I know it's a bit early to start speculation, but does anyone heard any word on what this may include? I'm assuming there will be features inching towards IPTV.

With how late the 2007 Fall update was, I wouldn't be suprised if we don't see the next update until at least late summer, if not next fall.

i doubt the iptv stuff will ever be done via an official xbox update.... more than likely it will be done by the tv provider.

as for what i expect.... there will probably be 2 or 3 big features and a bunch of little stuff that enhances the interface.

my personal list...
1. some sort of clan/group section added. where you can have a shared message board/calendar etc.
2. integrate the chatpad more into the interface (search for the marketplace, typing a letter and having it go to that letter in a list, etc)
3. have some sort of online live interface where you can go online from any computer in the world and schedule content to download at your 360.
4. they need to work alot on the video/audio interface of the 360 imo.... adding simple things like album art/video thumbnails, ff/rw mp3's etc.

What they really need to do is improve the speed of the dashboard. Am I the only one that gets annoyed by this? Simple things like sending a message or inviting a friend take forever. Anyone remember Halo 2 friends list? Remember how in about 3 seconds you could see all your friends, all their clans, all their ranks, and who they were playing with? Try that on the 360...

will this upgrade my 360 to quiet mode and stop the RROD!?

j/k

That is all network dependant stuff. Local dashboard speed is about as fast as it's going to get.

16:10 support... for the love of all that's good. i don't care if its zoomed&cropped, letterboxed, whatever. i want an option for correct aspect ratio.

the VGA cable is great... but why support it 1/2 a$$d

Update the MCE codecs. I like being able to play my DivX/XVid files on my Xbox, but why can't I do so in the MCE? Yeah, I can transcode them, but native support would make things so much easier.

The dashboard is about as fast as it's going to get (I think). The speed improved a great deal after the fall 2007 update.

Speaking of DivX, here's a quirk. My Xbox can't see files that have the file extension .divx. I have to change the extension to .avi.

They definitely need to fix what they broke in December with the dashboard having to pull some additional content before one is "fully signed on". When Xbox Live is busy, one can get the "circles orbiting the Xbox 360" wait icon for quite some time, in some cases several minutes. If that means that the news blurbs aren't updated immediately, that's fine; what's more pressing is not being able to play immediately.

Update the MCE codecs. I like being able to play my DivX/XVid files on my Xbox, but why can't I do so in the MCE? Yeah, I can transcode them, but native support would make things so much easier.

The dashboard is about as fast as it's going to get (I think). The speed improved a great deal after the fall 2007 update.

Speaking of DivX, here's a quirk. My Xbox can't see files that have the file extension .divx. I have to change the extension to .avi.

I second that. Bring this 360 up to speed with all these other streamers. The codec selection is rediculous. Let us pass a video with 5.1 too. Using with a media center you can only watch a .MPG and .WMV with 5.1. They boasted about this being a great streamer and you can't do crap with it.

I would like to be able to add categories to my friends list. This way if i'm in a clan I create a clan friends list same for anyone I met in avs put them all under that.

I'd like to be able to click a check box to remove downloads from view that I will never use. It would clean it up a little.

I want to be able to set one resolution for HD-DVD playback, and a different resolution for regular play.

But that won't really matter for much longer...

They definitely need to fix what they broke in December with the dashboard having to pull some additional content before one is "fully signed on". When Xbox Live is busy, one can get the "circles orbiting the Xbox 360" wait icon for quite some time, in some cases several minutes. If that means that the news blurbs aren't updated immediately, that's fine; what's more pressing is not being able to play immediately.

same here.. a trick i found is that if i hit the B button sometimes the full blade will magically show up.

You can also scroll right a few blades to the media blade.

They definitely need to fix what they broke in December with the dashboard having to pull some additional content before one is "fully signed on". When Xbox Live is busy, one can get the "circles orbiting the Xbox 360" wait icon for quite some time, in some cases several minutes. If that means that the news blurbs aren't updated immediately, that's fine; what's more pressing is not being able to play immediately.

+1

I'm sure it's been brought up before, but how about multiple friends in private chat? Is it possible with an update?

but does anyone heard any word

that made me laugh. carry on. lol

Thats all I want as well!

16:10 support... for the love of all that's good. i don't care if its zoomed&cropped, letterboxed, whatever. i want an option for correct aspect ratio.

the VGA cable is great... but why support it 1/2 a$$d

Not that this will happen, but if I could play vob files with surround sound I'de be a happy camper. Then I can run MyMovies from my Vista MCE and stream the VOB files that are on my hard drives.

-Evangelo2

With how late the 2007 Fall update was, I wouldn't be suprised if we don't see the next update until at least late summer, if not next fall.

The fall update was in the fall. How is that late?

* Add support for PS2 emulation
* Allow trading of Xbox Live Arcade games

Alright now seriously though

* Add more complex notification options.

For instance I do not want notifications AT ALL when watching movies. Also if a notification just coincidently comes up at the same time I want to reach the guide, they should make some sort of extra button you can press to reach the guide and bypass the notification. Also add an option to make notifications less obtrusive and annoying (reduce sound and size of notifications).

* Add support for people with chatpads and keyboards

That way I can go into my movies or games and start typing and it immediately starts filtering my results and finds what I want.

* Add showcase for achievements

There are always a couple of particular achievements that you are real proud of. They should allow a space where you can pick your most favorite 5-10 achievements and have them displayed as a roll over picture gallery of them, probably somewhere in your profile or bio. This is my most favorite idea.

* Added web features are always nice

They could always add support for Pandora, Last.fm, YouTube, etc.

* Add better visualizations and then subsequently full screen music playback with visualizations

* IPTV

* Simple Web Browser

* Finally, fix the stupid profile glitch that let's people glitch to get tons of achievements.

.MKV support would be nice

There's already full screen visualizations for music playback, you just press a button for it to happen.

I'd like to see 16:10 support, private chats for between more than 2 people, and remove notifications when watching videos.

Group Chat Please

The dashboard is about as fast as it's going to get (I think). The speed improved a great deal after the fall 2007 update.


the dash has been much slower for me since the update. I'd like to see that fixed, along with ff/rewind on streaming music. Anything else is a bonus, to me.

For instance I do not want notifications AT ALL when watching movies.

Are you talking about Marketplace downloaded movies? I haven't ever downloaded a movie from the marketplace, but I do have my Xbox set to no notifications when watching HD-DVD or DVD movies and it works.

I know it won't happen but I'd love it if MS tweaked their DRM rules so people who are on their second Xbox don't need to be online to play their DL'd content or for people who own multiple consoles and want to keep one gamertag.

Netflix Watch It Now support

16:10 support... for the love of all that's good. i don't care if its zoomed&cropped, letterboxed, whatever. i want an option for correct aspect ratio.

the VGA cable is great... but why support it 1/2 a$$d

+1000!! Amen, Brutha!:cool:

How about the games and marketplace blades having a "GAMES I OWN" tab?

I mean, they have a TON of tabs, why not that one? For example, I want to go and see what new songs are available for Rock Band. Right now, I have to go to the ALL GAMES tab and scroll through a million games I don't have just to find Rock Band.

Same thing with the Arcade. Why do I have to scroll through all those games I don't have?

This is REALLY annoying, and I can't understand why nobody mentions it, especially now that there are hundreds of games on these lists.

the dash has been much slower for me since the update. I'd like to see that fixed, along with ff/rewind on streaming music. Anything else is a bonus, to me.

To clarify: the actual "press a button and something happens" speed of the dashboard has increased since the last update. For example, pressing LB and RB move the blades quickly, and pressing the Guide button pops the guide up more quickly and smoothly than it used to. The downloading (the circle that blocks out entire blades until it loads) has suffered recently, but I'm not sure that's a result of the Fall update itself.

How about the games and marketplace blades having a "GAMES I OWN" tab?
Actually, the Marketplace does have this, they just have hidden it deeper in the menus after some of the more recent UI restructurings. I don't remember the exact menu sequence, but it's in there, in terms of there being an item named "Owned Games" or "Played Games". Picking this shows only the downloads for games you've actually played.

"How about the games and marketplace blades having a "GAMES I OWN" tab?"

You already have that. On the Games Blade select Played Games. Select game, hit Downloads. It shows you all the DLC for the game. It's even easier than going into the Marketplace would be. :)

Slordak is also right. Go to Marketplace, Game Store, More..., Played Games. The sorting order is wonky here though.

"How about the games and marketplace blades having a "GAMES I OWN" tab?"

You already have that. On the Games Blade select Played Games. Select game, hit Downloads. It shows you all the DLC for the game. It's even easier than going into the Marketplace would be. :)

Slordak is also right. Go to Marketplace, Game Store, More..., Played Games. The sorting order is wonky here though.

Thanks, I'll try it out tonight, in both blades.

I want the ability to increase the media center extender volume. FFWD and RWD of music in dashboard and MCE would be sweet!!!

I'd like the following abilities enabled on mp4 playback:
5.1 sound selectable subtitles selectable sound tracks

I do not have much needs, but I think the group chat is a necessity as time goes on.

Some of my hopes:

- WPA2 encryption compatibility
Seriously, how much longer do I have to be taunted by that grayed-out option?

- Separate resolution preferences for games, DVD's, and HD-DVD's

They definitely need to fix what they broke in December with the dashboard having to pull some additional content before one is "fully signed on". When Xbox Live is busy, one can get the "circles orbiting the Xbox 360" wait icon for quite some time, in some cases several minutes. If that means that the news blurbs aren't updated immediately, that's fine; what's more pressing is not being able to play immediately.

I agree; I dont' have as many issues when initially signing in but rather when going to the marketplace and trying to access content. I haven't bought anything lately because it takes at least 5 mins to pull up a description, when I'm browsing and not sure what I'm looking for it drives me crazy...now I just stay way.

I'd also like to see :

- Clan support; some games have this but I have to set it up on each title. I'd rather have a separate clan blade that I can configure with my settings and then my GT can feed that information to whatever game I'm playing.

- Group Chat

- More camera features/development. I bought this thing and now it just sits there because it's useless. Make some new games that utilize the camera.

- Better use of gamer zone; use this info to better pair like minded gamers in MP. Too often do you get paired with this insane hardcore gamer who is screaming their head off, when you only want to play a casual game.

- Make the reputation count for something. Right now it seems that a couple of positive feedback makes you 5 star and from there it doesn't move...if someone leaves bad feedback adjust that score accordingly; then somehow let us setup our settings to avoid players with rating less than n This could help clean up the BS that happens on XBL; there is no accountability for ones actions and this is a big complaint among adult gamers; too much screaming, racism, swearing etc.

Some of my hopes:

- WPA2 encryption compatibility
Seriously, how much longer do I have to be taunted by that grayed-out option?

Since the Xbox 360 has only a wired ethernet port, I don't see how WPA2 compatibility is a missing feature of the Xbox 360. If you connect your Xbox 360 to a wireless bridge or similar device which supports WPA2, you will indeed have working WPA2. I'm sure there are lots of people who do this, including myself.

Since the Xbox 360 has only a wired ethernet port, I don't see how WPA2 compatibility is a missing feature of the Xbox 360. If you connect your Xbox 360 to a wireless bridge or similar device which supports WPA2, you will indeed have working WPA2. I'm sure there are lots of people who do this, including myself.

I assume he means he has the $100 wireless adapter for the 360. And it sounds like it even has this option in the menus, but is grayed out. Sounds like a missing feature to me.

I assume he means he has the $100 wireless adapter for the 360. And it sounds like it even has this option in the menus, but is grayed out. Sounds like a missing feature to me.

Yeah, I should've clarified that. I had been using the XBOX 360's wireless adapter since Day 1 with absolutely no problems. However, when I decided to go the Wireless-N route and changed my security to WPA2, that's when the problems hit. I just find it ridiculous that the Nintendo Wii supports WPA2, but the 360's wireless adapter doesn't. And yes, under Wireless Settings, there is a grayed-out "WPA2" option that you can't select.

So, I now have my 360 wired to a WDS bridge, and everything's fine. It just pains me to look at that $100 wireless adapter sitting unused.

Can someone tell me exactly what all types of video files the 360 plays natively without streaming or transcoding?

I know it plays WMVs and Divx, but is there anything else?

Can someone tell me exactly what all types of video files the 360 plays natively without streaming or transcoding?

I know it plays WMVs and Divx, but is there anything else?

Lots more.
Here ya go:

http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/11/30/december-2007-video-playback-faq.aspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/05/09/spring-07-video-playback-faq.aspx

For the record, it doesn't matter if you stream, play off optical disk, or off USB-connected HDD. The 360 will play any files it sees. Whether it sees the files remotely will depend on the server app, not the 360.

Also, if you use the MCE interface, there is a PC-side hack that will enable remote MPEG2 playback without transcoding.

Folks tend to forget the about the optical disk option... :)

Lots more.
Here ya go:

http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/11/30/december-2007-video-playback-faq.aspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/05/09/spring-07-video-playback-faq.aspx

For the record, it doesn't matter if you stream, play off optical disk, or off USB-connected HDD. The 360 will play any files it sees. Whether it sees the files remotely will depend on the server app, not the 360.

Also, if you use the MCE interface, there is a PC-side hack that will enable remote MPEG2 playback without transcoding.

Folks tend to forget the about the optical disk option... :)

Sweet, thank you so much! I've accidentally been skipping over files that I assumed weren't compatible. :(

Support for WMA Lossless playback. Won't do it off of a zune or my NAS - skip city.

Amazingly idiotic they haven't fixed this yet.

be able to create video profiles of yourself using the camera

Thats all I want as well!

16:10 support... for the love of all that's good. i don't care if its zoomed&cropped, letterboxed, whatever. i want an option for correct aspect ratio.

the VGA cable is great... but why support it 1/2 a$$d

For all you guys clamoring for 16:10 support even if it's letterboxed, you do understand that it is the fault of your monitor, that is stretching the 16:9 output from the 360 right? It would think that it shouldn't be the responsibility of the 360 to fix the lack of proper letterboxing of 16:9 content by your monitor.

P.J. (owner of a 16:10 monitor that properly letterboxes 16:9 content over DVI, VGA and even component)

I want mkv x264 support.

For all you guys clamoring for 16:10 support even if it's letterboxed, you do understand that it is the fault of your monitor, that is stretching the 16:9 output from the 360 right? It would think that it shouldn't be the responsibility of the 360 to fix the lack of proper letterboxing of 16:9 content by your monitor.

P.J. (owner of a 16:10 monitor that properly letterboxes 16:9 content over DVI, VGA and even component)

what monitor do you use?

I'm sure it's been brought up before, but how about multiple friends in private chat? Is it possible with an update?

Agreed. I would also like to see...

-Upping the 100 peep limit on our friends list and the ability to categorize them (as mentioned here).
-(also as mentioned here) Since the last update and the surge of new Live users after the holiday season, the dashboard is slower still.... This needs to be fixed.

Valence01, I appreciate your sentiment - but if you think the average 16:10 monitor includes a letterbox option... then I would disagree. Maybe your average NEW 16:10 monitor might... but if/when you consider the entire install-base I would highly doubt it.

The VGA cable caters primarily to two demographics: 4:3 computer monitors. 16:10 computer monitors.

The 360's (H)ANA scaler should be more than capable of addressing this issue. The system is able to send a letterboxed 4:3 source image... all we are asking for is the same for 16:10

what monitor do you use?

Valence01, I appreciate your sentiment - but if you think the average 16:10 monitor includes a letterbox option... then I would disagree. Maybe your average NEW 16:10 monitor might... but if/when you consider the entire install-base I would highly doubt it.

The VGA cable caters primarily to two demographics: 4:3 computer monitors. 16:10 computer monitors.

The 360's (H)ANA scaler should be more than capable of addressing this issue. The system is able to send a letterboxed 4:3 source image... all we are asking for is the same for 16:10

Well, I own a 3 yr old Dell 2405FPW 16:10 monitor and it properly letterboxes 16:9 content. Perhaps that is the beginning and end of it's great features? It's such a trivial feature for a monitor to implement, but I suppose that mfgrs think that their monitors will only ever be connected to a PC and the whole 16:9 Vs. 16:10 issue can be dealt with there. Would that it were always true, as my ATI HDTV Wonder and it's not so wonderful MMC software for watching HDTV, insists on stretching a 16:9 program to the full 16:10 of the display. Fortunately, since the monitor will properly letterbox if fed a 16:9 aspect ratio source, I simply change the video card resolution to 1920 x 1080 and then the monitor displays with the correct aspect ratio. Think of how disappointing it would be, if the monitor forced 16:9 content to 16:10? The really maddening thing about it is that if I record an HDTV show and then play it back via the ATI "player", then it properly handles the aspect ratio on it's own, without requiring that I set the video card to 1920 x 1080, instead of 1920 x 1200.

BTW the 2405 is not the primary monitor for the 360. For that, I have a regular 16:9 aspect ratio HDTV, that manages to properly window box 4:3 content on it's own without any help from the source. That is, fed with a 4:3 aspect ratio program source via component, VGA, or DVI, window boxing is automatic at best and a button press at worst.

P.J.

Anyone heard any news yet?

What they really need to do is improve the speed of the dashboard. Am I the only one that gets annoyed by this? Simple things like sending a message or inviting a friend take forever. Anyone remember Halo 2 friends list? Remember how in about 3 seconds you could see all your friends, all their clans, all their ranks, and who they were playing with? Try that on the 360...

Exactly. They hailed this as a feature of the last udpate and it was no faster. The dashboad my be prettier (to some) than the PS3 Xross Media Bar, but the XMB is WAAAAAAAAY faster or more efficient.

Exactly. They hailed this as a feature of the last udpate and it was no faster. The dashboad my be prettier (to some) than the PS3 Xross Media Bar, but the XMB is WAAAAAAAAY faster or more efficient.

Have you tried bringing up your friends list in a single player PS3 game? It takes forever!

I'm not talking about specific features genius. I'm talking about the responsiveness of the interface. That's it.

I really really want to see a group chat feature.

They definitely need to fix what they broke in December with the dashboard having to pull some additional content before one is "fully signed on". When Xbox Live is busy, one can get the "circles orbiting the Xbox 360" wait icon for quite some time, in some cases several minutes. If that means that the news blurbs aren't updated immediately, that's fine; what's more pressing is not being able to play immediately.

You can get around it quickly. Well if you are playing a game thats in the drive. Just go right until you get to the media blade. That one is not involved in the refresh so you can boot a game from there even if you aren't able to see the other blades.

Really Hope for:

1. 5.1 AAC support; trans code to 5.1 DD via Optical out and trans code to 5.1 LPCM via HDMI.

2.) No file size limit on MP4 files. (How dumb is that)

Would like to see but doubtful:

3.) MKV support (MKV with H.264 and DD 5.1)
4.) MPG support (mpg with MPEG2 or H.264 and DD 5.1)
5.) Software update to support an ext. Blu-Ray Drive.

If MS did this, they would have what every PS3 owner has now!

.MKV support would be nice

+1

I'm not talking about specific features genius. I'm talking about the responsiveness of the interface. That's it.

It was just a joke. You know, since you can't bring up your friends list in a single player PS3 game? Ha ha ha

I haven't even heard any rumors about the update at all. Any info out there?

I haven't even heard any rumors about the update at all. Any info out there?

None with any meat.
Just folks asking and listing the same five features they never get.
Its way too early for anything to come out; so far the real data doesn't start to filter out until its less than a month away.

Netflix Watch It Now support

I second that

Xbox Originals rentals. Maybe $5 and they work for 2 weeks. I doubt they would ever do something like this though since they want to sell them for $15 instead.

NTFS Support for extrenal drives - WHy not so far?!!!

16:10 support so I can play on my dell monitor, the only setup where I can comfortably mount a wheel and feel like it's set up ergonomically. (plus, the wife can watch bachelor while I game in peace)

Xbox Originals rentals. Maybe $5 and they work for 2 weeks. I doubt they would ever do something like this though since they want to sell them for $15 instead.

With the exception of some very rare xbox titles most can hard copies can be purchased at game stores and ebay for only slightly more. I guess this option would be viable if you have minimum storage area; however, in my case I always prefer to have the physical media if possible.

Group Chat Please

I agree 100% as long as they only allow it when not in MP mode. You can play single player games and chat with all your friends, but do not tie up unnecessary bandwidth with chatter during a MP game.

* Add support for PS2 emulation
1) Allow trading of Xbox Live Arcade games
2)Add more complex notification options.
For instance I do not want notifications AT ALL when watching movies.

3)Add support for people with chatpads and keyboards

4)Add showcase for achievements

5)Finally, fix the stupid profile glitch that let's people glitch to get tons of achievements.

1) That would be nice, don't ever see it happening, but it would be nice. Heck, if they could prevent us from trading in full games I'm sure they'd try [goes for all companies, not just aimed at MS]

2) It would be nice to setup notifications that show the entire message if you choose; of course that would really tie up your screen, but some people might be ok with that. Also, sidenote: one of the updates last year provided the functionality to disable notifications during movie playback, so that request has already been answered.

3) As long as KB/Mouse support is not allowed in games I'm fine; also, keyboards do work as far as I know already. I often use mine to enter codes and send messages. Advanced functionality of some keyboards doesn't work because of lack of drivers; however, you can at least type.

4) This is a neat idea; it's always nice to have bragging rights to some of the more elusive and/or hard acheivements [I want to put "Mile High" as my #1]

5) This glitch is only for one game unless I'm misinformed; there are issues with "GameSaver's"; however, MS has recently cracked down on cheating for acheivements. (Look up Gamertag : StripClubDJ to see the results of cheating)

I'd love to be able to stream Flac files

Speaking of Xbox Originals, I would love to see MS allow full access to Xbox 1 save files on the 360 HD. It sucks that I can't copy/move those files to other storage devices, and I don't think it would be hard to fix this.

Does anyone know why the only option on those save files is "delete"? You can't get achievements for those games--why not allow us to move them at will?

Give me an alphabet selector when browsing artists/albums and mic sensitivity adjustments please.

I agree 100% as long as they only allow it when not in MP mode. You can play single player games and chat with all your friends, but do not tie up unnecessary bandwidth with chatter during a MP game.


uhhh, what? in MP mode bandwidth is ALREADY wasted on people you most likely dont even want to talk to, they could just not even send that information to you, while you chat with up to, say, 5 other ppl in private.

I'd like to see DVR-MS playback support through the dashboard by disc or streaming from PC with WMP11.

The 360 currently only plays DVR-MS files using the Media Center Extension to a Media Center PC.

I'm surprised it wasn't supported out of the box being that DVR-MS is a Microsoft file.

uhhh, what? in MP mode bandwidth is ALREADY wasted on people you most likely dont even want to talk to, they could just not even send that information to you, while you chat with up to, say, 5 other ppl in private.

I agree to an extent; however, it's been my experience that most people don't play with their friends in ranked matches [because most games do not allow it], and as a result they either don't talk, or chat about the game with everyone. I will concede that there are the exceptions but never-the-less if you can keep your personal telephone conversations etc out of my game, and keep your private chat from hogging host bandwidth then I'm happy.

And yes, I'm a little bitter; nothing is more annoying than playing a team based objective game with a bunch of people who are talking to their g/f or talking about how much pot they smoke while we get completely picked apart by the other team.

The fall update was in the fall. How is that late?Since when did they change the seasons? For as long as I have been alive December is winter.



* Add more complex notification options.

For instance I do not want notifications AT ALL when watching movies. Also if a notification just coincidently comes up at the same time I want to reach the guide, they should make some sort of extra button you can press to reach the guide and bypass the notification. Also add an option to make notifications less obtrusive and annoying (reduce sound and size of notifications).

They already have it. Just press the xbox button then go into personal settings and then notifications and you will see something about turn off during video playback or something. I am not sure word for word since I am at work I have no way to look it up. It works great though. I have since not had a notification at all while playing any video and that includes the short clips.

Since when did they change the seasons? For as long as I have been alive December is winter.


You're kidding, right? Winter starts on December 22nd. :rolleyes:

Look it up.

You're kidding, right? Winter starts on December 22nd. :rolleyes:

Look it up.

I don't think he meant technical winter. If you live somewhere that actually has a cold winter, you'll find that everyone refers to it by temperature. Around here winter starts when the snow comes.:)

But companies are very techinical. So December, before the 22nd or whatever the day is that year, is still fall :P

Albeit late fall, its still fall.

You're kidding, right? Winter starts on December 22nd. :rolleyes:

Look it up.

Meteological winter starts on the first day of December. The Dec 22 thing is an astrological trivality--but since most people associate seasons with the weather (go figure) REAL winter starts the first day of December.

Meteological winter starts on the first day of December. The Dec 22 thing is an astrological trivality--but since most people associate seasons with the weather (go figure) REAL winter starts the first day of December.

Obviously, Microsoft goes by the astronomical (not astrological) winter, which starts on December 22nd. I've never seen a calendar that places the first day of Winter on December 1st.


http://www.calendar-updates.com/info/holidays/us/winter.aspx
http://www.holidaysmart.com/seasons.htm
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/winter/first-day-of-winter.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_is_the_First_day_of_winter_in_the_2008_calendar

There's an astronomical reason why our calendars are 365 days long and why our days are 24 hours. And there is an astronomical reason why it is said that Winter starts on December 21st/22nd. I'm not sure I'd call any of these "trivialities." :)

Obviously, Microsoft goes by the astronomical (not astrological) winter, which starts on December 22nd. I've never seen a calendar that places the first day of Winter on December 1st.


http://www.calendar-updates.com/info/holidays/us/winter.aspx
http://www.holidaysmart.com/seasons.htm
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/winter/first-day-of-winter.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_is_the_First_day_of_winter_in_the_2008_calendar

There's an astronomical reason why our calendars are 365 days long and why our days are 24 hours. And there is an astronomical reason why it is said that Winter starts on December 21st/22nd. I'm not sure I'd call any of these "trivialities." :)

I bet you're fun at parties.

I bet you're fun at parties.

You should hear me when I get started on economics. :cool:

Jeez you guys bicker over everything..

Im surprised youre not arguing the exact time on 12/22 that winter falls..

I know I'm going against thousands of years of tradition with this statement, but wouldn't logic dictate that that the shortest day of the year (Dec 21-22) is the dead center of Winter? Seasons are defined by periods of climate change. As such, Winter would start and end about 6 weeks in either direction of Dec 22. Nov 8 to Feb 6 would be about right for Winter. This would of course be the 13 week period that has the least sunlight, and is therefore the coldest and most "Wintery".

I guess we could argue about technicalities in the traditional calender, but we are talking about a device that is pretty badly messed up to begin with. Hell, First Month is 3 months into the year. :) This is of course followed by Second Month (April), Third Month (June), Julius and Augustus Ceasar, Seventh Month (September), etc.

If we want to follow tradition so badly, why not just get rid of Winter all together. Let's bring back the 61 days between years that are too cold to grow anything, and therefore don't need to be named as months. :)

Really? Is this what we've come to? Ok, I'll play. :rolleyes:

I will reiterate what I said and what others have seconded. Winter, especially to those of us that don't have 70 degrees all year long, traditionally comes and goes with the weather. I've always considered winter to begin on December 1st and end on March 31st. Yes, I know (and always have) that that isn't the "real" winter. Therefore, I think that when a company announces a "fall" update there is a reasonable assumption to some people that the update would be released before December 1st.

Shape, before you go all astronomy class again, just realize that this is how some people think of it. Just because something is scientifically correct doesn't make it logical. :D

Jeez you guys bicker over everything..

Im surprised youre not arguing the exact time on 12/22 that winter falls..

12:01 AM...Duh!!! :D

These are the very few items on my wishlist. Been generally happy with the X360 otherwise.

- Friend Groups
- Auto Invite Friends\Groups (when they sign in)
- 1680x1050 VGA res

I bet you're fun at parties.

Hey now...be nice to Shape. He keeps me honest. lol

EDIT: For typo

12:01 AM...Duh!!! :D

Actually, no.

The time of the Winter Solstice is when the sun is directly overhead at local noon at Tropic of Capricorn, which is 23° 26′ 22″ south of the Equator.

This is the most southerly latitude where the sun is directly overhead at local noon.

In 2007, it was December 22 06:08 GMT or 12:08 AM CST.

In 2008, it will be December 21 12:04 GMT 0r 6:04 AM CST.

Source: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/EarthSeasons.php

Andy

My top 3 are .mkv support, 1680x1050 vga and fast forward through .mp3

Some new visuals would be nice to for the music player. I always thought holiday themes and some more family friendly things would have been cool.

Any official release dates announced yet?

Speaking of Xbox Originals, I would love to see MS allow full access to Xbox 1 save files on the 360 HD. It sucks that I can't copy/move those files to other storage devices, and I don't think it would be hard to fix this.

Does anyone know why the only option on those save files is "delete"? You can't get achievements for those games--why not allow us to move them at will?

I would love to know this as well. Also, why does Dead or Alive 4 not even allow moving of the save file?

i just logged my 360 on and got a console update?

why does Dead or Alive 4 not even allow moving of the save file?

Several games are like this; it is the developers choice if they are going to allow saves to be moved or copied; obviously in this case the felt that people would use game saves to boost their gamerscore so they restricted the file.

same thing, what is this update?!?!

A few minutes ago, the team released a system update for the Xbox 360 over Xbox LIVE. Sometime over the next few hours when you sign in to Xbox LIVE you’ll recieve a prompt to accept this mandatory update. This update contains code to ‘prepare for future growth of the service.’ There are no other changes or enhancements in this update…in other words no new features. The next obvious question you’ll have is about the Spring update. At this point we have nothing to announce, and the moment there is information to share I will do so.


There it is

Future growth of the service?
Hmm, could be plumbing tuning to end the clogging/attacks/whatever from december...
...or it could have the code for new features (Netflix, whatever).
Nice to know "something" is coming...

Iptv?

Knowing Microsoft, they probably had to patch another security hole.

theyre preparing for GTA IV

theyre preparing for GTA IV


Let's hope so. Not sure I have the patience for another week of outages just because a new game comes out. That sh1t is getting old.

:(

I got a message when I logged in tonight saying it will be down a day this week (can't remember which day now!) LOL!

Why do they always do this when big games launch?


:confused:


Is the dashboard update this week too?

I got a message when I logged in tonight saying it will be down a day this week (can't remember which day now!) LOL!
the message said it it would be down for approximately 8 hours on the 21st...

the message said it it would be down for approximately 8 hours on the 21st...

Thank you!

I read it and dismissed it as I figured it was just another clean up the server day. ;)

Maybe it's the new dashboard update? Doubtful as there's been no PR on it.

when was it last year? I want to think early may but I'm not sure. Anyway, I expect it sometime next month, probably late

MKV support.... it probably won't happen, but I can always hope.

Several games are like this; it is the developers choice if they are going to allow saves to be moved or copied; obviously in this case the felt that people would use game saves to boost their gamerscore so they restricted the file.

I can understand that for copying maybe (although it seems like a poor way to do it). But to me, not allowing a MOVE is unforgivable.

What other games are like this? I don't know of any that I own...

I can understand that for copying maybe (although it seems like a poor way to do it). But to me, not allowing a MOVE is unforgivable.

What other games are like this? I don't know of any that I own...

Viva Pinata

I can understand that for copying maybe (although it seems like a poor way to do it). But to me, not allowing a MOVE is unforgivable.

What other games are like this? I don't know of any that I own...

This is nothing new. This restriction was also in place when the original Xbox launched for certain games.

Seeing how rampant cheating and glitching is lately, I'm all for it. It's a minor inconvenience but one that pays dividends down the road with regards to circumventing abuse from modders and glitchers.

"This restriction was also in place when the original Xbox launched for certain games."

Also in place for the PS2, Gamecube and Dreamcast. :) Having uncopyable saves on the 360 isn't new by about 6 years.

I can understand that for copying maybe (although it seems like a poor way to do it). But to me, not allowing a MOVE is unforgivable.

What other games are like this? I don't know of any that I own...

Very few games actually have this enabled; and I wasn't able to find a comprehensive list of titles. I know the idea of moving is a PITA; as I use a memory card to hold my GT and various game saves.

On the other hand I can appreciate it because of the "gamesavers" out there. I have 43k GS through legit play; it gives me a little bit of pride knowing I worked through some of the tougher challenges out there, but other people simply load a file, unlock and call it a day, overall it sort of reduces worth of said achievements.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/rumor-....alls-motion-se/


This is just a rumor… but wow, look at that list!

Xbox LIVE

1. Option to delay sign-in to Xbox LIVE upon booting console (to allow user to set Online
Status).
2. Option to promote Child Account from Family Settings.
3. Disallow Child Accounts (over 18) to override Family Settings by launching Privacy
Settings through a title.
4. Option in Family Settings for Child Accounts to enable child-oriented/non-mature
advertisements.
5. Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.
6. Support to indicate media being watched to gamercard status (video content from
Marketplace only).
7. Extend height for Bio field in Personal Profile, easier navigation through text.
8. More fields present in Personal Profile - recent achievements, interests, games, movies,
links, custom section.
9. Compact Personal Profile for new fields (navigating to field will open it up).
10. 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.
11. Option to remove payment information from gamertag.
12. New payment methods for international users.
13. Download History on Account Management better organized - games, genre, type,
download date, miscellaneous.
14. Long descriptions of items on Marketplace can be scrolled using right stick.
15. Better organization of free content on Marketplace.
16. Option to 'ping' when testing connection.
17. Allow re-connection to Xbox LIVE if Ethernet cable is re-inserted whilst powered on.
18. New strip colours available to developers, staff gamercards.
19. New corner icon available to ambassadors.
20. Re-introduce Messages button for Inside Xbox updates only.
21. Option to store up to 10 messages permanently on server (excludes invites, status
messages).
22. Increase character limit for text messages between friends only.
23. Option to disable invites from non-friends or all players.
24. Option to disable invites from titles not on gamercard (excludes demos).
25. Option to have smaller items moved up in Active Downloads.
26. Automatically re-connect to Xbox LIVE if disconnected unexpectedly (set intervals).
27. Option to download gamer picture (if available) from a gamercard being viewed.
28. Display random tips to replace static text on Xbox LIVE and Games blades.
29. New button on Marketplace for optional dashboard features - uses Storage Device
memory.
30. Option to donate Microsoft Points to anybody with a Windows Live ID.
31. Option to purchase Membership for charities (includes benefits).
32. Integrate file-sharing for selected titles on Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows - LIVE.
33. Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).
34. Option to see 'snippet' of text message in notification.
35. Windows Live Mail integration - includes support for Xbox LIVE Vision.

Marketplace

37. Option to display gamer picture or standard picture as display picture in Windows Live
Messenger.
38. Support for headset, Xbox LIVE Vision in Windows Live Messenger.
39. Support for limited 'winks' that display on dashboard interface. Option to disable 'winks'
and 'nudges' added.
40. Notifications separate from Windows Live Messenger to Xbox 360 notifications.
41. Disable multiple languages from being used in any Xbox LIVE editable fields.

Games

1. Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes
some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).
2. Organize My Games at the Games Library section better (includes disc-based titles) - sort
by genre, platform (Games for Windows - LIVE), percentage completion.
3. Support to display friends leaderboards for disc-based titles.
4. Show dates of an achievement unlocked when comparing.
5. Preload Games Library upon dashboard bootup for faster access.
6. Game updates now shown as items in Memory, increased amount of updates on Storage

Device

7. Option to delete game updates, removed 'cheat code' as no longer needed.
8. Support for more titles to display banner when accessing guide in-game.
9. Option to re-introduce awarded gamer pictures from titles that do not have their own
re-introduce feature (requires saved game).
10. Disable gamer pictures from being awarded from trials.
11. Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading.
12. Synchronization to achievements offline/online that were deleted and then re-added
from developers.

Media

1. Option to hold LT and RT for rewinding/fast-forwarding video content.
2. Option to delete individual music tracks from storage device.
3. Option to rip music CD at different quality.
4. Copy non-protected files (pictures, music, videos) from USB storage devices, CDs and
computers to proprietary storage devices.
5. Support for menu, top-menu features on video content downloaded from Marketplace.
6. Section added for audio delivered through feeds (podcasts). Option to stream, download
to Storage Device.
7. Support added for video titles/description to gamercard status.

Dashboard/Miscellaneous

1. Option to navigate quickly out of several menus back to respective blade home (applies
to Games, Media, System).
2. New blade trim styles added.
3. Introduce expanded Inside Xbox as a portal to news, weather, entertainment, help and
community features.
4. New sounds for various functions (notifications, blades, navigation).
5. Calibration options for display/sound.
6. Calibration options for motion sensor devices.
7. New effects for Xbox LIVE Vision and dashboard background.
8. Disable changing of Theme when on Memory to prevent 'hanging'.
9. Preload recent, limited items upon dashboard bootup on Memory.
10. Faster loading of Themes section on guide.
11. Option to see what items will not work offline due to DRM license changing from
12. Option to automatically associate new DRM to items downloaded for free.
13. Indicate 'charging' status on guide when Play & Charge kit is connected.
14. Option to change text colours on guide to better contrast some backgrounds.
16. Language improvements.
18. Word censor updated for fields.
19. Privacy Settings/Family Settings updated for new features.
20. Voice, picture messages can be read at Xbox.com (Gold accounts).

Highlights for me:

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

Calibration options for motion sensor devices.

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

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

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

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

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

Damn, that's quite a list. Several on there that don't matter to me personally, but many of them would be pretty helpful. Let's hope just some of those things make it, if not all.

Looks very good if true.

sometimes more is more. keep it coming MS