Xbox announced during the Build 2016 conference that it will be giving the Xbox One a major update and it is almost here. Called the Xbox One Anniversary Update, the company recently enlisted Xbox Preview Program members to take the first peek. The updates will roll out this summer and it is expected to include Cortana, as well as improve sharing options across Microsoft platforms.
Xbox's director for Program Management, Mike Ybarra, confirmed the update in a post on Xbox Wire. He confirmed that this will be done in "waves." From the Xbox Preview Program, the update will come next on the Xbox app on Windows 10 in beta mode. The push is to unify all Xbox and Microsoft users to beef up Xbox Live.
So, what are the features coming with the Xbox One Anniversary Update? Below is a complete rundown.
Xbox One Anniversary Update: Cortana
Cortana is Microsoft's digital voice assistant, much like Siri is to the iPhone. CNet notes that the Xbox has always supported a voice command feature, but Cortana is the improvised, more specific version.
Old Xbox voice commands will still work on her, but Cortana has a wider vocabulary and better comprehension. Thus, it will be like talking to an actual person. Users can ask Cortana a variety of questions, but it won't work the same way as the Windows version of Cortana, where it can access emails or do tasks like a personal assistant.
The Xbox One Cortana will be mostly useful for game related queries and tasks. Cnet also notes that the old Xbox voice feature will be retired when Cortana steps in.
Xbox One Anniversary Update goodies will include the long-awaited download progress bar https://t.co/x6NkuIQGmK pic.twitter.com/b2oQkmVZZr
— CNET (@CNET) June 6, 2016
Xbox One Anniversary Update: Merging Xbox App & Windows Store
Xbox One users will no longer have to go through separate stores to make their purchases as the Xbox One Anniversary Update will be merging both the main Windows store and the Xbox App store. These marketplaces are still two distinct sites, but the interface will look more cohesive on the Xbox One once the update is out. This way, gamers will be able to choose and pick out items like games and apps more efficiently, per PC World.
However, the combination will not load everything on the console from the stores. Select Windows apps will be seen in the Xbox One screen if the app publisher updates these. Developers distributing and publishing their games on Windows won't be able to do the same on the Xbox, unless with proper agreement with Microsoft.
Xbox One Anniversary Update: Sharing Options Across Xbox & Windows
Xbox gamers who want to play and communicate with their friends on the Windows platform will be able to do so when the update is done. They will be able to check each other's games out and talk about it more seamlessly. They can also add each other to both their Xbox Live contacts and the People app.
If connected to social media, the update will also make it easier for gamers to add their friends via the Facebook Friend Finder. Additionally, the Xbox One Anniversary Update will also improve on the social media sharing features, giving the user full control of the contents he wants to share. More details to the Xbox One Anniversary Update are found in the video below:
