I recently applied, and was consequently accepted into the preview program for the upcoming update for the Xbox 360. As part of the initial wave of applicants, I’ve had the privilege of testing out the new features that encompass the bulk of the update. These include Last.fm, Twitter, and Facebook along with the new Zune Marketplace.

With the exception of the Zune Marketplace, these features aren’t all that new to me. As a member of Last.fm, Twitter, and Facebook, I’ve come to find all 3 services useful on both my PC and my iPod Touch.

With the new update, these new features aren’t available right off the bat, requiring a further download for each service (including Zune Marketplace). This means that each service isn’t fully integrated into the NXE, and as such can only be accessed from the Dashboard. Think of them as modules, or apps.

The Twitter module contains everything you would expect from a standard Twitter client. It allows you to post updates, view the timeline of the people that you’re following, view profiles, read and post @ replies, favourite & retweet messages, and access your direct messages.

I found the 360 client a little difficult to navigate at first, getting lost looking at my @ replies and unable to easily switch back to the main timeline view. It takes a little getting used to, but the client is fully functional, with everything that I’ve come to expect for all my tweeting needs. In my opinion, the likes of Twitterrific and TweetDeck do a much better job. However, it’s nice to be able to access Twitter without the need to power up my PC or have my iPod Touch in front of me.

The Facebook module reminds me heavily of the iPod Touch/iPhone app. It’s a slim-lined version of the PC interface, with most (not all) of the features you’ll require from the core site. Don’t expect to be able to access any Facebook games or applications that you have associated with you’re profile, as they’re simply not available. However, you will be able to view & update your status, view your friends list and photos, along with your news feed. Other features include the ability to view all your pictures as a slideshow (this also works for your friends), as well as add comments, and give a thumbs up to the updates that you like.

It’s simplified, easy to use, and if you’re a heavy Facebook user it’s an easy way to quickly check your friends list while you kill time on your 360. My main problem with both this module and the Twitter one, is that typing out full status messages (or tweets) is an absolute pain with the on screen keyboard. A chatpad or USB keyboard is an essential piece of kit; and if you don’t have one, Facebook and Twitter via your 360 will become a bit of a chore.

The Last.fm module is my favourite part of the update. Allowing you to stream music from the Last.fm service, it also allows you to import your favourites from the site, stream a number of various radio stations (artist or genre specific), as well as add new tracks to your favourites list and create your own radio stations. I actually found this module much easier to use than either the Last.fm website, or the iPod Touch/iPhone app.

Unfortunately I haven’t really had much chance to test out the new Zune Marketplace, and at present it isn’t filled with the majority of the content that is on the current Video Marketplace (The Guild, for example, is only available for me via the web marketplace). However, I am looking forward to testing it out once it fully unlocks.

The only downside to the 3 main parts of the update that I have found, is the lack of full integration with the NXE. While their modular nature allows Microsoft to add and remove them should any of the services fail, it also means a complete lack of functionality while in game or watching a movie, unlike the 360 version of MSN. I can completely understand Microsoft’s decision to do this, but I still wish I could Tweet while gaming via my 360, or even stream my own soundtrack from Last.fm. However, this is only a minor niggle in what is certainly an excellent update that has something for everyone.