Microsoft is preparing to deploy a new update for the Xbox One this August that aims to make a number of improvements to the platform’s social experience.
Activity feeds will appear more organized and will let you scroll back further in time. The level of interactivity will also be increased, as you’ll be able to preview and comment on friends’ Game DVR clips and even share them to other activity feeds or send as an attachment in messages.
Mobile Purchases will allow gamers to buy games or content on the go and send a signal to their console to begin downloading in a low-power state so the content will be ready upon returning home.
The update will also offer more customization options for notifications and will even include a Low Battery notification so you know when it’s time to change controllers or begin charging.
Furthermore, Microsoft also plans to introduce a new “Friends” tab to the home menu, though it will remain in the Xbox One’s Update Preview program until it’s polished enough for release to the public.
Watch the video preview above with Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb and Xbox engineer Richard Irving and check out the official update notes from Xbox Wire below:
Activity feed updates
We’re adding new ways for you to interact with friends in the activity feed. The interface will change to a single column scrolling list that is longer and includes more content. We’ll add the ability to post text to your feed, and to “like” and comment on feed items. You can share game clips and anything else in the feed with friends either publically (to your activity feed) or privately (as an attachment to a message). You’ll also be notified when anyone likes, comments on or shares your items. Each user will get a personal feed on their profile, so you can see what specific friends have been up to. And, with SmartGlass, you can see what your friends have shared to their activity feed and “like” specific posts (additional activity feed support coming in future SmartGlass updates).
Expanded Friends area on Home
Right from Home, see what’s going on with your friends. Stay up-to-date with their current activity, the top trending games your friends are playing, and a leaderboard to see who has been working the hardest on their Gamerscore. We’re doing an extended preview on this, rolling it into the early access preview this month to a subset of our preview audience so we can refine it until it’s ready for the entire Xbox One market.
Mobile purchase
One of the most requested features on Xbox Feedback. Using Xbox SmartGlass or on Xbox.com, you can remotely purchase games and Add-on content. No more waiting to begin downloading when you get home – if your console is set to automatically take updates, your console will begin downloading your purchase.
Low battery notification
You asked for it, now a notification will pop up when your controller battery is getting low.
Disable notifications during video
Adding the ability to turn off notifications based feedback we heard from you.
Enabling 3D Blu-ray
An update to the Blu-ray player app will enable 3D Blu-ray functionality on Xbox One.
OneGuide in Brazil, Mexico, Austria and Ireland
Live TV listings can be configured for four new countries as part of this month’s Preview program. And now there is an OneGuide Issue Reporter available under the TV & OneGuide settings, Troubleshooting section.
Last seen time in Friends list
Direct from Xbox Feedback, the friends list will now show how long it’s been since a friend has been online. For example, “Last seen 20m ago: Forza Motorsport 5.”