The New Xbox Experience – What to Expect

In November, the Xbox 360 will be celebrating it’s third birthday. On November 19th, Microsoft will be issuing a major update for the Xbox 360. Dubbed “The New Xbox Experience”, Microsoft will be taking a bold step by changing everything from the look of the dashboard, to adding new Xbox Live features and avatars. So what exactly can you expect from this major update?

First up, we have the dashboard itself. You can say bye bye to the sliding blade system that we have at the moment. The sliding blade system will be replaced with a new image based navigation system. By moving up and down you can flick through the folder you want to view, be it video content, music, or whatever, and by moving left and right, you can browse the content of your selected folder. As far as folders go, aside form the usual option to launch your games, you have: My Xbox, Friends, Inside Xbox, Events, Welcome, Spotlight, Game Marketplace, and Video Marketplace. So, I guess you’re wondering what the Events and Welcome folders are, huh? Well, Welcome is a straight forward introduction to the new update, and can be deleted when you’re done with it. As far Events, the folder houses different Xbox Live events within the community, such as specific gaming nights. You can also access the features on your console with a lot more ease than before when pressing the Xbox button on your controller. Pressing the Xbox button brings up a new and improved quick access menu, allowing for easier navigation.

Avatars. Yeah we know, the idea of Wii style avatars on the Xbox 360 doesn’t sit well with us either, but whatever, it’s happening. Ok, so the good news is that the avatars we’ll be seeing on our consoles are a little more advanced than what you’ve probably seen on the Wii. You can customise your avators clothes, hair, and other characteristics in great detail. Apparently Microsoft will also be opening an avatar store you can buy even more clothes for your mini counterpart.

So now you want to show your avatar off, but don’t you just wish partying up with your friends could be a little easier? Well Microsoft will be introducing a new party system. Now you’ll be able to hop from one game to another in a group with your friends. Hurrah!

After the update you’ll also be able to install games onto your hard drive for faster loading times (in theory). Early reports are saying it takes minimal time to download the games onto your hard drive, and that it saves the DVD drive wearing itself out.

If you’re a Netflix customer, you’ll be able to use Netflix on your console. You’ll be able to download Netflix onto your 360, que up moves over at Netflix.com, and then watch them on your console. You can also quit watching your film and resume at the same point you left off at whenever you want.

So there you go, there’s what you’ll be getting in your November update. There’s talk of some other features being added next year such as the Primetime feature, which will allow gamers to take part in interactive game shows over Xbox Live, but for now, this is the lot. Looks kind of cool, no?