Sneak peek at Xbox 360 fall dashboard update
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Sep 8th 2006 at 3:55PM }
Maxconsole.com has posted three images of the upcoming Xbox 360 dashboard update, tentatively scheduled for release in November. While many of the features that will be implemented in the new update remain a mystery, these screens reveal the "Launchpad" for XNA and a few jazzed up menu tabs (see: giddy hipster girl in new "My Arcade Games" tab).
Like these new touches? The dashboard design team is looking for your input here.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rjg @ Sep 8th 2006 4:01PM
Any news/comments on video streaming finally hitting xbox360?
bv @ Sep 8th 2006 4:01PM
It's very possible that these images are fakes. Max Console has been known to fabricate stories for publicity. Remember the debunking of those wii specs Max Console reported on?:
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060802-7407.html
Pete @ Sep 8th 2006 4:02PM
These screenshots are so fake its not even funny
Nox @ Sep 8th 2006 4:06PM
Agree to bv. It highly probable that these images are photoshop.
Boba Fett @ Sep 8th 2006 4:10PM
Um... Whats new? Looks the same to me.
LordMinogue @ Sep 8th 2006 4:10PM
Regardless, I want to be able to use images on my flash drive as my avatar. Heck, if people can post a photograph of their nuts on live with the camera why cant I use a GIF of a cell shaded cat?
Dilp @ Sep 8th 2006 4:10PM
Looks too "busy" to be real, and some screens look a lot less functional as well.
I dont like them at all.
AceMilo @ Sep 8th 2006 4:12PM
I am an admin on maxconsole and am fairly close to the owner/operator. I can assure you that they are not photoshopped and that maxconsole has never knowingly reported fake news as real.
a Master Ninja @ Sep 8th 2006 4:14PM
If real, these new images on the dashboard may really clash with my background. Oh well, as long as there is more functionality.
2slick @ Sep 8th 2006 4:15PM
real or not, i like the pictures next to the menu options, it really does "jazz" the dashboard up.
vidGuy @ Sep 8th 2006 4:21PM
If real, I hate it. I very much prefer simplicity, and while the blades can't really be called simple, adding pictures and logos everywhere really crowds it all up.
New functions, great. But I hope there's an option to keep the old "look".
SonicRift @ Sep 8th 2006 4:32PM
"PS3 look out"
Yeah, these new dashboard updates really look to be System Killers. New features like "Pictures of Girls" will blow Sony out of the water. But the PS3 could make a comeback with features like "Software eject button" or "name of game in tray displayed on screen". Better watch out, MicroSoft!
If only this update gave me Real Time Weapon Change. It's such a pain in Dead Rising not having that. Damn my 360!
dsub @ Sep 8th 2006 4:33PM
at least MS is open to hearing your opinions. Any complaints or suggestions that you guys have should be sent to them.
Deeznuts420 @ Sep 8th 2006 4:56PM
@12 Easy on the sarcasm, you might pull something!!
SickNic @ Sep 8th 2006 4:44PM
dsub & Joystiq,
Actually, you can submit your ideas to someone who works on the xbox360 UI. He has a blog up on Windows Live Spaces, and there are many pages of suggestions already posted by gamers. Here is the link:
http://wildchicken.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!F3C1E5E30D5955F7!293.entry
So far a lot of people have suggested a more organized and thorough friends list, more video functionality, being able to see what disk is in your drive, and a lot of others. You guys should check it out and add to the list.
GunForHire @ Sep 8th 2006 4:45PM
If there are real, where's the little alteration to the 'Open/Close Tray' section of the dash that allows you to switch between the DVD and HD-DVD drive? You know, the one Major Nelson posted preliminary designs for on his website?
I call Bullshit. With a capital B.
ill trooper @ Sep 8th 2006 4:51PM
I only pray that they will remove the strange 'dead ends' you hit when you get too deep in the menus... For instance, going to the 'Games' blade, selecting 'played games,' then finding yourself with a list of games that you have to BACK OUT to PLAY is NOT INTUITIVE. Good interface design should never let you go to 'Played Games,' allow you to look at the acheivements, but NOT give you the option to 'Play the game."
Add that to the way the machine needs to 'count up' and tally how many games I have every time I go to 'My Arcade Games...' Poor. It can get better.
Really guys - I know many of you are fans and will never admit it, but the menu system is sluggish and sort of difficult to find stuff in, it's counterintuitive at times (Themes changing, finding your privacy settings, 'System blade' not allowing you to launch movies, demos, or themes that you hunt down on the 'hard drive' blade, only delete stuff... For chrissakes it's the only place you can look at everything that's on your hard-drive. I found it! Yes! But I can't play it. I can't look at the theme. I can't watch that movie.
But hey, I'm a Mac user, used to better user interface. I know it can get better; I have faith - the 360 interface is the best UI Microsoft has ever done.
Tristan @ Sep 8th 2006 4:55PM
Cause the hddvd addon isnt connected that why you dont see that stuff. Cant you think before you say.
Bpops @ Sep 8th 2006 4:56PM
No mention of what I think is the best part of the fall dashboard update:
Microsoft's new Windows Media Player 11 (you can download the beta now) will be able to stream movies from your Windows XP (not just MC) PC to the 360 with the new dashboard. Go to microsoft's windows media player site and you'll see it as a feature.
dapperdan @ Sep 8th 2006 4:57PM
how about support for pc monitors with 1680x1050 resolution? 1280x1024 in widescreen look great but i would rather run at my native resolution.
TravistyOJ @ Sep 8th 2006 5:16PM
How about you upconvert my effing DVDs MS!
PhillyRampage @ Sep 8th 2006 6:51PM
@TravistyOJ
DVD forum requires any upconversion to go through HDMI which the Xbox does not have. Nor the core PS3.
Ultimatallica @ Sep 8th 2006 6:17PM
Here's an idea for an update.... FIX THE GODDAMN FEATURED DOWNLOADS GLITCH!!!!!!
JPRacer @ Sep 8th 2006 6:19PM
I know this sound strange but I would like the ability to do screen capture by pressing buttons combination. The image would be saved on the HD and easily transferable to the PC or use for system blade backgrounds.
bounchfx @ Sep 8th 2006 6:22PM
Has anyone actually ever seen a Featured Download?
Whats the point if nothing is ever there.
they REALLY need a new news section saying whats coming out and whats new in the MP. why waste the space by saying" Welcome to Xbox Live!" on the home page EVERY TIME
Tristan @ Sep 8th 2006 6:25PM
you get that because you have a underage account i have that. My friends that lied about their age get the adds for stuff. Ms is coming out in the update that will fix that so people that have underage accounts can turn on that option and see the adds.
schlub @ Sep 8th 2006 6:56PM
This is not a maxconsole exclusive, the shots are from the September XDK, Xbox-Scene has even more screens:
http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EEVZZVFlFZjNwcvYge.php
chad herrella @ Sep 8th 2006 7:09PM
where is the web browaer?!?
the wii and the ps3 will both have a web browser to surf the internet.
and my game shouldn't exit when i go to the dashboard. i would like my game to pause when i enter the dashboard and resume when i exit the dashboard.
sracer @ Sep 8th 2006 7:09PM
LOL I love the closing line in the MaxConsole article...
"Now this is REAL News ;)"
oooh, Joystiq got burned.
Liquid Rhino @ Sep 8th 2006 7:11PM
I don't dig it much. I think it looks way too busy with all those lame marketing-type graphics on the buttons. The current one is clean and simple - it won't ever get in the way of themes or backgrounds.
If they wanted an accurate representation on those buttons they should've put pictures that better represent gamers: Snotty, whining, spoiled little kids and Older, out-of-shape, beer-drinking adults still living with their parents. Then again, I don't know how I'd feel about having those pictures on my 360's buttons...
Hmmph, In the end you can never win, I guess...
bounchfx @ Sep 8th 2006 7:27PM
I signed up for XBL I think when I was 16 or 17.. I'm 20 now. I don't want ads ever. I don't have them now. I see no reason why I would want them cluttering up my dashboard.
If they do fix whatever it is that deals with this.. there better be an option.
the only reason I would tolerate ads is if Live Gold was free.
Dux @ Sep 8th 2006 7:43PM
I dont like those pictures on the dashboard either. I like it just the way it is: simple.
Tristan @ Sep 8th 2006 11:09PM
It will be a option. I think its good in way so you can see what is new on the marketplace though. I know when most things are coming out thought thanks to Joystiq and other blog sites.
The ZeroCorpse @ Sep 8th 2006 11:56PM
@ TravistyOJ & PhillyRampage
-- "DVD forum requires any upconversion to go through HDMI which the Xbox does not have. Nor the core PS3."---
BZZT! Wrong-o. The Xbox 360 upconverts standard DVDs via the VGA-HD cable. I enjoy watching my movies at 1360x768 on my HDTV.
No, you can't upconvert on the 360 via component cable, but there's no rule or law that says you can't. I have a dedicated upconverting DVD player that does, indeed, upconvert via component.
That being said, the Xbox 360 does it better!
So please, PhillyRampage, don't ramble when you don't have a clue what you're talking about. People might believe you.
TravistyOJ, just grab a VGA-HD cable for $39 and you're good to go, as long as you have the most recent dashboard update. Don't listen to this "DVD forum requires" B.S. because it's NOT true.
epobirs @ Sep 9th 2006 6:43AM
#2
BV, that so-called debunking offered no facts to contradict the claimed specs. It only amounted to Hannibal opining as to what Nintendo would and would not do. The problem is that his article made it clear he hadn't been paying attention to the Wii story or the statements given by Nintendo and its partners. If you examine the comments for that Ars Technica entry you'll that I challenged Hannibal on his article but he offfered no defense.