Tomorrow brings a brand new Xbox 360 dashboard update. There will be new apps, such as a number of video streaming services and television providers allowing you to stream live TV on your Xbox if you're subscribed. Here in Canada, that would be Rogers although Telus also has that option already available in some provinces. There's also new features such as Bing search, more voice functionality, and this new thing called "beacons" that Xbox.com already has where you can let your friends know you want to play a specific game. Essentially, you can schedule a time for gaming for all your friends on live which I think is a really cool feature. There's plenty other features being added as well. The dashboard will also look different, resembling the UI from Windows Phone, Zune, and Windows 8. It's much cleaner and I'm looking forward to it.
Secondly, I just want to say the recent waves of rumors that an Xbox 360 successor coming out next year are bullshit and starting to tick me off, and this update is an example why this "generation" is going to be longest lifespan we've ever seen. Typically, you see 5 years go by and fanboys get in a frenzy over what new consoles will be released and make speculation. This time... well, the same thing happens, but this time it's only Nintendo who needs to create a new console. Why, you may ask? Why would a company make a product? Money. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 sales are growing, while Nintendo is losing sales after that ridiculous spike a few years ago. Remember that? But in regards to the current powerhouse consoles, what other "generation" has had 4 major UI overhauls, a hardware redesign, new accessories that not only change the way you play a game, but helps increase sales of already selling game consoles while also inspiring a new wave of games by developers who now have more ideas because of it. Technology has gone a long way and now with access to the Internet and constant top selling franchises being released on the two (unlike the shovel-ware for Wii), these consoles are going to keep going strong into this "Next Gen", which in my opinion has already started. The "Next Gen" is PSVita, 3DS, Wii U, Xbox 360, and PS3. I include the latter two because they are EXTREMELY different than what they were 5 and 6 years ago. When remembering the limitations and the look of the older version of my current console feels like nostalgia, I'd say it can be considered a entirely different console. So stop worrying about what next year will bring and take advantage of the holiday bundles out right now and enjoy the great games available now, because there were a lot this year.
I'm currently playing Assassin's Creed: Revelations and Halo: Reach when I'm online. If you ever want to join me send me a message and friend invite.
