Yes, it is true. I got my e-mail last night informing me that I have been selected to be apart of the new dashboard preview. Too bad I didn't actually see the e-mail until 2:30am! So, it was a good morning for me when I got to explore the new features.
Games on Demand
I am such an instant gratification person. I really hate waiting, for what ends up being 8+ days, for my orders to arrive from Amazon. It is also hard for me to get out to the brick and mortar stores with a baby. Having games on demand is, in my opinion, brilliant! Not only can you get games that are comparable to used game prices at GameStop, but you can also download the manuals on your computer! Probably the greatest aspect of games on demand is that if you delete the game from your hard drive you will be able to re-download previously purchased games for free. While the selection is still small, under 30, it is bound to grow.
Netflix
I am very excited about the Netflix update. Netflix was one of the features I looked forward to using when I bought my 360. At the time I was pretty disappointed about Netflix, but all that has changed! Netflix users are now able to watch movies that are not already in their queues. Users can select movies to stream from several different catagories that include New Arrivals: Movies, New Arrivals: Tv, Drama, Sci-Fi, Classics, and more. There is also the option to watch movies with friends through the party option. Netflix users will be able to watch movies together, virtually speaking, and be able to interact during the movie.
Avatar Marketplace
I think we knew this was coming. What fun is it letting us dress our avatars for free? The avatar marketplace is where we can now purchase items for our avatars. In the marketplace users can purchase special items. These items include clothing and props from popular games, such as Halo 3, Fable II, and Monkey Island.I have to admit that I really did consider purchasing the rubber chicken with a pulley for my avatar. This is not to say that you have to spend money in order to dress your avatar. If you are running low on Microsoft Points there is still the option to "change my style" which is free.
Of course, this is not all the new dashboard has to offer. There are many changes and, for the most part, all are for the better. Possibly even more exciting is that this update is not the end of the road. The update will go public in August but will not have the already promised Facebook and Twitter applications. While I do look forward to Facebook and Twitter being available in the future, I have to admit I am really excited about this dashboard has to offer.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment