NXE's Thematic Consistency

Something needed to change, the dashboard hasn't changed (significantly) since launch, and it was getting a bit stale.  It's fine for just playing a game or downloading some new (note I stated "new") DLC, but if you wanted to track down some add-on for a used game you just picked-up, find a theme you just found out about from a few years ago, or dare to track down an old video, it's very clunky.

The avatars are OK, they at least give you more options than a Mii and are nearly as detailed as the ones from Home.  Sort of a mix between the two, that will actually please quite a few more people than you'd think.  I expect Halo armor or GoW outfits to get from achievements or DLC that would really offer more than an old theme or gamerpic would.

I like the 3D themes, it could make for some interesting DLC and open up some Home-like functionality.  It's funny how these powerhouse systems still rely on on old 2D GUIs as the front-end, where the nice 3D ones from the DC and GC were quite nice and while simple, made it feel that much more advanced than the old 2D ones. (the Saturn was both 3D and 2D but it's debatable)

I'm still puzzled why the NXE (really, is that we're going to call it now?) doesn't have a web browser integrated into it.  Both the PS3 and Wii have one, you'd think it would be a no-brainer that a MS console would have a version of IE in the box.  With the console war still very much alive, every feature matters, and telling Ma and Pa Kettle that this box can let you surf the web on your TV is still a selling point that the 360 does not have.

Looking at the images on the linked article, it seems that a grey "ground" will cover up the bottom half of your screen if you decide to use an old theme.  If you can't turn that off, then that's pretty damn lame, seeing as I love the Rare theme and don't care for any flashy stuff crowding up my screen.

@Duke Togo,  I've been wondering the same thing.  It seems odd that with DLC and Xbox Live being such a big feature they'd have some way to surf the net with you Xbox.

I agree that it should be a no-brainer for MS, i don't know why they'd leave that out when it's a major feature of the other consoles.

Nothing happened for me :(

I am really looking forward to the new experience. And I guess we will grow with the avatars. It was the same with the achievements and the gamerscore in the beginning. Everyone dissed it, and actually it's quite nice to have 'em.