Microsoft have announced that the latest Xbox 360 Dashboard update is now available to all Xbox Live users following a limited release last week.The update is set to ready Xbox 360 consoles for the release of SmartGlass this Friday alongside the Microsoft 8 operating system.
The news was revealed by Xbox EMEA social marketing manager Graeme Boyd, who tweeted:
“I hear that the Xbox Live dashboard update should be going live now for all, enjoy!”
The Dashboard update has introduced a number of new features including Internet Explorer, Xbox Videoo, enhanced search facilities and many other features. The update has also introduced an updated Xbox 360 Dashboard. The dash will have a different layout which includes more tiles, a combined TV & Movies channel and in the US a sports destination. Internet Explorer will also be available for the first time for all Xbox users.
Bing Voice Search are also making some improvements to users experience as well. Bing will allow users will be able to use voice search for movies, TV shows, actors, directors and artists. Users will also be able to search through genres when looking for a movie. Bing Search have also brought video search to the Xbox with the ability to look for videos across the web which includes YouTube. Bing on Xbox have expanded their voice search function to 9 new countries which include Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Ireland.
Microsoft have also brought new recommendations and ratings system to the dashboard. Recommendations will allow users to discover new content. The content is generated based on a number of variables including the content previously viewed, what your friends are consuming and what is most relevant and popular with the Xbox community. Users will also be able to rate content and see Rotten Tomatoes ratings. Pinning will also allow users to personalise their dashboard by saving their favourite movies, TV shows, games, music, videos and websites to the home screen.
The Xbox update also includes Xbox video. Previously called Zune Video Marketplace, Xbox Video will offer hundreds of thousands of TV shows and movies for purchase or rental in HD streaming. The update has changed the Quick Play function to Recent. This allows users to view a list of movies, games or apps that they accessed recently on the console.
For more information on Xbox Live and the new Dashboard update visit: www.Xbox.com
