3:31AM

#23,
You spelled retard wrong.

Nick Simpson: May 26th 2006; 3:33AM

Would be kind of cool for them to have included a skip forwards and back button on the controllers, kind of reminds me of the growing audio and AC controls on steering wheels, but that would diminish the use of the remote.

Anywho this is great, it definetly makes me want a 360 even more.

doup: May 26th 2006; 3:33AM

I'm not an 360 owner, actually I'll buy a Wii for sure... and maybe later one of the powerhouses. Every day i find the Xbox more apealing... ps3? meh. Wii+360 all alone. :D (gears of war!!)

This update looks really cool, nice features. It's nice to see Microsoft listening to their consumers. Will ps3 be able to match this?

Richie: May 26th 2006; 3:39AM

Mojo, awesome quotage..."Soylent Green is people"

English Bob: May 26th 2006; 3:40AM

This boot to dashboard thing is only part of it! What about the autostart of the game when you insert the disc? Thats what most of have been asking for.

Boot to dashboard is of little use to people who actually remove the gamedisc before switching off (like your supposed to!).

Garulon: May 26th 2006; 4:32AM

@29: "What about the autostart of the game when you insert the disc? Thats what most of have been asking for"

Uh? I insert a disc and it starts. What are you doing?

TK00: May 26th 2006; 4:48AM

Why is Microsoft always referred to by their stock symbol? You never see Apple referred to as AAPL.

vc: May 26th 2006; 5:07AM

"Why is Microsoft always referred to by their stock symbol? You never see Apple referred to as AAPL."

(1) Some people love to remind everyone of Microsoft's corporateness... and a stock symbol is a sure sign that you're dealing with a corporation.

(2) Because MSFT is typed with the left hand only and is therefore fast and easy. "Microsoft" requires both hands and is over twice as long. It's just not a fun word to type. "Apple" is short and easy to type in comparison.

(3) Because "AAPL" isn't as easily read as "Apple." It's actually inaccurate, because "Apple" has just one A, not two. "MSFT" is accurate in a way that "AAPL" is not.

(4) "AAPL" is a crappy ticker symbol. "APPL" would have been better.

Completely off topic, but fun question anyways.

vrf: May 26th 2006; 5:16AM

vlad, I type the "M" with my right hand. Don't you?

Josh: May 26th 2006; 5:49AM

That's The Most Brilliant Thing They've Done Since Launch, Not Including Game-Related Announcements and Releases... Fixes The Only Major Bugs With The Systenm They're Actually Improving The System After It Comes Out. I Was Dissapointed With The Late AUS Release, But Since Then I Have Nothing But Praise For MS... Multiple Downloads Is A Great, Obvious Addition.

I'm Very Very Impressed With How Well MSFT (haha)Is Handling The 360

Kudos

Don Jose: May 26th 2006; 6:19AM

The 360 just gets better and better. I hope we can make custom Gamerpics. My fatass cat would make a sweet one. Hope I don't end up playing UNO against some clever dude who takes a pic of his balls, though.

Azerael: May 26th 2006; 6:43AM

#34

I Do Believe You Only Need To Use Capitals For The First Word In The Sentence And Certain Nouns.

Meanwhile, Microsoft's next step should be a service that allows you to order food over Xbox Live. Perfect for LAN parties, lazy people and people with heaps of money to spend on takeaway. They could call it Xbox Live Cafe.

pat: May 26th 2006; 6:49AM

OMG, yes boot teh dashboard Xbox 360 roxors the big one111

DinnyHoon: May 26th 2006; 6:51AM

Well, you seem to ave done it again, Microsoft.

The huge backing of XBL is obvious to many, and the reason just as clear. Apart from price (which thy may reduce in November), this is all the 360 has over the PS3 so far. I'll be interested to hear what Kenny K thinks of this move in particular. I am starting to get quite worried for the PS3 now, it seems reliant on it's fanboys. But fanboys are still people, you gotta please em!

X GATECRASHER X: May 26th 2006; 7:06AM

Two questions:

1) Does the update include a FF button or progress bar selector for the music player, so that I can move to the middle of a 2hr. mp3 rather then starting at the beginning everytime?

2) I recently purchased a 'Scorpius P20' wireless keyboard. Up until now, the keyboard won't work with my 360. Does the new update mean my keyboard will finally work?

Thanks for the help...

X GATECRASHER X: May 26th 2006; 7:09AM

Ordering food would be S1CK! I'll take a Panang Curry and Chicken Tika Masala.

Unlike Me: May 26th 2006; 7:13AM

To #1, I agree.
Even if Sonys online is free, it won't be anywhere near as good as Xbox Live, what we are paying for here is a quality online service. Also, the Live anywhere thing, where you can download Marketplace stuff on your cell phone and play PC players, Sony can't do anything of that sort. We pay to make XBL better, thats how it works.

YLA G: May 26th 2006; 7:21AM

there is NO language fix for Belgium on the update tuesday.. i am so angry about that

Canadian Geese: May 26th 2006; 7:22AM

I heard this update was coming but thought it would just be backround downloading. Turns out this is the answer to EVERY last issue I've had with the way the dashboard works.

Microsoft actually listened to us. With the announcements of games such as Halo 3, Gears of War, BioShock, and Mass Effect; along with the bluetooth headset, and now this dashboard update, I'd have to say MS is flirting with perfection.

Dean: May 26th 2006; 7:24AM

#2 You can use the 360 remote...

Amir: May 26th 2006; 7:26AM

To Azereal:

Didn't Sega have some deal with Domino's and Dreamcast? I remember it was in the Official UK Dreamcast mag, so maybe it was only here in the UK, but I'm not sure if it came to be or how long it lasted. Pizza + online gaming = mmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Amir: May 26th 2006; 7:29AM

http://www.dvdfever.co.uk/news/news1299.shtml#101299

See! Meesa not crazy! Man, I feel old now.

plugstar: May 26th 2006; 8:05AM

first of all congratulations to ms, even those these updates were obvious and requested heavily its going to make the live service excellent.

would be nice if (and more likely when) microsoft incorporate more of the live.com features, how about your own personal home page you can access via the 360 with the same functionality of live.com, such as local.live, hotmail, live (msn) messenger.

I believe that both the wii and ps3 are allowing full access to the internet, something that would be nice on the 360, damn even the dreamcast allowed internet browsing. Or maybe this is part of the "live anywhere" idea.

Jdoki: May 26th 2006; 8:07AM

@43

IIRC Everquest II on the PC (US version) allows players to type /pizza and place an order at Pizza Hut. :)

Oh, and back on-topic. Nice updates from MS. Hope they continue refining the interface and functionality.

careon: May 26th 2006; 8:53AM

crap I'm bored of getting stuff like this a year later after the Xbox 360 came out, stop being stupid MS this is why I like Sony better.

MNaylor: May 26th 2006; 8:55AM

At #38...I have the BTC 9019URF (http://www.btc.com.tw/english/2-7-21keyboard.htm) wireless keyboard and it's been working with the X360 for the 3 months I've had so I guess that I got lucky. The keyboard really does help with txting my friends, and I guess it works well with FFXI (not that I play that game).

Looks like the update will add support for more wireless keyboards. I got lucky that mine worked right out of the box.

MNaylor: May 26th 2006; 8:58AM

At #46...not sure what universe you're living in, but the X360 has been out for approx. 6 mnths, a 1 year! Anyway, keep saving those $$$ for your PS3 ;)

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