[2Dshmuplover]

Well you can still use blades or NXE dash on a JTAG and switch between them as suggested but I think you would only get bored of it after a while. The Blades dash is so incredibly basic compared to what Metro offers it would be impractical to use it. I understand the appeal, it looks more "games console" than Metro but it doesn't look as good imo.

[Ash_735]

But that's what I want, I DON'T use Netflix, Sports Channel, iPlayer, Movie Rentals, Adverts, etc on my Xbox 360, I never use Bing, I doubt I'll even bother with IE after trying it out, I use my console to play Games, and would love to go back to the Dashboard which just offered that and a panel for the rest.

That's the problem with these complete overhaul changes, it's like it wants to forget it's a games console and push itself as a Media Device, the exact same thing Microsoft insulted Sony for in 2006/2007!

The difference is, the XMB feels suited to these, it's quick, I know where all my games are, I have folders for PS1 Games, PSN Games, Specific Series (e.g. Monkey Island) and if I want to check out any streaming crap, I can roll over to the Video or TV tab but I can easily use the console without EVER seeing that.

Where as Microsoft, they decided they wanted that stuff AFTER, which has lead to the GUI being completely changed and forced each time, I used to turn my Xbox 360 on and was greeted with the Games Tab where I could choose from Installed Arcade Games, my GamerTag or run what's in the disc Drive, NOW when I turn my Xbox 360 on, I'm greeted with a Welcome Screen that tries to cover EVERYTHING! If I want my Arcade Games, I have to scroll all the way over to "Games" and then go through the menu "Display All Games", etc, just to check out what I have installed.

[2Dshmuplover]

It may look less of a "games console" than Blades but it still looks very much like a modern gaming machine front end to me.

The new "Pins" folder is designed for people like you who can put all their favourite content in one place that is only a button press away from when you log into XBL, all without suffering the heavy trauma of moving across the main menu and seeing a tab you don't care about.

I truly am at a loss when I read about people making such a fuss about it. I think with a good theme it looks great, better than Blades, better than NXE, more colourful and more feature driven, I understand it's just personal opinion but XMB doesn't even look like a games console front end, it's used as a Television menu for heaven's sake. If it's is so perfect then why doesn't the Vita use it?

360 is not doing anything different to what the PS3 has been dong for a number of years now, why would MS not compete with Sony on that front?

Really I have to giggle when I read some people making such a big deal about Metro and how some are put off to such an extent they aren't playing the 360 anymore, the irony is that they obviously couldn't of been very serious about games in the first place if such petty things are more important to them than the actual games themselves.

[TheBigM]

You guys know that you can move fairly fast through the metro dashboards using the shoulder buttons right?

[Ash_735]

Originally Posted by 2Dshmuplover

It may look less of a "games console" than Blades but it still looks very much like a modern gaming machine front end to me.

The new "Pins" folder is designed for people like you who can put all their favourite content in one place that is only a button press away from when you log into XBL, all without suffering the heavy trauma of moving across the main menu and seeing a tab you don't care about.

I truly am at a loss when I read about people making such a fuss about it. I think with a good theme it looks great, better than Blades, better than NXE, more colourful and more feature driven, I understand it's just personal opinion but XMB doesn't even look like a games console front end, it's used as a Television menu for heaven's sake. If it's is so perfect then why doesn't the Vita use it?

360 is not doing anything different to what the PS3 has been dong for a number of years now, why would MS not compete with Sony on that front?

Really I have to giggle when I read some people making such a big deal about Metro and how some are put off to such an extent they aren't playing the 360 anymore, the irony is that they obviously couldn't of been very serious about games in the first place if such petty things are more important to them than the actual games themselves.

1) Pins, that's STILL one more Tab away compared to the PS3 which just shows my games right away when turned on.

2) XMB wasn't used for the Vita as it wasn't Touch Screen Friendly, personally, I'd be more interested in the Vita if it did have the XMB.

Fact is, no matter how people try and dress it up "Oh it's only a few menu slides away", etc, I pay Microsoft a Yearly Subscription, I pay Sony nothing.

Yet when I turn on my PS3, I'm greeted with my games, when I turn on my Xbox 360, I'm greeted with a Welcome Screen that wants to show me the latest LoveFilm feature or Music Video oh and the Disc Drive on the left side in one of the squares.

As a gamer, I tend to prefer the service which caters to me, and the PS3's XMB does that over the Xbox 360's latest dashboard (Post NXE onwards).

[Matt D]

The only thing I don't like about the dashboard is the excessive ads.

I pay MS for XBL, so WTF is my dash cluttered with ads, especially as the XMB isn't?

[souldrifter]

Originally Posted by Ash_735

I have to scroll all the way over to "Games" and then go through the menu "Display All Games", etc,

That made me lol. Like it is some huge task that is going to eat into valuable gaming time.

[Ash_735]

Originally Posted by souldrifter

That made me lol. Like it is some huge task that is going to eat into valuable gaming time.

Compared to turning on the console and having all the games displayed right away like the PS3 does (and old Blade UI did) yeah, it's more hassle for nothing!

[CSI-uk]

Originally Posted by TheBigM

You guys know that you can move fairly fast through the metro dashboards using the shoulder buttons right?

I think most people will know that but its irrelevant to some, when you start seeing XMB being mentioned in a Xbox beta you know the whole discussion has been reduced to just another PS3 VS 360 debate! Always seems to happen

Has the Xbox become less of a games console since the blades?? Because if it has then I'm missing something major. If it pains someone to navigate a front end with a few button pushes to reach the desired menu/feature then they really need to trade up and shut up.

[2Dshmuplover]

Originally Posted by TheBigM

You guys know that you can move fairly fast through the metro dashboards using the shoulder buttons right?

Even funnier is that you don't even have to scroll through anything other than Social to get to your games as it's set up:

Home > Social > Games > TV & movies > Music > Apps > Settings

[2Dshmuplover]

Originally Posted by CSI-uk

I think most people will know that but its irrelevant to some, when you start seeing XMB being mentioned in a Xbox beta you know the whole discussion has been reduced to just another PS3 VS 360 debate! Always seems to happen

Has the Xbox become less of a games console since the blades?? Because if it has then I'm missing something major. If it pains someone to navigate a front end with a few button pushes to reach the desired menu/feature then they really need to trade up and shut up.

QFT

That is very true, it's not why I made this thread but it's a continual thing on this forum by certain posters who can't help themselves and probably won't be happy until there are no Xbox users left here.

[Ash_735]

I hope that wasn't directed to me, I'm just explaining my point, let's just compared for a second:

Xbox 360 (Blade)
- Turn on Console
- Games displayed right away

PS3
- Turn on console
- Games displayed right away

Xbox 360 (NXE)
- Turn on Console
- Welcome Screen
- Up once for Games

Xbox 360 (Metro)
- Turn on Console
- Welcome Screen now with more ads
- Right Once
- Social
- Right Once
- Games

As a GAMER, what exactly are Microsoft doing to enhance my experience? If anything, they've got progressively worse with each incarnation of the GUI.

I brought up the XMB as an example because that has things added to it to, but the core design remains the same and it still defaults back onto Games when booted up, if you're all going to scream fanboy at the mere mention then fine, I won't mention it here again, I'll just keep bringing up Blade instead as Microsoft originally had it that way to!

The Blade GUI served me as a gamer, all in one Tab I had: GamerTag, Friends, Achievements, Arcade Games, Demos, Disc Drive

I'm sorry if it offends you, but really, deep down, my opinion, they got it right first time for gamers, everything else after is just pandering to Media and Social crowds and even forced united image design (Metro).

[Phil Owens]

I signed up yesterday, how long before the update comes through?

[XxBlaKOuTZxX]

About 48 hours. I got the update yesterday and I like it. Faster and easier to use and I.E is excellent.

[Rich_L]

It is a lot greener now!

[Phil Owens]

Originally Posted by Rich_L

It is a lot greener now!

Eco friendly ?

[Rich_L]

Sadly no, just more pronounced 'greens' on the screen!

[akhenaten]

Originally Posted by XxBlaKOuTZxX

About 48 hours. I got the update yesterday and I like it. Faster and easier to use and I.E is excellent.

I like I.E but am hoping we will be able to install flash for it soon.

[kingdave]

Originally Posted by akhenaten

I like I.E but am hoping we will be able to install flash for it soon.

I really doubt that is going to happen.

What I'd like to know about IE is, does it integrate with other apps?

For example, the biggest frustration I have with the Twitter and Facebook apps is that you can't view twitpics or click on links so they are fundamentally useless. If clicking them now opens up IE that would be brilliant!

I signed up on Thursday morning but still haven't received the update. Getting impatient now!!

[2Dshmuplover]

Looks like we have another core update for the dash, which I'm now installing. I'm starting to cringe when it happens as I'm pretty much happy with the way it is atm. It would be easy to undo the good with a few bad decisions but it does seem that MS are doing a great job of listening to Beta testers so far.

[2Dshmuplover]

Originally Posted by kingdave

I really doubt that is going to happen.

What I'd like to know about IE is, does it integrate with other apps?

For example, the biggest frustration I have with the Twitter and Facebook apps is that you can't view twitpics or click on links so they are fundamentally useless. If clicking them now opens up IE that would be brilliant!

I signed up on Thursday morning but still haven't received the update. Getting impatient now!!

The only thing I'd like to use with IE is Youtube as it plays fine on the vids without ads, I know there's the YT video app but I would like to use it from the browser even if it doesn't handle 1080p like the app. I dunno, MS said it would be a fully functioning version of IE when they announced it, does a IE browser lacking the latest Flash updates sound complete?

I'm not sure about the app integration, I think it's a great idea though and you should suggest that in the official forum, it's exactly these sort of cool ideas people need to communicate with MS on.

Most people I know received the dash within 48 hrs, if you signed up Thursday and still not received anything maybe you should email them, unless they were expecting delays due to the back holiday or something?

[CSI-uk]

I still don't have my update, entered my code last friday and still nothing. Don't think I'm going get in this time.

[CSI-uk]

Originally Posted by kingdave

I really doubt that is going to happen.

What I'd like to know about IE is, does it integrate with other apps?

For example, the biggest frustration I have with the Twitter and Facebook apps is that you can't view twitpics or click on links so they are fundamentally useless. If clicking them now opens up IE that would be brilliant!

I signed up on Thursday morning but still haven't received the update. Getting impatient now!!

I'm feeling your pain too.

[biglaff22]

got the update this morning impressed so far seems a touch quicker IE is a welcome addition so far im liking it

[ozsat]

Originally Posted by kingdave

I signed up on Thursday morning but still haven't received the update. Getting impatient now!!

I signed up Thursday morning - it was downloading Friday morning.