Upcoming Spring Update...

[TixBomber]

I didn't write this in any way. Copy and pasted straight from IGN Xbox 360: Games, Cheats, News, Reviews, and Previews

Rumoured Xbox Live Spring Update Details Emerge
From the mundane to the mega-tonne.
by Martin Robinson, IGN UK

UK, May 14, 2008 - A supposed feature list purporting to Microsoft's update for Xbox Live has emerged, detailing a host of revisions to the Xbox 360 service that range from the mundane to the potentially awesome.

Leaked to Kotaku, some cute additions include the option to download a gamer picture from a gamercard being viewed, and displaying the date that achievements were unlocked when comparing profiles. Of more import – and sure to get tongues wagging – is a feature supporting the calibration of motion sensor devices, adding further weight to the speculation that despite its frequent denials Microsoft is looking to introduce a motion control at some point in the future.

We've included the full list for your delectation, so scroll down at leisure and see what peaks your interest.


Xbox LIVE updates

• Option to delay sign-in to Xbox LIVE upon booting console (to allow user to set Online Status).

• Option to promote Child Account from Family Settings.

• Disallow Child Accounts (over 18 ) to override Family Settings by launching Privacy Settings through a title.

• Option in Family Settings for Child Accounts to enable child-oriented/non-mature advertisements.

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

• Support to indicate media being watched to gamercard status (video content from Marketplace only).

• Extend height for Bio field in Personal Profile, easier navigation through text.

• More fields present in Personal Profile - recent achievements, interests, games, movies, links, custom section.

• Compact Personal Profile for new fields (navigating to field will open it up).

• 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.

• Option to remove payment information from gamertag.

• New payment methods for international users.

• Download History on Account Management better organized - games, genre, type, download date, miscellaneous.

• Long descriptions of items on Marketplace can be scrolled using right stick.

• Better organization of free content on Marketplace.

• Option to 'ping' when testing connection.

• Allow re-connection to Xbox LIVE if Ethernet cable is re-inserted whilst powered on.

• New strip colors available to developers, staff gamercards.

• New corner icon available to ambassadors.

• Re-introduce Messages button for Inside Xbox updates only.

• Option to store up to 10 messages permanently on server (excludes invites, status messages).

• Increase character limit for text messages between friends only.

• Option to disable invites from non-friends or all players.

• Option to disable invites from titles not on gamercard (excludes demos).

• Option to have smaller items moved up in Active Downloads.

• Automatically re-connect to Xbox LIVE if disconnected unexpectedly (set intervals).

• Option to download gamer picture (if available) from a gamercard being viewed.

• Display random tips to replace static text on Xbox LIVE and Games blades.

• New button on Marketplace for optional dashboard features - uses Storage Device memory.

• Option to donate Microsoft Points to anybody with a Windows Live ID.

• Option to purchase Membership for charities (includes benefits).

• Integrate file-sharing for selected titles on Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows - LIVE.

• Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).

• Option to see 'snippet' of text message in notification.

• Windows Live Mail integration - includes support for Xbox LIVE Vision.

• Web feeds integration - text, images, audio. Includes support for specific item codes on Marketplace.

• Option to display gamer picture or standard picture as display picture in Windows Live Messenger.

• Support for headset, Xbox LIVE Vision in Windows Live Messenger.

• Support for limited 'winks' that display on dashboard interface. Option to disable 'winks' and 'nudges' added.

• Notifications separate from Windows Live Messenger to Xbox 360 notifications.

• Disable multiple languages from being used in any Xbox LIVE editable fields.

Games

• Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).

• Organize My Games at the Games Library section better (includes disc-based titles) - sort by genre, platform (Games for Windows - LIVE), percentage completion.

• Support to display friends leaderboards for disc-based titles.

• Show dates of an achievement unlocked when comparing.

• Preload Games Library upon dashboard bootup for faster access.

• Game updates now shown as items in Memory, increased amount of updates on Storage Device.

• Option to delete game updates, removed 'cheat code' as no longer needed.

• Support for more titles to display banner when accessing guide in-game.

• Option to re-introduce awarded gamer pictures from titles that do not have their own re-introduce feature (requires saved game).

• Disable gamer pictures from being awarded from trials.

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

• Synchronization to achievements offline/online that were deleted and then re-added from developers.

Media

• Option to hold LT and RT for rewinding/fast-forwarding video content.

• Option to delete individual music tracks from storage device.

• Option to rip music CD at different quality.

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

• Support for menu, top-menu features on video content downloaded from Marketplace.

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

• Support added for video titles/description to gamercard status.

Dashboard/Miscellaneous

• Option to navigate quickly out of several menus back to respective blade home (applies to Games, Media, System).

• New blade trim styles added.

• Introduce expanded Inside Xbox as a portal to news, weather, entertainment, help and community features.

• New sounds for various functions (notifications, blades, navigation).

• Calibration options for display/sound.

• Calibration options for motion sensor devices.

• New effects for Xbox LIVE Vision and dashboard background.

• Disable changing of Theme when on Memory to prevent 'hanging'.

• Preload recent, limited items upon dashboard bootup on Memory.

• Faster loading of Themes section on guide.

• Option to see what items will not work offline due to DRM license changing from Memory.

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

• Indicate 'charging' status on guide when Play & Charge kit is connected.

• Option to change text colors on guide to better contrast some backgrounds.

• Language improvements.

• Word censor updated for fields.

• Privacy Settings/Family Settings updated for new features.

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

[Negative Creep]

Wow... nice list... even if you didn't write it yourself... thanks for sharing!

[strictlystyles]

im pretty sure 4 player private chat has to be one of, if not the biggest news on that list.

Im glad they are changing some of the sounds so you dont get the same notice for logging in and a friend invite. Now they will let you install the game to the HD for faster loading, just one less argument from the sony defense force 360 hatelist.

Also, according to EGM microsoft is currently making BLURAY equipped xbox's, as a chinese manufacturer just got the contract to build the drives. I wonder what that would do to sales LOL.

[Godmoney]

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

I'd really like that one. I had a USB Thumb drive with a movie on it that I wanted to watch on my XBOX 360 like a month a go.

[Decimate]

It would be awesome to have 4 people in a chat.

Great list, I hope that happens soon.

[Pat Bizzle]

This is indeed a massive update. I'm looking forward to this update. Although, I'm kind of confused on some of these features...

• New strip colors available to developers, staff gamercards.
• New corner icon available to ambassadors.
• Support to display friends leaderboards for disc-based titles.

Maybe someone can clear those up for me?

[strictlystyles]

Im not sure about the ambassador thing, but basically the develepors and staff get a different color strip with thier name on it on thier gamercard and im also assuming it shows on the forums too. I think rite now everyone has a yellow strip with thier title at the top so now theyll be different colors certain people, so i hope the same goes for beta testers so i may get one myself .


and rite now currently you can only see leaderboards for arcade titles and now you will be able to see leaderboards for all titles (disc based meaning regular games )

[intellect +4]

thats a huge *** update, good thing I love my xbox

[bigmike8119]

Originally Posted by intellect +4

thats a huge *** update, good thing I love my xbox

I believe all that stuff is just rumors. I've yet to see anything from Microsoft on it. I'm not even sure when they are going to release the new update.

[xCrogx]

what do you guys/gals know bout clans?! Are they gonna do them?

[Midnight_Walker]

My favourite ones are the new payment methods - I'm fed up of having to use my girlfriend's card to buy points - it makes it a lot harder to top up my account without her knowing! Not everybody has Mastercard or Visa, and it seems Sony are the only ones of the big 3 to have realised this. Well, up till now.

And the ability to scroll item descriptions on marketplace - at last!

[OME6A]

Didn't you guys hear? Microsoft is giving Sony a chance to catch up, and as such they're not doing a spring dashboard update.

Hopefully they're not holding their breath for that in-game XMB or Home like some of us are.

[bigmike8119]

Originally Posted by OME6A

Didn't you guys hear? Microsoft is giving Sony a chance to catch up, and as such they're not doing a spring dashboard update.

Hopefully they're not holding their breath for that in-game XMB or Home like some of us are.

I swear, some times I don't think Microsoft knows what they are doing. This will hurt them seeing that everyone will complain. They will complain that they pay for the service and don't get the update. I just think they are getting lazy over there. Somebody needs to punch Major Nelson in the throat type of thing...

[The mOBSCENE]

• Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).

Finally... I've been waiting for a way to get rid of the demos I've played off of my games list.

[zero2000]

No update this year...the stuff in the list may be coming out at some point, but not this year.




Like Omega said, they are basically letting Sony catch up. In-game XMB and Home HAS to be out by the end of the year. If it isn't......I don't really know what the **** they are doing, lol.