The rumored Xbox 360Spring Update might not have hit yet, but we know something big is in the works for the console’s dashboard.
How big? Well besides the gi-normous list of rumored updates we posted about back in May we’re now hearing from a number of sources that the Live dashboard is going to be getting a second interface option, one that will use the yet-to-be announced motion controller to navigate.
This new user interface, we’ve been told, will recreate the increasingly cluttered dashboard “blade” system in a 3D environment that will be something more akin to the Minority Report than a filing cabinet. The motion controls will allow users to sort of slide through the different levels of this floating menu system.
Sounds like a fantastic idea, if it can be implemented correctly.
Source: http://kotaku.com/5021196/xbox-360-getting-a-3d-dashboard-make+over
With the E3 expo just around the corner on July 15, many recent rumors and speculations have been appearing in recent gaming news regarding what Microsoft may announce to ensure they remain the dominate online community of the three next-gen console platforms. With Sony’s software update to version 2.4 it can now display the XMB bar during gameplay to unify friends and also includes the addition of Game Trophies bringing their online offering closer to he way Xbox 360’s online is currently. With Sony and Nintendo being a free online service compared to Xbox Live Gold Membership which costs $49.99 a year, its easy to understand why so many rumors would start to appear before the big show.
What we do know is that Microsoft has decided to pass on this years spring dashboard update to work toward building a better infrastructure for the future of the service. As an offering of their commitment toward this goal, they have just released the DRM tool. So while this is definitely letting us know that they are making a conscious effort toward improving their service we haven’t heard any official word about any type of major user interface overhaul.
The first rumor was surrounding two images of “My GamerPad”, a new online user interface in which what appeared like a Nintendo Mii and Sony Home hybrid. These images were proved to be photoshopped from images taken from deviantArt. Thankfully this was only a rumor.
This latest rumor about a 3D dashboard interface sounds pretty interesting, but I still hold reservations regarding the supposed motion sensing controller. Hopefully this rumor can bare some truth and we’ll get a glimpse into the future for whats in store as an improvement to the online usability of Xbox Live.
For the fans of Xbox 360 who currently pay the yearly Xbox Live subscription fee, some of us begin to question what we’re actually paying for. As Xbox Live currently has best online community and infrastructure of the big three consoles, Microsoft will have to continue to make strides to continue to improve upon their online service offering to stay a step ahead of Sony and Nintendo playing catch up. As the competition heats up, it will continue to blur the line between having to pay to play online or get the same features for free.
As long as the Xbox 360 division will continue to innovate their online service, I have no problem with continuing to pay for their service. Lets just hope this rumor is true or that we hear more about their plans for the future at E3.
- Wolfmeister
