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May 10 / Ozymandias

Spring Dash Update Available

,

Lots of details over at Major Nelson.

One of the cooler aspects of the update is IM integration – yes, you can now communicate with all of your Live Messenger friends! Currently most of you will need to use a USB keyboard, but I can tell you the TID (Text Input Device) is very well done and definitely adds to the experience. For now, here are a few keyboard shortcuts for IM (with thanks to Major Nelson again):

Going to sign in to Messenger:

  • When you are not signed in to Messenger, pressing Windows + M will take you to the sign in screen.

Going to start a conversation:

  • When you are signed in but don’t have any open conversations, Windows + M will take you to the Messenger screen where you can start new conversations.
    Note: if you have any open conversations, Windows + M will not take you to the Messenger screen. You’ll have to bring up the Guide (Windows key) and navigate to Chat->Messenger Tab.

Going into overlay mode:

  • When you have any open conversations, Windows + M will bring up the overlay over whatever you are doing. You can see the last few lines of a conversation and enter a message. This is a great way to exchange quick messages while watching a movie or playing a game!

Getting out of overlay mode:

  • You can dismiss the overlay the same way you brought it up, with Windows + M.
    Tip: you can always get to the Guide when an overlay is up, by pressing the Guide button on your controller or the Windows key. This will dismiss the overlay and bring up the Guide

Switching between conversations in overlay mode:

  • You may have more than 1 open conversation. In that case, when you bring up the overlay, you can cycle between the conversations using Ctrl + -> (right arrow key). 
    Tip: if you are in the overlay, exchanging messages with contact1 and you get a new message from contact2, you’ll see a blinking icon that will tell you that you should cycle to that conversation to see the new message!

Note: if you are using a Mac keyboard, substitute the Apple key for the Windows key.

Finally, I’ve gotten lots of questions about the new video capabilities of the Spring update. Jump on over to this FAQ and you’ll be well taken care of!

Related posts:

  1. Spring Dash Update + TID!
  2. Windows Phone 7 UI Design and Interaction Guide Updated
  3. Crackdown Title Update and Downloadable Content
  4. Live Anywhere (But Even There?)
  5. Thanks for your Live Thoughts!

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  • http://www.360prophecy.com Sinnix

    I’ve been anticipating the TID for a long time (ever since that image was leaked a year ago or so).  You can bet I’ll be picking that up on day 1.  I wonder though, will game developers be able to use it in their games for things like shortcuts (ie: Numbers 1 to 9 as quickslots in a game like oblivion used as shortcuts to spells, or group selection in games like C&C3).

    In my most humble of opinion it would create added value for the TID and reduce the amount of grumbling PC converts like myself have over the limited number of buttons on a controller.

    Just my two cents, cheers!

  • Fluid Darkness

    What bums me out is that the video codecs added through this update do not seem to be helping me see more movies out of my PC library through Media Connect 2.0.  Otherwise, I like the update except for the lack of subtitling/closed captioning available for the video marketplace area.

  • FriedOstrich

    I’ve got my selective gripes about the update as everyone seems to… most of them mirroring the community. After being teased by Messenger on the 360, having that pulled from my grasp just because I was younger than 18 when I signed up for Live was disheartening. Microsoft must realize what they are doing… they are making outcasts of their most loyal and longest customers. If I were to sign up today, I would have access to this feature. However, I am being punished for this now, even though I am above the required age.

    Another irk factor, which seems smaller by comparison, is the way the Marketplace blade is positioned. This seems like a stupid gripe, but it is annoying. The display should be inverted, with the giant advertisement to the left, and the actual options to the right. This allows for easier scrolling and less hassle.

    Kudos for everything else.

  • Anonymous

    RE: "I’ve been anticipating the TID for a long time (ever since that image was leaked a year ago or so).  You can bet I’ll be picking that up on day 1.  I wonder though, will game developers be able to use it in their games for things like shortcuts (ie: Numbers 1 to 9 as quickslots in a game like oblivion used as shortcuts to spells, or group selection in games like C&C3)."

    I’m afraid the answer is no – games cannot use the TID for any game functions. There’s actually a good reason – we don’t want to create a situation where having the TID might give advantages in gameplay to some people and not others. So we’re purposely limiting it to text entry – basically anywhere the virtual keyboard might be used (and IM, of course).

  • Eizhale

    well not being able to change my Email address is the lamest thing I’ve ever seen as my PC Live hotmail address is different and I can’t use it on my 360.  (stupid and not integrated at all).  The only other gripe I have is that my monitor is a standard 19" widescreen HP and I cannot use my native resolution of 1440×900.  I believe this resolution among others should be considered for support.  Other than that..great image quality enhancements over VGA at least you got that right!

  • http://live.xbox.com/member/Butwheaty Butwheaty

    Re: "I’m afraid the answer is no – games cannot use the TID for any game functions. There’s actually a good reason – we don’t want to create a situation where having the TID might give advantages in gameplay to some people and not others. So we’re purposely limiting it to text entry – basically anywhere the virtual keyboard might be used (and IM, of course)."

    That’s weak … considering Oblivion is a single-player game.

    Here’s a thought; add an if-statement to determine if the game is in MP mode.  If true, Chatpad.functionality.disabled = true;

  • http://360prophecy.com Sinnix

    Hey Oz (can I call you Oz ;)

    Thanks for the reply, but I just found this:

    During an OGDC panel on new opportunities in console technology, Microsoft’s GM of Xbox Live JJ Richards further discussed the recently announced Xbox 360 mini-keyboard controller, revealing that the keys can be used for gameplay purposes.

    http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=13890

    So now I don’t know what to believe!  O_o