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May 7 Spring Update for Xbox 360 Dashboard - Xbox 360

7th April 2007, 10:00pm
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It may not be anywhere near spring in Australia, but we still get the benefits of Microsoft's latest upgrade for Xbox Live. May 7th (so probably May 8th for us) will mark a new era in the Xbox 360 dashboard. Some of the new features will dazzle you, some might not seem like such a big deal, but they all add up to make one big nice upgrade. Here's what we know for sure:

  • Windows Live Messenger contacts can now be added to your Xbox Live friends list
  • Your user interface will now get its own blade
  • You can add up to 600 MSN Messenger contacts
  • Basic text chat with MSN contacts
  • Chat with as man as six friends while gaming or watching videos
  • MSN contacts will know your gamertag and what game you're playing
  • Xbox Live Marketplace gets its own blade
  • XBL Marketplace blade changes depending on advertising content, and what season it is
  • Xbox 360 Achievements show more detail on-screen when unlocked, how many points and what the achievement is called
  • Xbox 360 automatic shut down
  • Low-power download mode, shuts down all fans making Xbox 360 extremely quiet
  • Option to turn Xbox 360 off when all downloads are finished
  • Option to view partially downloaded video files
  • Numerous other features with achievements, downloads, and friends list
There are also rumours that the spring update will allow you to see what game you have in your disc drive without having to open it up. Currently it just says "Play game". Voice chat with MSN contacts is also planned, possibly in the next minor update.
by David Latham » Author's Blog