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Microsoft Unveil Spring Update Details News
Jon Wilcox
10/04/2007
But still no news on when UK gamers can expect to receive the breadth of video content...
Microsoft has revealed the list of 'features' coming to Xbox 360 on May 7th in the Spring Update, including Instant Messaging functionality with Windows Live Messenger.
The 'centrepiece' of what looks like something of a sparse update will act as a precursor to the summer release of a new mini-keyboard attachment (or the 'Text Input Device' as Microsoft insist on calling it) for the Xbox 360 controller, and will enable six conversations to take place over IM. Additionally, the update will bring the following functionality:
- A richer Achievement notification pop-up will showcase the name of the unlocked Achievement and the gamerscore value without needing to leave the game to check the Achievements list.
- Enhanced family settings features for Xbox LIVE communications enable different defaults for video chat and voice chat.
- A new Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade lets Xbox LIVE members access the content they seek - whether it is game content or TV shows and movies (available in the United States) - from one place on Xbox LIVE.
- Updates to Xbox LIVE Arcade allow owners to quickly see which Xbox LIVE Arcade games their friends are playing and join in the fun. Xbox LIVE members can also compare progress of leaderboard scores and Achievements directly with all friends on their friends list. Expanded Tell a Friend capabilities make it easier than ever to boast about Achievements and high scores.
- A new option in Auto Downloads provides faster access to the entire collection of free, trial-version Xbox LIVE Arcade games.
- New progressive download controls provide easy access to optimal viewing options by letting people fast-forward, rewind, pause and resume as their video is downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
- Extension of the background download functionality will allow owners to set their Xbox 360 console to turn off automatically after downloads are complete.
But away from new blades and extended background download functionality, there's no doubt as to what element Microsoft finds most exciting: "Bringing the largest IM community in the world, Windows Live Messenger, to Xbox 360 makes sense, as Xbox LIVE has really become the largest social network on television," said Jerry Johnson, Product Unit Manager of Xbox LIVE at Microsoft. "For our growing community of 6 million on Xbox LIVE, using Xbox 360 is a very social, connected experience. They are using Xbox 360 to play games, music and movies while simultaneously communicating with one another through video, voice and text chat. With this announcement we are simultaneously expanding the access of Xbox LIVE users to existing friends and family while introducing Windows Live Messenger users to the benefits of Xbox 360."
Away from the fact that the integration between Windows Live and Xbox 360 will open up further communication between the two platforms, there are two glaringly obvious omissions from the update. The first being the lack of an update to the Backwards Compatibility list, which hasn't evolved since December 2006, and the lack of video content on Marketplace - it seems that the gulf between the US and the rest of the gaming remains wide open.
Anonymous
Date Added:Thu 7th Aug 2008 18:35
Anonymous
Date Added:Thu 7th Aug 2008 14:37
Anonymous
Date Added:Thu 24th Jul 2008 10:13
Anonymous
Date Added:Sun 20th Jul 2008 20:45
Anonymous
Date Added:Sat 19th Jul 2008 06:26
coruscant
Date Added:Fri 18th Jul 2008 12:21
gfh-77
Date Added:Thu 10th Jul 2008 07:03
Date Added:Wed 9th Jul 2008 17:52
gfh-77 i can't believe you're still on here babbling on.Why don't you give M$ a ring & see if they'll sell you a life with a dual core processor ha ha.I bet your still a virgin.Nerd!
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Anonymous
Date Added:Wed 9th Jul 2008 17:52
gfh-77
Date Added:Wed 9th Jul 2008 17:03
Anonymous
Date Added:Wed 9th Jul 2008 13:29