New Xbox Experience opens, for some

While the official first day of the New Xbox Experience (NXE) is November 19, users who applied for the preview program are already seeing their updated Xbox interface, new sections, and the Netflix Instant queue with exclusive HD content.

Microsoft unveiled the changes to the Xbox this summer at E3, showing off the ability for users to create custom animated avatars through which to chat or host "Live Parties" where connected users can share games, movies, and photos with up to seven people simultaneously. It also announced that user-developed games would be available in addition to new casual MMOs in "Live Primetime," which was later delayed.

The addition of Netflix streaming movies on demand was also a major announcement at the time, which only got more exciting for users when it was announced that it would also be testing some 300 HD titles that are unavailable to other Netflix subscribers.

Xbox Live's Major Nelson blog announced the early hookup last night.