July 26th 2012 9:00 am PT

2012 Xbox LIVE Update Public Beta Now Available **UPDATED**

Update: The amount of interest in Xbox LIVE’s first public Beta has been incredible. The Xbox LIVE public Beta is now closed. Later this year our entire Xbox LIVE community will be able to experience all of the great features we will be bringing to your Xbox…Stay tuned!

With our work on the updated dashboard underway, we’re ready to announce an open call for all Xbox LIVE subscribers to participate in the 2012 Xbox LIVE Update Public Beta.

We need members of our valued community to help us fine-tune this early build of Xbox LIVE. What do you love? What would you like to see improved?

Numbers are limited, so sign up today. If you’re selected as a tester, an update will be pushed to your console once the public beta kicks off. The update will contain select dashboard features, including:

  • Internet Explorer for Xbox
  • Personalized dashboard recommendations
  • Enhanced category search and discovery features

Note: A console in the program is expected to remain fully compatible with standard retail consoles not in the program.

If you would like to participate, please register for the 2012 Xbox LIVE Update Public Beta here.

You will be required to agree to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for confidentiality reasons.

We also ask that you fill out a brief 5-minute survey at the end of the beta, to let us know what you think.

The 2012 Xbox LIVE Update Public Beta is a great opportunity to help the Xbox team by providing early feedback to make Xbox even better.

Thanks for your participation and enjoy!

Edit: Twitter appears to be down, so if be sure to add me to a circle on Google Plus for updates.
Update: Twitter is back up

Preview, Xbox 360, Xbox Live By Larry Hryb, Xbox LIVE's Major Nelson

permalink: http://majornelson.com/2012/07/26/2012-xbox-live-update-public-beta-now-available/

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  • MrRadiolips

    Thank you microsoft! I cant wait to review this update and give as much feedback as i can to help!

  • Mike Livingston

    If you need a extra beta helper let me know.

  • LPHeadstrong

    Dammit! I was out all day and now I missed it!

    • John White

      Damn job getting in the way of my gaming =)

  • http://twitter.com/7Dutch7 Martijn

    Count me in if you bring back a normal UI thats lighter on the bullshit and more focussed on GAMES. You know, like you would expect from a GAME console.

    • http://www.facebook.com/lassiterxavier Xavier Lassiter

      give it a rest

    • Shonk .

      I think you will find its focussed more on the bs and less on games
      Im done..

  • f0urg

    Kind of regretted the last time I did the dashboard beta. Any time I’d open up Netflix or ESPN I’d have to wait for it to download the latest daily build. It became a nuisance pretty quick. Looking forward to a working browser and customizable dashboard!

  • http://www.facebook.com/LONEWOLF231 Anselmo Guzman Jr.

    Dang REALLY?!?!?! This ended pretty fast! What a rip off!

    • MrRadiolips

      How is it a rip off if it is free?

  • http://twitter.com/TDUupdaterHD TDUupdaterHD

    I haven’t heard anything about this beta, until around 10 mins ago, no news on the site, no info on the Xbox UK facebook page.

  • DavidinCT

    Dam, I was involved with most xbox betas and I am a very active Connect tester and I missed this one.. :(
    Look me up on Connect by my user name here…. if you end up accepting more, drop me in plz

  • http://twitter.com/dibils dibils

    i cant believe i missed this! sorry but this was far too quick, not even a day wait? i always got into the previous ones :(

  • http://www.facebook.com/bella.halvorson Bella Halvorson

    Windows Surface should be coming out early this fall, I wonder if any of the unlisted feature could relate to Surface. Not thinking anything like the beta for Kinect where people received units, but it would be awesome if people in the beta got a decent coupons(like 25% off) to purchase their own Surface tablets for testing new feature that could be in this beta…. Just Dreaming.

  • http://twitter.com/Coheedo Randy

    hey quick question i got into the beta but i did it on my phone am i suppose to get an email verification or is there anyway i can check the status?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Evan-Radavicius/100002451814014 Evan Radavicius

    This sucks…How long was it open for?

  • http://www.facebook.com/raphaelabrito Raphael Brito

    this will be the first time i dont test out a new dashboard :(

    • http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Chris-Simmons/500564782 Chris Simmons

      Same here. I just found out about it, and it’s closed already.

  • http://www.tjmarsh.com TJ Marsh

    Well, i would like to say the Connect site cheated me during sign up..Glitched out and wont let me finsh the sign up.

    Can i please get a new sign up?

    Gamertag is Major Iris

    Thanks.

    • http://www.tjmarsh.com TJ Marsh

      this is what i get when i try to finsh sign up.
      This invitation is no longer valid. Either the program is full or the invitation cannot be used by any additional people. We are sorry for the inconvenience.If you believe that you have reached this page in error, please click on Help, then select Microsoft Connect General Help. Here you can access a form which will be sent to our support team and submit the reasons why you believe you have reached this page in error.

  • http://twitter.com/bushmaster2000 bushmaster2000

    Took a pass on betaing this dashboard, i’ve beta’d most the other ones. This one doesn’t really have anything i’m excited about unfortuniatly.

  • Juan Daniel Ocampo

    oh, first one i miss

  • MacPh1sto

    If you happened to open the Microsoft Connect link to the beta that Major posted before he removed it, you can still sign up yet. I still had the page open yet and I just got in a few minutes ago. I’m pretty psyched to be a part of another beta and see the new updates!

    • http://www.tjmarsh.com TJ Marsh

      what was the link?

      • MacPh1sto

        Sorry I already closed it after I signed up, and I doubt Major would allow me to repost it anyway.

        • http://www.tjmarsh.com TJ Marsh

          See, i had started and then connect glitched out on me, i had to refresh and this poped up.

          This invitation is no longer valid. Either the program is full or the invitation cannot be used by any additional people. We are sorry for the inconvenience.If you believe that you have reached this page in error, please click on Help, then select Microsoft Connect General Help. Here you can access a form which will be sent to our support team and submit the reasons why you believe you have reached this page in error.

  • http://twitter.com/Goodeye Ken C

    I hope you guys re-open it. Looks like Ambassadors level 5 and up are an automatic in, which makes me wonder how many are “double signed up” (I am only a level 4 Xbox live ambassador)

    I know I missed out due to sleeping (I work a graveyard shift) and I’m sure in many other regions across the globe missed out due to this 3 hour only window.

    If not this will be the first dashboard beta I don’t get access to.

    • http://twitter.com/Wolfpoc scott graham

      Well that’s bs. Honestly it was over in 5 min. I’m a level 4 as well so I guess I’m screwed again.

      • Artune

        You guys should still try and sign up to see what happens, I’m a level 5 but it doesn’t hurt to try.

      • Artune

        You guys should still try and sign up to see what happens, I’m a level 5 but it doesn’t hurt to try.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Steve-Thompson/625300472 Steve Thompson

    How is it all ready closed? I’ve been in every beta for the past few years. I can’t believe I missed it.

  • http://twitter.com/Lamaryo14 lamaryo chaney

    smh already closed

  • Thânia Santos

    internet explorer!!
    will it crash as often as it crash on my Windows 7 PC?

  • John Crenshaw

    i’ve been accepted to the beta but the link to the forum says can’t find group anyone else seeing this

  • http://www.jpitta.com PittaMan

    I got in – I win!

  • John Crenshaw

    I’ve been trying to get to the beta forum but get group not found. Anyone else getting this…..sorry if I missed any previous answer to this

  • ArrestedDeveloper

    Man I’m bummed. This is the first beta I wasn’t able to get into.
    *Hugs Halo:Reach disc from dashboard beta*
    *Sings “All by Myself*

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dane-Miller/500337604 Dane Miller

    HAHA im always with the quickness. I was probably one of the first 100 of people to sign up. I will get it, and will use it once or twice. My xbox does nothing but collect dust, ohh it plays netflix, for another month.

  • http://zqp.me/ Brad

    Has anyone gotten this beta? I signed up this morning but still nothing

    • http://twitter.com/Wolfpoc scott graham

      Look at YouTube. I’d say yes. Sad the true beta testers don’t get an opportunity only people wanting to show it off

  • Artune

    The beta forum hasn’t been created yet folks, it’s like this every preview. It will be a while before it is created. Usually a week or so before the beta goes live.

  • http://twitter.com/WARRIOR_4_JC Tim Wendorf

    I agree. I have been waiting for a while now for the Beta to open & it felt like seconds when it closed.To Bad:(

  • http://twitter.com/Vincent604 Vince

    Major Nelson suck my c**k.

    • TheJoker360

      well said, the guy is a hack.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Roark/100001012311922 Chris Roark

    I just downloaded the registration app, and registered my console, wonder how long it will take for the pre update to hit?

  • http://www.facebook.com/lillie.harris.58 Lillie Harris

    Did anyone get a product key for the xbox?

    • agnostic-stigmata

      I received mine about 5 minutes ago

  • http://www.facebook.com/seamuc.thomas Seamuc Mac Thomas

    will whoever gets into the beta get anything free for taking part like microsoft points?

  • http://www.facebook.com/lillie.harris.58 Lillie Harris

    Cool I just download the registration app. I’m all set now!

  • http://www.facebook.com/adrian.edwards.127 Adrian Edwards

    Sorry i missed that chance i hope they speed up app launching and quick launch just aint quick lol.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501697254 Marcus L. Rayford

    I’m pretty disappointed, i’ve been a beta tester for MS for years, and it would have been nice to have gotten a bit more notice about this. From what i’m seeing in the comments it filled up as fast like in less than 10 mins, which isn’t usually normal for Microsoft’s MO. Maybe more slots will open up.

  • http://twitter.com/jordanlong20 Jordan Long

    anyone know how to request a product code. I got an email a little while ago but no info about how to get it

    • MacPh1sto

      There’s a link in that email that takes you to the Connect beta page that shows you where and how to get a product key for downloading the registration app. And if for some reason the link in the email doesn’t work, you can also access all the same info from the beta homepage on Connect.

  • Scazza

    Those saying that Xbox Ambassadors get in already, I never received an email confirming that, and I’ve been an ambassador for a long time, and also an MSConnect participant since god knows when. Kinda unfair they put this up during the day for north america.

    • http://twitter.com/Navarin Buster Wolf

      Level 5 Ambassadors and up apparently. I think I’m 3 or 4 so just as well I saw the signup!

  • http://twitter.com/thebluenexus Jeremiah

    Woo Hoo I’m This Years Beta.I Got Lucky I Came Here This Morning To Read Comments About Wreckateer and Then I Saw The Beta Signup Was Just Posted as Soon as I Refreshed The Page

  • Xenokai

    I hope it fixes the problem the last update did to the official wireless mic. Where if the mic is on before you turn the xbox on it makes the xbox startup logo stutter and makes game pause for 2 sec if it loses sync mid game.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_E3VLAZF3FBRGBRYFGYI24S7SGU Joe. S

    hahaha im typing form internet explorer from my t.v. I feel so good using the worst browser known to man

  • medveten

    Thanks for the opportunity to try out the beta, and a big thanks people world wide are accepted and not US only :)

  • http://twitter.com/AlexFirth91 Alexander Stewart

    SMH for us loyal beta testers since the Xbox first launched and no invite wow good looks Microsoft at least give us a release date for the final software

  • http://twitter.com/AlexFirth91 Alexander Stewart

    And by the way if you’re still charging for netflix and hulu it’s not worth live HBO Go is the only reason I purchased

    • http://twitter.com/Navarin Buster Wolf

      And you get Netflix and Hulu as part of the deal. Worth it or not you’ve bought Gold anyway by your own admission.

  • http://www.facebook.com/sledgehammerbop Victoria Jessica Daoud

    I can’t believe I missed this. I guess a lot of people jumped at the chance in a hurry.

  • http://www.facebook.com/novembro23 Eduardo Matos

    I just stopped playing my Xbox since the new dash got implemented. It priories TV, Videos and ads over gaming and having the Games sheet so down after those media sheets proves it. Kinect just killed the Xbox, but mind I not against the Kinect and its innovations, but that’s for casual gamers and not mainstream for people who have bought the system to play games in first place. I miss the good old days of Gears of War, when the system was a truly, unparalleled game machine. Now it’s another hub to watch Netflix, which by the way got awful after the last update. Right now, I just placing it aside, and will not invest on it as a video game system. I’m moving to Steam, and to what used to be secondary choices of gaming platform, such as the PS3, 3DS, Vita, iPad and PC, are all way ahead the Xbox, since they remain true to their propositions, that is to be gaming consoles. Microsoft just killed the Xbox in favor of TV and casual gaming.

  • http://twitter.com/Lord_of_Blah Andrew Bocanegra

    This is BS. I can’t believe it’s been up for less than a day and it’s closed already. Way to go Xbox.

    • http://profiles.google.com/thief000 J.A.J.G. Thiéfaine

      A day…ha…it was open for less than 3 hours.

  • http://twitter.com/GarethRossUK Gareth

    Kept this quite, where else was this talked about? I norm go to this site every day but this week been watching the olympic relay and my local runner was representing twitter! Any more invites going out soon? I’ve been in all the other dashboard pre-release events.

    • Volitar Prime

      I saw it on Facebook before I saw it here.

  • TheJoker360

    No games, Only on Xbox.

  • http://twitter.com/skydiver_81 Oliver

    Damn, I missed it. Any chance to get inside the beta program somehow?

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