Xbox Live Dashboard Update Just Around the Corner

Happy Thursday game fans. E3 has come and gone, but fortunately we won't have to wait much longer to get our hands on some of the new features promised for Xbox Live. August 11th is quickly approaching and the new features will help to encourage the 10 year system life cycle promised by Microsoft. Below are a list of some key features as well as some preview images.

Netflix:

• Xbox Live Gold members will now be able to sit together in a virtual theater with up to seven friends. The avatars will be able to flirt or throw popcorn at each other. I can't imagine that ever getting old (sarcasm at it's best).
  
• You can now browse the Netflix video catalogue without the use of a computer.
  
• Streaming movies will now playback much smoother when your Internet bandwidth fluctuates.
  
• More information is now displayed in the Friends channel and in the Guide revealing what your friends are up to.

Avatars:

• New clothing and props from top brands and game franchises will now be available for your pint sized virtual you. New content will of course be subject to Microsoft points.

Games on Demand:

• Xbox 360 titles will now be available for download. Game manuals will also be viewable.

Game Ratings:

• All games available in the Games Marketplace will be rateable based on a 5 star system.

Miscellaneous Additions:

• Achievements will now be easier to view via an achievements browser.
  
• A Notification will be issued when your Xbox Live subscription is about to expire.
  
• Community Games has now been renamed India Games for no apparent reason.

Unfortunately, Twitter, Facebook, Last FM and 1080p video content will not be included in this update. There's always next year.