New Xbox Experience just Windows dressing for us

Mike Bantick
Thursday, 20 November 2008 01:48

Opinion and Analysis

Microsoft has unveiled the new Xbox Dashboard software dubbed ‘The New Xbox Experience’.  Whilst the download adds a new gloss of paint to the interface, for many, the full potential has not been realised.

As of today, the millions of connected Xbox LIVE subscribers can download the “New Xbox Experience”, adding a new level of depth to their Xbox 360.

“Xbox 360 is getting a whole new look,” said Andrew Jenkins, Xbox 360 Product Marketing Manager for games and LIVE. “From today Xbox owners are able to download a new user interface for their consoles, effectively updating their Xbox through Xbox LIVE. Xbox 360 now boasts a more user-friendly look and allows users to create online parties, chat with friends, share pictures, create avatars of themselves and much more,” added Jenkins.

For folks in the Australia/New Zealand area, the official list of features for this download are;
With today’s update Xbox 360 owners will enjoy a highly interactive world ready to share with friends across the globe through Xbox LIVE:

Xbox LIVE Party: Allows you to create a virtual party on your TV with up to seven friends. With Xbox LIVE Party, finding and interacting with friends via voice chat while you play games, as well as sharing photos in real time and entertaining friends all over the world has never been easier.

Personality plus: Create a customisable virtual representation of yourself (avatar) and literally jump into the world of Xbox LIVE. Your avatar is your game-face and represents your personality — whether you are a LIVE Party host, playing a game of “Scene It? Box Office Smash” or chatting with a friend.

Your Personal Games Room: Revive gaming classics like “PAC-MAN Championship Edition” and “Galaga Legions” alongside games that literally put your avatars in the action like “Bomberman LIVE,” “Hardwood Hearts” and ”UNO,” exclusively for download from Xbox LIVE Arcade. Xbox LIVE members will also be able to access all of Xbox LIVE Marketplace, including Xbox LIVE Arcade, and even queue content to download straight from Xbox.com.

Whilst these are nice additions to the interface, there is one glaring admission from the list.

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