ESPN was a cool addition to Xbox Live when it launched last year, but the range of features are admittedly limited in comparison to what you can get online or through your TV. That’s all going to change when the network launches ESPN 2.0 on Xbox Live, which was detailed in a new preview over at Gizmodo.
The revamped Xbox app launches on August 25, timed to coincide with the September start of the college football season. All of the content is funneled in from ESPN3, just like before, but the interface has been spruced up with a new look and new features. ESPN 2.0 will allow viewers to load up two HD streams of games and switch between them using remote/gamepad or Kinect voice controls. One of the provided examples suggests loading up the same game in two windows, using one to keep up with what’s happening in real-time and the other to access replays.
The user interface has been tweaked as well, with a new mini guide at the bottom of the screen containing thumbnail links to content and information about whatever game you happen to be watching, updated in real time. The screen will also be graced by a live scoreboard positioned at the right. You’ll only see college football scores when the update launches, but more are expected to arrive in short order.
