Xbox dashboard overhaul announced

E3 was kicked off with a big bang yesterday when Microsoft pulled something out of the bag witch no one expected at all.

Yesterday during Microsoft’s E3 time they unveiled the detail of a fall dashboard update that would seem to recreate the Xbox altogether.

The update changes the way that the dashboard looks completely although it will keep the idea of different frames.
The update is not just going to change the way that the dashboard looks but will also add new features.
one of the main new features that was unveiled was that the update is going to add Avatars to Xbox live which will replace the conventional method of going down a list of all your friends. Now you will go to another screen and you will have all of you friends Avatars that are online that that moment. When someone signs in however there Avatar will just popup with the rest of the online Avatars on that screen.
The Avatars will be full customizable with hair body style, clothes etc and like gamer pics and themes there will be new download of clothes ect. This will enable you to create an avatar that defines who you are or an avatar who defines who you want to be.
Another big feature that is going to be added is like Private chat, video chat, Ect. This is called “Live Party” this will allow up to eight of your friends join you in a party where you will be able to play new games like then newly announced Uno rush, when the host choose that gem to play it will initiate it for everybody stopping the need to all leave and start the game on their own.
The party mode will also allow you to share pictures and will allow users to do all most anything that a group of eight people can do.

Another new feature is that there will be a Channel that becomes available called “Primetime” this is where you will be able to participate in game shows with your friends and the rest of the Xbox community and it also give you the opportunity to win real prizes. This it’s self starts off an argument about will this primetime only be available in America because of all of the prizes.

These are all of the features that are announced on the video below. However after viting Major Nelson’s site I found more details on what we can expect.

Play from hard drive.
Copy your games from the game disc and play directly from the hard drive.  Not only will the drive not spin, but load times are quicker, as well. Of course, you will still need the disc in the tray to prove you own the game.

Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web.
Browse and purchase Marketplace content whenever you want from Xbox.com and it downloads automatically to your console.  Purchase that new map, television episode, the latest Xbox LIVE Arcade game or set up a movie to watch when you get home from work.

 Dashboard built into the new Xbox Guide.
For everyone who loves the blades interface, it’s not going away; they are now built directly in to the new Xbox guide. Every feature and option is available right from the guide.  You can even access your full games library at all times.  No matter where you are (in dash or in game), immediately call up your games played list and directly launch a game.   

LIVE Party system.
Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos.  It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not just upcoming games.  LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the dashboard, so you can meet up before playing. 

Xbox LIVE Primetime.
This whole new category of games is going to give you more reasons to get online with your friends.  Games will support everything you’d expect, like Achievements and leader boards, but many of these games will include real prizes. You can invite your friends, and even set a reminder for an upcoming show.  Each game is broadcast simultaneously, so everyone is answering the same questions.  Many events will have a live host, calling the shots as they happen. 

Avatars.
Your online identity started as a Gamertag - it then grew into a personalized Gamercard. Now, it has evolved even further into avatars.  You can express your style, check out new outfits and share this with the community.  Avatars will also be integrated into Xbox LIVE Arcade games, LIVE Party, as well as retail games. 

New display support.
Because you asked for it, we are adding 16X10 over VGA or HDMI, and support for 1440x900 or 1680x1050.

So this is all the available details of the new Dashboard update due in fall (Autumn)
As you can probably guess there is currently mixed opinions on the announced update.
Personally I think that the update doesn’t seem too bad and say bring it on let’s see what it is really like. Only time will tell.

This is the video which tells you about some of the features included.

By Kiefer
(15^th July 2008)