Redmond (WA) - The Xbox 360's fall Dashboard update is now available, highlighting the new ability to download original Xbox games.

The update is available to Xbox 360 users today.  The main addition to the console's feature list is the ability to download classic Xbox titles, much like the Wii's Virtual Console and the Playstation 3's Playstation Store.

Additionally, the "Xbox Live Arcade Hits" program officially launches, creating a lower-tier price point for legacy Xbox Live Arcade titles.  Users will also now receive news feeds on their Xbox 360 Dashboard, showing things like new game releases and updates to the Xbox Live Marketplace.

A couple new additions to Xbox Live account profiles also come with the update.  Users have the option of adding an "extended bio" to their account pages.  Also, users will have access to seeing the friends list of other users to facilitate social networking.

A couple other features include full-screen previews for movie downloads, "family timer" settings, and new buttons on the Dashboard to go directly to things like the Xbox Live Arcade and the Video Marketplace.

Sexy time!

Dec 04, 2007 07:10     

Aww yeah bout time
rciky report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

much smoother

Dec 04, 2007 07:45     

The dashboard as a whole seems to be much more streamlined. No more searching for downloaded content. I also felt like the dashboard speed had increased as well. However, I could not get any divx or Xvid content to play.
Josh report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

where is my comment

Dec 04, 2007 08:26     

where is my comment that i wrote earlier. There was nothing but praise in it yet admin has denied it?
Josh report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Got DIVX!

Dec 04, 2007 09:27     

Rock on! I can finally play my DIVX movies served up by Twonkyvision! That was the only hitch keeping my old Xbox w/ XBMC dearer to my heart than the Xbox 360. I confirmed the operation this morning. Microsoft had me download an extra codec to play my Divx files, but it was free. Yay! Thanks, Microsoft!
Jim report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

good job copying.......

Dec 04, 2007 11:15     

so the ps3 already has a dashboard with the last firmware update about 2-3 weeks ago guess they had to copy Sony real quick.....
Ethan report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

re: good job copying

Dec 04, 2007 12:17     

Ethan: You obviously don't own a 360 or else you'd know it's had the dashboard since day one. It just keeps improving, and this update further improves it. Sony copied off them more than the other way around, genius. Like Sony's video service launching in 2008, sound familiar? Josh: You're right, the dashboard IS faster. THG didn't post a very good write-up on this one. For a full list of changes see TXB. http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/15193/Xbox-360-Fall-Dashboard-Update-Details/

Alexvrb report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

re: re: Good job copying

Dec 04, 2007 16:35     

No MS copyed sony since sony had the same stuff in there PSP in 2004 MS adds stuff fans want after sony does like divx they only added cus sony had it last month
MrTreats report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Copy Cats getting Scared........................

Dec 04, 2007 17:42     

Yes, they know Sony is on the Edge of kicking their butts over the next six months so they are going to be watching Sonys every move. Its rather hallarious. I wish them luck.............
barney report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

When I saw this lame article, I knew who wrote it

Dec 04, 2007 17:45     

These news stories are getting pretty lame on THG. Same author that wrote the incredibly incomplete article on the Bluray players selling 2. Basically dumbed-down press releases. Makes me sad everytime I have to go to CNET for the complete story. Tom's Hardware... why do you continue to break my heart?
RockHop report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

edge of kicking their butts?

Dec 04, 2007 19:38     

that a funny statement. good games sell a system as does a low price. sony had its best sales coming since its recent price drop. whys that? games that dont show its "superior" (even though rainbow six vegas went backwards and looks worse). to correct everyone, the ps2, xbox and dreamcast had them too. who cares who had one 1st, the thing is ms is doing better with their. they have the most to offer

nate report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

xbox games so what

Dec 06, 2007 11:39     

Even live arcade games have achievements. What is the point on a 360 of paying 1200 points for a game u can download with no achievements that most of us have already beat anyways.
Kevin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0