Xbox Dashboard public beta now available

Want an early peek at the upcoming Dashboard revision for the Xbox 360? You're in luck! Microsoft has just launched an open beta for this year's firmware update. If you're selected as a tester, you'll get early access to a number of new features on your Xbox, including enhanced search and discovery features, personalized recommendations, and most importantly, Internet Explorer for Xbox.

Beta testers will have to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), meaning everything you see during the beta will be a secret. Also, you'll be expected to complete a survey at the end of the beta.

If you're still interested, you can sign up here. After you fill out a questionnaire, you'll know immediately if you've gotten in or not.

If you're accepted, you'll be given instructions on how to register for the beta's private forum. Unfortunately, don't expect to Internet Explore on your Xbox just yet. The beta isn't quite ready yet. "We are currently investigating an issue that is preventing the Pre-Release Console Registration app from successfully running. As soon as this is resolved we'll post console registration instructions."