We got a nice new update to Microsoft’s Xbox dashboard. It’s more modern, accessible and flexible. It allows user to install applications. But I don’t understand why Microsoft has to make deals with Cable Providers and networks? It should be something inviting to all of them. They should be requesting Microsoft to provide SDK and guidelines on how to develop for the platform.
Bing is a nice addon to the platform. And I like how it goes into the content from all different applications. User can search for any video from Bing and find  results from any applications. It can come from Netflix, Youtube, Hulu, etc. It doesn’t matter to Bing. That’s the way forward. Google TV is going it this way. Rumors are that Apple is also going it using Siri.
I was expecting Skype on Xbox from the start but I was disappointed. Microsoft says it’s coming. But I’ll just have to wait and watch. Skype would have been a great app on Xbox. Kinect could’ve been put to a good use there.
Also, what’s up with this Gold membership Microsoft? Why do I have to have a gold membership to install any of the above mentioned application? 
And why no Facebook integration? If you want to win in the long run, Facebook is the platform you have to be on. I want to add some friends but I don’t know their gamer tag not do I know if they use Xbox or not. If Facebook integration would have been there, it could have searched my friend list to find all who’s using it saving me trouble of asking all potential gamers. 
Microsoft, when will you learn to make use of all resources at hand?