Microsoft is holding an event to showcase its entire Windows ecosystem — allegedly, including the Xbox One — in roughly a weeks time. That impending conference isn’t stopping the company from dropping an absolutely massive update to the Xbox on Windows 10 experience for those participating in its Windows 10 Insider Program.
Microsoft’s Larry Hyrb shared details about the updated Xbox on Windows 10 experience this morning in a post on his Major Nelson blog.
Just as it did a few months ago with the Xbox One, Microsoft has added screenshots to the Xbox experience in Windows 10. These screenshots can be uploaded to user’s Xbox Live profile. A new Live Tile now shows off users pictures and alerts them of any incoming messages. A few days ago Microsoft began testing a dedicated Avatar app on Windows 10. Animated avatars now join biographic location, real name sharing, reputation and tenure on user’s individual Xbox Live profiles. The app is taking on more functions of Xbox SmartGlass too. Media controls and now playing are available from Xbox on Windows 10. So is the live streaming and picture in picture support Microsoft talked about recently. When a compatible tuner, users can watch broadcast channels directly through their Xbox One and the Xbox SmartGlass app.
There are new features for the SmartGlass app for iOS, Windows Phone and Android too. A new Wireless Display app for the Xbox One lets users stream video and more directly from their device to their console. Voice messages are finally playable directly through the app too. Microsoft is testing a power button for the Xbox One SmartGlass beta app too. Today, you can’t use SmartGlass to turn your console on or off.
Microsoft plans to talk more about Windows 10 at BUILD 2015 April 29th. The company will launch the operating system as a free update for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users later this summer.
