Microsoft launches Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update

Microsoft officially launched its Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update today. The new update became available for download this morning at 2:00 am PST and includes quite a few new features and enhancements, including a slightly new look for some of the tabs. Original Xbox games are now available for download, the new Family Timer parental control feature has been added, and Xbox Live members now have the ability to make their Friends lists public.

One of the cool new features available for Xbox Live members is the addition of an online profile which can include your name, location, a bio, and even a motto. Want to let other gamers know a bit about yourself? Why not write up a short bio and get yourself out there. There are also new video features, including full-screen movie previews and video codec support. Navigating the Marketplace is also easier now, thanks to a new organization system, split up into different sections, including the Game Store and Video Store. For a complete list of the new features and enhancements included in the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update, click here.

Early XBLA update

Because of the release of the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update, Microsoft also decided to push up this week's Xbox Live Arcade update by a day. This week's update includes the addition of the Arcade Hits section in the Xbox Live Marketplace, which was included as part of the Dashboard Update. Some of the best selling Xbox Live Arcade games are now available at permanently reduced prices, and can now easily be found in the Arcade Hits section of the Game Store. Some of the first Arcade Hits include Bankshots Billiards 2, Lumines Live! (800 Microsoft Points), Marble Blast Ultra, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe (400 Microsoft Points).

Majesco gets two-handed

Ever wanted to become ambidextrous? According to Majecso, it's never too late, and sets out to prove that with its latest release, Left Brain Right Brain for Nintendo DS. The game promotes ambidexterity by requiring players to flip the Nintendo DS and play mini-game challenges with both their dominant and non-dominant hands. The game is played in book style, like Brain Age or Hotel Dusk , but makes players switch hands in the middle of play, helping them improve hand-eye coordination in games based on speed, accuracy, association, recognition, memory and strategy. So the game doesn't just promote ambidexterity, but it also develops both sides of the brain as well.

The game includes 15 different drills, including connect the dots, trace the shape and navigate the maze, has fiv difficulty levels for each activity, four different single players modes, single card multiplayer mode and even monitors your performance. Left Brain Right Brain is now available for Nintendo DS for $19.99 USD and CAD and is rated E for Everyone.

2K releases BioShock downloadable content and update

2K Games announced today that it has released fresh downloadable content for BioShock on Xbox 360 and PC. The download includes new Plasmids and Gene Tonics, and a new achievement for the Xbox 360 version of the game. The new content includes:

Four Plasmids and Gene Tonics:

• Sonic Boom: Hurls creatures and objects back with a blast of force

• EVE saver: Enables Plasmids to use less EVE

• Vending Expert: Reduces prices in the vending machines

• Machine Buster: Increases the amount of damage players deal to cameras, bots and turrets

Achievements (exclusive to Xbox 360):

• Xbox 360 players can gain 100 points for “Brass Balls,” by beating BioShock on the “hard” difficulty setting without dying

Along with the new content, and as a response to a number of requests and complaints from members of the Cult of Rapture community forums, 2K Games has released an update for both versions of the game, which includes a real widescreen viewing option and other enhancements. The Xbox 360 version's update will be activated when the game is launched and users log into their Xbox Live account. PC version owners will be able to get both the content and the update in a patch that is available at www.2kgames.com/bioshock/support. The new content and update are available now, via Xbox Live and the website above, at no cost. A note to Xbox Live Silver members though, the new content, which is available separately from the update, is currently only available to Gold members. You will have to check back at a later date to see when it will become available to you.