14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has officially launched a Xbox 360 System Update Preview program linked to the next major update to be delivered to the home gaming console and is inviting gamers to sign up by using their Windows Live ID that is linked to the Xbox Live Gamertag that they want to use.
The easiest way to join the new Microsoft program is to go to the official Microsoft Connect page and input your personal details.
Those who do so will get a survey to complete and once that is done the site will offer immediate feedback on whether a gamer has been accepted or not.
A post on the official Major Nelson blog, which is maintained by Larry Hryb, the director of programming for the Xbox Live network, says, “The Preview Program will give you the chance to check out ESPN on Xbox LIVE, Zune music, Netflix search, the new Xbox LIVE dashboard, and new updates to Zune video and Family Settings on your Xbox 360.”
It also adds that, “Not all features are available in all Xbox LIVE regions. Netflix subscription required to use Netflix features. An ISP that supports ESPN 3 is required to use ESPN features. Xbox LIVE Gold Account required to use some features.”
Major Nelson says that Microsoft is looking for a lot of participants in the Xbox 360 System Update Preview program and that this initiative is not linked to that used for the Kinect motion tracking system.
Those Xbox Live members who have Gold subscriptions will be given priority access to the new initiative over those who only have Silver memberships.
Those who are interested in signing up need to know that any form of chatting outside of in game communication with those who are not part of the program will not be available, which could prove to be a problem for those who use Xbox Live for their social contacts.