After missing its planned morning launch window, the Xbox 360's latest dashboard update has finally gone live for a number of select users. If you're one of the lucky few, you'll be prompted to download it the next time you connect to Xbox Live.
Apart from a flashy new UI inspired by Windows 8's so-called "Metro" aesthetic, the update brings a host of new content additions and features to the console. Perhaps most heavily touted is the integration of a Bing-branded search feature, which allows you to use the Kinect's voice recognition support to track down content on the Marketplace and your local device by asking nicely.
Also new is expanded support for apps. While services like Netflix and Hulu Plus have technically been available for sometime as downloadable applications on the 360, Microsoft is heavily expanding their support for content delivery apps in the coming months, including a partnership with Verizon to bring their FiOS TV service onto the console.
The 360's social media apps, like Twitter and Facebook, have also been redesigned with an emphasis on tighter integration. You'll now be able to send Beacons to your friends through both Xbox Live and Facebook, letting them know when you're interested in playing a particular game.
With the update, you also gain access to 511MB of free cloud storage, meaning your save game data and Gamertag info will be accessible from any Internet-connected Xbox 360 in the world. No more fumbling for USB drives when you want to play Skyrim at a friend's house, then.
All told, there's a lot to be had with today's update, and Microsoft promises exciting new developments throughout 2012 in the way of new apps and content partners.
