The New Xbox Experience.

* Play from hard drive. Copy your games from the game disc and play directly from the hard drive. Not only will the drive not spin, but load times are quicker, as well. Of course, you will still need the disc in the tray to prove you own the game.

* Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web. Browse and purchase Marketplace content whenever you want from Xbox.com and it downloads automatically to your console. Purchase that new map, television episode, the latest Xbox LIVE Arcade game or set up a movie to watch when you get home from work.

* Dashboard built into the new Xbox Guide. For everyone who loves the blades interface, it's not going away; they are now built directly in to the new Xbox guide. Every feature and option is available right from the guide. You can even access your full games library at all times. No matter where you are (in dash or in game), immediately call up your games played list and directly launch a game.

* LIVE Party system. Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos. It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not just upcoming games. LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the dashboard, so you can meet up before playing.

* Xbox LIVE Primetime. This whole new category of games is going to give you more reasons to get online with your friends. Games will support everything you'd expect, like Achievements and leader boards, but many of these games will include real prizes. You can invite your friends, and even set a reminder for an upcoming show. Each game is broadcast simultaneously, so everyone is answering the same questions. Many events will have a live host, calling the shots as they happen.

* Avatars. Your online identity started as a Gamertag - it then grew into a personalized Gamercard. Now, it has evolved even further into avatars. You can express your style, check out new outfits and share this with the community. Avatars will also be integrated into Xbox LIVE Arcade games, LIVE Party, as well as retail games.

* New display support. Because you asked for it, we are adding 16X10 over VGA or HDMI, and support for 1440x900 or 1680x1050.

I've heard the download size is only 128mb. I'm really excited, post your thoughts.

Can't ♥♥♥♥ wait.

I hope the guide is quicker ect.
All i care about TBH.

Also anyone know if it comes out 'Tuesday (American time)' or if its Tuesday on the dot of 12 everywhere??

I hate to derail, but this topic imparted a startling revalation vis a vis why I lost interest in consoles. Namely, the PC already does everything.

But then, go Microsoft for going with what works.

If you don't have enough money to afford a top spec pc, and then keep updating it, then a console is much better.
Games are optimized for console so its like having an expensive gaming machine....ish.

I just heard they let everyone that applied for the beta have it now, shame i didn't apply now

They do everything wrong except for what's bringing them money. The new XBOX stuff is an excellent idea, but Microsoft still needs to go to hell.

Why? A lot of the things keeping prospective sinners away is the huge ad campaign rather than developing less-buggy torture. Hell's strategy actually works, while Microsoft's doesn't.
Microsoft should look towards car manufacturers- not in the whole going down in flames part, but rather offering more fuel-efficient models with less features for those who want it.

Um, thanks sandman. I was referring to a former shutting down of the Freelancer 2 project as well as their sucky operating systems.

I dislike the New Xbox Experience. The dashboard looks similar to a PS3 XMB and the avatars look like a cross between a Mii and a PS3 Home character.

...
There's no M in my name.
And, uh... that was one of those 'taking-things-at-face-value-to-mock-them' things. Yes, I realize that's what you meant.
I should probably plug my 360 into the tubes to take advantage of this interface.

But, no developers want to make games for PC anymore due to pirating, so so much for that.

You guys already have it?
The download hasn't started for me yet.

I still hate the friends list.

I'm gueesssing you all have it.

Ironically, I think that many people wouldn't even pirate if it weren't for the fact that half of the PC games released today are so buggy that it's impossible to play them until months after release.

That aside, is this UI change part of a plan to rebrand the Xbox, try and boost sales, or what? I don't get the reason.

PC's have 2 thing that make them better than consoles.
1. MODS.
2. GRAPHICS OH GOD THE COLORS!

Bad things:
1. $4000+ price tag for a good one that doesn't lag.
2. Viruses
3. Updating your hardware. Thats a nice $200 Graphics card! But a new $150 one came out that's 10x as fast! YYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!