Revamp of the Xbox 360's online interface will add dedicated music DLC and content channel as well as MSNBC news updates, New Yorker cartoons, and...Dilbert?
Xbox Live's new Music Marketplace.
In June, Microsoft announced that this fall's Xbox Live update would add 1080p high-def video content as well as
Twitter and
Facebook integration for gold-level subscribers. However, those participating in
the preview of the update have noticed two new features not previously disclosed.
The first is an entire "Music Marketplace" channel, which will be focused on downloadable content for rhythm games like Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and Microsoft's own Lips. The channel will also offer high-definition music videos to download onto the Zune handheld multimedia player as well as serve as the home base for recommendation-radio service
Last.fm, which is owned by GameSpot parent CBS Interactive.
Soon, gamers can watch MSNBC content on their Xboxes.
Also coming to Xbox Live is a "News and more" channel, which will offer up information from Microsoft and NBC Universal's joint venture, MSNBC.com. According to an information screen in the XBL preview, all of the site's features will be on tap, including video news from television Network
NBC and from
MSNBC TV. The tab will also offer some non-news-related content in the form of
cartoons from the New Yorker magazine and the office-satire comic strip
Dilbert.
For a closer look at the Xbox Live Update, check out
GameSpot Hardware's in-depth preview of its new features. The update is expected to go live next month.