Microsoft lists improvements and additions included with Xbox 360 dashboard updates

By Stephany Nunneley

Microsoft has released details on the dashboard update for Xbox 360.

The update brings a much needed improvement to voice chat quality, easier accessibility to wireless, and improved UI and much more.

Here’s the list of changes:

• Improved voice quality – the audio codec is being updated to improve Xbox LIVE Party chat audio quality. So grab your friends and jump into a multiplayer game, catch a big sports event, watch a movie or do all three.
• Improved experience for changing your Gamertag – choosing a new Gamertag? If the Gamertag you’re looking for is already taken, your Avatar will spin a wheel and we will provide five other Gamertag suggestions at a time for you to choose from.
• Streamlined in-dashboard virtual keyboard – we’ve taken the existing QWERTY keyboard in-dash and made it easier to use for scenarios that involve repeated text entry, for example when signing up for Live within the dashboard.
• Improved Xbox Live Marketplace UI and browse experience – the Games Marketplace has been re-organized to provide streamlined access to the games and content you want, reducing the number of steps it takes to get to a download.
• Avatar changes – we’ve made your Avatars slightly more proportional so you can better play Kinect games.
• Easier to get on a wireless network – trying to connect to a wireless network? With the next update, you’ll see a list of all the wireless networks within range when you go into network settings. From there, you’ll be able to select a new network or further configure the network you’re connected to.
• Ability to sign-out other controllers in the sign-in UI – we’re adding the ability to sign-out profiles on other controllers in the sign-in UI within the Guide. This is especially useful when playing games like Rock Band.
• New browse experience for 100 per cent completed games – you spent a lot of time and effort earning those Achievements, so instead of only being able to view your first dozen completed games, we’re giving you a new and better way to browse all of them.

It’s set to launch on November 4.