Although I applied for the Xbox Live Preview and was theoretically accepted, I haven’t yet been graced with the Facebook- and Twitter-less console update. The major new visible features, going live August 11th, are an avatar marketplace and an overhaul of the Netflix blade. I’m not interested paying real money for virtual clothing, but some of the massive Netflix improvements are right up my alley.
In the past, and on other devices, Netflix has only permitted subscribers to browse their queue. Whereas, a decent subset of their video catalog is now browse-able via a 10′ interface. Making impromptu couch-based content selections, without a laptop nearby, a reality. I hope and assume we’ll see similar functionality land on our Roku and TiVo units later this year. The only thing that seems to be missing, and it’s a biggie, is search.
Also introduced is a Netflix movie party mode, allowing you to watch the same Netflix movie or television content together with friends remotely located. Other than the occasional MST 3000-esque lambasting, this is another feature that doesn’t do a whole lot for me. But decide for yourself as you watch Kotaku struggle through it in the video above.