Microsoft has announced that the latest Xbox 360 dashboard update is rolling out to all Xbox Live users now, following a staggered release over the past week.
As to why some Xbox Live subscribers got the update in advance, “it was based on a number of factors including location, ISP, bandwidth etc. It was a stress test, basically.” Don’t worry, Microsoft loves you all equally.
Personally, I’ve been able to play with the new dashboard and its significantly better than the last iteration.
If you’re one of the people that wasn’t fortunate enough to get that patch yet, here is a quick top list of improvements below:
1. The Big Grid
The new dashboard features Windows 8 new Metro design, see image above. Its a lot easier to see content and jump around making things much more accessible.
2. Pins
This is a great feature, you can Pin a list of shortcuts to the homepage in your dashboard. Anything you use regularly can be pinned so you can jump in right away and access your favorite content.
3. Security Details
They’ve upped the security on the Xbox 360 this time around, which is good for the user. On install of the patch you’ll be prompted to add extra recovery options, like a phone number – this makes it harder for anybody to con their way into your Xbox Live account.
4. Indie Spotlight
Prior they were a tad deep in the menus but now with the new update you’ll be able to get your indie game fix a lot easier. They are a lot more easier to find, once you hit browse you have the option of finding indie games.
5. Real Names
This one is kind of nice, the new patch is a bit more revealing on your screen name. You can select an avatar and see your friends name, so that person in a Halo helmet or Modern Warfare gear is easily distinguishable.
6. Recommendations
There is a sort of Amazon style recommendation system in place here now within the dashboard. So if you hit X to give feedback on what you like, and what you don’t its definitely being noted. I’m sure the analytics team are eating up this data feverishly and spitting out titles on the menu that will be to your liking.
7. Xbox Music
Zune is dead thank god. Who used Zune for real? Now welcome Xbox Music. For $12 a month or roughly $115 a year you can listen to an unlimited amount of music you could ever imagine.
8. TV Picks
The recommendation technology extends itself to the TV as well. Its not only based on the shows you watch but on what’s popular as well. I’m not sure how that will work out after all we have Hulu but we’ll give it a try.
9. Internet Explorer
Being in the digital world and loathing Internet Explorer, this seems to scare me a bit. However, its bringing Xbox to the next level and having them catch up to the PS3 and Wii. Now you can get your full web on with Internet Explorer right in the dashboard.
Source: OXM
