New updates being rolled out for the Xbox 360

xbox 360

Microsoft is rolling out some really amazing updates to the Xbox in the next few days.

These updates include a new interface that allows you to navigate through music, movies, TV shows and games with the wave of your hand or the sound of your voice.

As expected, the new interface has the Metro style look and feel that has been associated with Microsoft's upcoming Operating System - Windows 8.

Xbox owners with the Kinect motion controller will be able to swipe through screens by waving their hand in the air. It will also respond to direct voice commands and incorporates Microsoft's search engine, Bing.

On the phone side, Windows phone users can control what to watch or hear by tapping on their portable devices.

The interface will be available to Xbox users connected to the Internet via download on Tuesday.

Some of the strategic partners that Microsoft has harnessed for this device include:

Wal-Mart's Vudu
Netflix
TV channel Epix
Verizon FIOS

Ross Honey, general manager of Xbox Live entertainment and advertising, said about 40 content partners were expected for the platform.

Available apps from those partners will roll out over time.

Other partners include the British Broadcasting Company, Hulu Plus, Disney's online ESPN3 service, Ultimate Fighting Championship, YouTube and cable giant Comcast Corp.'s Xfinity on-demand subscription service.

There are approximately 57 million Xbox units sold around the world.

Here are some videos from Microsoft about the new features coming to the Xbox 360.

Here are some screenshots as well..