Rumored 360 Spring Update details finally come to light...

[blurredvision]

**UPDATE 5/19/08**

I was just listening to the Major Nelson podcast released yesterday, and they commented on this update list. They basically said that normally Microsoft gives the typical "no comment" on any rumors or speculation, but they said they were looking through the list, and kind of seemed appalled that this was making the rounds. E, the co-host on the podcast, said this list absolutely was not the list, and that "this is not the list...you won't be seeing this coming to a dashboard near you."

So there you go. Hopefully they'll see this list and the response to it, though, and understand that these are a LOT of things people want.

If you want to hear this, download the podcast and fast forward to around the 1 hour, 1 minute mark.

/update



http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/873/873874p1.html

? Option to delay sign-in to Xbox LIVE upon booting console (to allow user to set Online Status).

? Option to promote Child Account from Family Settings.

? Disallow Child Accounts (over 18) to override Family Settings by launching Privacy Settings through a title.

? Option in Family Settings for Child Accounts to enable child-oriented/non-mature advertisements.

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

? Support to indicate media being watched to gamercard status (video content from Marketplace only).

? Extend height for Bio field in Personal Profile, easier navigation through text.

? More fields present in Personal Profile - recent achievements, interests, games, movies, links, custom section.

? Compact Personal Profile for new fields (navigating to field will open it up).

? 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.

? Option to remove payment information from gamertag.

? New payment methods for international users.

? Download History on Account Management better organized - games, genre, type, download date, miscellaneous.

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

? Better organization of free content on Marketplace.

? Option to 'ping' when testing connection.

? Allow re-connection to Xbox LIVE if Ethernet cable is re-inserted whilst powered on.

? New strip colors available to developers, staff gamercards.

? New corner icon available to ambassadors.

? Re-introduce Messages button for Inside Xbox updates only.

? Option to store up to 10 messages permanently on server (excludes invites, status messages).

? Increase character limit for text messages between friends only.

? Option to disable invites from non-friends or all players.

? Option to disable invites from titles not on gamercard (excludes demos).

? Option to have smaller items moved up in Active Downloads.

? Automatically re-connect to Xbox LIVE if disconnected unexpectedly (set intervals).

? Option to download gamer picture (if available) from a gamercard being viewed.

? Display random tips to replace static text on Xbox LIVE and Games blades.

? New button on Marketplace for optional dashboard features - uses Storage Device memory.

? Option to donate Microsoft Points to anybody with a Windows Live ID.

? Option to purchase Membership for charities (includes benefits).

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

? Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).

? Option to see 'snippet' of text message in notification.

? Windows Live Mail integration - includes support for Xbox LIVE Vision.

? Web feeds integration - text, images, audio. Includes support for specific item codes on Marketplace.

? Option to display gamer picture or standard picture as display picture in Windows Live Messenger.

? Support for headset, Xbox LIVE Vision in Windows Live Messenger.

? Support for limited 'winks' that display on dashboard interface. Option to disable 'winks' and 'nudges' added.

? Notifications separate from Windows Live Messenger to Xbox 360 notifications.

? Disable multiple languages from being used in any Xbox LIVE editable fields.

Games

? Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).

? Organize My Games at the Games Library section better (includes disc-based titles) - sort by genre, platform (Games for Windows - LIVE), percentage completion.

? Support to display friends leaderboards for disc-based titles.

? Show dates of an achievement unlocked when comparing.

? Preload Games Library upon dashboard bootup for faster access.

? Game updates now shown as items in Memory, increased amount of updates on Storage Device.

? Option to delete game updates, removed 'cheat code' as no longer needed.

? Support for more titles to display banner when accessing guide in-game.

? Option to re-introduce awarded gamer pictures from titles that do not have their own re-introduce feature (requires saved game).

? Disable gamer pictures from being awarded from trials.

? Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading.

? Synchronization to achievements offline/online that were deleted and then re-added from developers.

Media

? Option to hold LT and RT for rewinding/fast-forwarding video content.

? Option to delete individual music tracks from storage device.

? Option to rip music CD at different quality.

? Copy non-protected files (pictures, music, videos) from USB storage devices, CDs and computers to proprietary storage devices.

? Support for menu, top-menu features on video content downloaded from Marketplace.

? Section added for audio delivered through feeds (podcasts). Option to stream, download to Storage Device.

? Support added for video titles/description to gamercard status.

Dashboard/Miscellaneous

? Option to navigate quickly out of several menus back to respective blade home (applies to Games, Media, System).

? New blade trim styles added.

? Introduce expanded Inside Xbox as a portal to news, weather, entertainment, help and community features.

? New sounds for various functions (notifications, blades, navigation).

? Calibration options for display/sound.

? Calibration options for motion sensor devices.

? New effects for Xbox LIVE Vision and dashboard background.

? Disable changing of Theme when on Memory to prevent 'hanging'.

? Preload recent, limited items upon dashboard bootup on Memory.

? Faster loading of Themes section on guide.

? Option to see what items will not work offline due to DRM license changing from Memory.

? Option to automatically associate new DRM to items downloaded for free.

? Indicate 'charging' status on guide when Play & Charge kit is connected.

? Option to change text colors on guide to better contrast some backgrounds.

? Language improvements.

? Word censor updated for fields.

? Privacy Settings/Family Settings updated for new features.

? Voice, picture messages can be read at Xbox.com (Gold accounts).

 

[nycxandy]

Best new feature: Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.

 

[Queasy]

Calibration options for motion sensor devices

Won't go away, will it?

 

[erwos]

Seems too good to be true. Then again, a really faked list would have had such gems as "16:10 support", so maybe not. At least this one seems plausible in the sense that it fits in with the "more social gaming" direction Microsoft has been heading in.

I've been a proponent of the "no dashboard update details until motion sensor announcement" theory, so that would fit in with this, too. *shrugs*

 

[biggestmuff]

? Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).

I don't know why it bothers me so much, but I have four Arcade games stuck in my gamercard at 0/0; PAC-MAN, Street Fighter II' HF, Tetris Splash and Feeding Frenzy. I don't know why there stuck there. Two of them I d/l the trials and the others might have been preloaded on the HDD when I bought the system, but I deleted the games.

? Option to delete game updates, removed 'cheat code' as no longer needed.

Are they talking about the 'clear cache' command?

? Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading.

Interesting.

 

[blurredvision]

Notables:

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

About time. The one-on-one chat just wasn't cutting it most of the time.

? Option to remove payment information from gamertag.

Given the recent thread here where somebody went through hoops to get their credit card removed for their Live account, this seems like a great addition.

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

ABOUT TIME! I always hated waiting the 5-10 second for it start scrolling, and it scolled so slow once it got going.

? Increase character limit for text messages between friends only.

This is a needed option IMO.

? Option to disable invites from non-friends or all players.

? Option to disable invites from titles not on gamercard (excludes demos).

Sounds good to me.

? Option to donate Microsoft Points to anybody with a Windows Live ID.

This is a cool idea, could help with user-generated tournaments and what-not. This will allow people to sell their excess points as well.

? Option to purchase Membership for charities (includes benefits).

I just thought this was a cool option, even if it clearly helps Microsoft.

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

Definite influence from the PS3. UT3 anybody?

? Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).

Awesome, a welcome addition. I always hate it when somebody is having trouble, and it shows them sign in 3 or 4 times in a row.

? Preload Games Library upon dashboard bootup for faster access.

Good, the games library always took too long to populate IMO.

? Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading.

Another influence from the PS3. Luckily it will never be required in games since not all 360's have hard drives.

? New blade trim styles added.

I'm all for sprucing up the look.

? Introduce expanded Inside Xbox as a portal to news, weather, entertainment, help and community features.

Sounds like a Wii influence.

? New sounds for various functions (notifications, blades, navigation).

Like the new blade trim styles above, I welcome fresh changes to the dashboard.

? Calibration options for motion sensor devices.

It's coming....

? New effects for Xbox LIVE Vision and dashboard background.

Good, the default (and singular) effect gets boring.

? Option to change text colors on guide to better contrast some backgrounds.

Finally! There have been many a theme I haven't used because I couldn't read the dashboard text against the dark background. This took way too long to get implemented.

? Voice, picture messages can be read at Xbox.com (Gold accounts).

This is also welcome. I always hated having to go to my console to read stuff if I see I have a message on xbox.com.

 

[tw1164]

All I wanted was AAC 5.1 support

 

[bowdenball]

? Copy non-protected files (pictures, music, videos) from USB storage devices, CDs and computers to proprietary storage devices.


This is the one I'm interested in as long as i can copy them to the hard drive and not a memory card.

 

[bucwylde23]

At first glance these are my favorites:

? Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.
- this should have been added like 2 updates ago, there is HUGE demand for this.

? Voice, picture messages can be read at Xbox.com (Gold accounts).
- THANK YOU!! Many of my friends only send voice messages since it takes so long to type up messages without the messenger pad. I hate having to turn on the xbox just to listen to a voice message.

? Option to donate Microsoft Points to anybody with a Windows Live ID.
- I've been discussing this with a couple friends recently also. It will be nice to be able to donate some points to someone who can't afford more. I wonder how much online gambling this will lead to

I still wish they would allow us to forward messages. There have been a few messages I've received that were pretty funny that I'd like to forward to friends.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: tw1164
All I wanted was AAC 5.1 support

Agreed. This is basically the only thing that really makes the PS3 a better media streamer than the 360 right now.

And, again, this list isn't confirmed, so don't get your hopes up too high, folks. The very fact that you're all so excited probably means it's false (eg, someone manufactured it from community requests).

 

[Modeps]

Here are the features I find most insteresting:
- Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.
Its about darn time.

- Option to disable invites from titles not on gamercard (excludes demos).
My friends love to keep inviting me to games they KNOW I dont have. I like this addition

- Integrate file-sharing for selected titles on Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows - LIVE.
I have no idea what this means, but it sounds like its cool

- Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).
Excellent, I hate seeing that BlurredVision keeps signing in to Live OVER AND OVER.

- Windows Live Mail integration - includes support for Xbox LIVE Vision.
I dont use Windows Live Mail, but its a nice feature

- Web feeds integration - text, images, audio. Includes support for specific item codes on Marketplace.
I've always thought that a web browser was a useless feature for a console, and that RSS feeds would be better. Now, it appears they're doing that. I hope it turns out good.

- Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).
Hell yes.

- Preload Games Library upon dashboard bootup for faster access.
They keep messing with this, hopefully now this'll fix the slowness.

- New blade trim styles added.
Good, I want a low profile, minimalist design.

- Voice, picture messages can be read at Xbox.com (Gold accounts).
Nice, another gold only feature. At least they're adding some value to gold accounts, and I love that you can listen to voice/pic msgs through the website.

 

[R Nilla]

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

I hope this is true because yes, it is LONG overdue. I can't fathom why this would be so hard to integrate, but maybe it gets messy when you have four people in a private chat who are all playing different games online.

There are some neat features listed here, but this is all I really care about.

 

[oznerol]

Honestly, of all of these things listed, the only one that I was moderately enthusiastic about was the added ability to scroll through long descriptions with the right analog stick.

Why it is currently only auto-scroll is beyond me.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: ducci
Honestly, of all of these things listed, the only one that I was moderately enthusiastic about was the added ability to scroll through long descriptions with the right analog stick.

Why it is currently only auto-scroll is beyond me.

I still try to do that, and am always mildly disappointed when it doesn't work.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: R Nilla

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

I hope this is true because yes, it is LONG overdue. I can't fathom why this would be so hard to integrate, but maybe it gets messy when you have four people in a private chat who are all playing different games online.

There are some neat features listed here, but this is all I really care about.

I don't think its really about being hard, I think its always been about them trying to curb cheating in games. You could have SPIES! :Q

 

[dougp]

? Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.
? Option to remove payment information from gamertag.
? Long descriptions of items on Marketplace can be scrolled using right stick.
? Better organization of free content on Marketplace.
? Option to 'ping' when testing connection.
? Allow re-connection to Xbox LIVE if Ethernet cable is re-inserted whilst powered on.
? Increase character limit for text messages between friends only.
? Option to disable invites from titles not on gamercard (excludes demos).
? Option to have smaller items moved up in Active Downloads.
? Automatically re-connect to Xbox LIVE if disconnected unexpectedly (set intervals).
? Option to download gamer picture (if available) from a gamercard being viewed.
? Integrate file-sharing for selected titles on Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows - LIVE.
? Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).
? Windows Live Mail integration - includes support for Xbox LIVE Vision.
? Web feeds integration - text, images, audio. Includes support for specific item codes on Marketplace.

Games
? Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).
? Organize My Games at the Games Library section better (includes disc-based titles) - sort by genre, platform (Games for Windows - LIVE), percentage completion.
? Preload Games Library upon dashboard bootup for faster access.
? Game updates now shown as items in Memory, increased amount of updates on Storage Device.
? Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading.

Media
? Option to hold LT and RT for rewinding/fast-forwarding video content.
? Copy non-protected files (pictures, music, videos) from USB storage devices, CDs and computers to proprietary storage devices.
? Support added for video titles/description to gamercard status.

Dashboard/Miscellaneous
? Option to navigate quickly out of several menus back to respective blade home (applies to Games, Media, System).
? New blade trim styles added.
? Introduce expanded Inside Xbox as a portal to news, weather, entertainment, help and community features.
? New sounds for various functions (notifications, blades, navigation).
? Calibration options for display/sound.
? Calibration options for motion sensor devices.
? Disable changing of Theme when on Memory to prevent 'hanging'.
? Preload recent, limited items upon dashboard bootup on Memory.
? Faster loading of Themes section on guide.
? Indicate 'charging' status on guide when Play & Charge kit is connected.
? Option to change text colors on guide to better contrast some backgrounds.


Pretty much everything that I think is handy. A lot more than most people think of, but especially the reconnect/networking ones are the best.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Modeps
- Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).
Excellent, I hate seeing that BlurredVision keeps signing in to Live OVER AND OVER.

I do?

I see some people that do this a lot on my friends list, and I've always wondered if they were having problems on their end, or if the system was doing something. Now I know it's the system, because I never log in, log out, log in, etc manually, there's no need for me to. I log in automatically when I turn on the console, and I'm the only one to ever use my 360 (my wife has absolutely no interest).

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: nycxandy
Best new feature: Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.

I stopped reading right there. That's the feature I've been waiting for.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: Modeps
- Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).
Excellent, I hate seeing that BlurredVision keeps signing in to Live OVER AND OVER.

I do?

I see some people that do this a lot on my friends list, and I've always wondered if they were having problems on their end, or if the system was doing something. Now I know it's the system, because I never log in, log out, log in, etc manually, there's no need for me to. I log in automatically when I turn on the console, and I'm the only one to ever use my 360 (my wife has absolutely no interest).

I was just using you for reference, I dont know if you've actually ever done it... but I know people on my list do it often

 

[oznerol]

Anyone else think they need to differ the sounds between achievements and all other notifications?

I have the Pavlov dog effect whenever I hear it - and when it plays mid-game I get a little excited, only to see some douche on my buddy list just signed on, crushing my gamerscore hopes.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: ducci
Anyone else think they need to differ the sounds between achievements and all other notifications?

I have the Pavlov dog effect whenever I hear it - and when it plays mid-game I get a little excited, only to see some douche on my buddy list just signed on, crushing my gamerscore hopes.

Yeah one of my friends likes to send me a message while i'm playing with a message of "Achievement unlocked!" just to screw with me because I also get excited when i hear the sound.

Most of the time when people sign in/sign out quickly is because of game updates.

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: tw1164
All I wanted was AAC 5.1 support

Agreed. This is basically the only thing that really makes the PS3 a better media streamer than the 360 right now.

That and it's 10x easier to convert MKVs for PS3 than it is to convert for use on the 360. Once I figured that out my 360 was kicked to the curb for media use. Although that Media Center plug-in that allows Netflix streamed movies to play on the 360 has now put 360 back into use.

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: chrisg22
Most of the time when people sign in/sign out quickly is because of game updates.

There have been a lot of updates to Rock Band in the last few weeks. Couple that with having to log out/in to change instruments and that means I'm signing in quite a bit.

I even drew a "STOP IT" message from Modeps once.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: chrisg22
Most of the time when people sign in/sign out quickly is because of game updates.

There have been a lot of updates to Rock Band in the last few weeks. Couple that with having to log out/in to change instruments and that means I'm signing in quite a bit.

I even drew a "STOP IT" message from Modeps once.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: chrisg22
Most of the time when people sign in/sign out quickly is because of game updates.

There have been a lot of updates to Rock Band in the last few weeks. Couple that with having to log out/in to change instruments and that means I'm signing in quite a bit.

I even drew a "STOP IT" message from Modeps once.

LOL