At E3, Microsoft announced the new Xbox LIVE dashboard which will deliver intuitive navigation, increased responsiveness and improved engagement with Xbox experiences - all beginning this holiday. Today the company announced an open call for all Xbox LIVE members to register to participate in a preview program to help the company test the system.

Once this program is kicked off, an update will be pushed to users' consoles that will contain select dashboard features, including:

- New design for integrated Kinect and controller navigation
- New Beacons to play online with friends
- Deeper Facebook integration
- New Cloud Storage for Game Saves and Xbox LIVE Profile

Other features and entertainment apps may come into view during the program period.

A console in the program is expected to remain fully compatible with standard retail consoles not in the program. (e.g. party chat will function), Microsoft added.

Microsoft has a new model for registering consoles this year. The new model is a more automated process that should make it easier for Xbox 360 owners to register.

Users interested in participating to the Public Preview should visit this page.