So if I don't want to roll with that gay avatar can I use my Venture Bros. Pic I bought from the marketplace??

I have to admit, I'm actually curious to play around with the new Dashboard now.

Still not digging it. Dashboard looks like iTunes coverflow and it still just feels really disjointed.

Aw. Nope. Still not a fan.

As an Xbox 360 dashboard theme, I'm getting a kick out of these replies!

What happens to those themes I may have purchased?

I still don't like it. I think it's ugly and the avatars are a dumb idea.

What MS should do is copy sony and let people crate thier own, completely new themes,or download different ones for free. Thats one of the things that makes this look worse than it should be. It must have cost a lot to develop the new dashboard.

It looks fine, better than the one now minus the fucking stupid avatars, but I wonder why MS have never allowed user created themes, it's a shame really. But I do look forward to using this on my best buddy's 360, he'll be happy he does'nt to piss around with blades anymore.

I like it so far, I'm more excited about the Netflix stuff than anything though. Good stuff.

Looks a lot better in motion. I daresay I may even be coming around to it now. But, uh, what happens to all of us who bought custom dashboard themes? Fucked, much?

Looks good. It's nice that they are taking it further. However, the menu could use some sort of cool acronym to sell it... Xtreme Media Browser? hmmm no. Xenu Magic Bullet? Nah, forget it.

MUSTACHE!

That's dissapointing, it seems atleast 80% of their design choices here are inspired by Apple. I was really hoping for something really innovative, but instead, it just looks all web 2.0.

Still, the prime time games seem like they'll be a good addition to the service.

" God forbid that you might not be able to use your 2 dollar theme with the new setup. "

I don't know about you, but I don't like it when people stop me from using content I HAVE PAID FOR.

"You really hate the avatars that much?"
Again, I have PAID for gamerpics, they have literally taken my money for something they KNEW they would be discontinuing and I wouldn't be able to use. That sounds a lot like robbery to me.

"I'm sure you will get to use your themes somehow and I'm pretty sure you won't HAVE to make an avatar."

Really? I didn't know you were on the Xbox dev team. How is the good Major Nelson byu nthe way? If they were going to let you continue with the old dashboard they would have mentioned the option SOMEWHERE by now.

Really? The number of times that you've paid anywhere from 50 cents to a dollar on some gamer pictures packs and themes adds up to so much money that it will affect you for the rest of your life and ruin your gaming experience on the 360 from here on out? I am sorry that you have spent that much on gamer pictures.

My point is, in the grand scheme of things, a few bucks lost to some shitty pictures of games and movies that you use to represent your "individuality" or "coolness" is pretty insignificant when compared to what features you will be gaining by the updated dashboard.

Plus you should just chill out anyway, you don't know whether or not the themes or gamerpics can still be used. Whatever though, it honestly doesn't bother me considering what features we will be given.

I think what would be better is if they allow users to choose this setup vs. the old dashboard. Kind of like how in Windows XP you could make your desktop look all Windows 95.

It's not that this doesn't look like it has potential, I just don't understand the need for it. I agree that the avatars seem a bit goofy looking for a system that really caters more to a "hardcore" crowd.

As a girl gamer, I think I worry that avatars will cause increased harassment. I've had people curse me out in CoD4 already (I'm not terribly good at FPSs but I enjoy them anyway) I don't want people leaving the game as soon as they see I'm a girl.

Again, it's not that I think these changes are bad or good. I just find them kind of unnecessary. If this is what it's going to be then I'll probably accept it with minimal complaint (once I use it and see how user-friendly it actually is).

Because really, as long as the system can still play my games I don't really care what the menu is like.

@nintendoll
I'd assume the opposite would be true considering most of the people on live are guys from like 14-35. Seeing the ever so rare female gamer on live might be refreshing. Although it might just be the girls don't use the mic. Who knows?

Also this looks cool and how Microsoft handles these new features will determine whether I get a 360 or PS3. Hopefully they let you use themes and such otherwise my friend will be sad all his Penny Arcade stuff is useless now.

@MondaySan - If you get a Netflix account then you can stream movies from their Watch Now library which is actually pretty big. It's also awesome because they have full seasons of TV shows for Watch Now, so it will save you money in the end to just get a Netflix account probably.

Let's be honest about themes. They are pointless and silly. They exist to make a quick buck on the marketplace and appease kids who drink too much mountain dew. I bought a theme once and I switched it back to the default because it bugged me. The end.

About the gamerpics, I think I read somewhere that you can decide between the icon or the avatar. I'm sure they will give you options.

Seriously, at least this new design has less ad space.

"It looks like Apple." - Oh, so it looks clean and somewhat intuitive to use? Wow, didn't realize that sucked ass.

"Avatars are dumb." - So I guess you hated on Miis and Home then, too, huh? yeah, that's what I thought, prolly not.

I think it looks amazing. I can already tell it's more intuitive to use and will be a smoother experience for all. The new guide looking like the current dashboard is key, too. That's a great idea.

Also, I am officially subscribing to Netflix come this fall. This has decided for me.

Anyone who paid for wallpapers and user pictures on Live is a fool anyway.

I'm glad theme's are going away. I downloaded a few free ones and I've never found them to be anything but annoying or barely noticeable.

I like the new look. The only way the MeeToos will be any fun is if someone makes a first person shooter and you can use them in it. I'd love to be able to see which friends I'm playing with. Nintendo could have done that but they're too anal with their IP.

I like all of it and being a fan of Mii's i will definitly being using the avatars, I mean why not? It's justa bit of fun and more personal than a Halo helmet or picture of sonic.

I've always found the music player a little clunky in the current dashboard so i'd like to see that addressed also.

You will all be lovin it when it arrives.

I think they should refund ALL of the themes, and give us customization a la PS3's dashboard.
LET ME RAEP UR INTARFAIC, PLZ!

The New Interface: Great functionality, but a little bland by design.
The Avatars: Cheap rip-offs of Miis, and not as cute as Miis.
New Xbox features: Awesome.

This is hot shit and all but what about the blade backgrounds people downloaded along with Pics? Is that meaning official refund for all that stuff so we can buy avatar clothes and junk?

I so hope so. Or something down that line.