Would you like to sign up for a chance to preview the new features coming to Xbox LIVE like Zune, Facebook, and Twitter. If so then check out the Official site for your chance to take part of the action. Here are some of the restrictions listed on the site:

• We can only enroll participants from regions where Xbox LIVE is officially supported.  Do not sign up unless Xbox LIVE is officially available and supported in your region.
• Completing the sign up survey does not automatically enroll you in the Preview Program. To ensure a good cross section of LIVE members, we’ll review completed surveys and make our selections based on variables such as region and connection type.
• Do not apply more than once. It will not increase your chances of being registered into the preview program.
• To be considered for the program, you must complete the survey and provide your 12 digit Console ID. If your Console ID is not correct, you will not be chosen to participate.
• To register, you will need your Gamertag and Xbox 360 Console ID.
• If you do not know how to obtain your Console ID, please read this article.

Over at the Xbox 360 calendar of events there is mention that if you purchase all five of the Summer of Arcade games before August 31, 2009 you’ll receive 800 Microsoft Points FREE! Here is a list of the five summer arcade games you need to purchase in order to get the free Microsoft Points.

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled
2. MARVEL vs. CAPCOM 2
3. Splosion Man
4. Trials HD
5. Shadow Complex

Please be sure to read the terms and conditions and visit the official website for more information:
Limit one (1) gift per person. To qualify for your gift, you must purchase all five (5) games from Xbox LIVE Arcade using your Xbox LIVE account, by August 31, 2009 11:59 EST. The free Points will automatically be deposited into your Xbox LIVE account after the end of the promotion period. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer available only to legal residents, age 13+, of the 50 United States (includes D.C.), while supplies last, is non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and cannot be combined with any other rebate or offer. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient.

(photo: original)

After reading Major Nelson’s post about Silverlight ads on Xbox 360 and his explanation of how ads are going to be “a more organic part of the dashboard” I just sit back and ask myself why am I paying $50 a year to have ads shoved in my face. Here’s an idea the people at Mico$oft can think about… why not place all the ads you want on the Silver account holders? Ohhh wait I’m sure that once they too see the ads they’ll soon wonder “why would I pay $50 a year to have ads shoved in my face?” hmmm… I may just be eyeing up a discounted PS3 that usually come out around the holiday.  ehh this is just my opinion I can only imagine what’s in store next a possible Xbox Live price increase? Whoa I’d better not give anyone any ideas… So what does everyone else think about the ads being punched in your face?

That’s right if you haven’t heard already… Xbox Live will be adding Facebook and Twitter to their platform which was announced on Monday June, 1st at the E3 2009 Conference. However, the Facebook and Twitter integration will not be available on Xbox Live until later this fall. One of the cool feature I was reading over on Gizmodo is that you’ll be able to send “in-game screenshots to your Facebook (Facebook reviews) profile in real-time” which I think is a pretty awesome function. And probably the only reason I’d sign up to even have my Xbox 360 link to my Facebook and Twitter profiles.