With Microsoft announcing the official release date of its new Xbox Live Dashboard update as November 17, the availability of the new firmware download will bring Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm to the Xbox gaming console.

Announcing the date of availability of the new features during an interview with biz site Fast Company, the Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten said that the forthcoming network update will provide the owners of Xbox 360 the advantage of accessing their Facebook pages and Twitter accounts via the online service.

Whitten said: “We look at things like Facebook and Twitter as amazing social experiences, but also entertainment.”

The design for Facebook as well as Twitter will be in accordance with the overall layout of Xbox Live, whereby different options can be availed by the players by scrolling across various panes. Moreover, both the social networking sites on Xbox are slick and easily-navigable. 

However, certain pre-requisites for users to avail the new service include the mandatory condition that the user should possess an Xbox Live Gold membership at $50 per year; in addition to the Twitter and Facebook services’ requirement that users should be 18 years and above.

Over and above the announced update, Microsoft also intends rolling out Zune Video, which promises 5.1 surround sound and instant-on 1080p video streaming.