Tag Archives: dashboard update

Facebook comes to PS3 (and Xbox 360) today

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Seems like Facebook is infiltrating all of our favorite gadgets these days: computers, cell phones, iPods, and now video game consoles.

Facebook capabilities are now available on the Playstation 3 today via the (free) 3.10 firmware update.  Sony is pressing that this is the first of many Facebook features coming to the PS3.  For now, FB on PS3 will enable users to share their Trophy and Playstation Store activity in their Facebook News Feeds.  Also, publishers are given the option to send game-specific information from the console to users’ News Feeds.  Other Facebook features, basics such as status updates and photo sharing, are not included with this update.  Hopefully future updates will bring these features to life.  For now, Sony advises its users to make use of the PS3’s browser to log-in and fully utilize Facebook that way for the time being.  Other new updates with 3.10 include a new way to orgainze and view your photos in a gallery and customization options in your PSN Friends List (you can color your PSN ID).

And don’t forget: also available today (via a free download) is the Xbox 360 dashboard update that includes full-blown Facebook integration, Twitter, last.fm, and Zune (video) marketplace additions with HD (1080p) instant-on streaming.  What are you waiting for?  Get social network’d.

[Via Engadget; Playstation EU Blog]

Xbox Dashboard update–new details

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A bundle of details have emerged concerning the new Xbox Dashboard update.

(1) The first ‘Games on Demand’ game titles have been revealed

The initial 24 games to be made available for download over the Internet via Xbox Live have been announced today.  Some include: Assasin’s Creed, Bioshock, Mass Effect, Call of Duty 2, Fight Night Round 3, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.  Look after the break for the entire list of games and a quick video glipse of the ‘Games on Demand’ dashboard in action.

(2) The Netflix update is…disappointing

It was previously announced that the Netflix update will allow Xbox Live Gold members and Netflix subscribers to edit their personal Netflix queues right on the Xbox, without the need for a PC.  While that is nice and dandy, Microsoft has lowered the notch of functionality.  Users are restricted to browsing only the Top 50 videos for each video category, so there is no searching by title and no browsing alphabetically.  Microsoft’s Ben Smith, Director of Program Management for Xbox Live, on the matter: “I think when people come to Xbox they’re not really looking so much for functional, they really want to have fun, they want to be wowed.”  Uhh..I don’t think so.  People want to be able to browse the ENTIRE Netflix database, with capable search features built-in.  It is worthy to mention that Microsoft says it will listen to their user-base, and if the people call for a true Netflix experience on their Xbox, they will provide it in a future update.  *Cue a sigh of relief.

Look out for the new Xbox Dashboard update coming next Tuesday, August 11th.

[Via Engadget, here & here; Joystiq]

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Xbox 360 updates coming soon [Updated]

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Microsoft has announced a slew of exciting updates coming to the Xbox 360 (granted you are connected to Xbox Live). Some of the new features include: Netflix updates, including movie parties (a Netflix Gold member can invite up to seven friends (represented by their avatars) to watch a movie in a virtual theatre); managing your queue (Netflix members can now browse the entire Netflix Instant Stream queue from their console, no PC required); avatar marketplace (there will be a store where clothes and props can be purchased for your personal and customizable avatar); games on demand (full Xbox 360 games can now be purchased right on the console, along with their game manuals (no need to purchase a physical game in a store), and it’s yours to keep (the games are attached to your Xbox Live account, so you can move games from different consoles or delete them if you so choose); and more! Check after the break to see the entire breakdown of updates, and see below for screenshots of the new menus. These updates will only be available as a preview release at first. All updates should be released later in the summer (think late August). Also, keep in mind that these updates DO NOT include the recently announced Facebook and Twitter integration, Zune video store, 1080p Instant On, and Last.fm updates; these will be released at a later date (probably Fall 2009).

Update: The Xbox Live Dashboard update will be available to download on August 11th.

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[Via Engadget]

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