Xbox 360 wireless N adapter priced, released

Microsoft has a whole host of features it plans on jamming into its fall Xbox Live dashboard update. The firmware revision will introduce to the Xbox 360's online platform such features as Twitter and Facebook integration, a Music Marketplace for listening to recommendation-radio service Last.fm (which is owned by GameSpot parent CBS Interactive), and a News section offering information from Microsoft and NBC Universal's joint venture, MSNBC.com.

The Xbox 360 update will also introduce 1080p high-def video content through Xbox Live Marketplace. To facilitate that new offering, Microsoft this week released the Wireless N Networking Adapter, which it confirmed as existing in September following widespread rumors. Microsoft notes that the new wireless add-on will improve the performance of other online functionality in games and content downloads.

The $99.99 add-on uses the higher-speed 802.11n wireless standard, which Microsoft says allows for "increased speed, coverage, and reliability." The add-on also boasts two external antennas and integrates with 802.11a/b/g and n outputs. The single-antenna Xbox 360 wireless adapter supports only 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a wireless standards. Retailers such as GameStop and Amazon have marked down the old model to $69.99 and $76.49, respectively.

For a closer look at the Xbox Live Update, check out GameSpot Hardware's in-depth preview of its new features.

For more, be sure to read GameSpot sister site CNET's extended coverage of the best networking devices.