Xbox Dashboard Update Hits 11 August

Author	Hugo Jobling
Published	22nd Jul 2009

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Microsoft has spilled the beans on when its next Xbox 360 Dashboard update -as shown off at E3 is scheduled to launch - 11 August.

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As you may recall, the refresh won't be as revolutionary as the NXE update, but it does add a bunch of nifty features. I can't say I'm too thrilled about Facebook or Twitter integration, although I'm sure plenty of you will disagree with me on that front. Last.fm streaming from the Dashboard is of more interest, although as always when mentioning media playback on the Xbox I still think the console is too damn loud to be entirely usable.

Also launching with the latest update are 1080p streaming films on the Xbox Live Video Marketplace. As per video delivered via the desktop implementation of Silverlight 3 1080p video on the Xbox 360 will scale quality dynamically depending on the available bandwidth. As I said before, though, if there isn't a "force 1080p with buffering" option or something to that effect, I'll be sorely disappointed.

Reminding us that the Xbox 360 is, believe it or not, a games console Microsoft will also be adding Xbox Live Games On Demand to the Dashboard, making full blown titles available to download - an obvious and logical extension of hard drive installs. Launch titles will include Mass Effect, Assassins Creed and Lego Star Wars: the Original Saga - all of which you should really have played already I should add.

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Andrew Violet said on 22nd July 2009

The facebook/twitter update is not in this update - thats later this year. This is more rateable content and full downable games.

Dan said on 22nd July 2009

Hugo - you're being far too down on this, and missing the massive upside of 'increased-wife-acceptance' factor.
Previously, every time the surround-sound logo... more

Martin Leventon said on 22nd July 2009

Its true, Facebook, Twitter and 1080p zune video isnt in this update they are expected autumn time. Microsoft are running a preview program of the new dashboard. You enter a questi... more

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