14 DAY TRIAL // Just as Microsoft is getting ready to deploy a brand new dashboard update for its Xbox 360 console, the company confirmed that it's going to redesign the Xbox.com website, making some major changes to the My Xbox section, which will be transformed into a 'Social' category, as well as implement new features.
The Xbox 360 console is getting ready to receive a brand new interface, which adds the familiar Metro visuals we've seen on Windows 8 or Windows Phone 7 smartphones.
Before that, however, Microsoft is first going to overhaul the Xbox.com website, consolidating features like the My Xbox section while adding lots of new things.
"In the coming days, the familiar “My Xbox” section of Xbox.com is going away," says Microsoft's Denny Atkin. "Fear not: It’s being replaced with a significant update that will make it even easier to see what your friends are doing on Xbox LIVE. My Xbox is being superseded by the new “Social” section, which not only lets you see at a glance what your friends are up to, but also gives you early access to one of the coolest features coming in the next Xbox 360 dashboard update."
"That’s right: Xbox.com users will be the very first to try the new Beacons feature, which lets you mark games you want to play with others, making it easier to find friends who want to play the same games."
The new Social page, which you can check out in the image above, will allow players to browse new Xbox 360 content in a Metro-style interface, as well as check out their recent activity, alongside their Xbox friends.
There's also a new Activity page that presents the games you've most recently played, what your friends have enjoyed, and from where you can set Beacons to let others know you're interested in playing with them online.
Besides this Social category, the new and improved Xbox.com website will offer other features like the ability to search the Zune video catalog as well as buy or rent movies and TV shows from your web browser.
No word yet on when the overhaul will happen, but expect the Xbox 360 dashboard update to follow soon after that.