It’s unlikely this fall’s Xbox 360 dashboard update will change many of the glaring issues we’ve been griping about, but if you’d like an early look at what Microsoft’s been working on, sign-ups are available.

Xbox Live director of programming Larry Hryb announced the public beta sign-ups on his Major Nelson blog, which will require you to sign a non-disclosure (aka shut up on Twitter) agreement.

Some of the changes coming in this year’s update include a version of Internet Explorer, more personalized dashboard displays, and additional search options.

It’s unlikely this fall’s Xbox 360 dashboard update will change many of the glaring issues we’ve been griping about, but if you’d like an early look at what Microsoft’s been working on, sign-ups are available.

Xbox Live director of programming Larry Hryb announced the public beta sign-ups on his Major Nelson blog, which will require you to sign a non-disclosure (aka shut up on Twitter) agreement.

Some of the changes coming in this year’s update include a version of Internet Explorer, more personalized dashboard displays, and additional search options.

no

It's not that great. Blades was still the best dashboard IMO, it wasn't cluttered with bullshit.

Hopefully they make it suck less, BUT we all know that won't happen...I'm still hopeful for the next system.

no i want to beta test valves computerized wristbands. god dammit gabe is hilarious

I wonder how many more ads they're going to cram into their paid online service at the expense of ease of use and discoverability this time.

As a thumbnail, it looks like cards from a collectible card game.

just give us blades back or an option to go back. as bad as that was its streets ahead of the current bloated ad-ridden Ui. wish it was like XBMC and I could swap skins easily.

Another new Dashboard?

One step closer to 8.

Stop making interfaces shiiiiiit

The two interfaces PRIOR to this one were fine. I had no issues. They were clean, organized, whatever. But NOW? That thing is a fucking monstrosity of design. Not only are annoying, irrelevant ads being shoved into my face, it's annoying as fuck to find anything. I hope the fucking morons who implemented that shit got their asses fired. That's a fucking embarassment to the profession.

Oh, and can we get more Microsoft reps on the E3 Bombcast so someone like Johnathan Blow can yell at them for the total bullshit that comes out of their mouths?

Customizing your dashboard sounds great.

Signed up, I've barely used my xbox in months, might as well see what's up.

No thanks.

No thanks. If I want nonstop ads and no videogames I can watch TV.

Is it weird that I find the dashboard to be a cluttered mess but the ads are honestly not that big of a deal to me? The non-videogame related ones are usually regulated to the bottom right corner for me and it's not like they make noise unless I hover over them. The game-related ones aren't even obnoxious either. Usually it's just "YO THIS GAME IS OUT ON XBL/GAMES ON DEMAND. COP DIS SHIT" or "YO THIS MOVIE/MUSIC IS OUT ON ZUNE. HIT IT UP". While they are not relevant to my interests they are at least about the system's functionality.

I actually like having a big "This Week on Xbox Live" thing, maybe not bigger than everything else, but I like the idea of "here's this week's new stuff, press A to see more" being there when I turn the console on. Steam does it, and I like it. But I don't want my games library four fucking menus to the right, past video and music which I will never fucking use on my 360 ever again (especially the Zune rental system). I don't want ads for phones and horseshit in little video menus. How is that you have streaming video ready to go, but there's no Darksiders trailer streaming on that big main button?

Tell you what, you want to send me Axe Body Spray ads whenever I turn on the console, you give me the Goddamn console for free.

I can't wait for the QL of the new new new new xbox dashboard

Curious to see how the next one turns out. I don't think it is as bad right now as people make it out to be but it could use a few improvements.

MS can thank their dashboard for why I buy all my non-exclusive titles for the PS3 now.

@zamaeri09: Those aren't skins. It's an interesting what-if scenario, being able to choose your dashboard, but not realistic. They've made so many changes that it wouldn't come close to working. And as far as I know the PS3 themes are just aesthetic, backgrounds and icons, not different dashboards.

Well, it cannot possibly be worse than the current dashboard, so why not?

@TheBrainninja said today one year ago today two years ago today three years ago today

Well, it cannot possibly be worse than the current dashboard, so why not?

Obiouvsly I want to Beta test this new way to watch brazzers.

Oh please god, let there be more room for ads and gaming stuff pushed even further away. I want a reason to stop using my 360 altogether.

No.

Blaydes 4 lyfe

Can I endlessly bitch about how bad it is, if I beta test it?

Signing up for this. ANYTHING apart from what we have now.

Looks interesting, but no thanks on beta testing a dashboard. I've heard too many bricking horror stories. Although it's good to know about for those braver than I.

That's a screenshot of IE running, that's not the dashboard.

The ability to customize the panes alone is worth the update.

Please. No more. HAVE WE NOT SUFFERED ENOUGH

My RSS feeder listed this as "Want to Beta Test the Next Xbox 360." Clicked the link, and became sad. :(

For all the times Kinect has mistakenly taken me to a pane of the dashboard I didn't want to see with the last update, I would like to throw my 360 through the window. C'MON guys, you can do better than this!!!

(Not hopeful anything good will come of this next patch).

does not appear to be available in Canada at the moment...

looks like the beta test is full up.

I only beta tested one of dash updates. It was the one before the current one. That was pretty neat. Having stuff before other people. *sigh*

I allowed my Gold subscription to expire last month, for the first time since I first signed up years ago. I have a problem paying for a service that is primarily concerned with showing me ads. There is nothing that makes Live worth paying for. I can play multiplayer games for free on PSN. I can use Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc. for free on multiple other services.

I remember when people bashed Sony's Dashboard for being "too difficult to navigate" and too spartan. I kinda wish Microsoft would try to emulate Sony's approach so their dashboard would be... not shit.

Well it can't get any worse. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I vastly prefer PSN's XMB over the crap that Live currently has.

This is why I'm glad I literally only use my XBox to play games. I turn it on and hit A and I'm in.

Couldn't be worse than the current one!

I'm very happy since I stopped using my 360 almost completely. That last dashboard update did it for me. Was always a hesitant Gold sub but for $35 (on sale) it seemed to be just a bit more good than bad. That changed with that newest Dashboard. What a joke that thing is.

I'll probably still be beta testing it when it comes out, knowing Microsoft.

@Tumbler said:

I'm very happy since I stopped using my 360 almost completely. That last dashboard update did it for me. Was always a hesitant Gold sub but for $35 (on sale) it seemed to be just a bit more good than bad. That changed with that newest Dashboard. What a joke that thing is.

Im so angry I must write in Bold! Arrrrgh!

They really have made their dashboard a CF and filled with crap I don't care about.

Who wants to be a guinea pig in a sty by other name?

@Phatmac said:

Well it can't get any worse. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I vastly prefer PSN's XMB over the crap that Live currently has.

You know, I've always preferred the XMB. It's simple, clean, and doesn't get in the way of doing what you need to do.

Really, the only thing I'm wondering with this latest interface downgrade is how much further back will MS push XBLA?

They are just using this to test a new look for the next console aren't they.