Xbox Windows 10 App Updated, Includes Avatars, Game Hub, Custom Game DVR Controls

News
By
published

With Windows 10, Microsoft is linking all of your Windows devices together to work with the new system. For gamers, this means that the Xbox One will also work with Windows through an app on the PC. Those who have it on the Windows 10 preview now have new features added for the app.

A long time staple on the Xbox consoles, the Avatar feature is now available on the app. Players can now customize their Xbox avatars through the app by editing its clothing and hairstyle to make your digital self look presentable for your online friends. Speaking of friends, the app now allows you to share your real name to a privileged few and designate certain people as favorites. You can also check which of your friends are currently playing online, streaming, or in a party.

If you're a big fan of a certain game, chances are that game has a main hub where its community manager uploads news and fan content. That same area, which appears on the Xbox One, is now also on the app so you don't have to always turn on your console to see the latest updates on your favorite titles.

For those who are lazy, the app can also turn your Xbox One on or off, provided that both are connected to the same network.

Two of the biggest features in the app include Game DVR, which allows players to take videos and screenshots while playing and upload them to social media, and the ability to live stream games for everyone to see. Game DVR is already available, with the latest update giving players the freedom to customize keyboard shortcuts and access to clips and images stored in the cloud.

Unfortunately, the live streaming option isn't available yet, but Microsoft does need user input to make it work when it launches. Players can send diagnostic data, specifically PC performance and connectivity setup, through the Test Streaming option on the app.

Even though Windows 10 is coming very soon, the Xbox app could take a little longer until it's ready for customers to use. However, the increasing availability of features means that Microsoft could be planning a big update during E3 in June. As for Windows 10 for the Xbox One console, Xbox head Phil Spencer mentioned on Twitter that the beta version of Windows 10 for the Xbox won't come out until after this summer.

Follow Rexly Peñaflorida II @Heirdeux. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

Rexly Peñaflorida
6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • josejones
    How about a new smaller SLIM XB1 model that includes all these new updates, features and perhaps some new up-to-date hardware too?
    Reply
  • whiteodian
    How about a new smaller SLIM XB1 model that includes all these new updates, features and perhaps some new up-to-date hardware too?
    Jose, they can't update the hardware. It's a console. They may give you a slim version, but the specs will be the same. A bigger hard drive would be nice though. PlayStation got that right by allowing the user to easily upgrade their drive.
    Reply
  • jasonelmore
    Jose, they can't update the hardware. It's a console. They may give you a slim version, but the specs will be the same. A bigger hard drive would be nice though. PlayStation got that right by allowing the user to easily upgrade their drive.

    and xbox one got it right by having 6 usb 3 ports and support for any external hard drive on the planet. seriously, why buy a internal when external is just as fast and much more convenient. USB 3.0 = to Sata 6
    Reply
  • josejones
    Am I the only one to notice just how bad the XBox One sales have been? PS4 has been kicking XB1 to the curb with sales specifically due to the fact that the PS4 did the one thing right that any gamer would want and that's with graphics.

    XB1 dropped the ball big time and they're paying the price with low sales. The ONLY way for Microsoft to get those long time fans back is to do right by them - that would mean a serious upgrade, which should include graphics that can noticeably beat PS4. DX12 alone will NOT be enough.

    I know a lot of XBox fans from the very beginning who were soooo disappointed with the XBox1 that they switched over to PS4 and happy they did. If Microsoft/XBox wants to win them back, then, the only way to do that is to do a serious upgrade with a new model.
    Reply
  • epobirs
    In the case of the PS4 and Xbox One the USB 3 drive is fully equal to the internal drive. There is no real SATA host in the machines. They use a USB-to-SATA bridge. This was cheaper in terms of yields on the APU. Potentially, future revisions could have USB 3.1 (using the 3.0 connector) and revert to 3.0 for games that have a problem with the speed improvement, although those should be few, if any.
    Reply
  • SirTrollsALot
    I find W3 boring. The cutscenes take forever, the gameplay is for the brain dead. Cant believe I bought into this.
    Reply