Next Xbox LIVE Update due on November 17

Next Xbox LIVE Update due on November 17

Techtree News Staff, Nov 14, 2009 0836 hrs IST

Facebook, Twitter, 1080p Zune Video Store and Last.fm to hit Xbox 360 Dashboard

Microsoft has announced that the next Xbox LIVE update bundling social networks and Zune Video store service will arrive on November 17. Major Nelson aka Larry Hryb, director of programming, Xbox LIVE, acknowledged the date of Xbox LIVE update's arrival. The Xbox LIVE preview program has begun since late last month and is expected to get over soon.

New Xbox LIVE update brings Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and instant-on HD Zune video service to the Xbox 360 console. Again, Microsoft plays smart and will made Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm accessible only to the Xbox LIVE Gold account subscribers. However, the Xbox LIVE Silver account holders (over 18 years of age) would be able to access Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm for free between November 20-23.

As promised, new instant-on 1080p Zune Video service will also be made available with this update. It sounds amazing over here but in practical application, a very limited number of users actually have the bandwidth to make use of this service. Slowly, the focus and purpose of Xbox 360 as gaming console is shift to entertainment and lifestyle console.

Apart from that, Xbox LIVE update will bring new "News and More" in Inside Xbox section just like PS3's Information board. Appearing like a full fledged media portal, this section will also stream content from MSNBC, The New Yorker and Dilbert.

On November 17, Microsoft will start rolling out update so log on to Xbox LIVE and wait till it hits your dashboard.