Video tour: New Xbox Experience Exposed
by Ross Miller 
{ Oct 29th 2008 at 7:15PM }
Protip: Click on a phrase on the image above to see the related video
| Overview | The Guide | My Xbox | Marketplace |
| Installation | Netflix | Avatars | Party System |
| Community Games | |||
The newly revamped Xbox 360 user interface, better known as the New Xbox Experience (or just NXE, to the kids), is getting ready to drop on Xbox 360 consoles everywhere next month.
Joystiq had a chance to spend some quality time with the new dashboard (we've been enjoying it for a week, actually) and we've put together an extensive video tour of the New Xbox Experience just for you. Click on the phrases in the image above, or simply click on the links below it, and check out a video of each of the New Xbox Experience features. Enjoy.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Oct 29th 2008 12:07AM
Looks freaking sweet. Hopefully I'll get to try out the beta.
Jack_of_Knaves @ Oct 29th 2008 12:29AM
Hell yeah man. Keeping my fingers crossed for the beta.
zuburi @ Oct 29th 2008 12:38AM
Rumor has it avatar creation is so easy, even a caveman can do it!
Osman @ Oct 29th 2008 12:40AM
same here! any idea when we find out about that?
zuburi @ Oct 29th 2008 1:09AM
By upvoting me, you are only encouraging me. I've used that joke on him before already :(
NukeAssault @ Oct 29th 2008 1:28AM
That's cause its always funny!
Waffle Slayer @ Oct 29th 2008 2:16AM
Major Nelson and e have said several times that it isn't a beta. Its a preview.
Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Oct 29th 2008 12:50PM
@zuburi
Joystiq won't let me change my avatar. I've signed in and uploaded a new pic, but it always stays the same.
Dishwasher @ Oct 29th 2008 2:01PM
I have never been able to change my avatar on joystiq or any other of their sister sites.
I upload my pic says it was uploaded successfully and could take 5 min to reflect on the site.. then it just never changes. :(
Haggard @ Oct 29th 2008 7:33PM
The way I did it was by resizing Poirot to 100x100, or it might have been 256x256 (for a TF2 spray).
Worked first time, after months of failed attempts beforehand.
Infidel @ Oct 29th 2008 10:11PM
I just got the email saying im in the preview, so if you've signed up check yours and you may have it.
Premature ejaculation man @ Oct 29th 2008 12:27AM
:)
Premature ejaculation man @ Oct 29th 2008 12:35AM
Can you use iPhones or iPod Touches now?
Thief @ Oct 29th 2008 1:22AM
Sure, nothings stopped you before. I use mine on the bus every day.
Premature ejaculation man @ Oct 29th 2008 1:27AM
haha...
I now know to word my question better:
"Can you plug an iPod Touch or iPhone into the Xbox 360 loaded with the New Xbox Experience and be able to play the music that is stored on the device?"
Better? Or still open for exploitation?
John Z @ Oct 29th 2008 7:31AM
I'd highly doubt it. The iPhone and iPod Touch use drivers which disallow "Disk Mode" access. I think we would have heard about Apple and MS striking a deal to link the two; even if they did, Apple won't license FairPlay out to anyone short of and including God himself, so there's little impetus for MS to push for it anyway. It's really irritating (and I speak as an Apple fanboy).
Still, if the "betaview" thingy goes through, we'll know soon enough. I'm more excited about the Netflix integration (particularly because Netflix's BS with the Mac/Silverlight thing had me seriously considering ditching the subscription).
Premature ejaculation man @ Oct 29th 2008 7:39AM
Oh I don't care about Fairplay. I don't have DRM encrusted music (thankfully).
I'd just prefer plugging in my iPud into my/friend's xbox and play my music. Rather than having wireless streaming to only my xbox (though wireless streaming kicks some serious ass)
arrrgh @ Oct 29th 2008 11:12AM
time to get a real media player ;)
ipod ftl
DangerMouse @ Oct 29th 2008 7:50PM
^PS3?
Obie @ Oct 29th 2008 12:28AM
Great feature Joystiq! Very informative.
Tho I am saddened that there is no "birthday suit" option for my avatar. ;)
VicViper09 @ Oct 29th 2008 2:15AM
ur avatar gives me nightmares, can you change it plz.
Haggard @ Oct 29th 2008 7:35PM
You wanna end up like Mario here?
Yeah, stay off crystal meth then.
DangerMouse @ Oct 29th 2008 9:24PM
Exactly. Stick to mushrooms.
zeinstein @ Nov 8th 2008 3:49AM
you know, this whole thing on apple changing the software on the iPod....this hasn't prevented Microsoft getting the touch iPod to link up with their Sync radios that are used in Ford's line up of cars. It's fully functional with it....just say'n!
aaron @ Oct 29th 2008 12:34AM
netflix going hd is going to be a massive boom to this update.... once this service gets off the ground pretty much every other vod download service is finished. this will take some pretty significant marketshare from bluray.
Eggy @ Oct 29th 2008 5:32AM
Yeah right. Is that what MS has been telling you?
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Oct 29th 2008 7:22AM
it will be a great feature, you are right about that, but i dont know if it will take marketshare from blu-ray or not. i cant imagine that even if Netflix delivers HD, that it will be Full 1080p. i could see 720p maybe but i dont think people have the bandwidth to stream a 1080p movie. feel free to correct me if im wrong on that though, i could have missed that when i was under my rock.
either way, im seriously considering signing up for Netflix, only drawbacks would be that im never home to watch movies really and that my internet connection isnt exactly reliable.
deaftly @ Oct 29th 2008 10:03AM
Eggy, how many times do we have to go through this? Stick to ps3fanboy.com like you're supposed to.
Nick @ Oct 29th 2008 2:11PM
Unless you're in Canada.
Then it's pointless.
I do truly hate getting shafted like this. I was actually excited about Netflix streaming, but nope - We're screwed again.
This limitation is just stupid. I know Canada has an incredibly TINY market share versus the US - but come ON. I don't want to have to buy a PS3 to get good HD content.
The other options don't interest me, but...
Osman @ Oct 29th 2008 12:39AM
hehehe "bleep-bloop"
AnEternalEnigma @ Oct 29th 2008 12:42AM
It's not a beta. It's the final version with some getting access early. I can't imagine they'd still be in beta this late in the process, considering NXEs are going to be on game discs for offline users, starting with 11/7's Gears of War 2. And those discs have already been printed, so yeah.
I guess it is being released early to iron out any bugs that got through. Microsoft said one of the benefits of the new architecture is that they'll be able to be more vigilant with updates, a'la Sony and the PS3, instead of having to group everything in one big package once or twice a year.
Fundi @ Oct 29th 2008 6:09AM
If it's on the game disc won't loads of people get it early?
VicViper09 @ Oct 29th 2008 12:44AM
can silver accounts have all this stuff?
marusame00 @ Oct 29th 2008 1:05AM
yes, its free for all users, us gold users wont get it early, silver will have the entire version(there are no gimped features, just sometimes silvers have to wait a week for a special demo, or theme pack or something. its not that noticeable.
But the update is 100% the same as gold or silver.
Tiptup300 @ Oct 29th 2008 1:06AM
NO SOUP FOR U!
Strike Man @ Oct 29th 2008 1:51AM
As it has been stated before, the Netflix streaming requires an "unlimited" Netflix subscription AND XBL Gold.
VaultICEE @ Oct 29th 2008 12:50AM
Why do I have a strange urge to pop in Dirty Dancing...?
Thanks a lot Joystiq......
Alex @ Oct 29th 2008 12:59AM
I'm hoping those avatars are not mandatory. I really dislike them.
Tiptup300 @ Oct 29th 2008 1:07AM
blah blah blah, I hate everything, I complain, wah wah wah. I hate having custom characters in Rock Band too, we should remove them.
CaramelZappa @ Oct 29th 2008 3:24AM
No, we shouldn't remove the characters in rock band, but why are they required? They don't add to the gameplay. Personally I think the avatars waste screen space, as does a lot of the new interface. They are also harder to quickly recognize than Gamerpics, with is counter-intuitive. If you like them, great, but why should I be forced to see them when I'm just trying to play a game with my friends?
JoeTheBlow @ Oct 29th 2008 4:38AM
Nintendo has them, and they're making more money than God, so you will have them and like them!
Tiptup300 @ Oct 29th 2008 12:18PM
They are harder to view then gamerpics?, I'm personally happy about it, seeing how my friends choose to make themselves look instead of an impersonal gamerpic. Person.
Alex @ Oct 29th 2008 12:29PM
When I play with friends or going through my FL, seeing the gamertag name & gamerpic is enough. I dont want to the virtual mini-me's of every single person on my friendslist. Like Zappa said, if you like it, good for you, but why should I be forced to use this childish new feature.
Anthony S @ Oct 30th 2008 12:32AM
Boot to disk. Only use xbox mini guide for Friend's list. Problem solved!!!!
CB @ Oct 29th 2008 1:02AM
Very informative like always, Richard!
Hala Madrid!! @ Oct 29th 2008 1:06AM
Looks great, I can't wait to use it.
Good job Joystiq, that was a great video tour of the NXE features.
Graham @ Oct 29th 2008 1:08AM
Just to clarify, the reason there are only 3 community games is because XNA 3.0 final isn't available to the public yet (XNA 3.0 Beta is the current version, which does not allow community games submissions).
embassy @ Oct 29th 2008 1:07AM
wait so...if i want to put on a custom soudtrack from my HD...it takes me back out to the dashboard?
isnt that...backwards? the old OS let me run through my music, select a song and continue playing whatever game i was playing...
also...have they finally added a FF feature for the music player? or..is there one at all that i just never found?
LameDuck @ Oct 29th 2008 1:29AM
It works like before, the only difference is that all NXE features can be accessed in-game using the guide button. The new guide will be like the current blade system, except cool.
Jandy @ Oct 29th 2008 1:20AM
Thanks so much for the great videos! Next best thing to getting my own hands on it...
On the installing-to-the-hard-drive option, does not spinning the disc also reduce overheating and potential RRoDing? If so, that plus quieter could be a good reason to do that at least for the game or two you're playing the most.