Microsoft's new mandatory Xbox 360 dashboard update removes social networking applications Facebook and Twitter from the online service, according to a stament the company made to video game site IGN.
A Microsoft representative told IGN "we're retiring the Facebook and Twitter apps" because the company would like to "streamline" app functionality on 360.
The new update will contain a version of Windows Explorer 9 as its web browser. Microsoft recommended to IGN that Xbox Live users who wish to use social networks on their Xbox 360 use the web browser to access the web pages directly.
The new Xbox dashboard update will re-brand the Zune music player as Xbox Music, a subscription streaming based service that allows users to purchase music and download across all compatible devices.
The aforementioned inclusion of Windows Explorer 9 to dashboard was a large portion of the company's E3 presentation. The console-based browser will have integrated Kinect gestures for browsing, as well as voice controls. Basically, it will be a more advance version of the current dashboard's Bing search bar.
At some point the dashboard will all have Xbox SmartGlass, a feature where Xbox Live users "can use a phone or tablet to enhance their games and entertainment experience on Xbox 360," according to Microsoft's official site.
According to Microsoft, "the Xbox SmartGlass app is available on Windows Phone or tablet, and the innovative Xbox SmartGlass technology is available on other major platforms in the My Xbox app."
Game & Guide has not yet received the update at this time. Have you received the update? Tell us what you think about the new dashboard in the comment section.
