Microsoft demos new Xbox dashboard with Windows Phone companion app [video]

By Tom Warren, on 27th Oct 11 8:38 am with 17 Comments

Microsoft took the chance to briefly demonstrate the new Xbox dashboard and Windows Phone companion app at Nokia World on Wednesday.

Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore, Director of the Windows Phone program, took to the stage on Wednesday to talk about Microsoft’s unique Windows Phone experience. Belfiore revealed that the company is planning to update its Windows Phone Facebook application next week with more Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” features. Deep linking and fast switching will both be made available in the update.

Belfiore also briefly demonstrated the new Xbox 360 dashboard. The dashboard version Belfiore demonstrated appears to be the final “pre-release” code which Microsoft is expected to ship to testers next week. Codenamed “Madrid”, the dashboard will bring Microsoft’s Metro style interface to the Xbox. Microsoft is also preparing to include YouTube and Bing on the Xbox. Bing users will be able to use Kinect’s voice recognition feature to search for movies, music and other content on their consoles. Microsoft is also planning to include some type of Marketplace with applications for Xbox 360.

The bulk of Belfiore’s demo focuses on Microsoft’s new Xbox companion app. Be sure to check out our in-depth hands on video review of the new app alongside the Kinectimals and Xbox integration.

  • Anonymous

    great stuff…

  • http://twitter.com/IRB IRB

    This is looking neat, not sure of it usefulness but I’ll certainly download it and give it a try :)

    • Seth_p

      I think it’s the notion of having a solid and cohesive ecosystem that really shines. Although, there still are gaps with Microsoft technology – it looks like they’re headed in the right direction.

    • http://www.zunecards.net/index3.php wetworker

      Trust me the current windows phone Xbox live app is useful.
      I personally don’t like talking while I’m playing street fighter with my buddies. When they send me message I use my phone to send back messages in no time while waiting in Que to play..

      This update looks even more powerful.

  • http://www.facebook.com/simon.andrews Simon Andrews

    Looks like Apple’s Remote app, on steroids. As an Apple TV user, I can vouch for that app’s usefulness – this looks to be far more powerful.

    • J A

      Looks like AT&T will be getting the Lumia 800 series if/when it makes it to the US. I will advise Nokia to come up with a Lumia 810 (and other higher model numbers) with a front-facing camera, a 4″ display and various storage capacities up to 64GB or even 128GB. These will be hot cakes globally without a single complaint from anyone. Even better with their dual SIM stuff as well.

    • Avatar Roku

      AT&T U-verse seen here has nothing to do with the Lumia. AT&T U-verse linking is built into the Xbox companion app.

      Vudu is also listed in the app which is odd because Walmart’s Vudu movie service was never announced to be coming to Xbox 360.

  • Steve

    Will the new dashboard also have additional codec support? i.e. MKV

    • Seth_p

      Not from what they’ve annouced. You’d have to transcode your MKV container to something that’s supported on Xbox. Kind of a shame but not a huge deal breaker – most people aren’t even familiar with various codecs.

    • Typhos

      MKV is a container not a codec

    • http://www.flavors.me/fludlyt Fludlyt

      If you don’t mind having your pc on at the same time you can use a program like PS3 Media Server to stream mkv files on the fly to your Xbox. It works great.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Viet-Pham/1462211299 Viet Pham

    Can I turn on my xbox with this thing?

  • http://twitter.com/Omnifather Laurence Akoshile

    I smell a rat, why are all the search demos done with Fast Five?

  • Anonymous

    apparently every part of the dashboard needs to be changed except for the ugly old notifications that we have had since 2006… they need to splash some metros on xbox notifications quick!

  • Guest

    I’m in the Preview Program! :D

    • Kieran

      Did you get a reply from Microsoft connect?

  • Binlid1

    This would be great if the WinPhone touch keyboard could be used to enter text in place of the onscreen xbox keyboard which is very difficult to user either via controller or remote. The ChatPad extension for xbox controller is not great either.

    I can type really fast on WinPhoe Touch Keyboard so would love to be able to use it as my text entry device when using XBOX>
    Otherwise updating facebook/twitter from xbox will never be common place. It’s just too cumbersome right now…