UGO writes: "During a private Microsoft session at E3 we got to take an up-close look at the coming Dashboard update for Xbox 360 consoles. For those who aren't up on their lingo, the Dashboard is the set of front-end menus which load up whenever the 360 is turned on without a disc in the tray. Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten was kind enough to walk us through the myriad changes which are meant to ensure a smoother, more accessible experience for gamers.
The most fundamental of the changes is the main Dashboard, which is now displayed as an animated graphical interface, with players scrolling through pages in a manner which apes task-switching's new look in Windows Vista. The Xbox Guide, which can be summoned at any time with a press of the silver and green Guide button located in the center of every 360 gamepad, has also been completely redesigned to be more navigable while providing users with the full functionality of the Dashboard proper. A Quick Launch option accessible from the Guide will also allow easy access to the content stored on the Xbox's hard drive at any time, whether you're playing a game, watching a movie or browsing the Marketplace."
