Xbox 360 Dashboard update 'preview' open for signups
by Randy Nelson 
{ Oct 14th 2009 at 6:15PM } 
Those wishing to put their names in the hat for preview access can do so by hitting the Microsoft Connect site and filling out a survey. The preview program is being offered in all territories where Xbox Live is available, but keep in mind you'll need a Windows Live ID in order to apply. The Major says those who've been picked will receive an email in about a week; after which the update will be pushed out to their consoles, and they can start bragging about their early access via Twitter and Facebook right from their 360s.
If past Dashboard preview programs are anything to go by, everyone who signs up will eventually gain access just prior to the update's release -- which may happen on November 17.
Gallery: Facebook / Twitter on Xbox 360
_thumbnail.jpg "Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce (Ryu)")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Oct 14th 2009 6:18PM
I hope to God that you can't send in-game Facebook friend invites. Chris Hansen would have another Dateline NBC special in a week.
Str84rumBk (PSN) @ Oct 14th 2009 6:45PM
sit down......take a seat.....
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Oct 14th 2009 6:19PM
...to eat Courtney Love's used tampon.
Sgt_Quackers @ Oct 14th 2009 6:23PM
Anyone else notice that the sign up sight says nothing about Last.fm? Major Nelsons sight also says nothing about it. So is it part of the preview program? Is it delayed?
I Al2x I @ Oct 14th 2009 6:25PM
I guess I have a pretty decent chance, I have both a Zune HD and use Windows Media Center for streaming purposes, have FiOS with a near-business-like connection, and I've also been invited to other NXE betas, I'll give it a shot.
Sgt_Quackers @ Oct 14th 2009 6:26PM
wow i can spell. I mean site not sight.
Smoke_me_a_Kipper @ Oct 14th 2009 7:23PM
It's an interesting omission Sgt_Quackers.
We'll have to see what comes down the pipe. Maybe they aren't ready to test all the updates yet. I was in the last update, the Avatar one, and they had 4+ dashboards for it. You may not get just one update in this beta test. They had to fix issues with several releases of beta dashboards. I have FTTH too, just installed today -W00t. I'm ready to download as many dashboards as they got.
Wes @ Oct 14th 2009 10:37PM
Both words were spelt right. The term your looking for is 'diction' meaning 'word choice'.
Prox @ Oct 15th 2009 9:28AM
...and the word you're looking for is "you're" meaning "you are".
brad77 @ Oct 15th 2009 11:37AM
Oh, snap!
Platinum_Skeet @ Oct 15th 2009 11:52AM
Microsoft said that the Facebook, Twitter and Last.FM will come in seperate updates. So that means Facebook and Twitter can come now and Last.FM can come later. Luckily it's 2 separate updates and not 3.
Dr. Bradwart [100% Reagan Conservative!] @ Oct 14th 2009 6:24PM
Meh.
FAnchax @ Oct 14th 2009 6:26PM
320 friends!? he/she is popular...
NOOK @ Oct 14th 2009 7:06PM
Popular on the interwebs != popular.
Nick @ Oct 14th 2009 9:39PM
With the look of the dude in the middle picture who looks like he is getting anally raped by a Brumak, I'd prefer to be unpopular, thanks.
Mitsuo @ Oct 14th 2009 6:31PM
looks exactly the same and adds no useful functionality? *yawn*
Anthony M. @ Oct 14th 2009 6:38PM
If it adds the update that recycles old frozen xbox live gamertags, this will be my favorite update ever, past or future.
Tep @ Oct 14th 2009 6:34PM
Facebook & Twitter...on my xbox?
Fuck
Orchard Pear @ Oct 14th 2009 6:39PM
I've already previewed this update.
It's called Facebook and Twitter on my PC, for free.
Brian @ Oct 14th 2009 6:57PM
This is also for free
NOOK @ Oct 14th 2009 7:07PM
Plus: You don't even need a PC.
CzAr @ Oct 14th 2009 10:42PM
It's only free after you purchase a Gold account.
SpaceGhostFlyer @ Oct 14th 2009 7:02PM
My Connect Dashboard says "Invited!", but I'm not sure if that's left over from the last update preview, and I don't have time to fill out the survey right now.
Was I invited automatically because of my previous involvement with this, or is that just left over?
NOOK @ Oct 14th 2009 7:09PM
Sorry for the 3rd comment in a row but mine also says "invited" and I've never before taken part in any preview program. So it's probably not left over.
SpaceGhostFlyer @ Oct 14th 2009 7:17PM
I filled out the survey, and I'm now listed as participating, so I'm in for sure now.
realgmer @ Oct 14th 2009 7:58PM
No, I says that you are “participating” because you have taken the survey and are registered to have a chance at being picked.
fffunfarm06 @ Oct 14th 2009 7:15PM
i bet the developers are looking for the casual market, in other countries, that would be willing to use this to suck those people in. and that you do use microsoft's streaming devices, probably even better and a happier customer. so fudge the numbers i say! i told em im from finland. and change your locale
Kar94k (PSN & Live: Kar94k) @ Oct 14th 2009 7:37PM
Do I need a Gold membership? Cause I don't want Microsoft to take anymore of my money
Riyaad @ Oct 14th 2009 7:44PM
@kar94k you dont need gold but ur more likely to get chosen if u have gold.
did anyone notice that major nelson and the connect site only mention facebook, twitter and zune? no last.fm mentioned anywhere! :O
reversecycology @ Oct 14th 2009 7:58PM
Xbox LIVE just got a little better like always in every update. Can't wait for this. I hope I am one of their chosen ones.
Dr. Bradwart [100% Reagan Conservative!] @ Oct 14th 2009 8:11PM
Never heard of the NXE? It didn't get better then.
CaramelZappa @ Oct 14th 2009 8:38PM
@Bradwart
You mean adding netflix support isn't better? I'm not fond of the main xbox menu instead of the old blades, but you don't even need to go to it because the new menu when you press the xbox button is so damn useful. And the party system was a huge improvement for xbox live. The NXE was a huge improvement overall. Stop trolling.
Dr. Bradwart [100% Reagan Conservative!] @ Oct 14th 2009 9:42PM
I don't use Netflix, and I generally play solo in games. Party is nearly useless for me. And the Avatars? Don't even get me started.
The whole interface should be optional.
CaramelZappa @ Oct 14th 2009 9:57PM
Whether or not you use the features, having the choice to is an improvement. Like I said, if you don't like the new interface use the xbox button, it's basically the same as the old blades.
Though I do agree you should be able to choose between the blades and the NXE, I don't really think it's that big of a deal.
Prox @ Oct 15th 2009 9:31AM
@CaramelZappa
I agree. I also think you should be able to choose to start on the "My Xbox" channel instead of the one that's full of ads.
blazinsmokey @ Oct 14th 2009 8:33PM
It would be sweet to be able to play facebook games right from your 360.
RedSonRising @ Oct 14th 2009 8:43PM
im on it.. hope i get in to the preview again. last time i got a 2 week headstart w/ avatars and loved every minute.
Markez (attempting to call me less of a man because i knew so much about pans) @ Oct 14th 2009 8:54PM
WHOAWHOAWHOA
Panic Blitz @ Oct 14th 2009 9:08PM
Don't forget NOT to sign up for this if you commonly move your hard drive between multiple Xboxes (I do, from mine to my roommate's so I can play on the big screen in the living room.) Unless you're lucky enough to get two invites, one on each box, your hard drive will be trapped on the updated Xbox until the update goes public.
Nick @ Oct 14th 2009 9:41PM
GOOD heads up man.
It's not a concern for me, but I'm sure (if people read it) that it will go to good use and help someone.
WiNG [XBL&Steam: WiNGSPANTT] from lifeinagame.com @ Oct 14th 2009 10:04PM
If they add achievements to Farmville, the world is doomed.
ANTHOLOGY @ Oct 14th 2009 10:54PM
I want this mainly because i thought i seen where facebook would allow you to take in game screen caps, and post them on facebook. I would use that feature to death if its true.
Snowblind @ Oct 15th 2009 6:19AM
I'm mostly looking forward to Last.fm, hopefully they eventually add in the option to stream music while playing games.
ScottG13 @ Oct 15th 2009 10:16AM
I'll let you guys beta test this first. I'm not interested in my 360 breaking during the biggest gaming time of the year.
Russ @ Oct 15th 2009 11:59AM
I'm curious on what this will look like but too bad I got my first RROD last week. Awesome. Good thing there are no new games I'm looking forward to coming out or currently out (Batman: AA, Left 4 Dead 2, and Brutal Legend) that I want to play right now.
yolarrydabomb @ Oct 15th 2009 1:15PM
no ODST?
Conor @ Oct 15th 2009 1:28PM
After filling out the whole survey the next page fails to load and I have to start the whole process again.....
jeffers242 @ Oct 15th 2009 7:27PM
had the same thing happen. talked to support and they said so many people where on there the servers were a lttile crazy they said try back later and i just did and it works fine for me now.
Oli @ Oct 17th 2009 6:08PM
if you go to http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/skyplayer/ it says service launches 27 October 2009. Could be coming quicker than you think
th3g33k @ Oct 28th 2009 1:37PM
This BETA is hardly available read here: https://connect.microsoft.com/XboxLIVEUpdate/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=504322#tabs