New Xbox dashboard to hit public beta in June or July to prep for next console - report

Microsoft will reveal its next Xbox console on Tuesday, May 21 - that's next week - and still rumors and reports are coming out of the woodwork with no signs of stopping. Today's rumor pertains to dashboard UI and tile changes and the size of the console.

While one would expect a new dashboard UI to be included on a new console, we'll play along anyway.

According to The Verge, the new dashboard will go into public beta in late June or early July, to prep for the new console.

The new UI will be refreshed alongside smaller Live Tiles such as with Windows 8.1. The entire look of the dashboard is also being changed, and may be lighter or darker in color depending on what is decided in the end.

Xbox 360 users will be able to switch over to the new console and still interact with friends using Xbox 360 through "messaging, beacons, and Achievements."

A source close to the site also said that the console will be "smaller and denser," and the new controllers are "flattened in appearance."

We'll find out more come Tuesday, and even more at E3.