Posted on Thursday 19-May-2011 12:30 PM

Xbox 360 dashboard update announced, out today

Adds PayPal integration, new disc format

By Andy Robinson for computerandvideogames.com

Microsoft's detailed a new Xbox 360 system update, which starts rolling out internationally from today.

The Dashboard update adds, among other things, compatibility with the updated Xbox 360 disc format, which reportedly offers developers 1GB of extra space for their games.

Xbox 360 Screenshot
The system update also includes an auto-standby feature that places your console on standby if it's idle for more than one hour, helping to reduce power consumption, and further integration with PayPal.

"Once you've linked your PayPal account to your Xbox Live account on Xbox.com, you'll be off and running to use it as a billing option, allowing you to buy content such as Microsoft Points, Xbox Live Gold subscriptions and Games on Demand titles," explains official mouthpiece Larry 'Major Nelson' Hryb.

Microsoft plans to roll out the 360 system update "gradually" to all Live users starting today "and throughout the next couple weeks", which it says is to "ensure a high quality deployment".

"Just like any other update to our service, you will know you've received it when you turn on your Xbox 360 console, connect to Xbox Live and receive a notification to download the update. It's important to note that it may take a few days to make its way around the globe. Thanks for your patience if you don't get it right away!"

Microsoft said today that a recent software update - and not today's new firmware - is behind disc read errors being experienced by a small number of Xbox 360 owners.

It's previously been suggested that Avatar Kinect, the new face-tracking chat service for Xbox Live, will also be arriving this month, though Microsoft's yet to confirm.

[ Source: Major Nelson ]

computerandvideogames.com
Andy Robinson
Andy Robinson
Acting Editor

Andy has written about video games for ten years for publications such as PC Zone, T3, The Sunday Mirror and of course, CVG. Read more

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Comments

21 comments so far...

  1. Report this post Reply with quote
    l1nc on 19 May '11 said:

    New disc format? whats that then?

  2. Report this post Reply with quote
    Nitramuse on 19 May '11 said:

    XBD3 -> Just a regular DVD. The security parameters have been enhanced and the disc has 1GB more space. Nothing spectacular.

    But PayPal is welcome, however I really hoped on something a bit more features. Native MKV support, for instance?

  3. Report this post Reply with quote
    Soviet1918 on 19 May '11 said:

    New disc format? whats that then?

    The Dashboard update adds, among other things, compatibility with the updated Xbox 360 disc format,which reportedly offers developers 1GB of extra space for their games.
    its not realy a new format more like a tweak.

  4. Report this post Reply with quote
    ensabahnur on 19 May '11 said:

    If we add a Paypal account does this mean we can finally take our credit card details off there? There's always got to be one payment method on there, surely it can be the paypal 1.

  5. Report this post Reply with quote
    _Marty_ on 19 May '11 said:

    Hmm, here's a thought - if devs use that extra disc space, and I choose to not update my Xbox and take it offline (or my Xbox is offline anyway), does this mean that game won't be playable?

  6. Report this post Reply with quote
    flash501 on 19 May '11 said:

    Sony could really do with letting us use paypal on psn as well.

  7. Report this post Reply with quote
    TykerD3 on 19 May '11 said:

    Marty, the Update itself will come on game discs. As well as discs from Magazines maybe?

  8. Report this post Reply with quote
    nologo on 19 May '11 said:

    is this microsoft saying..just incase we get hacked.. use paypal instead :)

  9. Report this post Reply with quote
    darry on 19 May '11 said:

    Hmm, here's a thought - if devs use that extra disc space, and I choose to not update my Xbox and take it offline (or my Xbox is offline anyway), does this mean that game won't be playable?

    I imagine games using the new format will ship with a little patch on the disc that would update your console with the neccesary software to play them. That or you could buy a cheap hard copy.

  10. Report this post Reply with quote
    LordVonPS3 on 19 May '11 said:

    I have to hand it to Microsoft with the PayPal integration.

    No doubt they've noticed lots of people rushing onto XBL and changing their personal data as a result of the Sony fiasco... A very good update (if it works) and well done Mickey.

    Now Sony... How about you?

  11. Report this post Reply with quote
    Nitramuse on 19 May '11 said:

    Hmm, here's a thought - if devs use that extra disc space, and I choose to not update my Xbox and take it offline (or my Xbox is offline anyway), does this mean that game won't be playable?

    If you don't update, you can't play the new games...

  12. Report this post Reply with quote
    fps_d0minat0r on 19 May '11 said:

    i wonder if the update will make xbox's stop reading pirated copies of games...will be funny reading comments from lots of p**sed of people :lol:

  13. Report this post Reply with quote
    STE MO on 19 May '11 said:

    Has anyone got the update yet?

  14. Report this post Reply with quote
    kreemi on 19 May '11 said:

    Marty, the Update itself will come on game discs. As well as discs from Magazines maybe?

    LOL. microsoft squeeze an extra 1gb of disc space, so devs can include a 1gb firmware update with thier games.

  15. Report this post Reply with quote
    groble on 19 May '11 said:

    System going onto standy after an hour of "idle" time.

    I can see this is going to result in the system turning off midway through a movie. boooo :(

  16. Report this post Reply with quote
    ste hicky on 19 May '11 said:

    right i'm going to update now. wish me luck.

    please let my 18 month old premium still work after this..... :(

    addition: went to get it,it's not happening yet on xbl europe or japan(i've got 2 profiles: primary and secondary japanese one for demo's,dlc,etc.. that don't hit europe/usa),what time is it supposed to roll out cvg?

  17. Report this post Reply with quote
    ginsin on 19 May '11 said:

    I noticed earlier today, when I visited Xbox.com to add Microsoft points, that I had the option to pay via PayPal. That feature is most welcome, I must say.

  18. Report this post Reply with quote
    Burney123456789 on 19 May '11 said:

    Please tell me that there was an auto-standby feature before this, because its a very basic thing to add to the console so long after its release...

  19. Report this post Reply with quote
    corkscru74 on 20 May '11 said:

    Hmm, here's a thought - if devs use that extra disc space, and I choose to not update my Xbox and take it offline (or my Xbox is offline anyway), does this mean that game won't be playable?

    I imagine games using the new format will ship with a little patch on the disc that would update your console with the neccesary software to play them. That or you could buy a cheap hard copy.


    But if that disc is using the new format it won't work in your console :? And then what happens if you go back in time and kill your grandfather :?

  20. Report this post Reply with quote
    Nitramuse on 20 May '11 said:

    But if that disc is using the new format it won't work in your console :? And then what happens if you go back in time and kill your grandfather :?

    Then we would have a paradox and you would never have been born.

  21. Report this post Reply with quote
    The_KFD_Case on 20 May '11 said:

    Please tell me that there was an auto-standby feature before this, because its a very basic thing to add to the console so long after its release...

    It does. After 15 minutes, or so, the wireless controller powers down and the screen darkens considerably, effectively placing the game in "pause"-mode. After six hours of inactivity the Xbox 360 powers itself down.