This is the anticipated update that will include Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, and Zune Video Marketplace integration. No release date has been issued yet.
For a more detailed look into the hands-on, check out Joystiq’s in-depth coverage.
Tag Archives: Xbox
The Xbox 360 just got even cheaper
Though the Xbox 360 Elite recently saw a dramatic price drop (from $399 to $299), it seems like Microsoft was not fully content with this sweet spot. Starting today, the Xbox 360 Elite console will be sold for $299 with a $50 mail-in rebate. So that’s $249 for the best next-gen console on the market; what a deal! This mail-in rebate offer runs through October 5; Microsoft has not specified what will happen to the standard price of the console after that date. Looks like Christmas may be coming early for some folks; get on this!
Xbox 360 price drop is official
Microsoft is ready to go head-to-head with their arch-rival Sony in the video games business. The Xbox 360 Elite console will match the PS3 Slim costing $299.99 (from $399.99) this Friday. The Xbox 360 Pro console (now $249.99) will phase out after inventory gets flushed, making the Elite and Arcade ($199.99) the only Xbox 360 SKUs on the market. In somewhat related news, Microsoft has stated that the upcoming Project Natal accessory “will work with every Xbox 360 sold today and tomorrow.” Neat-0.
[Via Engadget]
Netflix will stream content exclusively on Xbox 360
It’s official–Netflix’s streaming capabilities will only live and breath on Xbox 360’s. Microsoft struck a very smart deal with Netflix (and squashed previous rumors) when they announced that their Xbox gaming system will be the sole game console provider to allow Netflix streaming with the Netflix Watch Instantly feature. This is big news on the streaming movies/TV shows front. If people are looking to stream Netflix contentto their TVs, they only have one option when it comes to buying a game console. Another point for Xbox, cha-ching! See the full press release after the break.
[Via Engadget]
Continue reading Netflix will stream content exclusively on Xbox 360
Xbox dashboard update now available
Xbox Dashboard update–new details
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.
Halo Legends and Halo Waypoint coming soon
The Halo universe is about to be expaned in two major ways, first by way of Halo Legends. Microsoft has teamed up with a bunch of renowned anime studios to create a collection of original short films that will bring the exciting story of Master Chief and the discovery of the mysterious Halo rings to life on the small screen. The short anime-style films will be produced by Microsoft’s 343 Industries and creative direction will come from anime pioneer Shinji Aramaki. Aramaki: “Halo and its characters are a very natural fit for anime.” If you are at all interested in the back story of the world of Halo and its characters, this will be a must see. All seven short films will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray in 2010. However, a preview of select episodes debut on Xbox Live this fall.
Also announced is Halo Waypoint, a one-stop destination for all things Halo on Xbox Live. According to Microsoft, “It will inform fans of the latest Halo news and activities, and grant access to content ranging from podcasts, trailers and screenshots, to exclusive video footage you won’t find anywhere else. It also will provide a new challenge for Halo gamers with a career system and player rankings tied to both in-game and out-of-game accomplishments related to Halo.” Look out for this new portal on Xbox Live this fall. Halo fans, rejoice!
[Via IGN; Animation Magazine; Examiner; Xbox.com]
Xbox 360 updates coming soon [Updated]
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.
[Via Engadget]