August 11, 2009 Xbox LIVE Update truly cranks it up a notch – with features that improve your entertainment experience and give you new ways to express your individuality and connect with friends. With this update, you can download full Xbox 360® games and play them without a disc, and you and your friends will be able to party watch movies online through Netflix! Dress up your avatar to impress with premium props and branded apparel from fashion labels. And this update allows every piece of game content on Marketplace to be rated, so add your personal ratings and see what others think is cool. But that’s just the beginning. Check out all of the new features of the Xbox LIVE Update below.

Games on Demand

Enjoy the convenience of finding and buying new games right from the comfort of your own living room. Download a wide selection of full Xbox 360 games over Xbox LIVE. Games on Demand will be available for purchase on Xbox LIVE starting August 11 as part of the Xbox LIVE Update. You will be able to browse and purchase games through the Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web starting August 13.

Avatars

Avatars have seen lots of love! Check out the new Marketplace and Avatar Props. The Avatar Marketplace will be available on Xbox LIVE starting August 11 as part of the Xbox LIVE Update. You will be able to browse and purchase Avatar apparel through the Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web starting August 13.

Netflix

Now you can watch movies with your friends and find new movies to add to your Instant Queue without leaving your seat.

Party Watch – Catch a show with your friends! Bring your party into Netflix and watch a movie or TV show together

Parties

Everyone loves to Party! Check out the new and improved party reconnections and streamlined party invites.

Party Reconnections – If a user is disconnected from a party inadvertently, they will be automatically reconnected to the party without any user interaction.

Gold Member Veterans – Been here long? Show it off! Anyone looking at your gamer card will now know how long you’ve been an Xbox LIVE Gold member. And who knows, there might be other perks for you, too. Thanks for sticking around!

Many changes have gone into the account recovery process to speed it up and to increase reliability.

Video Display Options

Various improvements have been made to make it easier for you to see your game in the highest resolution possible when using an HDMI connection.

UI Improvements

Some parts of the dashboard have been slightly re-organized to make it easier to find the things you’re looking for.

Indie Games – We listened to our community and have decided to rename Xbox LIVE Community Games to Xbox LIVE Indie Games. This new name better represents the independent spirit of these titles. User ratings are also available for Indie Games, allowing you to share your rating for a game and use ratings from others to find great new games.

Achievement Browser – Launch a game directly from the Achievement browser making it even easier for you to max out your Gamerscore.

This fall, Xbox LIVE will see the addition of the following new features as well:

Facebook
Twitter
Last.fm
Zune Video

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An anonymous tipster hooked us up with some alleged details regarding the rumored Army of Two sequel. Our source is confident that the sequel will be titled Army of Two: The 40th Day, but we won’t know for sure until March 12. Still, there’s plenty of solid evidence piling up. We’ve built our case after the break.

So, here are the highlights of the supposed game info:

* The game takes place in Shanghai, where a network of PMCs are looking to take over, under the rule of a leader with a hidden purpose * Rios and Salem are back, however they’ve been reluctantly dragged into the conflict and don’t have the full story * The game will feature moral decisions, a deeper weapons customization system, multiple endings, and even a few followers * Multiplayer will be outsourced yet again * On the technical side: The 40th Day adds Beast lighting and Fracture, as well as an improved networking system * Environmental interaction: some weapons will be capable of tearing through thin walls and obstacles in the game; and new AI scripts will improve your partner’s realism (e.g., peeking through windows, taking out enemies silently, etc.) * EA will be tossing civilians into the mix, which you can use as meat human shields

Our tipster also provides us with alleged details of the game’s first levels:

* 1st map is the introduction (duh) * 2nd map is the invasion; with Rios and Salem escaping from a crumbling building * 3rd map takes place in a zoo * 4th map takes Rios and Salem to a hospital

Still unconfirmed: How EA plans to execute fist-bumping 2.0. [via Joystick]

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As expected, it didn’t take long for the QuickPwn team to jailbreak the iPhone 2.2.1 firmware. QuickPwn is available now for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. [Gizmodo via QuickPwn via Lifehacker]

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