Every new Xbox Dashboard update brings a fresh look and feel, and the latest is no exception. Now, a more centralized tab scrolls the top of the screen, organizing content into easier-to-search categories. Apps are easier to find. And beyond aesthetics, the latest update includes tons of new features, including a lot more video content.
Here are the biggest changes to the system:
Voice-Activated Search
Sure, it’s a little surprising to talk to your Xbox, but the technology is here and it’s only going to get more refined. With Bing integration and a Kinect, you can simply ask your Xbox to search for specific pieces of content. Wave your hand to flip through slides if you want—navigating through menus has never been more fun.
New Content Partners
They are only being mentioned at this point, but it’s exciting to think about the potential for content partnerships with Xbox Live. UFC, TMZ, HBO Go, and YouTube are all coming to Xbox. The idea is for gamers to think about ItXbox as the centerpiece of their living room. It seems likely that more content partners will sign up as the technology gets better.
Cloud Saves
Finally, Xbox allows you to save content directly to the cloud. This includes game saves, gamer profiles and videos. It’s a selectable memory device, like any flash drive, and each account has 512 MB of space. Think: you’ll never have to load up a flash drive with your game saves to go to your buddy’s house. Just upload your custom playbook to the cloud and use it to teach him a lesson in Madden.
Photo:  geeky-gadgets.com