Xbox Dashboard update demo'd on video, hilarity ensues
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Oct 7th 2009 at 12:58PM } 
Out of the bajillion self-involved Tweets which were released unto the internet yesterday, one 140 character dispatch in particular pierced the din -- "I'm tweeting from Xbox Live," exclaimed Andrew Yoon, our correspondent from a future where such technology is within the realm of possibilities.
Fine, he's not from the future -- he was actually tweeting from a Microsoft Open House event where the Fall Xbox Dashboard Update was previewed for a number of outlets. Check out the above video (shot by our cohorts at Engadget) to see the new Facebook, Twitter, Last.Fm and Video Marketplace functionality in action. Make sure you stick around for the last minute, in which the conversation breaks down in a hilarious, Comedy of Errors-esque manner.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Fireaxe888 @ Oct 7th 2009 1:04PM
Now if they could just put in a real internet browser.......
Shmil @ Oct 7th 2009 1:09PM
...so that no one would use it either. Then this stupid argument about websufing on a console will be over.
koehler83 @ Oct 7th 2009 1:09PM
It would just be a Gold feature.
Rhamsey @ Oct 7th 2009 1:12PM
Eh, as a person who has a laptop right next to me all the time, a browser would be useless. I would only care if they ad one that can be used midgame, without going to dashboard first. And since that wont happen.
Also, think about it, if the 360 had a web browser, it would be IE. And thats just a bad idea.
Snowblind @ Oct 7th 2009 1:16PM
Why hasn't Microsoft simply made a completely new browser from the ground up yet? IE has such a bad reputation at this point, even if they fixed it no one would go near it. And they've renamed pretty much all their other products "Windows Live.." to keep them inline anyway.
sonicspike41 @ Oct 7th 2009 1:19PM
Well at the very least it would likely be based on IE8, which is a giant leap forward from IE6/7. At least there would be some decent CSS support (hopefully).
Raffi @ Oct 7th 2009 1:21PM
Web browsing is best done at a computer with a mouse and keyboard, it's not really a very good living room experience
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Oct 7th 2009 1:24PM
I think a web browser would be more ideal when Natal launches so we can all get the whole "Minority Report" experience right in our living room.
Besides, do you really want a $100 Microsoft branded wireless keyboard to match your shiny new wireless 802.11n adapter that bad?
I keeeed!
Ridgecity @ Oct 7th 2009 1:24PM
If the Wii can have a really good web browser, why can't Microsoft port ie? the higher resolution would look a lot better while surfing and even the Zune has a browser now...
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Oct 7th 2009 1:30PM
They won't put a browser on it for many reasons the MAIN reason I think is that it will most likely be a FULL version of Internet Explorer. Meaning You can simply go to the netflix site and play the video that way, and believe it or not their are quite a few people that buy a 2nd 360 just for use with Netflix and video
GiggMan @ Oct 7th 2009 1:32PM
Why would they add a web browser after they have went through all of this trouble to incorporate this stuff. If they added a web browser you can just browse over to twitter, facebook, last.fm and whatever else.......
On second thought why didn't they just add a browser? I guess they figure between the Wii, PS3, laptops, desktops, and cell phones who needs another browser. Kinda strange with a technology based company like Microsoft that the 360 is one of the only devices you can get on the market with no web browser. (and built in WiFi, not dissing here)
Phillip @ Oct 7th 2009 1:52PM
Personally, I would like a browser on the 360 so I can watch Hulu. ...and maybe youtube. I can't think of a good reason to not be able to plug in a USB mouse and keyboard (or chatpad) and surf the web.
todd @ Oct 7th 2009 1:54PM
Facebook Connect down the road, who cares about this crap.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Oct 7th 2009 1:58PM
Phillip, You REALLY think Hulu would work on it?? They disabled the playback for PS3, whats to stop them from doing it on the 360 as well....I dunno about the Wii as I have never tried it on there
MuToiD_MaN @ Oct 7th 2009 2:10PM
I use the ps3's browser all the goddamn time. It's a useful feature.
Duke @ Oct 7th 2009 2:13PM
Chris, how does the ability to watch Netflix matter? If IE is on the 360 and they can then watch Netflix - or they can use the Netflix feature embedded - either one use the same 360. It would have no effect on them and wouldn't change whether the user had to buy a second 360.
I Don't think that would make for the MAIN reason.
johnnynumber5 @ Oct 7th 2009 2:17PM
I love that our PS3 has a web browser. Sometimes I even use it to surf and comment on Joystiq but most of the time I'm going onto streaming sites and watching moves or TV shows ... even live streams to watch out of market sporting events. I had to put custom "firmware" on our Apple TV to get a browser on there and the experience just wasn't very good. The PS3 (& Wii) browser actually works really well. I have computers for general purpose web surfing but the browser is great because it had a dedicated connection to my TV and I don't have to connect my laptop via DVI/VGA and use an external audio source to get something on the big screen. It's just another feature that adds functionality to the system and seems like a strange oversight. I think Chris had it right when he said its about the money and a browser would keep people from watching and purchasing content from XBLM & Netflix. Having options is a good thing and technically speaking there is nothing stopping the 360 from intergrating one into the 360 experience.
Badboy1979 @ Oct 7th 2009 2:19PM
I actually prefer having the apps instead of a full browser... to be honest, I have a PS3 too and I never use the internet browser.
It's kinda like the guy comments on in the video: "This is actually better than using the facebook photo album on the web" ... meaning, that having a GUI that's specifically designed for TV viewing (and a analog stick / directional pad) is much better than attaching a keyboard, having to zoom in with your browser, etc. just to view something that was designed to be viewed on a PC.
Plus with a browser, you DON'T get any type of backend "tie-ins" ... there's no displaying of who's got a gamertag on your friends that you haven't added, no auto uploading of a hole-in-one video within Tiger Wood's golf, no easy posting of a screenshot of you getting a high school in a game, etc.
Like I'm said before, in my opinion, it's like having safari on your ipod/iphone and also having the facebook app installed. How many of us would keep going to facebook.com on said device and pass up using the GUI app that's been developed specifically for the ipod/iphone display screen and touch controls?
johnnynumber5 @ Oct 7th 2009 2:20PM
@Duke
The difference is to use the imbedded Netflix feature you have to be an Xbox Live Gold subscriber where as the assumption with the browser is that you could use it independent to XBL. So, Microsoft would potentially lose customers who only have XBL to stream their Netflix account which is exactly what Chris said at the end of his post.
XBL: xGeneral DEATHx PSN: Deeth82 [Planeteer | Power of General Hostility and Angst] @ Oct 7th 2009 2:26PM
This is simple guesstimation, but perhaps they don't allow a browser because it will need to be updated (including plug-ins) on a semi-regular basis, and to update it may mean the user would have a measure of control over certain executables? It could potentially open a[nother] door for hackers down the road. I'm not saying it's the greatest excuse NOT to have a browser, just conjecturing on why they would leave this feature out.
Duke @ Oct 7th 2009 2:28PM
While that is a good point and makes sense - he sure as hell didn't say that exactly at the end of his post as you derisively state. I don't see anything about gold live in there.
johnnynumber5 @ Oct 7th 2009 2:29PM
@Badboy
With that appraoch you are restricing yourself to whatever content the console manufacturer chooses to add in the dashboard update. With a web browser you could access any content you like. Thats the difference. You could still have the intergrated apps and a fully functional web browser. A lot of the stuff you mentioned is fluff and cosmetic and the cool stuff (auto uploading a video, screenshot etc) won't be available when the update goes live.
The point is at the end of the day that having a browser would allow the end user more flexibility. Nothing stopping them from doing the integrated apps and the broswer like the iPhone that you mentioned. In fact, an app store platform would be the best solution as it would allow consumers to choose the features they want on their machine instead of having them pre-installed with an update.
Badboy1979 @ Oct 7th 2009 2:38PM
@johnny
The thing that is probably stopping them is probably cost to benefit ratio... it might be a "waste" of DEV resources to build a full browser (and then maintain) if they believe not enough people are going to use it. (I wish we could somehow track the usage of the PS3's browser... would be interesting to see the legit stats)
MS may have found that the custom apps however may get more use since they are integrated directly into dashboard system and are far easier to use with controllers/tvs since they're specifically built for them.
Personally, it's a pain to use a console browser when you'd get a better browser experience on a PC... a pain that outways getting up and walking to said PC that's only a few feet away.
With apps, you GET extra benefits AND a UI that's easier to use on the console.
XBL: xGeneral DEATHx PSN: Deeth82 [Planeteer | Power of General Hostility and Angst] @ Oct 7th 2009 2:40PM
I use the PS3's browser every now and then, but some sites just don't play well with that browser.
Eh @ Oct 7th 2009 2:55PM
I'll take youtube over twitter, facebook, and a browser. Why does MS keep getting all these third party plug-ins but ignores the most obvious of them all? Youtube.
They should be focusing their efforts and money on getting Youtube and internet TV services like Hulu, not shit nobody wants to use on a console like twitter and facebook.
Vcize @ Oct 7th 2009 3:09PM
I would much rather have an app that is designed to be used from a couch with a controller than a web browser that is designed to be used from a desk with a mouse and keyboard.
Yeah Johnny, you could access anything rather than just what the manufacturer picks out for you, but what good is having access to it if it's so cumbersome that you're never going to use it.
I've had my PS3 for damn near 3 years now. You know how many times I've gone to facebook on it. Zero. But if this thing integrates as smoothly as it looks on the 360, I'd be I end up using it some even though I'm not really a facebook type of guy.
Sort of like XBLA/PSN games. You realize you have access to thousands more games like that through a browser than you do on the PSN, right? But how much do you play them compared to PSN games? Probably never.
Platinum_Skeet @ Oct 7th 2009 3:20PM
1st off Honestly if they ever made a browser it would need to be Firefox or Chrome. None of this IE B.S or I'm not using it.
My personal opinion on the PS3 browser is I never use it. The only time I use it is to configure my router if my computers off....
DeepFriedSushi @ Oct 7th 2009 3:57PM
web browsers are designed to be used with a keyboard and mouse, these apps that are designed specifically for the xbox is designed for use with the standard controller. thats why this is better than a web browser when it comes to this specific content.
the web browser is a wall for casual gaming experience, to have it streamlined like this allows for better usage and adoption.
BlazeKing @ Oct 7th 2009 4:19PM
"Why does MS keep getting all these third party plug-ins but ignores the most obvious of them all? Youtube."
Because PS3 has the portal on the homepage and Youtube XL.
DeepFriedSushi @ Oct 7th 2009 4:32PM
youtube would be nice but from a buisness point of view its counter-productive since the online marketplace is where you're trying to sell video content.
The_Punisher @ Oct 7th 2009 4:48PM
Well, i'm at college, and my university forces us to login to the internet (through a web browser) before we can do anything. I can get on PSN just by logging in through the browser, but it's impossible to get Live here, so having a web browser on 360 would be a HUGE plus for me.
So HA!
The Return of Lieutenant Gunther (PSN: helghast102) @ Oct 7th 2009 5:41PM
Im reading this thread on my PS3 browser.
johnnynumber5 @ Oct 7th 2009 9:21PM
@Vcize
If you never used the web browser to access facebook then how do you know it's cumbersome? It has specific uses and if you aren't taking advantage of those then you are missing out on added functionality. You can use any BT Keyboard and mouse with the PS3 if it tickles your fancy so it's not like you only have to use the controller. The thing is that I use the web browser from time to time and it's essentially the same browser on my laptop and I use my existing Apple KB with it so it's no more cumbersome than any other web browser. The difference is that it has a dedicated audio and video source to my television which allows me to watch directly through through the browser instead of having to hook up my laptop via mini dvi and then using external audio sources. Simply put: it makes sense and if you aren't using it you are missing out. I don't understand how you can knock it in one breath and then say you've never tried it in the next. whatever ...
@Duke
Chris Said ...
"Meaning You can simply go to the netflix site and play the video that way, and believe it or not their are quite a few people that buy a 2nd 360 just for use with Netflix and video"
thats what I was referring to and thats a direct quote.
@Badboy
You may be right that the only reason they aren't doing it is because of the possibility that no one would use it. But, thats a cop out to accept that as a consumer and think it's a legitimate reason. If they are pouring time into all these social networking UI's whats to stop them from using their pre-existing web technologies they have developed with Internet Explorer? By that same logic how are they going to know how many people are going to use twitter etc? The difference is that a web browser thats flash enabled gives users the freedom and flexibility to watch the same content for free that they charge for on their marketplace and through their netflix partnership.
@DeepFriedSushi
The sad part is that the reason you won't see a browser on the 360 is because it would give subscribers the choice to view the same content MS is charging them for. Even more sad is that people like yourself will defend this behavior and go as far as to make excuses for them and downplay the competitions offerings. Sony isn't having much of a problem making money off the PSN video store while giving users an integrated Youtube application and fully featured web-browser.
Katana Master @ Oct 7th 2009 1:06PM
"So whens this feature going to be released? Zune?"
Oh that was a good one.
Rhamsey @ Oct 7th 2009 1:09PM
Holy crap, at first I thought it was a girl, then I remembered it cant be, because there are no girls on xbl.
Snowblind @ Oct 7th 2009 1:11PM
Major Nelson has been giving out beta codes for this on his Twitter page.
HazyCloud @ Oct 7th 2009 1:20PM
They aren't for this. It's for a Twitter client.
majornelson A few beta codes for the AgreeTweet beta S5M7CJW78945 and 8GJ80R037U55. http://bit.ly/2LzhK3 More later
37 minutes ago from TweetDeck
Giroro @ Oct 7th 2009 1:11PM
Joystiq Videos haven't been working for me in the past few weeks, they just perpetually say 'loading video information' =(
Rhamsey @ Oct 7th 2009 1:15PM
What browser are you using? I had problems with them a long time ago with google chrome.
Jose @ Oct 7th 2009 1:17PM
Did you try going directly to the Viddler site? It's after the second link in the second paragraph.
WhatIsThatThing @ Oct 7th 2009 1:25PM
Viddler has ads now, so if you have an adblocker try disabling that.
Giroro @ Oct 7th 2009 1:31PM
I'm on firefox 3.5 and disabling AdBlocker worked. Thanks for the help.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Oct 7th 2009 1:20PM
Is it just me or is this the most yawn-inducing XBL update ever?
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Oct 7th 2009 1:24PM
I dunno...this one is better than the last one I think
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Oct 7th 2009 1:43PM
Well the Games on Demand thing is pretty cool as were the NetFlix updates and the video display options that were in the August update.
I don't know, I'm just not a "Tweeter" so I just don't "get it" I suppose.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Oct 7th 2009 1:45PM
Yea Games on Demand was cool...you're right...I wonder why they didn't just put all this in ONE update?
Anthony M. @ Oct 7th 2009 1:49PM
All I care about is if the closed gamertag recycling update is in this one, where as it was supposed to be in the august update but was taken out.
todd @ Oct 7th 2009 1:54PM
Agreed.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Oct 7th 2009 1:26PM
I wonder why they don't have the option to make twitter auto tweet acheivements etc.....I suppose without that its really no point. Hell I can still use Raptr, gamerDNA, etc to do that for me.
and I couldn't hear but did you guys find out if it uses Silverlight for HD video like Netflix does?
Maulok @ Oct 7th 2009 1:40PM
I worry about that feature. Particularly if I take a "sick" day from work and forget to disable it.
My boss reads my Facebook or Twitter and sees I spent the day chasing down Riddler trophies in Arkham Asylum again...