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Windows 10's Xbox App Adds New Features Today; Preview Beta Version Coming Soon
Microsoft has released its latest update for the Xbox app on Windows 10, bringing some welcome changes and improvements. Additionally, the company outlined plans to release a beta version of the app that will allow users to test out upcoming features before they're offered to the general public.
The Xbox app's September update rolled out today and consists of four main new features and improvements. Both the friends list and activity feed are now displayed in real-time; you'll no longer need to hit a refresh button to see any changes. The friends list will also keep you informed at all times about whether any of your friends are in multiplayer games or parties that can be joined.
You can also now compare your game progress against a friend's in a specific game, as pictured above. This is accessed by going to the achievements section and clicking on compare; this will allow you to see how you stack up against a friend in terms of completion percentage, achievements, and gamerscore.
Finally, the Xbox app can now be used like SmartGlass to type on Xbox One. Whether it's searching for something, entering a code, or whatever else, you can avoid using your controller to type with the onscreen QWERTY keyboard.
As for the beta app, Microsoft plans to release this later in September. It'll be freely available as a download from the Windows Store for anyone with Windows 10. Similar to the preview programs for system updates on Xbox One and Xbox 360, this "gives fans an opportunity to provide early input on features and enhancements coming to the Xbox app on Windows 10, helping us shape the product based on fan feedback."
Along with serving as a social hub for gaming on Xbox Live, the Xbox app allows users to stream Xbox One games to a PC. (PC to Xbox One streaming may come in the future.) The app is a free download on Windows 10, which itself remains a free upgrade for anyone using Windows 7 or 8.
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The Xbox app's September update rolled out today and consists of four main new features and improvements. Both the friends list and activity feed are now displayed in real-time; you'll no longer need to hit a refresh button to see any changes. The friends list will also keep you informed at all times about whether any of your friends are in multiplayer games or parties that can be joined.
You can also now compare your game progress against a friend's in a specific game, as pictured above. This is accessed by going to the achievements section and clicking on compare; this will allow you to see how you stack up against a friend in terms of completion percentage, achievements, and gamerscore.Finally, the Xbox app can now be used like SmartGlass to type on Xbox One. Whether it's searching for something, entering a code, or whatever else, you can avoid using your controller to type with the onscreen QWERTY keyboard.
As for the beta app, Microsoft plans to release this later in September. It'll be freely available as a download from the Windows Store for anyone with Windows 10. Similar to the preview programs for system updates on Xbox One and Xbox 360, this "gives fans an opportunity to provide early input on features and enhancements coming to the Xbox app on Windows 10, helping us shape the product based on fan feedback."
Along with serving as a social hub for gaming on Xbox Live, the Xbox app allows users to stream Xbox One games to a PC. (PC to Xbox One streaming may come in the future.) The app is a free download on Windows 10, which itself remains a free upgrade for anyone using Windows 7 or 8.
More...