14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just announced that a new system update for the Xbox 360 console has been released, but doesn't bring any sort of new features for the regular user.
While companies like Sony are releasing firmware updates for its consoles, the PlayStation 3 or PSP, like hot cakes, Microsoft has always taken its time and released new software for its Xbox 360 much slowly, usually as part of larger events like the Xbox Live Fall or Spring Updates.
This doesn't mean exceptions aren't present, as the North American company announced, through the voice of Xbox Live community manager Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb, that a new Xbox 360 update is being deployed today.
"Sometime during Tuesday, July 19th, when you sign in to Xbox LIVE you’ll receive a prompt to accept a mandatory system update," Hryb confirmed on his blog. "If you are signed into LIVE already, you may be signed out and asked to accept the update and you’ll be back online in a few moments."
Before users get excited about receiving some new goodies or options with this update, Hryb added that no new features will show up after the new software is installed.
Instead, he revealed that the update is being released as part of a preparation for "additional system enhancements coming to Xbox 360 later this year."
Hryb no doubt refers to the New Xbox Experience we saw previewed at last month's E3 2011 conference, which brings a brand new dashboard interface for the Xbox 360, but also to the new Xbox Game Disc format, which was tested out earlier this year by those enrolled in the System Update preview program.
The new disc is reported to have more space, due to Microsoft eliminating some of the extra anti-piracy software that was usually printed on it, so developers can now fit more content on the dual layer DVD supported by the Xbox 360.
Expect more small updates in the future, ahead of the more major overhauls of the Xbox 360 console.