[E3] Xbox 360 gets avatar system, new dashboard


Recommended Posts

Kinda makes me laugh that a lot of people thought MS was lowering support for the 360's software updates when they didn't do their big update release a few months. Instead they've implemented half the ideas which were too extreme to make their way into this generation such as a whole new UI, avatars ect ect.

Kinda makes me laugh that a lot of people thought MS was lowering support for the 360's software updates when they didn't do their big update release a few months. Instead they've implemented half the ideas which were too extreme to make their way into this generation such as a whole new UI, avatars ect ect.

To be fair, a lot of people (myself included IIRC) said that the next update must be massive since they didn't do the usual update. :D

Dont know why they are comparing it to apple either.

Looks more like Flip 3D ( invented by microsoft ) than Coverflow ( purchaced by apple )

I would say it looks more like CF, and it's older anyway, but who cares? It's like arguing about who invented multi-touch...:shiftyninja:

All jokes aside, I think the reflections are a nice effect.

IMO, it looks literally exactly like Flip 3D, just in the opposite direction. It looks much different than coverflow, the only similarity is they both have reflections (IMO).

I thought Flip3D when I first saw it too. I also thought XMB, so I think it's probably something like the perfect mix of the two. I didn't think of Coverflow though at all.

-Spenser

I thought Flip3D when I first saw it too. I also thought XMB, so I think it's probably something like the perfect mix of the two. I didn't think of Coverflow though at all.

-Spenser

I think some people are comparing it more to Coverflow because the fore-front image is displayed to be readable. With Flip3D, the fore-front image is skewed a bit to give more of a "general idea" of what that window contains, that would not be practical in the dashboard because it would require you actually selecting the fore-front image to see what's there. So they combined the readability of the fore-front image a la Coverflow and the style/display roation of Flip3D. It's a great combination and the best of both worlds, IMO.

personally i really like the new dashboard and think its great Microsoft are actually giving us something new everybody bitching about the dash moaning about oh it looks too apple etc stop whining u would cry if Microsoft never gave you any new features or anything like that i guess with some people you cant win just my opinion though.

I didn't like the new dashboard much at all at first, but I think it was just the avatars that threw me off. After watching a couple of videos, I don't think it's too bad.

My only real complaint, like others', is the huge amount of unused screen real estate. But even though the current dashboard takes up the whole screen, it's not like that much info was displayed, so I'm not too bothered about the new one.

once you count the safe frame and NOT the full screen, there's far less screen estrate wasted o both the old and new dashboard.

most peopel who complain have no idea that the dashboard have to work on more than 1:1 pixel HDTV's and at least for this generation actual info and content has to be within the safe frame.

once you count the safe frame and NOT the full screen, there's far less screen estrate wasted o both the old and new dashboard.

most peopel who complain have no idea that the dashboard have to work on more than 1:1 pixel HDTV's and at least for this generation actual info and content has to be within the safe frame.

Ah yes very good point.

I said this on another forum (I think it was the gamespot article), but I think the new dashboard looks like a combination of Vista Media Center + Flip 3D in Vista + Zune 2.0. The worded menu on the left being zune, and the rest being a combination of Vista Media Center and Flip 3D. The only thing that resembles Cover Flow with Apple is that there's a reflection (big deal, didn't know putting a reflection on something was "copying" Apple). Either way, I can't wait to get the new update and try it out for myself. I'm hoping that it'll be released before Gears of War 2 though. Otherwise it'll probably be close to Christmas before we get it.

I personally hate the new dashboard look. It looks like a PS3 and an iPod ran into each other. This looks way too much like cover flow for my liking. The bladed interface was at least original and well organized, this just looks like Microsoft had to fall into the trend wagon. I don't mind the Avatars so much, since they are putting the extra effort into them to make them original, as well as the 8 person chat that comes with them, but why did they need to do all this?

[edit] Now that I look at the themes at least they help take away from that look a bit, but then again those also look a bit too much like Vista and OS X sometimes. Oh well, we will have to see...

FYI: You don't have to use avatars.

True. But I doubt there will be many people using Gamerpics instead of Avatars.

Personally, I wish the Avatars looked a little more 'mature' as I have nothing against the idea, it's just that these Avatars look a little childish, IMO.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • You're absolutely right! No reason in hell these should be on the road!
    • They aren't going to want to. Most would just go with the 17 Pro and save money. Why would they want to spend $300 for basically the same thing? It's not worth it if there are hardly any changes from year to year.
    • 24H2 rolled out to the Release Preview Channel in early June 2024, so this coming a bit later in the Experimental Channel (formerly Dev) doesn't really say much more than earlier H2 releases that came out in October. I am not sure what the thinking is here by putting it in Experimental, one would think that the 26H2 stamp means features are locked down and it's now bug tested until October? I don't even pretend to understand Microsoft's strategy for Windows Insider Program though
    • Nothing Ear (a) and CMF Buds Pro 2 with active noise cancellation drop to lowest price ever by Fiza Ali With Prime Day 2026 scheduled to run from Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 June, Amazon has already begun rolling out early access offers ahead of the main event. Particularly, Nothing Ear (a) and CMF Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds have dropped to their lowest price ever with limited Prime deal offering 33% and 24% discounts, respectively. Nothing Ear (a) are equipped with 11mm dynamic drivers featuring a PM1 + TPU diaphragm. For noise control, the earbuds offer active noise cancellation (ANC) of up to 45dB across frequencies reaching 5,000Hz. The smart ANC algorithm adapts to surrounding noise levels, while a Transparency Mode allows users to remain aware of their environment when needed. Connectivity is handled via Bluetooth 5.3, with support for AAC, SBC, and LDAC audio codecs. Additional features include IP54-rated earbuds for dust and splash resistance, paired with an IPX2-rated charging case. Furthermore, users also benefit from pinch controls, in-ear detection, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, dual-device connectivity, and a low-latency mode designed for gaming and video playback. The Nothing X app unlocks a range of customisation options, including a personalised equaliser, bass enhancement, control remapping, ear tip fit testing, firmware updates, dual-device management, a Find My Earbuds feature, and low-latency mode settings. When it comes to the battery, the earbuds house a 46mAh lithium-ion battery, while the charging case contains a 500mAh cell. With ANC disabled, users can expect up to 9.5 hours of playback from the earbuds and up to 42.5 hours in total with the charging case. With ANC enabled, battery life is rated at up to 5.5 hours per charge and up to 24.5 hours combined with the case. Finally, fast charging is also supported that should provide up to 10 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge with ANC turned off. Nothing Ear (a) Wireless Earbuds (Black): $53.20 (Amazon US) - 33% The CMF Buds Pro 2 feature a dual-driver audio system consisting of an 11mm bass driver and a 6mm micro-planar tweeter. The earbuds use PU (polyurethane) and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) titanium-coated diaphragms and are tuned by Nothing to deliver balanced audio performance. They further support active noise cancellation of up to 50dB across a frequency range of up to 5,000Hz, and noise control features include a Smart ANC algorithm, Adaptive ANC, Transparency Mode, and Clear Voice Technology 2.0. For calls, the CMF Buds Pro 2 use a total of six microphones and feature an environmental noise-cancelling algorithm, Clear Voice Technology 3.0, and Wind Noise Reduction 3.0 that should improve voice clarity during conversations. Furthermore, when it comes to the connectivity, it is provided through Bluetooth 5.4. Additional features include an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, in-ear detection, a low-latency mode, and a Find My Earbuds function. Moreover, through the Nothing X app for Android and iOS, users can access custom EQ settings, a bass enhancement algorithm, customisable controls, Find My Earbuds, low-latency mode, dual-device connectivity, an ear tip fit test, and firmware updates. The earbuds contain a 60mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, while the charging case houses a 460mAh battery. A full charge of the earbuds and case via USB-C should take approximately 85 minutes, while the earbuds alone should be fully recharged in the case in around 60 minutes. Battery life is rated at up to 11 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 43 hours with the charging case when ANC is turned off. With ANC enabled, playback time is reduced to up to 6.5 hours on the earbuds and up to 26 hours with the charging case. Talk time is rated at up to 6 hours on the earbuds and 25 hours with the case with ANC disabled, or up to 4.8 hours and 18.6 hours, respectively, with ANC enabled. CMF Buds Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds (Dark Grey): $37.05 (Amazon US) - 24% Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Collaborator
      ryansurfer98 went up a rank
      Collaborator
    • Week One Done
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      Skeet Campbell earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Sharbel earned a badge
      One Month Later
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      542
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      186
    3. 3
      Michael Scrip
      77
    4. 4
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      76
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      71
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!