A Sneak Peek into the New Xbox 360 Experience

The Xbox 360 continues to entertain us not only with interactive game play but with an entire multimedia experience. The New Xbox 360 Experience is being coined a revolutionary platform with its new features. Microsoft, at the E3 Media and Business Summit, announced the reinvention of the Xbox 360 through its software.

New Interface and dashboard

The new dashboard gives users instant access to photos, videos and games. No need in thumbing through the old Xbox Live page set up. All of the game system features are at hand. The new dashboard is visually appealing with a 3 dimensional look and feel.

Exclusive Partnership with Netflix

These two media powerhouses will join this fall to bring home instant streaming of movies and television shows through the Xbox 360 game console. Consumers who have a Netflix account are able to access their queue via Xbox Live and stream videos in about 30 secs. With the addition of the new community base, users can have a movie party and stream the same movie through several households.

Get your new game face with the Xbox 360 Avatar

Avatars have taken over the internet and have now invaded the Xbox 360. The new avatar is set to more than likely replace the current the gamerpic. Although the avatar is completely customizable and animated, discussion in forums hail that the new Xbox avatar is too "cartoonish" and highly resembles WII characters. Your avatar and your friend's avatars will be appearing as they sign into Xbox Live.

Pros

Microsoft's aim is to create an online community of family fun and entertainment. High Definition movies are at your fingertips eliminating a trip to the video store and handling of DVDs. The Xbox 360 offers a new way to connect with distant family and friends without the use of a pc. The picture and movie parties bring people together in a new online experience and the avatar feature is purely fun and addictive to customize.

Cons

Memories of 2006 come to mind with the launch of the Xbox Live Video Marketplace. The movies, that faithful Thanksgiving, downloaded at turtle speed and customer service wasn't much help. The avatar may turnoff the hardcore user with their trendy clothes and style. Change usually sparks opposition. Even though children accept change much better than adults, do they represent the majority of Xbox 360 users? I don't think so.

This fall, with the anticipation of the Xbox 360's new features, millions of households will gather once again for meetups, movie streaming, and avatar heaven. Hopefully, the launch of the New Xbox Experience will be smoother than the last big update. But we can only hope.