New Xbox Experience - Dashboard & OS Upgrade

[Melbosa]

Starting to see some reviews and such on the new features coming.  I'm sure you have seen some preliminary articles or vids earlier, but thought I would start a thread as this is coming down to us 360 users next week.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=290745&page=1

This article focuses on the new "optional" install your game on your Hard drive for faster load times.  Interesting to see what games this helps with and what it doesn't.  And notably on the PS3, for most of the games I own, there isn't an option... on first launch of the game it installs a wack of stuff to the HD.  Makes renting a pain when you are short on HD space.

But the more interesting options I find, or you do, please share.  I was unaware of this feature above (I must be living in a black hole), but it is one I am looking forward to.

[Mr. Analog]

I for one am really looking forward to this new "install on hard drive" feature.

The load time for some games is crazy. Maybe I've been spoilt by the convenience Steam gives me with the games loading off my speedy hard disc but loading some games is sick.

[Lazybones]

http://kotaku.com/5083721/so-does-installing-a-game-to-the-360s-hdd-really-help-improve-load-times

Some games will see an improvement, others will not. Future games will probably be designed to take advantage of it.

[Melbosa]

http://kotaku.com/5083721/so-does-installing-a-game-to-the-360s-hdd-really-help-improve-load-times

Some games will see an improvement, others will not. Future games will probably be designed to take advantage of it.

LOL that just sums up the article I posted about load times .

[Melbosa]

The load time for some games is crazy. Maybe I've been spoilt by the convenience Steam gives me with the games loading off my speedy hard disc but loading some games is sick.

Man, you think the 360 is bad, you should see my PS3!!!!

[Mr. Analog]

The load time for some games is crazy. Maybe I've been spoilt by the convenience Steam gives me with the games loading off my speedy hard disc but loading some games is sick.

Man, you think the 360 is bad, you should see my PS3!!!!

"It's a Sony"

[Lazybones]

Update lands tomorrow.

[Melbosa]

Lazy, did you get in on the beta?

[Mr. Analog]

Man, I'm lookin' forward to this.

[Lazybones]

No I did not, however nearly everything I have read about it indicates it will be a very good upgrade.

[Lazybones]

Just found out about this
http://majornelson.com/archive/2008/11/17/sign-up-for-the-preview-you-re-in.aspx

Raeofsunshine just logged in and it is updating now, I will let you guys know how it is when I get home.

[Lazybones]

It is a shock to the system, but you soon realize you can see FAR more information than before. The Guide button brings up a mini blade like menu that makes jumping around to the areas very easy.

The Avatars lack the detailed customizations of the miis making them more like mr potato head than the mii system that lets you squish features together to create unique looks.

[Mr. Analog]

Crap! I forgot to check this out last night.

[Melbosa]

So there is a Netflix option for Movie Streams, but I'm not sure if this is available in Canada.

Some interesting things about the Netflix service through the 360 though:

* Only for Gold Subscribers: http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/10/09/xbl-why-paying-for-netflix/
* And Sony Pictures does not allow streaming at the moment through Netflix: http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/11/18/sony-blocks-netflix-360-movies/

I didn't see it in my initial look through this morning of the new dashboard/update this morning, but it might still be there.

[Lazybones]

According to posts they were doing it as a staged roll out, so it may not have been available first thing this morning.

Netflix is not available in Canada.

You can now download XNA / community games though, didn't get a chance to download any last night.