Posts with tag dash update
Posted May 11th 2007 2:00PM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News
If you're looking to pull off those floating black text boxes for your Xbox 360 Windows Live Messenger fun, this little guide can help. Over on Xbox.com they've posted a Spring dashboard FAQ featuring a few keyboard shortcuts for the 360 IM'ers among us. Opening, closing, and navigating the numerous text boxes is a breeze with these keyboard shortcuts. Also included in the FAQ is one of those "corporate responses" to Xbox Live members having trouble signing up for the service. More specifically, they are looking into a fix for those who are over 18 years old, but created their accounts when they were under age. Yeah, it's a screwed up system, but we say no more. More reading after the jump.
[Via Major Nelson]
Posted May 10th 2007 1:00PM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News
For those of you who use VGA to connect your 360 to a display, the Spring update is perfect for your washed out display woes. Included in the Spring dashboard update is a reference levels setting under the displays option, which toggles your interpret black levels to help get those blacks even blacker. The VGA's washed out effect is due to both the VGA cable and HDTV's default black levels not meshing, so the new reference levels setting gives you three options (standard, intermediate, and expanded) to correct the difference. Any VGA users willing to give the reference levels a test and see if it makes your display's picture prettier?
[Via Digg]
Posted May 9th 2007 3:30PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: News
One of the less publicized additions in the Xbox 360
Spring Update is a handful of
new video codecs. Mention the word "codec" however, and you can be sure that the folks at Engadget are paying attention. The new dash update brought with it some spiffy high definition codecs and Engadget has given them a test drive. With fresh 1080p support (at up to 10MBps) Engadget declares the Xbox 360 the new king of streaming video, effectively shoving the Apple TV into the deep recesses of an ancient couch. Hit the "read" link for Engadget's full breakdown of the new codecs and their performance.
Posted May 9th 2007 1:00AM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News, Xbox Live
It has been a
long time coming, but no more rumors and no more speculation ... we have an official release date and time. Today, at around 2:00AM pacific (a few hours away) the Spring dash update will make its way onto the Xbox Live servers for members to download in masses. The update will bring Windows Live Messenger integration, a new restructured Marketplace, and more fixes and fun too numerous to mention. With the amount of anticipation surrounding this dash update, one would think it were going to actually change people's lives or solve world hunger. But it won't, it'll simply make our dash a happier place to be. So, take a seat and relax for a bit, because our Spring dash update will be here in a few hours. Full press release after the break.
Continue reading Finally, Spring dash update releases in hours
Posted May 8th 2007 2:15PM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Marketplace
No, this isn't an announcement about the Spring dashboard update's release, but it is an announcement for two dash videos that you can watch while you're waiting. Up on the XBLM are two videos that demo and showcase all the new features that the Spring update will bring. For those of you who still aren't sure to what's included or if you have friends who are clueless, downloading the videos will be an easy way to get learnified. And since you have nothing better to do today, give the vids a download and a quick watch.
Even though we haven't seen the videos yet, rumor has it there is a pink gopher halfway through video number two. What? Seriously, would we make that up? Okay fine ... we just wanted you to download the videos. Don't hate us.
Posted May 8th 2007 2:00AM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News
Finally, official word has come through the internet pipeline about the Spring dashboard update. Major Nelson jumped on his blog to tell everyone that the new dash update will not be released today (Tuesday) and doesn't give any hard release details. We know everyone is eager to get the update, but it's important to remember that Microsoft stated way
back when that the Spring update would be released the
week of May 7th and not the day of. Just sit back and don't bother firing up your 360 periodically throughout the day, because the Spring update will not be there. But be sure to keep your fingers crossed for a Wednesday release. Come on lucky Wednesday!
Posted May 7th 2007 5:45PM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News, Rumors
Monday's sun is setting and we still have yet to hear from Microsoft about the Spring dashboard update. But talk is a flutter over on the Xbox.com forums from Xbox Live members who've contacted customer support and are hearing that the update will roll out tomorrow, May 8th. Some even heard from CS managers a 3:00AM pacific time frame for when the dash update will be released. We of course can't confirm such talk, but we aren't expecting the update to be released today anymore, so tomorrow is the next best thing. Any fanboys talk to Xbox CS and hear something different?
[Thanks, MoltenGrog]
Posted May 7th 2007 9:45AM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News
Just a friendly reminder that the feature rich
Spring dashboard update is coming sometime this week. As promised, the update will be going live during the week (this May 7th), but any other details are a little sketchy. The Xbox Live team may release it sometime today, tomorrow, or even Friday ... we just aren't sure. But be rest assured that once we hear any news about when it'll be going live, we'll let you know. Okay fanboys, the countdown to an unknown release is on.
Posted Apr 13th 2007 10:30AM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News
If you've been craving more information about the Spring dashboard update, then you aren't alone. That's why the fine folks over at on10 headed over to the Microsoft campus to record a video demo that showcases all the new Spring update features. The 20+ minute demo shows off all the UI and menu structure changes as well as explains (and shows) how the IM integration will work. Actually, every feature that has been announced for the Spring dash update is demoed in the video including the new text-input device that'll attach to your controller. So, if you're the curious type and want to see the new dash features in action, give the video a watch. Maybe you'll see something new that you just love (like the new Marketplace blade!). And remember, the new Spring dash update
drops May 7th to an Xbox 360 near you.
Posted Apr 11th 2007 5:00PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: News
Speaking with Gamasutra, group product manager for Xbox Live,
Aaron Greenberg, laid down some new specifics regarding the new Live Messenger functionality coming in the
spring update. First, and most importantly, the service will be completely free to both Gold and Silver members. Big surprise, right? The Live Messenger integration is compatible with other versions of Messenger across the board, so users on 360 will be able to chat with users on PC and even mobile devices. Users can open up to 6 separate chats, but group chats are limited to 3 people. Greenberg uses the example of a player on a 360 chatting with a friend at work on a PC and a girlfriend on a cell phone all at once. We're not sure how often that kind of thing comes up, but it's cool nonetheless.
Greenberg also makes a point to allay fears regarding the new thumbboard peripheral. Greenberg notes that the device is very light and shouldn't interfere with the gameplay experience. Furthermore, Greenberg says that he uses thumbboards often, so the peripheral is second nature. Of course, USB keyboards are supported as well.
Discussing concerns of IM spam, Greenberg notes the messenger privacy features. The privacy features of the Xbox 360, including who you can and can't receive messages from, will apply to IM as well. There are also options like appearing online to Live friends but offline to IM friends. Finally, Greenberg says that the Xbox friends list is separate from the IM friends list and that IM friends have a different icon than the typical gamer picture associated with Xbox Live friends.
So, is cross-platform IM something that interests you? Would you be willing to drop a few bucks for the thumbboard? Will you use IM at all?
Posted Apr 10th 2007 1:45PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: News
Ah, nothing like the smell of fresh codecs in the morning. Hidden inside the list of new features to be bundled with the
spring dashboard update is a handful of new video codecs that will be supported by the Xbox 360. The new codecs are H.264 and MPEG-4 Part 2. What does all this mean? Honesly, we have no idea. Lucky for us, our similarly bewildered kin at Joystiq found an answer. According to the video wiz kids at Red Kawa, "This puts Microsoft at the head of the pack in the Apple TV vs PS3 vs Xbox 360 video battle royale." The 360 will be able to display 1080p H.264 Level 4.1 and H.264 High Profile. This bests Apple TV which is maxed at 720p H.264 Level 3.1 and H.264 Main Profile. As for the PS3, it supports 1080p H.264 but only at H.264 Main Profile. Take that ... probably!
One important note, this does
not mean that the Xbox 360 will finally support DivX or Xvid. All your torrenting fantasies will have to wait. Still, this will add some more decent HD video capability to the Xbox 360, and that's always a good thing.
[Via Joystiq. Thanks to the video junkies that sent this in.]
Posted Apr 9th 2007 12:05AM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News, Xbox Live, Peripherals, Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox Live Marketplace, Video Marketplace
It has been an interesting week of
leakage and speculation about the Spring dash update and we now know that it's all true. Microsoft has officially pulled back the curtains on the update's features and when we'll be getting our mitts on the all the goodies. First off, we think it'd be appropriate to recap all the big new features that the update has to offer. Without further adieu, the Spring dashboard update will feature ...
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Windows Live Messenger IM integration.
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More informative achievement notifications.
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A brand new Marketplace blade with updated organization.
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Upgraded XBLA friend interaction functionality.
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Auto-off downloading functionality featuring low power mode.
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Enhanced family settings for chatting.
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Ability to watch videos while downloading off the XBLM.
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Hundreds of other random fixes and tweaks.
Not only that, but Microsoft also announced that they'll be releasing a new QWERTY text-input peripheral (seen here) this Summer that attaches to the Xbox 360 controller. Also, Joystiq separately confirmed that the once speculated "
Play Game" feature will indeed be included in the new dash update. Now no more guessing which game is in the drive. The Spring update will go live on May 7th with all the new IM integration and updated features. Full press release after the break and be sure to take a look at Joystiq or Engadget's Spring dash photo galleries.
Is there anything you think should have been included in the update or something you're specifically looking forward to? Also, will you be using the Windows Live Messenger integration through your 360? Fanboys, it's your duty to discuss!
Update 1: Xbox.com has more information on the other features included in the dash update including various video playback options.
Continue reading Spring update features confirmed: IM and more! [update 1]
Posted Apr 4th 2007 12:30PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: News
It's springtime again, which can mean only one thing. No, not the impending arrival of young couples making out behind the bushes at the park, it's time for Xbox 360 Spring update rumors. Clan support has been a rumored addition for a while now, and there are even some alleged pictures of it in action (see above). Before we define this a little further, let's just get this out of the way: clan support is
not part of the upcoming spring update. This was confirmed by Major Nelson himself during
our latest Xbox 360 Fancast.
Now for clarification's sake, it's perfectly possible for any given game to have clan support. As such, screens like the one above may be legitimate. However, Major Nelson informed us that Microsoft has no plans to integrate clan support into the 360 itself. In other words, there are no plans to add universal clan support that spans multiple games. Clan support is offered by Microsoft, but it is up to developers to implement it into individual titles.
So, there you go, no clan support in the spring update. Of course, that doesn't stop us from speculating about
other features.
[Thanks, todd]
Posted Jan 9th 2007 2:00PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: News
Alright, we got our confirmation from the folks at Gamerscore Blog, and Major Nelson has posted it as well. Today's dashboard update specifically fixes some performance issues and is all behind the scenes. So there you go. It wasn't IPTV, it wasn't the
Gears patch, and it's altogether uninteresting. At least we get
Ms. Pac-Man tomorrow, right? Right? Anybody?
Posted Jan 9th 2007 12:45PM by Richard Mitchell
Filed under: News
Update: It looks like it's just a boring performance update. Click
here for the full scoop.
Those of you who have turned on your 360s today (in the US at least) were prompted to download an update. We've had a few people asking if we know what it was all about. To put it simply, we don't. We've asked Major Nelson for an official explanation. He assures us that an explanation is forthcoming, just as soon as he gets details from Redmond (Major is at CES right now). We'll give you the details as soon as we have them. Just curious, has anyone outside the US received this update?
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