Xbox 360 update coming November 17

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Microsoft is ready to launch their next big update to Xbox LIVE dashboard, with Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm and Zune video will all be available. The update will be available to all Xbox LIVE members on November 17.

The update will allow users to connect with friends and family though Facebook, directly from the comfort of your own couch. The Facebook integration will allow full support for news feeds, photos, instant messenger and the ability to browse through your own and friend's walls.

The Twitter integration will have real-time updates right on your dashboard, so users can always stay up-to-date on who you are following. Users can also post directly from Xbox LIVE to Twitter, reply to other users and send and receive direct messages. Users can also ‘favourite' posts directly on Xbox LIVE to recall at a later date.

Users can enjoy their favourite music using Last.fm when it launches and even watch videos on Zune video. Great news if you are a Zune HD owner, you will soon be able to play TV shows and movies on your Zune, laptop or Xbox 360 in full 1080p.

Users with Zune HD will be able to download 1080p video right from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and watch it anywhere you like.

Zune video:

Facebook and Twitter:

#1 DarkNovaGamer on 12 Nov 2009 - 19:07

Was wondering when this update was going public. Getting tired of my friends asking me 'Whats that?' 'How did you get that?' etc.

(2 replies) #2 DecoyDuck on 12 Nov 2009 - 19:28

I'm on the beta and used the whole lot once. The integration of LastFM, Facebook and Twiiter is simply non-existant. As stand alone apps they're good, but how they're implemented is missing the point entirely, especially with Twitter. I reckon lots of people are going to be sorely disappointed by this when it goes live.

Unless they have plans to allow game developers to implement access to the services from within their titles (in the case of Twitter and Facebook, I hope not, although using LastFM while playing a game would be sweet) it's nothing more than a gimmick and will eventually become totally unused by the majority of Xbox users.

#2.1 jasqid on 12 Nov 2009 - 20:45

I agree with you entirely.

#2.2 M_Lyons10 on 13 Nov 2009 - 02:18

I agree as well. I don't think I'll use any of these features to be honest.

(3 replies) #3 Ogmius on 12 Nov 2009 - 19:28

Seriously, someone tell me why I need facebook and twitter on my xbox when I already have it on my PC and my phone?

#3.1 DarkNovaGamer on 12 Nov 2009 - 19:37

Why not? No one is telling you that you have to use it. If you don't want it, don't use it.

#3.2 Memnochxx on 12 Nov 2009 - 21:36

You're right. Let's get rid of everything on the xbox that can be done on a computer.

1. Playing games.
2. Watching movies.
3. Playing music.

#3.3 M_Lyons10 on 13 Nov 2009 - 02:20

Ogmius said,

Well, I won't use any of this either, but it doesn't look like it will really be in the way if you don't use it too. I'm glad for that for sure...

(1 reply) #4 Donenzone on 12 Nov 2009 - 19:42

I really don't see the point in all this. I mean, who uses Twitter or Facebook or even Last.FM on a game console? Furthermore, the Zune HD is still only available in the US, so Zune integration, too, is useless for a lot of people.

#4.1 neo158 on 12 Nov 2009 - 21:05

Donenzone said,

I just wonder how the Zune HD integration will work for UK Zune HD owners like myself. I'll have to wait and see.

(1 reply) #5 Chevron 1 on 12 Nov 2009 - 19:52

is that all? anything else?

#5.1 Andrew Lyle on 12 Nov 2009 - 21:00

Major Nelson was pretty limited on his information he provided. I am hoping to get more information the day before or day of the release.

#6 +BeLGaRaTh on 12 Nov 2009 - 20:41

The zune integration is probably the worst imo since I have been testing it, there is no audio feedback any longer when playing/pausing etc which is handy to see if you pressed a button in error. plus it doesnt seem to group things together any longer in folders for downloads (ie you download a few movies for dragon age, it lumps them together but not in a folder) at least before you had the option of collecting them all into one folder if they were the same game.

Facebook is ok, twitter is meh!! but its for twits anyway

Last FM was ok but needs more work. Sky plyer is crap as you have to buy everything even though I sub to hd, sports and movies

(1 reply) #7 Shiranui on 13 Nov 2009 - 01:15

They should give people the chance to opt out of this kind of update.

I take it that you can set it up so that the unnecessary applications don't show up.

#7.1 M_Lyons10 on 13 Nov 2009 - 02:21

I hope so...

#8 TRC on 13 Nov 2009 - 06:02

Remember when the 360 was a game console? I really don't like it being bloated down with stuff like this; it's starting to remind me of the crapware HP puts on their computers. What's next, Domino's Pizza online ordering? WalMart.com? I hope they will at least make this update optional if they aren't actually going to fix or improve anything important, like gameplay.

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