Just in time to sample the Xbox 360's new social networking and music steaming functionality (not to mention 1 vs. 100: Season Two), Microsoft will soon be offering Xbox Live Silver folk a brief taste of the perks that a paid Gold-level membership brings.

Along with the examples listed above, Silver accounts will temporarily have access to online multiplayer and other region-specific features like Netflix and Sky Player video streaming, with Microsoft's Major Nelson detailing the specific times:

For all Xbox LIVE regions except those in Europe, Xbox LIVE Silver members will have free access from November 20th from 12n ET /9a PT /17:00 GMT until November 23rd from 12n ET /9a PT /17:00 GMT

For All European Xbox LIVE regions, Xbox LIVE Silver member will have free access from November 25th from 17:00 GMT until November 30th at 17:00 GMT

Thanks to reader Gummy Joe for the reminder.

Just two days after the debut of Modern Warfare 2, Microsoft's online console gaming service Xbox Live has hit a new record, with more than two million users connected at once.

The announcement came out of today's BMO Capital Markets Digital Entertainment Conference, as relayed by Microsoft PR manager David Dennis and Xbox Live programming director Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb.

The exact impact that Modern Warfare 2 had in reaching the record was not revealed, but with over 4.7 million copies sold on opening day and 995,462 playing the Xbox 360 version on Xbox Live as of this writing, it's clear the influence was substantial.

The "next wave of social entertainment" will hit Xbox 360 next Tuesday, Microsoft claims, as the company today dated the next Xbox 360 system update for November 17.

Among the additions are Facebook and Twitter integration, providing users with the option of perusing and updating the social networks from the Xbox 360 dashboard, along with support for streaming music via Last.fm. To make use of these features, however, Xbox 360 users will need to have an adult-level Xbox Live Gold membership.

The update also adds a "News and More" section and sees the Xbox Live Video Marketplace rebranded the Zune Video Marketplace, with support for "instant on" 1080p video streaming and the ability to watch a movie online alongside seven friends.

Should you desire video of the new features, well, you're in luck... Read more

The second season of Microsoft's online quiz show 1 vs. 100 will kick off on Xbox Live next Thursday, November 19, and run for 14 weeks, the company announced today.

The second season promises "all-new fresh trivia," "more real prizes" and other tweaks, such as "brand new themed trivia every weeknight" and "The One" now being able to "strike a pose at the top of the stairs before strolling down to center stage."

The surprisingly addictive trivia game premiered earlier this year with a 15 week beta season, and eventually allowed participants the ability to win actual prizes. The beta season was freely accessible to all Xbox Live Gold members, with Xbox Live Silver getting occasional access--no word yet if the second season will follow that precedent.

In a post on his blog Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb explained how Microsoft plans to handle access to Twitter, Facebook, and Last.FM through the widgets due to arrive in the next update by Live accounts registered to a minor. As has been the case in the currently ongoing preview, when the update arrives Live accounts for those age 13 to 17 will not be able to use the new tools. Microsoft made this decision to, as Hyrb put it, "offer an age-appropriate environment for everyone."

The complete lockout is only a temporary solution. Hyrb goes on to say, "the development team is working on an update that gives parents the choice of which social applications their children can access." These access controls will likely be incorporated into the existing Family Settings that allow parents to control such things as who their child can communicate with, who can see their profile, and similar settings. Hyrb said that the team expects to have this patch ready several weeks after the update hits and promised an exact date as it gets closer.

As promised, Microsoft today opened "the new virtual home for all things Halo" on Xbox 360 in the form of a free downloadable application dubbed "Halo Waypoint."

Waypoint allows players to track their progress through various Halo titles, as well as keep up with the latest news and videos. The program also rewards users with unlockable Avatar goods, like a helmet, for earning certain... Read more

Microsoft has launched an invite-only test program for Xbox 360, offering participants incentives to make certain purchases or subscriptions and fill out surveys.

The incentives of the Xbox Live Rewards program come in the form of Microsoft Points, the currency used in the Xbox Live Marketplace, with the exact rewards depending on which level of the promotion users are enrolled in.

Three levels have been uncovered thus far: Gray, Orange, and Green. Gray participants will be refunded a small percentage of their total Marketplace purchases, with the percentage growing the longer they stay subscribed to Xbox Live Gold.

Orange offers the above along with additional Microsoft Points for... Read more

With yet another Xbox 360 dashboard update due this fall, Microsoft is once again accepting applications for a public beta, allowing some to get it early.

Facebook and Twitter integration are among the new features being tested, along with "instant-on" 1080p streaming video via Zune Marketplace. The console is also slated to support streaming music via Last.FM, but no word if it'll be in this preview.

"We're looking for several thousand participants, so your chances of making it in are good," explained Microsoft, though it also cautioned "priority will be given to [Xbox Live] Gold members in the selection process."

In an expansion bound to please fanatical football fans, a selection of virtual NFL jerseys are now available for Xbox 360 Avatars.

The offerings encompass all thirty-two teams of the National Football League, with each jersey selling for 320 Microsoft Points ($4).

In other words, expect to see the men and women of Xbox Live endorsing their favorite teams, especially as Avatars become more and more common in-game. Remember when you thought you were safe from sports by playing Uno?

A public beta of the dashboard update that will bring Facebook, Twitter and Last.FM to Xbox Live is coming soon, according to MTV.

Xbox entertainment manager Jennifer Puzio-Brookes said the beta will begin in "middle-towards-end of October."

Beyond traditional Facebooking, Facebook Connect will allow Xbox 360 users to post screenshots and text while in games that support the functionality.

Twitter and Last.FM will operate more or less as they do elsewhere, though Xbox Live Silver account members will only be able to use Last.FM on a trial basis. A premium, subscription-based service for Last.FM is also planned.

To mark tomorrow's opening of the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, Microsoft has released a number of Penny Arcade-themed shirts as Xbox Live avatar clothing.

The shirts run 80 Microsoft Points ($1), and include standard Gabe (pictured left) and Tycho tees, as well as "Hadouken" and "I Roll Twenties" emblazoned threads.

Microsoft's hefty new Xbox Live dashboard update has begun rolling out in waves, bringing a whole host of updates, improvements and new features to the Xbox 360.

An assortment of titles can now be bought from 'Games on Demand' at so-so prices, the Avatar Marketplace will be selling avatar clothing and props from August 13, and Netflix picks up improvements including watching with friends in 'Party Watch' mode.

The full list of changes details a smattering of smaller improvements such as ratings on all Marketplace items, various ways to sort the friends list, and achievement tracking.

The update will spread across the globe over the next few hours. Once it's available in their region, Live users will be prompted to download it when they next sign in.

While Microsoft has been reluctant to pin down the reason for why Xbox Live still limits users to a list of 100 friends, a new report places the blame squarely on maintaining support for Halo 2.

One "high-level Microsoft source" told G4TV that Microsoft would have ended support for older Xbox Live games if not for Halo 2's continuing popularity.

According to the source, Microsoft is unable to patch in support for larger friends lists to the older titles, meaning that an expansion of the lists would require the complete shutdown of Halo 2 multiplayer service.

The company is still undecided on when to pull the plug, says the source. Microsoft has publicly expressed a desire to expand the list in recent months, but has not committed to a time frame.

Some titles in the Xbox Live "Games on Demand" service were priced today, providing an idea of what to expect from the 360 digital distribution program.

The store, intended to sell digital versions of older Xbox 360 games, launches on August 11 with a cadre of 21 launch titles. Manuals for the digital games will be available by way of the Xbox Live Marketplace site.

Those already stickered with prices follow:

1. Assassin's Creed - $29.99
2. BioShock - $29.99
3. Call of Duty 2 - $29.99... Read more

With Microsoft set to begin selling downloads of retail Xbox 360 games via Xbox Live's "Games on Demand" storefront, the platform maker has issued a list of the titles that will be available when the functionality launches on August 11.

Prices were not provided, though Microsoft has suggested that they will be in line with retail. Unlike other areas of the Xbox Live Marketplace, the price of a full Xbox 360 game download will be displayed in local currency, not Microsoft Points, with buyers able to either charge the exact cost of a game to a credit card or use Microsoft Points.

U.S. "Games on Demand" Launch Titles (24):

1. Assassin's Creed (Ubisoft)
2. BioShock (2K Games)
3. Burnout Paradise (EA)
4. Call of Duty 2 (Activision)... Read more

With the next major update to the Xbox 360 dashboard coming August 11, Microsoft has provided us with an early look.

Chief among the additions is the new Xbox Avatar Marketplace, which allows users to purchase items for their virtual Avatar, such as my Monkey Island-inspired garb there.

That outfit ran me a total of 360 Microsoft Points ($4.50), broken down as follows:

• LeChuck Pirate Hat - 80 MS Points ($1)
• Meat Hook Pirate Eye Patch - 40 MS Points ($0.50)... Read more

Microsoft today announced "Halo Legends," a collection of short films produced by various Japanese animation houses, including those responsible for Ghost in the Shell, Blood: The Last Vampire, Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist and Dragon Ball.

Similar in concept to The Animatrix or Batman: Gotham Knight, each short will explore "different times, themes and characters" in the universe, with each sporting a distinct visual style. Microsoft Game Studios will be producing the series through its just-revealed 343 Industries division, which is dedicated entirely to the successful Halo franchise.

Microsoft also announced a Xbox Live "destination" called "Halo Waypoint," said to be a new information hub that will provide fans with related news, activities, behind-the-scenes videos, screenshots, podcasts, and so forth along with "a career system and player rankings tied to both in-game and out-of-game accomplishments... Read more

Microsoft today announced that the next big update to the Xbox 360 dashboard will arrive on August 11.

The update will mark the debut of Live's Games on Demand service, set to offer full Xbox 360 titles for digital download.

Confirmed titles for the service include Mass Effect, BioShock, Assassin's Creed, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Netflix party support and the Avatar Marketplace have also been squeezed into the update, while Facebook, Twitter and Last.FM integration will arrive in a future fall update alongside 1080p streaming support.

Several new details regarding the Xbox 360's forthcoming ability to stream music from internet radio service Last.fm have emerged via a Joystiq interview with Microsoft.

Xbox Live Gold members will be able to freely stream Last.fm tunes later this year, but those with free Xbox Live Silver accounts will still be able to listen in. Xbox Live general manager Christina DeRosa explained that Silver folk "will be able access what we're considering a trial period of three hours a month, which comes with video advertising."

While Xbox Live Gold members can stream all they want, DeRosa added that the service will still be "ad-supported" unless one purchases a "premium" Last.fm subscription, which also comes with "more sophisticated personalization features, like Loved Tracks."

It's not known if Last.fm will be offering a specially priced or separate subscription for Xbox 360 owners--at present, the service offers optional subscriptions for $3 a month.

The beta for Microsoft's television-inspired online quiz show 1 vs. 100 will be temporarily open to those with free Xbox Live Silver accounts from today until Sunday, June 28.

Currently underway in the United States and Canada, participation in the beta previously required Xbox 360 owners to have bought or redeemed an Xbox Live Gold membership.

Once out of beta, the surprisingly addictive trivia game will offer skill-based prizes, including virtual Microsoft Point funds and Xbox Live Arcade games. The more members of the 100-person "Mob" that "The One" outlasts by correctly answering questions, the higher the payout, with the remaining "Mob" receiving prizes if they outsmart "The One."

The better a player performs in the scheduled "Extended Play" sessions, the more likely they are to be chosen as "The One" or in "The Mob" during live sessions, with everyone else still able to participate and answer questions from their spot in "The Crowd." In recent sessions, the game has seen tens of thousands of simultaneous players.