Microsoft is rolling out a significant update to the Xbox One today. The summer update brings a number of new features, including Microsoft's Cortana digital assistant for those in the US and UK. Cortana is designed to look and feel just like the Windows 10 variant, and most of the same queries work. You'll also be able to use Cortana to set up parties through Kinect or via a headset, see what friends are playing, and control media playback. Cortana replaces the old Xbox voice commands with "Hey Cortana," but Microsoft is keeping them available if you disable Cortana.
Xbox gamers will be pleased to hear background music is finally arriving with the summer update. Pandora will be one of the first apps to support background music, and it will work just as you'd expect. You can play music and start a game and the music will continue playing in the background. If you want to change the volume or pause the music then there are quick controls available from opening up the Xbox dashboard guide.
Microsoft is starting to merge its Xbox and Windows Stores with this update, allowing you to get access to some Windows 10 apps on the Xbox. It's still early days so not many are available, but Microsoft will be opening the store up to more and more developers in the coming months. Microsoft's Xbox Play Anywhere initiative also kicks off with this new summer update, which means you can buy certain titles for the PC and get the Xbox version (or vice versa) without paying extra.
Another big addition is region independence. You can now select any language regardless of your location, so if you move country you can keep your language and set your new location. It's something that Xbox gamers have been waiting for. Microsoft is also tweaking the game collection layout, so you can access a "ready to install" section and not have to scroll horizontally for your games.
Over on the Windows 10 side, Microsoft is also updating the Xbox app ready for the Windows 10 Anniversary Update that will be available on August 2nd. All the top Windows 10 PC games will now show up on Xbox Live, meaning you'll be able to see what your friends are playing on their PC, chat with them over Xbox Live parties, and see and share PC game clips. Gamers will also be able to record 60fps game clips once the Anniversary Update rolls out to Windows 10 next week.
Microsoft's Xbox One summer update is available for all consoles right now, ahead of the Xbox One S hardware launch on August 2nd. The Windows 10 Anniversary Update will be available for PCs on August 2nd as a free update.
After months upon months of delays, Cortana is finally ready for your Xbox One. Microsoft has started rolling out its promised summer update with Cortana's smarter, richer voice control as its centerpiece. You can use your headset or Kinect to search games, invite friends to play and otherwise accomplish tasks that required either stiff commands or (gasp) your gamepad. This also represents another step toward tighter integration of the Xbox and Windows 10 experiences, such as platform-independent party chat and streamlined shopping that lets you redeem Xbox credits.
Even the not-quite-headline-worthy updates are fairly substantial. You can play background music from supporting apps (Pandora is first) when a game's soundtrack just won't do. It's easier to sift through your game collection, and you can set your language independently of where you live -- handy if you've moved to another country. No, the software doesn't fulfill all of Microsoft's promised Xbox One changes for this year (you'll have to wait until September for Play Anywhere), but it's undoubtedly one of the biggest updates in a long while.
The latest system update for Xbox One and the Xbox app starts rolling out today, continuing our commitment to give gamers more choice in how and where they play. Cortana is now on Xbox One, Background Music will be available through music apps like Pandora, we’re bringing the most played PC games to Xbox Live with their own Game Hubs and we’re starting to combine the best of the Xbox Store and Windows Store for a single cohesive experience across devices. And of course, these updates will be available on the new, highly-anticipated, Xbox One S when the 2TB launch edition becomes available on August 2 for $399. The update will also be ready for the 1TB and 500GB Xbox One S models later in the month, starting at $299.
Nearly all of the features that were included in Preview in early June are part of today’s update, and there have also been a few additions since then such as Language Region Independence for Xbox One and the recent release of the Xbox app on both iOS and Android. Here are some highlights of the newest features on Xbox One and the Xbox app:
Xbox One
- Background Music: Today’s update brings the ability for the highly requested feature of Background Music, which lets you listen to your favorite music in the background while gaming on Xbox One. The Pandora app, launching soon, is the first of many partners who will support Background Music, with Groove Music, iHeartRadio and other apps coming later.
- Cortana on Xbox One: Cortana is now available on Xbox One in the U.S. and U.K. With Cortana, gamers can expect more from voice commands on Xbox. In addition to more commands and greater accuracy with natural language and text dictation, Cortana provides the ability to use a headset or Kinect. You’ll be able to use Cortana to find great new games, see what your friends are up to, start a party, accomplish common tasks, turn on your Xbox One if you’re using Kinect, and more. We’ll continue to build more Cortana features over time as part of our vision to have Cortana be your personal digital assistant for gaming.
Xbox app on mobile
- Xbox app on iOS and Android: Announced and released during E3, the Xbox app is now available on iOS and Android. The Xbox app brings together your friends, games and accomplishments across all of your devices. Now, you can stay connected to the Xbox Live community, see what your friends are playing, share game clips and screenshots, and view achievements through the Xbox app on Windows 10, iOS and Android devices.
The team has been hard at work to release these features to the broader community and we’re eager to hear what you think – keep the suggestions coming on Xbox Feedback. And stay tuned for more details about the next Xbox system update: we’re planning to bring Looking for Group (LFG), Clubs, Arena, and more to Xbox Live with the update coming this holiday.
In the meantime, dig into today’s update and gear up for Fall’s killer games lineup including ReCore, Forza Horizon 3, and Gears of War, all arriving to Xbox One and Windows 10 as Xbox Play Anywhere games.
No comments:
Write comments