You’ve Got A Second Chance To Beta Test The Next Xbox Live Dashboard, If You’re Really Quick

Microsoft is opening registrations for the latest Xbox Live dashboard beta for the second time. If you’re interested in taking part in the beta, then I’ve advise signing up as soon as possible.

Interested in the next iteration of the controversial Xbox Live dashboard? Good news: Microsoft is taking a second wave of testers

Microsoft opened signs-up to the latest Xbox Live dashboard beta in June, filling up as quickly as the announcement was made. Good news arrive today, though: the software giant is opening up registrations for second time.

Microsot’s Larry Hryb said the interest for the July signs-up warranted an additional wave. Registrations are open as we’re writing this report, though the limit is usually reached quickly.

Features announced at Microsoft’s E3 2012 conference are in this dashboard update. Chief among them is Internet Explorer for Xbox, finally, along with the ability to pin apps to the dashboard (useful for using a media service a lot), voice search for select markets, voice search, and improved category search and discovery features not specified.

As mentioned signs-ups are still open; perhaps Microsoft raised the threshold on people signing up, or less users want to get in after the initial rush.

Hryb said consoles in the program should work with non-beta Xbox 360s. A couple of updates ago, the party chat functionality didn’t work with non-testers. It was quite annoying.

Speed Is Of The Essence

Click the source link below to sign up. You’re required to accept a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which means you can’t share details on the dashboard. Though while you might not share details, it hasn’t stopped users from sharing pictures. Breaking the NDA results in a temporary ban from Xbox Live and a ban from future betas.

Microsoft releases updates to the Xbox annually, so it’ll be interesting to see how the next-generation Durango Xbox tackles the dashboard user interface. While a 1:1 likeness to Windows 8’s Modern UI isn’t likely, expect similar design elements on Durango. Personally I think Microsoft will blend the current iteration with the Modern UI, given how it wants to create consistency across its devices.

Again, the registration periods last for an undetermined amount of time. So while it is open, I’d advise signing up now if you are interested.