Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Microsoft confirms Xbox dash video issues, is working on a fix]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/microsoft-confirms-xbox-dash-video-issues-is-working-on-a-fix/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/microsoft-confirms-xbox-dash-video-issues-is-working-on-a-fix/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/microsoft-confirms-xbox-dash-video-issues-is-working-on-a-fix/#comments The Xbox 360 dashboard update left some users seeing gray -- not metaphorically in the "their lives had lost all color and meaning" way, but in a literal sense. Videos on the new dash have appeared washed out and dull for some users, with black reading as gray, and Microsoft had previously ignored the complaint, even when it was brought up in beta testing, Eurogamer reports.

Xbox's Major Nelson tweeted yesterday that he's heard the public outcry -- or maybe he saw Eurogamer's in-depth demonstration of the new dash's short-range RGB levels -- and he says the team is working on a solution. "We're aware of the colorspace issue w/ some Xbox video apps & are working on a fix," Major Nelson wrote. "No ETA yet but we hope to have an update soon."

For now, maybe pretend all the new videos you watch on the Xbox dash are in "sepia" mode.

JoystiqMicrosoft confirms Xbox dash video issues, is working on a fix originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dashboard-update-fall-2011Major-Nelsonmicrosoftrgbvideoxboxxbox-360-dashboardxbox-dashboardFri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xfinity, Verizon services miss this week's Xbox 360 dash update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/xfinity-verizon-services-miss-this-weeks-xbox-360-dash-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/xfinity-verizon-services-miss-this-weeks-xbox-360-dash-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/xfinity-verizon-services-miss-this-weeks-xbox-360-dash-update/#comments The long-awaited "Metro" update to the Xbox 360 dashboard is finally launching this week, but you might not want to make any popcorn just yet. A number of Microsoft's recently announced content partners won't be showing up to the party on time, most notably Comcast's Xfinity on-demand library, Verizon's Fios live-tv service, and the HBO GO app. Microsoft has given a nebulous "early 2012" release window for HBO and Xfinity, though Verizon should be bringing Fios to Xbox Live "later in December" - along with SyFy, UFC, and a number of others. A full list of partners, and when to expect them, is available after the jump.

Continue reading Xfinity, Verizon services miss this week's Xbox 360 dash update

JoystiqXfinity, Verizon services miss this week's Xbox 360 dash update originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dashboard-updatedashboard-update-fall-2011fioshbo-goHboGometromicrosoftverizonverizon-fiosVerizonFiosxboxxbox-360-dashboardXbox-LivexfinityXfinityTvMon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 'New Dashboard' captured on video, Kinect and all]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/xbox-360-new-dashboard-captured-on-video-kinect-and-all/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/xbox-360-new-dashboard-captured-on-video-kinect-and-all/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/xbox-360-new-dashboard-captured-on-video-kinect-and-all/#comments

We had a chance to check out Microsoft's new New Xbox Experience - being simply called the "New Dashboard" this time around - last month, but the slick Metro UI was curiously camera shy. However, when plied with the the romance of the French language, Microsoft somehow let a video of the new UI leak into the always open arms of the internet. Above, you'll find over two minutes of furtive, french footage full of features, including full Kinect support of the UI - no more Kinect Hub, thankyouverymuch!

Although the much-vaunted voice search is absent, it's worth noting that the video is muted, so not only would a tour of the new dash's voice search feature be worthless, it would also be in french. "Xbox, Bing Le Batman." What does that even mean?

JoystiqXbox 360 'New Dashboard' captured on video, Kinect and all originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftnew-dashxboxxbox-360-dashboardMon, 03 Oct 2011 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[New Xbox dashboard now has a name: Twist Control]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/new-xbox-dashboard-now-has-a-name-twist-control/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/new-xbox-dashboard-now-has-a-name-twist-control/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/new-xbox-dashboard-now-has-a-name-twist-control/#comments Update: It sounds like "Twist Control" is a generic name for the panel-scrolling UI element which has appeared in various Microsoft products, such as the Zune HD, and not the proper name for the Dashboard. We thought it was a little fishy -- in an interview with Joystiq earlier this month, Microsoft's David Dennis said the company was calling the updated interface the "new dash," because "we didn't want it to stick like NXE did." We apologize for the confusion.

During floor demos at Gamescom, Microsoft revealed the moniker of its new, Kinect-centric Xbox 360 Dashboard: "Twist Control." We think we can all agree that this is the best name that the platform's navigation tools have had thus far. Well, okay, "Blades" might give it a run for its money, but it'd be a pretty close race.

Then again, we haven't seen much twisting from the interface -- isn't there a more context appropriate title out there? Something like "Space Windows" or "Wizard Buttons" or "The Telekinesis Engine" or "Intangible Frames" or "The Even Newer Xbox Experience" or "Minority Report" or "Bark Commands at Your Xbox Until Your Neighbors Think That You Are a Legit Crazy Person."

JoystiqNew Xbox dashboard now has a name: Twist Control originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dashboardfall-updatefall-update-2011kinectmicrosoftnavigationtwist-controlxboxxbox-360-dashboardFri, 19 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: How the new Xbox Dash watches your every move]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/video-how-the-new-xbox-dash-watches-your-every-move/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/video-how-the-new-xbox-dash-watches-your-every-move/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/video-how-the-new-xbox-dash-watches-your-every-move/#comments
Microsoft has released a new video about the upcoming Xbox 360 Dashboard update. There's not a great deal of new information to be had, though this is one of the few public glimpses of the new dash offered by the company.

One worrying note about the video: There's a large emphasis on the revised Dashboard learning about the user. As Xbox Live corporate VP Marc Whitten forebodingly puts it, "It's not about you learning about our technology, it's about our technology learning about you [emphasis added]." In other words, you might want to stop gaming in your underwear.

JoystiqVideo: How the new Xbox Dash watches your every move originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dashboardfall-updatefall-update-2011microsoftxboxxbox-360-dashboardxbox-liveWed, 17 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect voice and gesture ads present a terrifying future]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/kinect-voice-and-gesture-ads-present-a-terrifying-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/kinect-voice-and-gesture-ads-present-a-terrifying-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/kinect-voice-and-gesture-ads-present-a-terrifying-future/#comments Microsoft has officially revealed Nuads, a new advertising platform for the 360 dashboard which allows advertisers to add Kinect functionality to their ads. Here's how Microsoft's Mark Kroese presented it, related in horrifying detail by Edge:
His demonstration contained five suggestions for how advertisers can make use of the technology: social advocacy, in which an advert can be shared by the user simply saying "Xbox tweet"; request for information, where saying "Xbox more" will result in further details or discount codes being emailed to the user; near me, which will send a text message with directions to a nearest retailer when prompted with "Xbox near"; calendar reminders in response to "Xbox schedule"; and gesture-controlled voting. Kroese notes, however, that "the possibilities for advertisers are almost endless."
Alright! Cool tech, guys! But hey, we just want to be super clear about this: The first time the 360 listens to us order dinner and surreptitiously decides we want to tweet about the new "fresher, bolder flavor of Papa John's classic pizza sauce," we're going to smash the Kinect into little pieces and feed it to a goat. Just a heads up, you know, between friends.

JoystiqKinect voice and gesture ads present a terrifying future originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsedgekinectmicrosoftnuadsxboxxbox-360-dashboardWed, 22 Jun 2011 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Indie Games moved to 'Specialty Shops' on new Dashboard, devs not happy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/xbox-live-indie-games-moved-to-specialty-shops-on-new-dashboar/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/xbox-live-indie-games-moved-to-specialty-shops-on-new-dashboar/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/xbox-live-indie-games-moved-to-specialty-shops-on-new-dashboar/#comments The new Xbox 360 Dashboard Update makes the whole interface look smoother and cleaner, but it has rubbed one part of the community the wrong way. Xbox Live Indie Game creators are bummed over on the Microsoft Developer Network forums, as their creations have been relegated to the "Specialty Shops" section of the new Dashboard, hidden behind the Avatar Marketplace and away from most of the game and demo traffic.

Most developers actually sound resigned to their fate, admitting that, while there are a few indie game breakouts, the category in general wasn't a big moneymaker for Microsoft, so it's not surprising it didn't get the spotlight when the update came around. But other devs say it's a chicken-and-the-egg problem, that indie games won't get the sales without the exposure, and hiding them away only dooms them to more failure.

That said, there's no sales data yet off of the new Dashboard; we'll just have to wait and see what effect this new placement has.

[Thanks, Richard!]

JoystiqXbox Live Indie Games moved to 'Specialty Shops' on new Dashboard, devs not happy originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developersindie-gamesmicrosoftxbligxboxxbox-360-dashboardxbox-live-indie-gamesWed, 03 Nov 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sound off: New Xbox 360 Dashboard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/new-xbox-360-dashboard/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/new-xbox-360-dashboard/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/new-xbox-360-dashboard/#comments You're going to see a lot of know-it-alls like us weighing in on the new Xbox 360 Dashboard over the next few days, with all our big highfalutin words and our fancy silk cravats. But honestly, who cares what us eggheads think? Isn't the important question: what do you think?

In that spirit, we wanted to give you a forum to share your feelings on the just-released, overhauled Xbox 360 Dashboard. What do you hate? What do you love? What do you miss? What does it still need? ... Here -- you know what? Wear our cravats. But just this once.

JoystiqSound off: New Xbox 360 Dashboard originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dashboard-updatedashboard-update-fall-2010kinectmicrosoftxboxxbox-360-dashboardxbox-liveMon, 01 Nov 2010 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft outlines changes and improvements coming in dashboard update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/microsoft-outlines-changes-and-improvements-coming-in-dashboard/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/microsoft-outlines-changes-and-improvements-coming-in-dashboard/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/microsoft-outlines-changes-and-improvements-coming-in-dashboard/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A few of the upcoming Xbox 360 Dashboard update's biggest changes have been heavily touted by Microsoft over the past few months: Things like a redesigned Zune Marketplace, ESPN streaming video and the power to control things with your mind gestures. However, a few of the update's lesser known functions were recently explained by Microsoft -- for instance, did you know that the update will improve voice chat quality, a more streamlined approach to connecting to wireless hotspots, and also, sometimes, your 360's disc tray will produce sizzling strips of hickory-smoked bacon?

To find out which one of those things we said was a bold-faced lie, check out the full list of changes coming in the next Dashboard update after the jump.

Continue reading Microsoft outlines changes and improvements coming in dashboard update

JoystiqMicrosoft outlines changes and improvements coming in dashboard update originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dashboarddashboard-updatemicrosoftxboxxbox-360-dashboardSun, 10 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Major Nelson: Don't sweat Xbox Live Silverlight ads]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/major-nelson-dont-sweat-xbox-live-silverlight-ads/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/major-nelson-dont-sweat-xbox-live-silverlight-ads/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/major-nelson-dont-sweat-xbox-live-silverlight-ads/#commentsJust when we were starting to get all excited about Silverlight-powered ads for Mountain Dew and Axe Body Spray littering the Xbox Dashboard, Xbox Live spokesman Major Nelson rains on our parade, telling readers that they don't need to sweat.

The Major recently posted, "One of our core principles is to enhance, not interfere with the gaming experience, and we work directly with our partners to only deliver experiences that are relevant to the LIVE community. Silverlight will help make those ads a more organic part of the dashboard, like we've done with some of the NXE slots in the past."

Aww, come on. Maybe just one "Get Totally Crunchatized With Doritos" ad? Something?

JoystiqMajor Nelson: Don't sweat Xbox Live Silverlight ads originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingmajor-nelsonmicrosoftsilverlightXbox-360xbox-360-dashboardxbox-liveThu, 02 Jul 2009 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Major Nelson: Xbox 360 guide faster after next update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/major-nelson-xbox-360-guide-faster-after-next-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/major-nelson-xbox-360-guide-faster-after-next-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/major-nelson-xbox-360-guide-faster-after-next-update/#comments
Oh, you thought NXE was the last dashboard update you'd be able to sink you mitts into? No dice. Xbox Live spokesman Major Nelson said on his show this week that the next update for the 360 would increase the speed of the guide. "Whatever we call it (and it's not going to be called the NNXE), but whatever the next version of the dashboard is called, it's better with a lot of very cool new features," he said. "That update will be out later this year."

We haven't talked about this sort of thing in a while, so we're curious: What updates would you still like to see to the dashboard?

[Via CVG]

JoystiqMajor Nelson: Xbox 360 guide faster after next update originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dashboardmajor-nelsonmicrosoftnxeXbox-360xbox-360-dashboardMon, 22 Jun 2009 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[DivX VP "not very happy" with the Xbox 360's codec decision]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/divx-vp-not-very-happy-with-the-xbox-360s-codec-decision/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/divx-vp-not-very-happy-with-the-xbox-360s-codec-decision/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/divx-vp-not-very-happy-with-the-xbox-360s-codec-decision/#commentsFiled under:


In an update that predates Microsoft's NXE, the Xbox 360 gained the ability to playback DivX formatted video but according to VP Jerome Vashist-Rota of the DivX Inc., his company isn't exactly happy with the route Microsoft took. Speaking with TechRadar the DivX VP of creative, brand and community praised the Xbox 360 for its DivX support but expressed frustration that the Xbox 360 uses third-party software and not the official codec provided by his company.

"It's all about branding," Rota said. "And branding can work both ways, so it is not just us losing out with the Xbox 360's lack of official certification." It doesn't seem to be a sticking point with consumers, or Microsoft for that matter, so only MS knows if changes are afoot. Currently, Sony has a partnership with DivX and uses the official codec for video support.

[via 1UP]

JoystiqDivX VP "not very happy" with the Xbox 360's codec decision originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>divxxbox-360-dashboardMon, 19 Jan 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Learn how to make your Avatar frown, laugh and burp the alphabet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/learn-how-to-make-your-avatar-frown-laugh-and-burp-the-alphabet/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/learn-how-to-make-your-avatar-frown-laugh-and-burp-the-alphabet/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/learn-how-to-make-your-avatar-frown-laugh-and-burp-the-alphabet/#commentsFiled under:

After a few days of messing with the New Xbox Experience Avatars, we have come across a few hidden (and not so hidden) Avatar moves that'll make him (or her) do various expressive feats. You know, certain button presses that'll make your Avatar burp, laugh, get angry and even smack his head on your screen. Don't worry though, Avatar heads are jelly-like and shouldn't crack your television's screen.

Our compiled list of Avatar moves is posted after the break and is broken into two different lists. One for Avatar fun you while in the customizer and one for the 360's dashboard. (Avatars tend to act differently in various surroundings.) We believe our list is rather comprehensive, but we're sure there are other goodies yet to be discovered. Think new hair colors. If you believe you've discovered an Avatar move that isn't listed, please, feel free to share.

Continue reading Learn how to make your Avatar frown, laugh and burp the alphabet

JoystiqLearn how to make your Avatar frown, laugh and burp the alphabet originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatarsnew-xbox-experiencenxexbox-360-dashboardMon, 24 Nov 2008 00:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox.com sports interactive dashboard preview, the NXE]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/27/xbox-com-sports-interactive-dashboard-preview-the-nxe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/27/xbox-com-sports-interactive-dashboard-preview-the-nxe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/27/xbox-com-sports-interactive-dashboard-preview-the-nxe/#commentsFiled under:


The NXE (New Xbox Experience) is the upcoming Xbox 360 dashboard update, first revealed to gamers at E3 2008. Designed to be usable and intuitive for everyone under your roof regardless of gaming cred, the NXE is a complete revamp of the Xbox 360 dash we know and love. Still on the fence about the new update? Xbox.com now sports an interactive preview of the New Xbox Experience the way it will be presented when it finally launches later this year. Also you should remember that Xbox Live will be down for 24-hours beginning at 12:01AM PT on September 29 to prepare for the service update -- meaning the new dashboard isn't going to be made available just yet.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

JoystiqXbox.com sports interactive dashboard preview, the NXE originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>new-xbox-experiencenxesystem-updatexbox-360-dashboardxbox-liveSat, 27 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: New Xbox 360 dashboard leaked]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/rumor-new-xbox-360-dashboard-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/rumor-new-xbox-360-dashboard-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/rumor-new-xbox-360-dashboard-leaked/#commentsFiled under: ,

Although we don't have a released date for the New Xbox Experience (i.e. the completely revamped Xbox 360 dashboard), the update has purportedly leaked onto the interwebs, and Xbox 360 modder xHaVoK87 has chronicled his efforts to install the new dashboard onto his modded console (note: so far it only works on hardware-modded Xbox 360s).

There's a handful of videos to show the installation process (embedded after the break), as well as one of the working dashboard (seen above). Despite all the footage and technical lingo, we remain, as always, skeptical. According to the posting, "Beta Stage 2 Release" is coming in mid-August.

[Via Xbox360Emu]

Continue reading Rumor: New Xbox 360 dashboard leaked

JoystiqRumor: New Xbox 360 dashboard leaked originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dashboardleaknew-xbox-experiencenxeXbox-360xbox-360-dashboardMon, 28 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST