Xbox 360 Dashboard Preview Sign Ups Are A Go

Keeping true to its promise, Microsoft has launched sign-ups for the upcoming Xbox 360 dashboard update, which features the integration of prominent social network services such as Twitter, Last.FM, and Facebook all under one roof.

As usual, only a selected number of individuals are being chosen for the beta test, but with Major Nelson noting that Microsoft is looking for "multiple thousands of participants," it sounds like your chances of scoring an invite are high. Additionally, while any 360 owner can register, priority is being given to Gold members.

Further details on how to apply for consideration can be found over at Microsoft's official Xbox site. Make it quick, as acceptance emails will show up in the inboxes of those chosen within a week.

<p>I was incredibly surprised at how tedious this was.</p>
<p>It asks you for your TV manufacturer, TV Model Number, Wireless Router manufacturer, Wireless Router Model Number (Even if you don't use Xbox Live wirelessly like me), and it even asks you to go to speedtest's website and take the internet speed test and submit your results IN THE SIGN UP.</p>
<p>It also asks for your 360 serial number/console ID, so make sure you set aside a good 10 minutes before you do this, so you can get all the information, Haha.</p>
<p>I better get accepted, all of that was a total pain, Haha.</p>

<p>Who do Micro$oft think they are "BIG BROTHER"
Mind your own business.
personally i don't think this is going to work on XBOX Live, as they don't realize the sheer number of friends that are on peoples lists, and so will bring XBOX Live to a halt, as i found with MSN messenger on XBOX Live, so disabled that on mine, never used it.
Now having SKY on the other hand, is a big YES!!!!
As long as this doesn't affect the running of the games servers i don't care.</p>

Hmm, I don't think it will. Facebook, Last.FM and Twitter all have external APIs so outside applications can interface with their servers. It shouldn't add any extra load on Live, seeing as Microsoft is not directly involved in running these services.

IMO, this is a good move for Microsoft as it will undoubtedly increase the 360's mainstream appeal. People who don't care for social networking functionality on their console may not take a liking to it but if that's the case then you can simply ignore these features, they are far from intrusive from what I have seen.

Im not sure itf its true but inside gaming said twitter is for the UK only
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEOag1zsnzQ&feature=sub

<p>I think I just got accepted, unless the public release of this update was just released a second ago.</p>
<p>It just prompted me the update and I proceeded to download. Facebook works quite nicely. Still haven't tried any of the other features.</p>