dashboard-update posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Datel working on 'remedy' for its unauthorized Xbox 360 memory units

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 28th 2009 at 5:02PM }

There was something of an outcry in the Xbox community when Microsoft announced that the upcoming Xbox 360 Dashboard Update would disable "unauthorized" memory units. Datel, a manufacturer of such devices, recently expressed its disappointment following the announcement. Fortunately, it looks like it takes more than that to keep a good company down, as Maxconsole.net reports that Datel intends to release a solution to the problem.

In a letter to retailers, Datel stated it was "aware of the changes that are required to remedy this problem and will shortly release a solution in readiness for this potential update." Naturally, the company didn't elaborate on the necessary changes. Datel also didn't supply a precise release date for the updated memory units, saying only that they would be available "shortly." Still, it's good news for folks that want more memory for less-than-exorbitant prices.

[Via Engadget]

PSA: Xbox mandatory update isn't 'The Big One,' adds WPA2 support for wireless adapter

by Ben Gilbert { Oct 28th 2009 at 3:00PM }

Those of you who woke up extra early this morning to get in precious alone time with your Xbox 360 (we understand – we do it all the time) may have been tricked when a mandatory system update greeted you in place of the dashboard. Alas, the much ballyhoo'd Facebook/Twitter/Last.fm update has not yet arrived, as Microsoft's Major Nelson points out on his site.

Instead, the update brings with it support for the now five-year-old WPA2 security protocol. With that new and improved 802.11n wireless adapter hitting retailers next month, and with WPA2 certification being mandatory for all new Wi-Fi devices as of March 2006, Microsoft seems to be rolling out that addition in software. That's good news for those of you with a four-year-old Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter!

Xbox Dashboard update preview invites out this Friday

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 21st 2009 at 6:40PM }

Major Nelson, Xbox Live guru and prolific tweeter, has announced that the first wave of notification emails for the Xbox 360 Dashboard update preview should go out this Friday. Incidentally, sign up is now closed, so no more applications will be accepted. The preview will give Xbox Live members a chance to check out the many new features in the upcoming Dashboard update, including Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm and the new Zune Video Marketplace. Also, as we reported earlier today, Microsoft has thrown in a preview of Halo Waypoint as well.

The preview program should roll out sometime next week. In the meantime, keep an eye on those inboxes!

Dashboard update preview to include Halo Waypoint

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 21st 2009 at 2:15PM }

Microsoft's Major Nelson has announced that Halo Waypoint -- the upcoming Xbox Live locus of all things Halo -- will be included in the 360 Dashboard update preview program. Those lucky enough to get into the preview should be notified this week, and Major Nelson tells Joystiq that Halo Waypoint should be rolling out on the preview sometime next week.

Microsoft recently revealed more details surrounding the service, most notably how the "career system," which will track in-game accomplishments from all the Halo games available on the Xbox 360. The destination's launch is scheduled for November 5, so preview participants should get a significant chunk of time with before it goes public. Don't worry if you don't make it into the preview, we'll be sure to share our hands-on impressions next week.

Gallery: Halo Waypoint

Datel 'disappointed' by Xbox 360's unofficial memory unit lockout

by David Hinkle { Oct 21st 2009 at 1:30PM }

Outlawed off-white accessory news now, with CVG relaying manufacturer Datel's unenthusiastic response to the the forthcoming Xbox 360 Dashboard update, which intends to kill support for unauthorized, third-party memory units. Datel has said that it's "disappointed" by Microsoft's decision, one that it feels will limit consumers in "exercising their freedom of choice." Specifically, their freedom of choosing a memory solution that doesn't come from Microsoft.

What to do if you're the owner of one of these bad boys? Unless you want to stay offline forever, you'll have to back up your data and transfer it to an official memory unit or hard drive. Failing that, you could just lift anchor in protest and set sail for Redmond, but we wouldn't suggest doing that unless you're English and living in 1983.

Video Preview: Xbox Live Fall 2009 Dashboard Update, Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and more

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 19th 2009 at 7:00PM }

The November Xbox Live Dashboard Update -- which brings Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and the Zune Video Marketplace to the Xbox 360 -- will soon be here. Joystiq has nabbed the update early, and we're here to share all of its secrets with you in the only way that we know how: A video tour! Above, you'll find a brief tour of all the new features. If there's a specific feature you'd like to know more about, simply click one of the the words below to watch a more detailed video all about it.

Note: We learned after publication that the abnormally priced movie rental has not yet been released in theaters. As such, it has a higher price.

Facebook

Twitter

Last.fm

Zune Video Marketplace

Miscellaneous

Continued →

Halo Waypoint detailed, captured on video

by Christopher Grant { Oct 19th 2009 at 1:55PM }

This way to the Waypoint gallery

With the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update preview kicking off today, Microsoft dropped some more details on Halo Waypoint, the Dashboard playpen for the Master Chief enthusiasts among you. The preview video – found after the break – walks you through some of the destination's functionality, notably the "career system" which will track "in-game accomplishments across multiple Halo games." Unsurprisingly, that career will be limited to the Xbox 360-released Halo games: Halo 3, Halo Wars, Halo 3: ODST, and "all Game Add-on content for those titles." Oh, you beat Halo 2 in under 30 minutes? We'll just have to take your word for it.

Halo Waypoint is being developed collaboratively by Microsoft's internal Halo studio, 343 Industries, and Certain Affinity, the Austin-based developer (with some former Bungie staffers) behind Age of Booty. Waypoint will be available November 5 for both Xbox Live Gold and Silver members; however, come November 26 those Silver members will have to pony up for Live if they want to keep their Waypoint access. That's a solid three weeks to determine if the exclusive Waypoint offerings – like the Nov. 7. preview of the "Halo Legends" anime anthology – are worth it. We imagine it will be for the hardcore Halo fan ... but we'd assume they've already got a Gold account.

Gallery: Halo Waypoint

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Xbox 360 update to add Music Games Store, news section

by David Hinkle { Oct 19th 2009 at 11:40AM }

Microsoft has revealed new details about its Fall 2009 Xbox 360 Dashboard Update -- yes, the same update set to bring Twitter, Last.fm and Facebook support. New to the list of update features is a dedicated Xbox Live storefront for music games DLC and a specific area of Inside Xbox called "News and More."

The Music Games Store will take a big step toward dealing with the clutter on Xbox Live, offering a one-stop shop for all Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Lips DLC. Aside from the convenience of a single destination for all music game DLC purchases, shoppers will also be able to preview each track from right there in the Dashboard.

As for the News and More section of Inside Xbox, it's described as "a regularly-updated stream of content from MSNBC.com, MSN Autos, The New Yorker and Dilbert." We're totally expecting some Akira-like monstrosity that is equal parts balloon boy, coffee station chit-chat and political cartoons we don't understand; though we're sure in reality the feature will be less scary and far less life-threatening.

Upcoming Xbox 360 update locking out 'unauthorized' Memory Units

by Ben Gilbert { Oct 17th 2009 at 7:00PM }

Don't worry, folks -- Microsoft knows you really hate those subversive little devils making third-party Memory Units, what with their 2GB and 4GB offerings for the Xbox 360. In an effort to stamp out these Doris Dogooders from your Xbox Live Experience™, Microsoft's Major Nelson announced on his blog yesterday that "When Preview Program members start receiving the Xbox 360 system update next week, one of the changes is that unauthorized Memory Units will no longer work."

In plain English, this means that any third-party Memory Unit you might have been using will be rendered useless. Mr. Hryb suggests moving any saves on said devices get moved to an authorized one, unless losing access to "stored profile or saves games" simply ain't no thang for you.

Xbox 360 Dashboard update 'preview' open for signups

by Randy Nelson { Oct 14th 2009 at 6:15PM }

As it has done in the past, Microsoft is offering early access to its next Xbox 360 Dashboard update (which integrates Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm and Zune Marketplace) to those who sign up -- and are then selected -- to preview it. Major Nelson has just updated his blog with word that the signup process has begun for the program, mentioning that Microsoft is looking for "multiple thousands" of users to test out the update. So, sounds like chances of getting in are good.

Those wishing to put their names in the hat for preview access can do so by hitting the Microsoft Connect site and filling out a survey. The preview program is being offered in all territories where Xbox Live is available, but keep in mind you'll need a Windows Live ID in order to apply. The Major says those who've been picked will receive an email in about a week; after which the update will be pushed out to their consoles, and they can start bragging about their early access via Twitter and Facebook right from their 360s.

If past Dashboard preview programs are anything to go by, everyone who signs up will eventually gain access just prior to the update's release -- which may happen on November 17.

Gallery: Facebook / Twitter on Xbox 360

Facebook and Twitter arrive November 17 on Xbox Live in the UK

by Ben Gilbert { Oct 10th 2009 at 1:00PM }

Though Microsoft has been a bit cagey with a solid release date for the upcoming Facebok/Twitter/Last.Fm update for Xbox Live, eagle-eyed UK readers have spotted the phrase "Service launches 17th November 2009" on the UK Xbox website (seen above).

When we recently got to give the services a spin at Microsoft's First Annual Open House, the company wouldn't give us a set-in-stone release date, though MTV Multiplayer were told a public beta for the services would arrive for XBL Gold Members in the "middle-towards-end of October." We've contacted Microsoft for word on when the services will be arriving on this side of the pond, though ... well ... it's the weekend. We'd suggest you don't go holding your breath for that info until Monday.

[Thanks, Scump!]

Gallery: Facebook / Twitter on Xbox 360

Xbox Dashboard update demo'd on video, hilarity ensues

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 7th 2009 at 12:58PM }

Out of the bajillion self-involved Tweets which were released unto the internet yesterday, one 140 character dispatch in particular pierced the din -- "I'm tweeting from Xbox Live," exclaimed Andrew Yoon, our correspondent from a future where such technology is within the realm of possibilities.

Fine, he's not from the future -- he was actually tweeting from a Microsoft Open House event where the Fall Xbox Dashboard Update was previewed for a number of outlets. Check out the above video (shot by our cohorts at Engadget) to see the new Facebook, Twitter, Last.Fm and Video Marketplace functionality in action. Make sure you stick around for the last minute, in which the conversation breaks down in a hilarious, Comedy of Errors-esque manner.

Hands-on: Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and Zune Marketplace on Xbox 360

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 6th 2009 at 7:35PM }

"Xbox comes from a gaming heritage, and is expanding into a broader entertainment brand," Microsoft's Robbie Bach told us earlier today at its first Open House event in New York. Powering Xbox's expansion into "broader entertainment" is the upcoming Dashboard update, scheduled for beta release later this month. Four services included in the update will expand the 360's social networking and multimedia capabilities: Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and Zune Marketplace.

While each individual service may not offer the same value that Netflix did when it debuted with the NXE last year, it's hard to ignore the breadth of added functionality offered by this new Dashboard refresh. Yes, it's true that the Xbox isn't the most ideal platform to tweet from. And yes, it's unlikely that you'll spend hours sitting in front of your TV listening to online radio. However, each service adds new reason to stay connected to the Xbox ... and adds more purported "value" to that Xbox Live Gold membership.

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Xbox 360 system update preps Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm

by David Hinkle { Sep 23rd 2009 at 10:42AM }

If you're playing hooky from work or school today to get in some quality time with Halo 3: ODST, you know that a mandatory system update is putting a pause on your action. Major Nelson reports that the new system update doesn't bring any immediate changes to the Dashboard and only prepares some backend support for the upcoming additions of Twitter, Facebook and Last.fm to Xbox Live later this year.

Oh, and if you do decide to link up your Twitter and Facebook accounts to your Xbox 360 when that update launches, be careful about faking sick when the next Halo rolls out. We'd hate for your boss or principal to find out you're all too well "pwning n00bs!"

Xbox Live's Twitter and Facebook free for Gold, for trial by Silver members

by James Ransom-Wiley { Aug 27th 2009 at 6:10PM }

Always read the fine print. Part of a footnote from this morning's Xbox 360 price cut press release bore this little oh-by-the-way: "Xbox Live Gold Membership will be required for Twitter and Facebook when they are available." When MCV followed up on the tucked-away tidbit, a Microsoft spokesperson suggested that the press release's statement was "inaccurate" and that the company was "still formulating its plans" for integrating the social networking services into Xbox Live. A few short hours later, those plans appear to be formulated.

A Microsoft representative has clarified for Joystiq, "Facebook and Twitter on Xbox Live will be free to Gold members, with a free trial period also available for Silver members." Specific details on what's included in the trial are not currently available, but clearly Microsoft is continuing its policy to reward Gold subscribers for, well, their subscriptions, despite what must be a tempting motivation to make Twitter and Facebook free-for-all features. Social networking's the killer app, after all (right?) -- and Microsoft could use some new ammo in the console war.