This is WHAT WE WANT!

Details of the next dash update

While the actual update is about a month away from being released, today we released official details on some of the new features and enhancements the free update will contain. In addition to MSN Messenger integration that you may have heard about, we also announced a new text input device coming this summer. Other features coming next month include:

    * The redesigned Achievement notification pop-up (toast) will show the name of the unlocked Achievement and the gamerscore value. You'll see this information the moment you earn an achievement. No more popping open the guide and interrupting your gameplay. (screenshot)
    * Enhanced family settings features for Xbox LIVE communications enable different defaults for video chat and voice chat.
    * A new Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade lets Xbox LIVE members access the content they seek - whether it is game content or TV shows and movies (available in the United States) - from one place.
    * Updates to Xbox LIVE Arcade allow owners to see which Xbox LIVE Arcade games their friends are playing and join in the fun. Xbox LIVE members can also compare progress of leaderboard scores and Achievements directly with all friends on their friends list. The Tell a Friend capabilities have been expanded as well.
    * A new option in Auto Downloads provides faster access to the entire collection of free, trial-version Xbox LIVE Arcade games.
    * New progressive download controls provide easy access to optimal viewing options by letting people fast-forward, rewind, pause and resume as their video is downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
    * Extension of the background download functionality will allow owners to set their Xbox 360 console to turn off automatically after downloads are complete.

I know you probably have a bunch of questions about these features, so I'll work on getting a few guests on some of my upcoming shows to answer 'em.

One more thing, the update will also add the ability for the name of the game that is in your tray to show up on the dash. Oh, and it works for Xbox 360 and Original Xbox titles

I like how even though the keyboard is plugged into the earphone jack, there's still a pass through for the earphones as well. That said the interesting fact for gear heads to note is... what does the keyboard connect to? That would mean the earphone jack in the controller is more than just a simple earphone jack, but if it IS just a simple jack with 2 data pins, how can it deliver both the keyboard signals, and the headset signals at the same time?!?!?!?!

Aaaa... brain twist..

There always are ... they will almost never discuss things like security changes etc... and they want some things to be surprises

There's also the chance they are planning to include something but it has not yet passed testing and could be dropped in order to make deadline ... they don't talk about those ones either ... just the ones that are for certain.

The Spring Update is free beginning the week of May 7 and will be easily accessible to every Xbox 360 owner through Xbox Live or on Xbox.com.

Source

Does this means we can download the update from Xbox.com and burn it on a disc like we could with Backward Compatibility updates? 

Whoa... won't be typing more difficult using that sort of controller?

# H.264 video support: Up to 15 Mbps, Baseline, Main, and High (up to level 4.1) Profiles with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.
# Added MPEG-4 Part 2 video support: Up to 8 Mbps, Simple Profile with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.