Rumor: Spring update adds game installs, DRM fixes, "motion sensor" features

by Xav de Matos { May 14th 2008 at 10:15AM }

If history remains true the Xbox 360 Spring update should be on its way soon, but unlike previous updates we've heard nothing about new features. According to a tip sent to Joystiq regarding the spring update there are nearly 80 new features and tweaks possibly incoming for the Xbox 360.

The completely unconfirmed list can be found after the jump but we can tell you it includes some features we've dreamed for. Voice chat conferences for up to four people, an Inside Xbox Portal which includes news, entertainment, weather and various community features, downloading audio from feeds (such as the Xbox 360 Fancast, or other podcasts we guess), a DRM check for downloaded content which lists items that will not be accessible when disconnected from Xbox Live and a new (hopefully working) way to correct the DRM issue are some of the features on the list.

Other notable features include being able to delete games from your played games list if they list a gamerscore of zero (and zero obtained achievements) and the ability to save game data onto the hard drive for faster loading (presumably the way PS3 handles the feature).

The most interesting addition is the ability to calibrate motion sensor based peripherals again pushing the Wii-like controller rumor into the limelight.

Keep in mind that this all squarely falls under the category of "rumor" for the moment. We'll let you know as soon as we hear otherwise. Find the full list of (rumored) features after the break.

Xbox LIVE

1. Option to delay sign-in to Xbox LIVE upon booting console (to allow user to set Online Status).
2. Option to promote Child Account from Family Settings.
3. Disallow Child Accounts (over 18) to override Family Settings by launching Privacy Settings through a title.
4. Option in Family Settings for Child Accounts to enable child-oriented/non-mature advertisements.
5. Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.
6. Support to indicate media being watched to gamercard status (video content from Marketplace only).
7. Extend height for Bio field in Personal Profile, easier navigation through text.
8. More fields present in Personal Profile - recent achievements, interests, games, movies, links, custom section.
9. Compact Personal Profile for new fields (navigating to field will open it up).
10. Mandatory option to delete duplicate titles from gamercard (excludes Games for Windows - LIVE). User disconnected from Xbox LIVE when booting any title until action complete.
11. Option to remove payment information from gamertag.
12. New payment methods for international users.
13. Download History on Account Management better organized - games, genre, type, download date, miscellaneous.
14. Long descriptions of items on Marketplace can be scrolled using right stick.
15. Better organization of free content on Marketplace.
16. Option to 'ping' when testing connection.
17. Allow re-connection to Xbox LIVE if Ethernet cable is re-inserted whilst powered on.
18. New strip colours available to developers, staff gamercards.
19. New corner icon available to ambassadors.
20. Re-introduce Messages button for Inside Xbox updates only.
21. Option to store up to 10 messages permanently on server (excludes invites, status messages).
22. Increase character limit for text messages between friends only.
23. Option to disable invites from non-friends or all players.
24. Option to disable invites from titles not on gamercard (excludes demos).
25. Option to have smaller items moved up in Active Downloads.
26. Automatically re-connect to Xbox LIVE if disconnected unexpectedly (set intervals).
27. Option to download gamer picture (if available) from a gamercard being viewed.
28. Display random tips to replace static text on Xbox LIVE and Games blades.
29. New button on Marketplace for optional dashboard features - uses Storage Device memory.
30. Option to donate Microsoft Points to anybody with a Windows Live ID.
31. Option to purchase Membership for charities (includes benefits).
32. Integrate file-sharing for selected titles on Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows - LIVE.
33. Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).
34. Option to see 'snippet' of text message in notification.
35. Windows Live Mail integration - includes support for Xbox LIVE Vision.

Marketplace

37. Option to display gamer picture or standard picture as display picture in Windows Live Messenger.
38. Support for headset, Xbox LIVE Vision in Windows Live Messenger.
39. Support for limited 'winks' that display on dashboard interface. Option to disable 'winks' and 'nudges' added.
40. Notifications separate from Windows Live Messenger to Xbox 360 notifications.
41. Disable multiple languages from being used in any Xbox LIVE editable fields.

Games

1. Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).
2. Organize My Games at the Games Library section better (includes disc-based titles) - sort by genre, platform (Games for Windows - LIVE), percentage completion.
3. Support to display friends leaderboards for disc-based titles.
4. Show dates of an achievement unlocked when comparing.
5. Preload Games Library upon dashboard bootup for faster access.
6. Game updates now shown as items in Memory, increased amount of updates on Storage

Device

7. Option to delete game updates, removed 'cheat code' as no longer needed.
8. Support for more titles to display banner when accessing guide in-game.
9. Option to re-introduce awarded gamer pictures from titles that do not have their own re-introduce feature (requires saved game).
10. Disable gamer pictures from being awarded from trials.
11. Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading.
12. Synchronization to achievements offline/online that were deleted and then re-added from developers.

Media

1. Option to hold LT and RT for rewinding/fast-forwarding video content.
2. Option to delete individual music tracks from storage device.
3. Option to rip music CD at different quality.
4. Copy non-protected files (pictures, music, videos) from USB storage devices, CDs and computers to proprietary storage devices.
5. Support for menu, top-menu features on video content downloaded from Marketplace.
6. Section added for audio delivered through feeds (podcasts). Option to stream, download to Storage Device.
7. Support added for video titles/description to gamercard status.

Dashboard/Miscellaneous

1. Option to navigate quickly out of several menus back to respective blade home (applies to Games, Media, System).
2. New blade trim styles added.
3. Introduce expanded Inside Xbox as a portal to news, weather, entertainment, help and community features.
4. New sounds for various functions (notifications, blades, navigation).
5. Calibration options for display/sound.
6. Calibration options for motion sensor devices.
7. New effects for Xbox LIVE Vision and dashboard background.
8. Disable changing of Theme when on Memory to prevent 'hanging'.
9. Preload recent, limited items upon dashboard bootup on Memory.
10. Faster loading of Themes section on guide.
11. Option to see what items will not work offline due to DRM license changing from
12. Option to automatically associate new DRM to items downloaded for free.
13. Indicate 'charging' status on guide when Play & Charge kit is connected.
14. Option to change text colours on guide to better contrast some backgrounds.
16. Language improvements.
18. Word censor updated for fields.
19. Privacy Settings/Family Settings updated for new features.
20. Voice, picture messages can be read at Xbox.com (Gold accounts). [*]

Tags: dashboard-update, spring-update, xbox-live

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jay900 @ May 14th 2008 10:18AM

i hope this is ture.

but looking at the list again it seems to good to be ture :(

xenocidic @ May 14th 2008 11:55AM

Yes, it's a hoax. Ambassadors have been told time and again they aren't getting anything special, due to technical limitations.

PerfectStrategy @ May 14th 2008 12:27PM

This list is way too good to be true. It's like every single fix and enhancement that you could possibly think of.

If this ends up being true I will plotz.

SadisticHam @ May 14th 2008 10:28AM

Several of these features have been "rumored" in just about every dashboard update i can remember. :P

I'm not holding out much hope, i just hope these HD installs aren't forced, more optional. I'm not interested in upgrading from my 20gig HDD.

Saxon @ May 14th 2008 10:58AM

Aren't HD installations already possible? I played FFXI for a grand total of two days and recall having to wait most of the first day for the install and the subsequent updates.

Procris @ May 14th 2008 10:28AM

I'm pretty sure this update is fake, as around this time of year there is always fake "dash update" lists floating around and i'm really not sure what credibility this has behind it.

The list as a whole seems pretty good and hopefully its true but i'll hold my breath on that one. The ones i like most:

11. Option to remove payment information from gamertag.

5. Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.

If it happens then for me, this will beat all previous updates and i'd love to remove my CC details without having to make the phone call later this year.

docLEXfisti @ May 14th 2008 10:30AM

well, as proud owner of an Elite I like the idea of installing games to reduce loading times ;))

bring it on!

[.sm0ke.] @ May 14th 2008 10:31AM

I'd definitely like to remove my old expired credit card...

Neuromancer @ May 14th 2008 10:33AM

You can do it on Xbox.com, it's still kind of confusing though. You have to go into edit payment information or something, I did it once but now I can't remember exactly.

CharleyTony @ May 14th 2008 10:35AM

short of clan support, that list is the sum of all the wishes and rumors that relate to xbox360 features...

I would love to see some real info about the update, why hasn't Microsoft talked about it a little ?

I'l be pretty happy with whatever they add to the 360 experience but Im still rooting for clan support.
It would beat the "silver account" workaround...

With all the great shooters and other team based games that you can play on Xbox Live, clans should be a no brainer... if they waited this much time just to make sure they make it right, Ill be more than happy.

HazyCloud @ May 14th 2008 10:39AM

I like the wording used in this list. Makes it very believeable. Sounds a lot like something MS would type up.

I just hope we get an announcement soon.

IncredibleBulk92 @ May 14th 2008 10:40AM

Hmm still you'd expect MS to come out and just flatly deny this if it wasn't true in part at least. They wouldn't want to build people's hopes up

HazyCloud @ May 14th 2008 10:42AM

From Kotaku:

When we contacted Microsoft to verify the authenticity of the list, we were told "We don’t comment on rumors or speculation, but what we can tell you is we’ve never seen this list before."

IncredibleBulk92 @ May 14th 2008 10:47AM

Yea I read that too but that's still very strange to me. Its not exactly a denial is it. Its more of a "dunno". They may be genuine and they have not seen this list before, then again they may not have seen any list. Regardless I'm sure this will povoke MS to either comment on the list or release an actual list. Suppose we'll have to wait.

joker ant @ May 14th 2008 10:49AM

The only features that really interest me are the option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements, new blade trim styles, and the option to change text colors on guide to better contrast some backgrounds. Nothing else seems like it would get used too often, save for maybe the Inside Xbox "blade."

Andrew @ May 14th 2008 3:20PM

Well then the Xbox 360 must already be perfect to you because this list addresses almost all issues I had with the console.

DBoyFlex @ May 14th 2008 10:51AM

I actually like the idea of the HDD instal. It does not have to be a full instal or anything huge, but anything to increase the game speeds. I see it kinda like using a flash drive as a vista speed booster. If it were optional, I would only choose to instal high end games, ie GTA, Gears, oblivion, games of the such. I only have the 20 gigger, but still would free up space for a feature such as this. I can't remember the last time I played Oblivion anyways, so I could just delete some of the DLC for it then to save space. I would like a 120 gig though. Anyways, sounds like a great list and heres to wishful thinking it will happen.

Chris @ May 14th 2008 10:55AM

wouldnt it be funny if this is true, and right after the release of the update you notice that GTA IV has the option for an "optional install" that reduces pop-in to 0... i mean the 360 verison already has the better framerate, if they add the install option then the popin drops and the gta looses its only tiny advantage (slightly less popin)

Timur Tabi @ May 14th 2008 10:58AM

This list does look too good to be true, but I'll remain hopeful. There's lots of good stuff here. I especially appreciate the two DRM enhancements, especially #11. For a long time, I've felt that MS doesn't really want people to know about the DRM limitations, and #11 exposes the issue to people who wouldn't otherwise notice it. The day after the update, I expect a lot of people to say, "What do you mean I can't access this offline?"

Outinthedark @ May 14th 2008 10:59AM

Hopefully I can play the 60+ XBLA games I bought on my previous console before it RROD with full functionality on my new console.

evilfoxhound @ May 14th 2008 11:41AM

But can't you just swap you old HDD with the new 360's and play your XBLA games off it?? I always thought it was done that way if your console died?

Outinthedark @ May 14th 2008 11:46AM

I had to do that when I "upgraded" to the Halo Ed. console. The DRM issues were not fixed and because I "upgraded" rather than sticking with the replacement POS they gave me in return of my old console. They refuse to move the licenses to the new console because I upgraded. Basically if you buy one SKU you are stuck with it. Hell if you buy one console you are stuck with it. So if your warantee runs out your SOL unless you pay M$.

I'm tired of the DRM fight they need to fix it and make it linked to your account not to the console.

Paul @ May 14th 2008 11:54AM

so when you go to your download history under account management on your new console and re-download all of those arcade games it still doesn't switch (or relicense, whatever the term is) the DRM to the new console??

Outinthedark @ May 14th 2008 12:19PM

No Paul it did not. Tried that every time one of the Tech support agents told me to.

There is no solution to my problem and I am SOL. No one cares about the issue and it will probably never get fixed. This new update had better bring about a refined DRM. I will continue to complain to M$ until they finally transfer my licenses over.

VOS @ May 14th 2008 11:23AM

I like this one

"Preload Games Library upon dashboard bootup for faster access."

Hate having to wait for all the games to load to browse through them.

Mrblonde @ May 14th 2008 11:28AM

I ones I like in the list are the group chat and able to use headset and camera on live messenger. Hopefully, the update will be out this month cause the first day of summer is next month.

Paul @ May 14th 2008 11:53AM

yep june 20th to be exact.....although i'm pretty sure i remember microsoft releasing this more recent fall update in or around the very last week of fall.....so i say all of that to say don't get your hopes up.......as for this list i would really like if its true but i dont think it is. it covers pretty much everything people have been wanting (except clan support but i could care less about that)which again makes it likely to not be true.....

Tony @ May 14th 2008 11:36AM

"Long descriptions of items on Marketplace can be scrolled using right stick."

I ask for this every update. I hope it happens already.

Deck @ May 14th 2008 11:36AM

Bah...where the hell is my clan support? That is all that I REALLY want!

Boff @ May 14th 2008 11:48AM

I hope the four-way chat makes it in. That would be the best thing since sliced bread.

Mr. Scolex @ May 14th 2008 12:02PM

"Integrate file-sharing for selected titles on Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows - LIVE."

Mods for UT3 anyone?

foolish501 @ May 14th 2008 12:50PM

boring, was hoping for some new video codec support (ideally mkv)

Andrew @ May 15th 2008 3:49AM

So do you only use your Xbox to play media? This is far from a boring update.

wdlv @ May 14th 2008 1:43PM

Updates sound good, but when will they include a browser in the dashboard. It'd be great to use the Xbox360 as an online browser instead of always turning on the computer for short browsing.

mike @ May 14th 2008 2:27PM

This update does sound too good to be true. I mean 4 player private chat and 0 gamerscore removed from cards. Those are the 3 biggest dreams we have all wanted for years and kept being denied.

Then again, the list is missing other often requested stuff like

-clan support
-web browser
-MKV support
-Complete DRM fix.

This leads me to believe the list may in fact be real. I sure as hell hope it is. Then we can wait for the fall update to nail those other 4 things listed above :p