Microsoft is planning to update Xbox 360's dashboard as it transitions to its next-generation console according to anonymous sources who talked with The Verge.
Rumors suggest that the update will enter a public beta in late June or early July along with updates and changes in preparation for the next-generation Xbox.
The Verge says that the interface will be refreshed alongside smaller Live Tiles similar to Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8.1. Darker or lighter themes are planned for the Xbox dashboard also.
According to the site's source, Microsoft is making sure the transition to the next-gen Xbox for Xbox360 users is smooth and interaction between both consoles will be possible. The Verge was told that providing the public beta testing goes to plan in August, the final update will be made available.
Replacing Microsoft's Points system will be currency and gift card options. Microsoft's new system will work across its various marketplaces including Windows Store, Windows Phone Store and Xbox. This makes sense now that digital purchases of music downloads and movie rentals on Windows 8 have used card transactions since last year though Points have stayed on the Xbox360.
Xbox 360's dashboard has gone through many changes following the console's introduction in 2005. The console's original "Blade" interface was replaced with 2008's "New Xbox Experience" with avatars that seemed like a direct shot at the success of Nintendo's popular Mii. Since 2011, the latest dashboard update utilizes Microsoft's Metro design language through better support for Kinect outside of cloud storage, live television support, and YouTube.
For the past year, rumors of what Microsoft's next system will or won't do have reached heightened as the Windows makers is expected to give a name to its next Xbox and gives info on the final Xbox 360 dashboard update.
Microsoft has spoken on rumors including the denial of a controversial "always online" allegation. An internal e-mail sent to all full-time employees working on the next Xbox said that "Durango[the next Xbox codename] is designed to deliver the future of entertainment while engineered to be tolerant of today's Internet."