Am I the only one that appreciates the little UI tweaks that have been made but am completely underwelmed by the update's big ticket item? One theory I have is that the push to get the gaming side of Windows Live and Xbox Live integrated is because Microsoft is secretly planning to do a simultaneous release of Halo 3 on PC and Xbox. Then they can show much larger "gaming community" numbers for online Halo right around the time that PC3 Home goes open/live.

I also just don't see the big upside to having Live text messenger integration. It would have been good to have video conferencing with a Live user on a PC (would have been a convenient way to chat with the wife's parents - us in our living room via the 360 and them with their PC).

Personally, I'm surprised/disappointed that we don't have a web browser yet for the 360. Not for general web surfing but there's alot of interesting videos that I've been watching via my Wii in my living room. Its very cool. In particular I've been watching alot of interesting academic lectures from google video. Then there's youtube. (and ok ok ... porn!)

Thoughts?

Eh, my PS3 browser almost never gets used and I'm actually surprised by how well it works. I guess this update is underwhelming if you were expecting something huge. I'm underwhelmed by the games this summer, thats what underwhelms me.

the wii has a web browser?

I don't think they would spend all this time on Halo 2 PC that hasn't even come out yet and pull the rug out from themselves by releasing Halo 3.

update was good, just bummed about the hd-dvd updates being late

im underwhelmed that ms thinks live messenger integration should have been prioritized this high.

it is kinda funny because all the rest of the stuff in this update is very useful. the progress bar when playing videos now, marketplace getting its own blade, the low power mode download, etc. all of that stuff is very nice.

personally they need to completly rework the media aspect for the next update.... the ui for browsing video and music is horrid still and they have media center that they could go off of. and along with that get netflix style subscriptions and season passes for the video marketplaces.

adding multiway chat/vid chat should also be a pretty high priority... i know a clan blade would be useful as well which is requested quite a bit (and could see it really being successful if they put some sort of simple messaging board system in there based on the text chat... theres lots of stuff you could do to make a clan system really great)

I would have put both of those above live messenger integration.

the wii has a web browser?

Yes. And it's a free download through June 30th.

The Windows Live thing is okay, but I still haven't figured out how to access my XBL friends list from the Messenger program on the PC. Anyone know how?

Am I the only one that appreciates the little UI tweaks that have been made but am completely underwelmed by the update's big ticket item? One theory I have is that the push to get the gaming side of Windows Live and Xbox Live integrated is because Microsoft is secretly planning to do a simultaneous release of Halo 3 on PC and Xbox. Then they can show much larger "gaming community" numbers for online Halo right around the time that PC3 Home goes open/live.

I also just don't see the big upside to having Live text messenger integration. It would have been good to have video conferencing with a Live user on a PC (would have been a convenient way to chat with the wife's parents - us in our living room via the 360 and them with their PC).

Personally, I'm surprised/disappointed that we don't have a web browser yet for the 360. Not for general web surfing but there's alot of interesting videos that I've been watching via my Wii in my living room. Its very cool. In particular I've been watching alot of interesting academic lectures from google video. Then there's youtube. (and ok ok ... porn!)

Thoughts?

I think they definately could beefed up the music and Video interface. I bought an Apple TV and the sheer brilliance of that device lies in the Interface, they added a fe more codecs but the interface to play music and movies still blows

I'm underwelmed. IM intigration means nothing to me.

How about FFWD and RWND for audio files, or being able to eject the HD-DVD drive.

I love the way you can now start a download, power the console off and it will continue downloading. I took advantage of this this morning. Started the Forza 2 Demo download and headed off to work. I assume when the download is done it will completely shut down (not sure though).

I'm underwelmed. IM intigration means nothing to me.

How about FFWD and RWND for audio files, or being able to eject the HD-DVD drive.

yes, very much needed

also they should have a misc blade with rss feeds, weather updates, and a calendar that show future games releases, movie releases, etc

I love the way you can now start a download, power the console off and it will continue downloading. I took advantage of this this morning. Started the Forza 2 Demo download and headed off to work. I assume when the download is done it will completely shut down (not sure though).

It does I did it with double dragon last night and it completly shuts down once finished.

This update I could care less about. Whats the big deal Windows IM ohhhh wow all the little kiddies now can type to each other. Why the hell do i care?

yes, very much needed

also they should have a misc blade with rss feeds, weather updates, and a calendar that show future games releases, movie releases, etc

Internet radio player would be cool. Clan blade as well.

This update I could care less about. Whats the big deal Windows IM ohhhh wow all the little kiddies now can type to each other. Why the hell do i care?

I agree. I haven't IM'd anybody in years so the IM functionality is useless to me.

I like some of the other features such as the Marketplace blade and being able to see what disc is in the drive though.

the wii has a web browser?


Ever tried to surf the web at 480p on a big screen without a keyboard to boot? It's impossible.

I use the PS3's web browser with a wireless keyboard/mouse once in awhile, but I tired of the Wii's simple 480p browser really quick. Neither browser touches a PC browser (IMO).

A browser is a waste of valuable flash IMO. So many better things they could do with it.

Wii browser is pretty pointless, only used it to play some free flash games on wiicade.org

I would definitely like to see a better music player interface for the 360, as well as video chat between 360 and PC users.

I don't see myself using IM either, missed that IM chat generation by a hair.

The background downloading turn off thing is pretty sweet, used it twice already.

And VGA reference levels will be nice when I get my new Samsung DLP.

I do like the new wmv playback features. The seek bar with chapters is very convenient.

I think WLM integration would have been a hit if they could have at least allowed compatibility with the 'Send Webcam' and 'Video Call' features of the PC client. I know they would have sold a ton of those Live Vision cams.

Nothing is more annoying than futzing with the audio video tuning of WLM on a PC to prevent echo and feedback. With the 360 everything has already been tuned and configured. It seems like a no brainer to support these video and voice features with the WLM on the 360 now.

My other disappointment is the lack of QWERTY support for the MCE keyboard. this keyboard is a dream, but full support only comes on MCE computers....a little redundant when you already have the 360 hooked up in the living room.

Internet radio player would be cool. Clan blade as well.


Your obviously are not keeping up with what is happening with internet radio then. Do a search. By the way u have options to hook up an Ipod, Zune, stream music from your computer too the 360 or simply turn your surround sound or alarm radio on while u play.

Sometimes I think u all just expect way too much for live being around for 6 years now. But it is funny to read some of you all comments. Your complaining about somthing that is free.

-say no to web browsing on the 360. period.

-IM chatting is... uh... not that cool, especially since we all have mic's now.

-the addition of codecs for video and audio playback is a welcome addition, yet could have been better. (BTW I dont even stream any videos, so i dont really care about this)

-it is also rumored that music downloading could be coming to the 360 using a iTunes-esque interface 'cept looking like Zune. if i remember some numbers being thrown around right now say a 15/month charge for a streaming radio feature and a 40/month for some other feature i forgot.

-clan support blade (which so many people request) would be cool. i personally couldnt give a F*@k

-the Marketplace blade is awesome if anything just an easier way to navigate it.

-and also how about showing the Elite purchasers some love (not me) and let them re-download their games and let them play off-line. seems like a very overlooked issue.

In a way shouldn't it be underwhelming?

I like the IM add in ability. I still IM quite regularly with a few friends and my boss. I think its a cool inclusion.

Your obviously are not keeping up with what is happening with internet radio then. Do a search. By the way u have options to hook up an Ipod, Zune, stream music from your computer too the 360 or simply turn your surround sound or alarm radio on while u play.

Sometimes I think u all just expect way too much for live being around for 6 years now. But it is funny to read some of you all comments. Your complaining about somthing that is free.


I don't think anyone here was really complaining, although complaining on forums is pretty chic nowadays. We just like to discuss what we think would be the best way the service could be provided. And it isn't free, everyone of us paid a few hundred dollars for the privilege of having a 360. I love Live, it blows everything out of the water, but it could always be better, and I think people on AVS are always striving for perfection.

I think WLM integration would have been a hit if they could have at least allowed compatibility with the 'Send Webcam' and 'Video Call' features of the PC client. I know they would have sold a ton of those Live Vision cams.

Nothing is more annoying than futzing with the audio video tuning of WLM on a PC to prevent echo and feedback. With the 360 everything has already been tuned and configured. It seems like a no brainer to support these video and voice features with the WLM on the 360 now.

My other disappointment is the lack of QWERTY support for the MCE keyboard. this keyboard is a dream, but full support only comes on MCE computers....a little redundant when you already have the 360 hooked up in the living room.


I use the MS 7000 keyboard and the bluetooth works flawless between the PC and 360.

I love the way you can now start a download, power the console off and it will continue downloading. I took advantage of this this morning. Started the Forza 2 Demo download and headed off to work. I assume when the download is done it will completely shut down (not sure though).

Yes it will power off when download has completed. The little light in the middle of the ring will flash ( one the console) during this mode. Stuff now downloads faster, Forza demo took about 15 minutes.