Xbox Update August 11th, or earlier if your lucky.

[Chasym]

The new update is coming!!!

>> Microsoft announced the details of the next Xbox Live dashboard update, which should be released later this summer.

--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. Please note that only limited content is currently available in the preview.

--Clothing
Download premium items, including branded apparel from your favorite fashion labels and Xbox 360 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 Xbox LIVE update 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.
* Facebook
* Twitter
* Zune video and 1080p Instant On
* Last.fm

Some pretty cool stuff being added. Im sad they decided to start charging for avatar items after they said they wouldnt.
Just like im pissed that they will be charging for 1 VS 100 after beta ends.

Regardless those are some neat features coming out.

and if you want in early you can sign up for the early testers program!

http://tr.im/livepreview

Unfortunatley i cannot sign up since i cannot access my live ID at the moment because its temporarily disabled for some reason and its taking them ages to get my account back to me.

 

[Halifirien]

I like the improvements to Netflix, since I use that feature quite a bit. The viewing party option sounds like a lot of fun, since there are plenty of bad movies in their catalog for like-minded individuals who want to rip movies to shreds like on MST3K.

I also like the avatar rewards. Achievements are nice, but clothing is even better.

 

[Strid]

Ah, so it's that time of year again... When Xbox Live doesn't work right for damn near a week or two.

 

[bigbroon]

I like the improvements to Netflix, since I use that feature quite a bit. The viewing party option sounds like a lot of fun, since there are plenty of bad movies in their catalog for like-minded individuals who want to rip movies to shreds like on MST3K.

I also like the avatar rewards. Achievements are nice, but clothing is even better.

Maybe if they actually gave people on this side of the world access to Netflix, instead of improving it for the people who do have it, I'd be happy about this. Sounds like we're getting, as Strid said, a couple of weeks of faulty XBL for sweet fuck-all.

 

[Morcheeba]

Ah, so it's that time of year again... When Xbox Live doesn't work right for damn near a week or two.

^^


I like the sounds of a lot of the upcoming changes.

Yea they're totally cashing now charging for Avatar options! Poo

I've not even used the Netflix option since it's become available to us.. because I basically have that with my cable on demand.

BB, they said you can enjoy netflix where ever you are. I assume that's if you access a friends Netflix show that does have access.

 

[Halifirien]

The update is live for the people who signed up for the preview. I got in, but I'm at work and can't download it for a few more hours.

 

[CandyR27]

These updates to xbox live are pretty kick butt. I love the way they are making it easier for you to communicate and do things with friends in a virtual setting. My only concern of course would be that people will opt to to this over real life contact. While I love the idea of being able to watch a movie together with a friend from another state or overseas, I'd still much prefer to get together with a close friend irl. But that's just me.

 

[Chasym]

so far the update has been pretty cool. Not enough added to make my freak out, you can pretty much see the entire update in about 5 minutes, i hear there will be a bit more added on the 11th though. I like being able to see what my friends are watching in net flix instead of just "watching a video"
and the movie party is freakin awesome, we ran some tests to see if me and my friends were seeing the exact same part at the exact same time or if there was a slight delay between us, but, it was exact same time with no delay. It made movies meant to be serious a little more funnier with the emoticons and ability to talk MST3k style.

My live gold stamp sucks though, ive been a member since xbox 1 but it says ive only been a member for 2 years. Sucks. but no biggie.

Now all i want is instant on and ill probly actually rent movies!