Netflix releases 'ground-up' redesign for Xbox 360 app

Xbox 360 owners who updated to the console's new dashboard on Tuesday may have been so busy tweeting out their thoughts, telling Kinect to find "X-Men" games and launching Beacons to cobble together a solid "Modern Warfare 3" team that they failed to click into the Netflix app, which was updated to mimic Microsoft's support of the love-it-or-hate-it Metro style.

Netflix released the nitty-gritty details on Wednesday for out-of-the-loop subscribers.

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The biggest visual change to the app is the addition of rows. Three rows are now always on screen during browsing. The selected row is clearly visible, with two more transparent rows behind it. Moving up to a new row moves another into the background.

The usual content breakdown remains, however. Favorite shows and movies will make their way into the "recently watched" row, while several genres are populated by respective content - including the company's new "Holiday Favorites" section. Subtitles and closed captioning options are now offered upon selecting a movie or show, as is the "Rate This Title" box.

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The search function has been changed from the 360 controller's "X" button to the "Y" button, but both Netflix and Microsoft are hoping customers drop the controller for voice-operated or gesture-based browsing.

We don't actually own a Kinect, so can't say one way or another how well those new additions work. Using the motion control peripheral to browse does involve either talking aloud or waving your hand in front of your face. If you're comfortable doing either just to watch an episode of "The Office," more power to you.

Fair warning: Netflix's new app actually needs to be re-downloaded on the Xbox 360. Not a deal-breaker by any stretch, but expect a roughly two-minute download when you first jump in.

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Of course, it wouldn't be a Netflix update without removed features. On the chopping block is the 360's Netflix video party mode, which curiously wasn't removed by Netflix, but Microsoft. Direct your hate mail accordingly. The feature allowed Xbox Live friends to party up and watch Netflix together.

Said Microsoft:

The new app platform on Xbox does not support the video party mode feature at this time, so will not be available in any existing app partners that have updated their app, like Netflix, or any of the new Xbox app partners. The feature is still available in some of our international video apps, like BSkyB in the UK and will likely be included in the next version of the app dev kit. For customers that would like to chat with their Xbox LIVE friends while gaming or watching videos the chat feature is still available via the Xbox Guide.

You win some, you lose some.

Let us know what you think of the new Netflix 360 app in the comment section.

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