The Xbox 360 is a video game console produced by Microsoft, developed in cooperation with IBM, ATI, Samsung and SiS. Its Xbox Live service allows players to compete online and download arcade games and content such as game trailers, TV shows, music videos, or rented movies. The Xbox 360 is the successor to the first Xbox, and it competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of gaming systems.
The Xbox 360 was officially unveiled on MTV on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information divulged later that month at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. It is the first console to provide near-simultaneous launch across the three major regions, and to provide wireless controller support at launch. The console sold out completely at release and by end of 2006 had shipped 10.4 million units worldwide. Despite the large sales, it has been marred with hardware errors.

Dashboard:

ettings, in addition to voice or video chats. Much like modern operating systems, the console replaces the dashboard with a Screen of Death if it encounters a serious error.

The Base Kernel Version of the dashboard is 2.0.1888. The first major update, version, 2.0.2857, was released on June 13, 2006. This version gave users the option to resume DVD playback from where it was last stopped as well as the option to boot to either a disc or the dashboard. New slideshow options were added for Photo Viewing, which can save folder layout between sessions. Xbox Live Marketplace was reorganized and users can now have concurrent downloads, allowing multiple downloads as background tasks.
Dashboard version 2.0.4532.0 was released on October 31, 2006. It allows the Xbox 360 to output video at 1080p and installs support for Zune and the external HD DVD drive attachment. WMV files can be streamed from a computer through the use of Windows Media Connect, connected USB device or a CD. Windows Media Player 11 was added as a supported streaming program. Xbox Live Arcade can now be set to automatically download trial versions of any newly released titles. Cosmetic changes to the dashboard were also made.
Dashboard revision 2.0.4548 was released on November 30, 2006. It improved performance on wired headsets when used with a wireless controller and fixes video output issues on VGA connections.
The current Dashboard revision is 2.0.4552, released on January 9, 2007, it fixes a buffer overflow that would have allowed non-signed code (such as the Linux operating system) to run on the Xbox 360, with direct hardware access, as with all updates, this one is mandatory if the user signs into Xbox Live, this update also ships with games released after that date.

Components and accessories:

Xbox 360 also has a built-in 100BASE-TX RJ45 ethernet port, suitable for connecting to Xbox Live, and three USB ports.
The Xbox 360 supports up to four wireless controllers but only three wired controllers; the Xbox 360 only has 3 USB slots but a USB hub can be used to extend the maximum number of wired controllers. The wired version of the controller can also be used as PC gamepad because it uses a USB connection, directly connected to the controller; the wireless controller can only be used on the PC with a separate wireless receiver. The receiver allows all wireless Xbox 360 accessories to be used on the PC. A wireless force feedback racing wheel was released on November 1, 2006.
The Xbox 360 controller is significantly different from the original Xbox controllers. The black and white buttons have been replaced by bumper buttons, which are on the shoulder of the controller, just above the triggers. It is noticeably smoother, has a white-gray theme, and is very small and ergonomically built. The wireless version runs on 2 AA batteries. The life remaining on these batteries can be checked by pushing the Xbox Guide Button and looking in the upper margin for a battery with up to 4 bars.
The Xbox 360 can connect to Xbox Live through an optional wireless network adapter on a home network through a wireless router. The Universal Media Remote can be used to control several functions of the console, including the Windows Media Center functions if connected to the network. Various other components for the console exist, such as decorative faceplates to change the physical appears of the console, wired or wireless headsets for communication over Xbox Live, and an Xbox 360 branded webcam called Xbox Live Vision.