New Xbox 360 dashboard release date revealed

UPDATE:

Microsoft mouthpiece Major Nelson has confirmed the 6th December launch date for the new Metro dashboard and listed the features available at its launch:

• New personal and social features including Cloud Storage for Game Saves and LIVE Profile
• Beacons and Facebook Sharing
• Enhanced Family Settings
• Integrated voice and gesture controls across the dashboard and in apps
• Bing voice search (Available this year in the US, UK and CA)

Then, "continuing on an ongoing basis through the holiday months", apps from the previously announced list of services will launch. In the UK this will include content from the BBC, LOVEFiLM, Channel 4 and YouTube.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The new Xbox 360 dashboard launches on 6th December to all Xbox Live members, according to Kotaku.

The free update redesigns the Xbox 360 interface in the Metro style, bringing it in-line with Microsoft's Windows and Windows Phone products.

It adds extra Kinect functionality, and cloud saving for Xbox Live Gold members. New apps are expected to launch, too, including BBC and Lovefilm.

You can use the Xbox 360 controller to flick between channels that display at the top of the screen, or you can use your voice and hands to navigate and search through motion-sensing add-on Kinect.

Under the Social channel you'll find Beacons, which allow gamers to signpost what they're doing across XBL and Facebook. Facebook posting is also added, which means you'll be able to "like" a game, sending Achievements to the social network.