Video Preview: Xbox Live Fall 2009 Dashboard Update, Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and more
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Oct 19th 2009 at 7:00PM } 
Note: We learned after publication that the abnormally priced movie rental has not yet been released in theaters. As such, it has a higher price.
| Last.fm | Zune Video Marketplace | Miscellaneous |
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Oct 19th 2009 7:02PM
I don't really care about any of these features that much, last.fm seems interesting at least. But I'm very interested to see how far Microsoft is pushing the 360 as a complete media entertainment center. I'm very curious to see how this will go over and what it means for future consoles.
Obie @ Oct 19th 2009 7:11PM
Last.fm is cool, though you cant use it while doing anything else which makes it pretty worthless IMO.
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Oct 19th 2009 7:22PM
even browsing the blades? That's disappointing
Obie @ Oct 19th 2009 7:30PM
You can browse everything in the FM app while music plays, but if you exit the app and go to the dash it stops playing. :(
N3M3515 @ Oct 19th 2009 7:04PM
To me, this is the most unimportant update ever. The biggest deal to me here is pretty much banning "unauthorized" memory units; which is a big negative IMO.
DeepFriedSushi @ Oct 19th 2009 10:37PM
double standards much? all 3.00 fw did on ps3 was switch the background theme and look how much of a big deal they made about it. this update adds a ton of functionality. and before you mention ps3 has a web browser do you honestly use it to check your facebook/twitter/last.fm though it? no these apps are designed specifically for consoles and give you great streamline usability.
President Taco @ Oct 19th 2009 11:09PM
LOL, WTF are you talking about double standards for? I never said a single thing about PS3 updates or browser features.
I should clarify my position: I have no need/desire for facebook/twitter/last.fm in ANY form, much less my video-game-playing-machines.
And speaking of double standards, how would you check your email or generally browse the web in any way on a 360? You know, browsers can check more than facebook/twitter/last.fm. I don't give a flying fuck about any of those, and yet I am constantly on the internets. It's very handy when your motherboard is RMA'd. Plus it's not terribly difficult to slap on a browser on a console; even Nintendo managed to get that down.
Monkey Fetish @ Oct 20th 2009 12:44AM
To me, "unauthorized" memory is a micro-SD card.
Its silly, I have an adapter, I don't want to may MS $30 for a mere 512MBs memory cards.
Aizei @ Oct 19th 2009 7:15PM
I see they've made exactly the same mistake as 1 vs 100, placed the apps randomly between adverts, i think having 2 rows of as is enough Microsoft!
Also don't like the look of having to hit log in every time for twitter, also heard that last.fm has no background play option like the other music playing options (cds etc) good ideas, would be better if they allowed for public feedback though
Aizei @ Oct 19th 2009 7:18PM
sirry to comment myself, but considering photoparty goes in your games section, 1 vs 100 got on the spotlight, woildnt it be better to have and ad-free apps tab?
Seasick Pirate @ Oct 19th 2009 8:42PM
If you have the CD or MP3s, why not play them in the Dashboard (or in-game)? Why do you need to listen to your own music in Last.fm?
If it's scrobbling you care about, you can already add music you listen to on your Xbox to your srobble list.
Or do you mean being able to play the music outside of Last.fm?
If that's the case, you're just being silly. It's not like you can watch your movies outside of Netflix while playing a game.
Wxsniper @ Oct 20th 2009 12:04PM
The difference is, last.fm can play other stations besides just your own library.
And the argument that you can't watch netflix while doing something else doesn't have any merit. Netflix is a video service, it's just silly to want to "watch" it in a game, whereas last.fm is an audio service. You're comparing apples and oranges.
N3M3515 @ Oct 19th 2009 7:07PM
I love my PS3 (more than my 360 lately), and it's a far better media device, but don't be the self-labeled-fanboy-who-can't be reasoned-with-ever. It's retarded to just blindly worship anything.
Pantsparty @ Oct 19th 2009 7:08PM
Have all the emails for the early update preview thing gone out?
Or is it periodically every few days?
Cause I wants in...
Cool vid, I'm most psyched about Facebook, finally get some more people I actually know on my friends list.
RobLink (Alex Kidd incarnate) @ Oct 19th 2009 7:15PM
Major Nelson said it would be layer this week. If it's anything like the NXE, it'll go out in waves.
Pantsparty @ Oct 19th 2009 7:08PM
I can find no flaw in your logic.
Also, Your going to get flamed.
Obie @ Oct 19th 2009 7:10PM
So Facebook is a download, so you could choose not to download it? Phew!
Peter Moore @ Oct 19th 2009 7:19PM
Oh, man! You dodge a bullet there! Heaven forbid they add features to your $300 device!
Obie @ Oct 19th 2009 7:23PM
Dude seriously, if I don't want something, I should have the option to skip it.
Simple as that.
Aizei @ Oct 19th 2009 7:24PM
extra features! how dare they!
WHY DOESNT A SARCHASM FONT EXIST! (especially for twitter and facebook ;)
Obie @ Oct 19th 2009 7:26PM
Its great that it's there, for those who want it, and it's also great that I can choose to not join. Since when is NOT choosing a freakin' crime?
You guys seriously need to lay off the Kool-Aid.
tmacairjordan87 @ Oct 19th 2009 7:27PM
You trolls forgot to add the *useless* in your extra features comments. A lot of people don't want all of that useless garbage clogging their system up and slowing it down.
Peter Moore @ Oct 19th 2009 7:27PM
Quick! Somebody call the WAHHH-bulence!
CaramelZappa @ Oct 19th 2009 7:37PM
Tmac, since when does having another feature you aren't even logged into "slow down" your console?
I gotta agree with Obie, I don't want this shit filling up my dashboard. It's already overrun with features I don't use. I wish MS would let us customize what's there and let us hide features we don't use.
Obie @ Oct 19th 2009 7:42PM
In my situation, I am outside the US. So my dash is filled with stuff I can't use.
The video marketplace is region locked, and so are the games on demand stuff.
Yet I still have to stare at it every-time I boot up. Not cool.
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Oct 19th 2009 9:44PM
I don't see how this updated is useless.
Derick @ Oct 20th 2009 8:23AM
@Caramel
It obviously clogs the system. See computers and stuff like calculators use a series of tubes to move solid information from on spot like the internet to you monitor or other type of screen. IF too much solid information is moving in your tubes your games or calculations will get slowed down. It doesn't work like a faucet where water will just shoot out faster if there is a clog. Quite the opposite.
Shadowbender (Nelson Is Behind You) @ Oct 19th 2009 7:12PM
With all of these online features, you'd think that Microsoft would try and create a web browser buy now. Not that I really need one, but it would be pretty interesting and very convenient. But then again, this is Microsoft, and they would probably put a weekly fee for a feature like that.
uncle jesse @ Oct 19th 2009 7:44PM
So you want them to add a browser... but not really.
Does anyone seriously want a browser on their 360? Every comment is, "Why can't they add a browser? I don't care about it but they should do it." Who cares about a web browser? You're sitting on a computer right now typing out your comments. Do you really need it on your 360? I have never used it on my PS3 or my Wii. Sorry if I sound angry or something (I'm only a little mad, ha) but I just do not see the point of adding a web browser or why anyone would even care about it. Maybe I'm wrong and everyone likes to use the internet on their console? Does everyone here want one?
Sean @ Oct 19th 2009 8:15PM
You do know it would be IE right. Better left off the system for now.
Pheena @ Nov 4th 2009 3:14PM
They have tried to create an internet browser they said on numerous occasoins that they are having diffuculty to make Internet Explorer small enough to put onto the xbox and still making it functional
Aizei @ Oct 19th 2009 7:15PM
ps3 is okay for gaming...brilliant for media. I dont own a ps3 but would buy one for blu ray movies with the option of the odd game eg killzone that aint available on the 360. Most games are cross platform these days thanks to ea producing poorer and poorer quality games, achievments and rushing to get a new need for speed, fifa out every year. Id rather these games every 2 or 3 years so that they've actually put some thought and effort into making them and not simply milking the cash cow. and whats with them running dedicated servers only! if your going to do that, then shut them down, WHY for the love of god put in online achievments!?
drifted off topic there but basicly, these no point in fanboys, lets just hate the companies that milk the cash cow instead!
Evi1d33d @ Oct 19th 2009 7:13PM
I really want to know if they blocked homemade HDD in this update.
Aizei @ Oct 19th 2009 7:21PM
do what i di.d i have a halo 3 console, so i bout an official 120gb and swapped the casing! all official products, just a case swap
eeeeeeeeeeee @ Oct 19th 2009 7:14PM
Interesting that Joystiq seem to have "forgotten" to mention the biggest feature, you know the one that locks out all your data if you don't buy overpriced Microsoft branded memory cards.
Talk about holding a gun to your head, they destroy your game saves and then charge you for a memory card that works again...
Still it's not as bad as the $100 Xbox Live fee hike that's comming....
P7 @ Oct 19th 2009 7:21PM
Really? You're going to take another Michael Pachter claim as fact?
As for the memory cards, if it reduces the chances of a modified save game and/or content making it on to a 360, then I'm all for it.
Shadowbender (Nelson Is Behind You) @ Oct 19th 2009 7:24PM
Well that's Microsoft for ya. Make a great system, but underlying in all of that greatness is a hefty price everyone will eventually be forced to pay, literally. And if you don't pay that price, then you are stripped of many fun and fantastic things. It's like someone said in another thread of an article: I love my Xbox, but I hate Microsoft. I've said this time and time again: Microsoft made a wonderful console, but nevertheless, they're still crooks.
Aizei @ Oct 19th 2009 7:28PM
mate no offence but your a ***ard if you think they'll increase the fee to $100 there a worldwide recession dumb ass, you think they'd raise the price that much if at all?
some people really do believe every unconfirmed rumour they hear
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Oct 19th 2009 7:53PM
that hardly counts as the "biggest" feature, because fucking no one uses those things. Like someone said in the last post, there's not even more than one brand of those things. And God, you must really be hard up for creative trolling ideas if you're taking Pachter at his word, it's his job to make shit up
Cj @ Oct 19th 2009 7:15PM
Can there just be an APP "bar" or channel instead of this toher junk? Photo part doesnt even have its own section. W.E happened to media parties? Sharing songs, vids and pics.
Richard Mitchell @ Oct 19th 2009 7:17PM
Yeah, the organization for the new features is kind of a mess. They really need a basic app bar.
Also, good question about picture sharing, that was supposed to be out ages ago...
Shadowbender (Nelson Is Behind You) @ Oct 19th 2009 7:26PM
Wait a minute...Yeah, where's the feature where you could watch a movie in a theatre with your Avatar and your Avatar friends? Is this some kind of sick joke?
Aizei @ Oct 19th 2009 7:32PM
the movies theatre was for sky tv in the uk i thought which is out on the 27th (not beta, full version)
Aizei @ Oct 20th 2009 7:33AM
Wow cj way to repeat my earlier comment!
UnnDunn @ Oct 20th 2009 8:11AM
The picture sharing feature was released alongside the NXE. It's an application you have to download called "Photo Party."
Shadowbender (Nelson Is Behind You) @ Oct 19th 2009 7:16PM
I love all systems, and in some cases, Ps3 is better than Xbox, and then sometimes it's the other way around. But right now, you really do sound like some kind of ignorant 11 year old. Sorry, but it's the truth.
P7 @ Oct 19th 2009 7:18PM
It was my understanding that last.fm won't be available in Canada, is this correct? I hope to hell it's not. While it's great that a Canadian band can get exposure to an American audience, I'll be extremely irritated if I can't listen to them.
Not going to hold my breath though :/
Richard Mitchell @ Oct 19th 2009 7:26PM
According to Xav de Matos, Joystiq's resident Canadian: No, Last.fm won't be offered in Canada when the Dash update takes place next month. I believe it will be available eventually though.
P7 @ Oct 19th 2009 7:28PM
Thanks. For some reason it seems tough to find anything solid out about this.
Still not going to hold my breath, but it'd be a nice feature. Especially since I'm more apt to use it over FB or Twitter.
CaramelZappa @ Oct 19th 2009 7:21PM
Hey Joystiq, can we have videos without ads after them? I had to reload the page 3 or for times, because every time I finish one I have to reload the damn page so I can watch the next one without annoying ads playing.
Why do they charge you $2 for a lonely island video that's online for free in HD?