Xbox 360 owners will be happy to know that the Spring Update has finally arrived bringing several new enhancements to the next-gen gaming console. Perhaps the most anticipated new feature is the integration with Windows Live Messenger that allows gamers to chat with their friends on their MSN Messenger friends list and on their Xbox Live friend list. Here is what Jerry Johnson, product unit manager of Xbox Live at Microsoft, had to say about the update:
"Bringing the largest IM community in the world, Windows Live Messenger, to Xbox 360 makes sense, as Xbox Live has really become the largest social network on television,"...
... "For our growing community of 6 million on Xbox Live, using Xbox 360 is a very social, connected experience. They are using Xbox 360 to play games, music and movies while simultaneously communicating with one another through video, voice and text chat. With this announcement we are simultaneously expanding the access of Xbox Live users to existing friends and family while introducing Windows Live Messenger users to the benefits of Xbox 360."
Among many other enhancements, achievements notifications have been improved, a new Marketplace 'Blade' has been added to better focus on downloadable content from Xbox Live, various improvements to the Auto Download feature, the ability to fast-forward, pause and rewind video as it is being downloaded, and the addition of H.264, MPEG-4 Part 2 and PlaysForSure video support.