The updated Xbox dashboard that was promoted at E3 this year is finally out and I really like it. The new set-up has a lot of new media options, easier-to-navigate menus, and a more colorful and fun experience, although there are some things that probably should have been left out.
One of the first things that you will notice is the overall layout, all of the options appear as boxes that are staggered and you can use the analog sticks to navigate up, down, left, and right. There are all of the standard options as well as an expanded marketplace. The items you want are much easier to find, as you can browse the marketplace by title and genre. Also all of the downloads for a particular game can be viewed together, for example, if you go to Halo 3, you can see all of the downloadable map packs and videos together. There is still an abundance of game demos to try out and the interface is just plain improved.
You can also buy episodes of popular TV shows, buy music videos, and rent movies from a relatively large library of titles that will undoubtedly be expanding over the coming months. The premium themes make the dashboard itself look much better than the previous installment and the general layout is easy on the eyes. You should have no trouble finding whatever you want. The usual “Inside Xbox” feature is still there and, like everything else, it’s easy to navigate.
But there is definitely one thing that I could have done without and that is the Avatars, they are a blatant rip-off of the Mii’s and are way too “kiddy” for the Xbox 360. Seeing an avatar in front next to a big picture of Marcus Fenix just doesn’t sit right with me. The idea is to appeal to the “casual” market that the Wii targets, but I think that that is something Xbox just doesn’t need to do to be successful, the Xbox and the Playstation both appeal to the more hardcore gamers or the more mature gamers, it doesn’t need to be decked out with “kid-friendly” avatars. Not that children’s games shouldn’t be on the system, it’s just that the whole avatar system is pushing it too far. But because of the sea of new media and the easier to navigate menus I can’t complain, I think overall it is a step forward for the Xbox interface.
One of the first things that you will notice is the overall layout, all of the options appear as boxes that are staggered and you can use the analog sticks to navigate up, down, left, and right. There are all of the standard options as well as an expanded marketplace. The items you want are much easier to find, as you can browse the marketplace by title and genre. Also all of the downloads for a particular game can be viewed together, for example, if you go to Halo 3, you can see all of the downloadable map packs and videos together. There is still an abundance of game demos to try out and the interface is just plain improved.
You can also buy episodes of popular TV shows, buy music videos, and rent movies from a relatively large library of titles that will undoubtedly be expanding over the coming months. The premium themes make the dashboard itself look much better than the previous installment and the general layout is easy on the eyes. You should have no trouble finding whatever you want. The usual “Inside Xbox” feature is still there and, like everything else, it’s easy to navigate.
But there is definitely one thing that I could have done without and that is the Avatars, they are a blatant rip-off of the Mii’s and are way too “kiddy” for the Xbox 360. Seeing an avatar in front next to a big picture of Marcus Fenix just doesn’t sit right with me. The idea is to appeal to the “casual” market that the Wii targets, but I think that that is something Xbox just doesn’t need to do to be successful, the Xbox and the Playstation both appeal to the more hardcore gamers or the more mature gamers, it doesn’t need to be decked out with “kid-friendly” avatars. Not that children’s games shouldn’t be on the system, it’s just that the whole avatar system is pushing it too far. But because of the sea of new media and the easier to navigate menus I can’t complain, I think overall it is a step forward for the Xbox interface.
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