New Xbox Live Update


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New Xbox Live Update: Full Game Downloads, Expanded Netflix Features and More

By Dan Nosowitz, 8:02 PM on Thu Jul 16 2009

504x_GamesOnDemand_A.jpg

The newest Xbox live update is in the process of filtering out to the masses, and it brings with it some pretty sweet features. It'll offer downloadable Games on Demand (full games!), new Netflix options and a bunch more.

Games on Demand looks pretty great; you'll be able to download full games, including manuals, and you'll have access to them forever, meaning free re-downloads in case you delete them. The new Netflix options include "movie parties" that sound sort of awkward, wherein you and a bunch of other avatars sit around and share digital popcorn (we are not making this up, see the press release below). But it'll also give you more control over your Instant Watch queue and supposedly give you smooth playback even with a finicky Internet connection. No luck yet on the Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, or Zune video additions we were promised at E3.

A warning: This is rolling out in waves, with a select preview first. Games on Demand won't be available until early August, and even that's only in the preview. We don't have an exact date for the wide release, though it'll almost certainly be in late summer. Check out the presser below for more details.

What does this
include?

Netflix Updates

Now you can watch movies with your friends no matter where they are and manage your queue from the comfort of your couch.

? Movie Parties ? Xbox LIVE Gold members can sit together in a virtual theater with up to seven friends no matter where they are while your Avatars watch a movie, flirt or even throw popcorn at each other.

? Manage Your Queue ? Browse the Netflix Instant Watch video catalogue, choose from the most popular movies and genres and add to your queue all from the comfort of your couch ? no computer required.

? Enhanced Playback Experience ? Enjoy a smooth viewing experience when your internet bandwidth fluctuates.

? Friends Info ? Richer information is now displayed in the Friends channel and in the Guide showing what you and your friends are doing.

Avatar Marketplace

Express yourself! Deck your Avatar out with the latest clothing and props from the top brands and game franchises.

? Clothing ? Download premium items, including branded apparel from your favorite fashion labels and
games such as "Halo."

? Props ? You can now equip your avatar with animated items they can carry around and interact with.

? Awardables ? The ability to earn Avatar clothing and props as rewards within games has been added. Please stay tuned for an update on supporting titles.

Games on Demand? Please note that Games on Demand will be available in the preview beginning early August.

Enjoy 24 x 7 access to a growing online library of popular full game titles on Xbox LIVE whenever you want them, in the comfort of your living room.

? Purchase Options ? Browse and download a great selection of full Xbox 360 games using Microsoft Points, direct debit, or credit card.

? Game Manuals ? Game manuals for Games on Demand titles can be viewed, downloaded or printed on Xbox.com.

? It's Yours Forever! ? As with other Xbox LIVE content, Games on Demand titles are linked to your Xbox LIVE account, so you can delete and re-download anything you have already purchased to the same console or another console.

User Ratings

User ratings help you find games that other people think are awesome!

? Rate it ? You can now rate every game on the Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace using a 5-star system.

? Sort and Find it ? Now you can easily find the games that everyone's been raving about by visiting the Top Rated games in the Browse All category of Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace.

Xbox LIVE Parties

Everyone loves to Party! Check out the new and improved Xbox LIVE Party features.

? Party Reconnections ? If you are accidently disconnected from your party, Xbox LIVE will automatically reconnect you.

? Streamlined Party Invites ? Invites are now just one click away! No need to click through multiple screens to get all your friends together.

Video Display Options

We've made it easier for you to see your entertainment in the highest resolution possible on your TV using an HDMI connection.

* Display Discovery ? Make sure you can see and hear your entertainment in the highest resolution and sound quality possible with the option to override and select audio and video formats independent of the information your television sends to your Xbox 360 console.

Other Improvements

We're always listening to you for feedback, and this
will include numerous dashboard updates.

? Gold Member Veterans ? Xbox LIVE Gold members get to show it off with a stamp on your Gamer Card that tells people how long you've been a Gold member.

* Indie Games ? Xbox LIVE Community Games has been renamed Xbox LIVE Indie Games. We feel this new name better represents the independent spirit of these titles.

? Achievement Browser ? We've revamped the Achievements browser so it's now easier to read through all the achievements while playing a game. You can now also launch a game directly from the browser.

? Achievements Tracking ? A new view inside the profile panel which includes a summary of Achievements earned across all the games played, and shows of all your completed games.

* Streamlined Navigation - Streamlined navigation, including new entry points in the dashboard for Active Downloads, redeeming codes, recovering Gamertags and more.

? Voice Messages ? No more blank voice messages! When recording a voice message, a warning will pop up if no audio is detected.

? Friends List Sorting ? It's now easier to find your friends! Find and sort your friends by activity, Gamertag or online status by pressing the Y button while viewing the friends list in the Guide.

? Memory ? Time stamps now appear in the memory area, which particular handy when managing saved games.

Account Management

We've made some changes to make your life easier.

? Subscription Notification ? If your Xbox LIVE subscription is about to run out, you will now be notified when you sign into Xbox LIVE.

? Updates for Invalid Windows Live IDs ? If the Windows Live ID you provided has expired, you will now be prompted to update it the next time you sign into Xbox LIVE.

? Account recovery ? We've enhanced the account recovery process to make it faster and more reliable.

What does this Xbox LIVE Update not include?

The following features will be coming in future Xbox LIVE updates, which we'll be sure to let you know about.

? Facebo
Source:

? Zune video and 1080p Instant On

? Last.fm

Source: Gizmodo[/b]ve-update-full-game-downloads-expanded-netflix-featur:drool:more"]Gizmodo

So does anyone here have it yet? :drool:

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Video Display Options

We've made it easier for you to see your entertainment in the highest resolution possible on your TV using an HDMI connection.

This one seems most interesting to me. Wonder if I can get 1366*768 for my set so I can use the pixel matching mode.

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Not here yet.

Want...

@Mystic, Was hoping to be "select" :laugh:

Too bad they aren't doing a beta test like when they overhauled the XMB. :p

This one seems most interesting to me. Wonder if I can get 1366*768 for my set so I can use the pixel matching mode.

Too bad over half of 360 owners don't have HDMI. On the serious side though, if I did have HDMI how does that update benefit? The only thing I can think of is even though I have a 1080p set when I put in a DVD if you shown the TV's resolution, it is quick lower (480p). Does it deal with that?

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Was I the only one that read this was coming out "later" this summer? I'm estimating at least a month before we start seeing waves of rollouts.
The newest Xbox live update is in the process of filtering out to the masses

So yeah, it's on it's way right now. I don't think all the features will be up and running right away though.

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Too bad they aren't doing a beta test like when they overhauled the XMB. :p

Too bad over half of 360 owners don't have HDMI. On the serious side though, if I did have HDMI how does that update benefit? The only thing I can think of is even though I have a 1080p set when I put in a DVD if you shown the TV's resolution, it is quick lower (480p). Does it deal with that?

It helps a guy like me where my 720p set is actually 1366*768. My set offers pixel matching mode for 1366*768 but the xbox is feeding 1280*720 and I can't change it like you can with a VGA connection.

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So yeah, it's on it's way right now. I don't think all the features will be up and running right away though.
Microsoft just announced the details of the next Xbox Live dashboard update, which should start rolling out in waves later this summer. Highlight features include support for Games on Demand (coming in August), a slew of Netflix updates including the ability to browse the library and manage your queue, the long-awaited Movie Party system that allows Gold members to share a flick in a virtual theater, and a ton of other little tweaks like user ratings, avatar enhancements, friends list sorting, and a streamlined Party invite system. Yeah, we think we'll take it. Full release after the break.

Engadget

Gizmodo says something similar as well. Unless your a select "Preview" member which guarantees basically nobody (probably only in the hundreds).

It helps a guy like me where my 720p set is actually 1366*768. My set offers pixel matching mode for 1366*768 but the xbox is feeding 1280*720 and I can't change it like you can with a VGA connection.

Ah, I didn't know you were on a VGA connection. Sorry sir!

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Gizmodo says something similar as well. Unless your a select "Preview" member which guarantees basically nobody (probably only in the hundreds).

Ah, I didn't know you were on a VGA connection. Sorry sir!

What? No, I'm on HDMI.

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I just checked my xbox, no update for me yet either, so it will be expected later today then?

dont expect to see it for a month or two at most. the rolling out today was just to a select list of people.

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Meh, this another one of those NA only things again? I'm getting tired of hearing of features I won't get :p I'm sure it's good and all but probably won't see the light of day here...hope I'm wrong but can't check my 360 to find out (at work!).

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It wasn't directed at anyone's setup. On VGA you can specify the exact resolution you want to use, but on component and HDMI you can only choose general resolutions like 1080p and 720p.

Meh, this another one of those NA only things again? I'm getting tired of hearing of features I won't get :p I'm sure it's good and all but probably won't see the light of day here...hope I'm wrong but can't check my 360 to find out (at work!).

All of the features except Netflix will hit you too. What makes you think otherwise?

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It wasn't directed at anyone's setup. On VGA you can specify the exact resolution you want to use, but on component and HDMI you can only choose general resolutions like 1080p and 720p.

All of the features except Netflix will hit you too. What makes you think otherwise?

Well it's wrong to assume we will, different regions have different rules so I don't always assume we automatically get things other regions get, if that makes any sense?

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Well it's wrong to assume we will, different regions have different rules so I don't always assume we automatically get things other regions get, if that makes any sense?

It's a dashboard update. Those have always been universal.

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Unless a feature is something that is not in your region (Sky TV for Americans as an example) it won't come to you, but i expect all the other features would.

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total Cr2P. Just another way for MS to make more money out of us! why cant they make new features free....

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We rolled out some info on the system update coming later this summer. I'll have more details on my show this week: http://tr.im/sJ5G

From MajorNelson's Twitter

So this is not being rolled out now but prob around middle to end of August...

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total Cr2P. Just another way for MS to make more money out of us! why cant they make new features free....

What are you babbling on about? Xbox 360 updates are free and always have been.

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