Xbox One To Receive Makeover, Courtesy Windows 10

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Amongst the predictable onslaught of rehashed new games out of E3, comes word that the Xbox One is set to receive a significant makeover – courtesy new Windows 10 underpinnings. And it really can’t arrive soon enough as I find the current interface unwieldy and disorienting. Granted, I am middle-aged and perhaps my synapses don’t fire as fast as they once did. But we’re often the ones bankrolling these initiatives. So I’m happy to see Microsoft throw this old dog a bone. In fact, I give them credit – when it comes to Xbox, they’ve never been afraid to blow up the UI and try something new. It may not always resonate, but I salute their risk-taking in support of bettering the experience.

Some highlights: Beyond a much simplified, though still visually rich, presentation, with a heavy emphasis on “community,” clicking left from the new Home screen or double clicking the Xbox button while in a game brings up a narrow overlay of common settings, features, and messages we’d quickly want to get at. Microsoft is also promising a generally smoother, quicker experience. Further improving usability in a highly significant way is an always-present Cortana for voice control. However, it’s not clear to me if Cortana can be accessed via the gaming headset with mic or if I’m going to once again plug in my dust-collecting Kinect. Sadly, while you can still “pin” your favorite apps, games, and the like … they’re now banished to the very bottom of the Home area and, at least for the moment, I pine for higher priority presentation.

No additional word on background music or DVR capabilities, but we expect both are on the docket … even if they don’t launch with this already massive update, scheduled for late Fall.

15 thoughts on “Xbox One To Receive Makeover, Courtesy Windows 10”

  1. “No additional word on … DVR capabilities…”

    Well, with the new, improved WMC shipped as a default part of Windows 10, aren’t DVR capabilities just implied?

    —–

    And why the hell does Robert Seidman hate me? What have I ever done to him?

    When you launch your upcoming Live Call-In Podcast™, I think I’d be a fine caller. I’ve always try to be a value-add to the blog, and would try to do the same for your upcoming Live Call-In Podcast™.

    What does Robert Seidman think I’d do? Make some kind of Howard Stern crank call? Baba-Booey? I don’t even like Howard Stern. Even if I were to make a crank call, I think I could at least elevate the humor to Beavis and Butt-head standards…

  2. I think i’d rather just avoid the controvery and bruised feelings – so I’ll sacrifice myself and the podcast so you both can feel good about the status quo.

  3. “I think i’d rather just avoid the controvery and bruised feelings – so I’ll sacrifice myself and the podcast so you both can feel good about the status quo.”

    That’s damn noble of you, kind sir. But I am disappointed. A Live Call-In Podcast™ would’ve be revolutionary. I’ve been busy rehearsing my “Long-time listener, first-time caller…” intro. And I hear that Pied Piper can handle the massive server load that would’ve resulted.

  5. Not sure what others think about this new dashboard, but I kinda hate it. It think it’s telling that they zoom into certain areas of the screen when introducing it so you can see them. Hmmm…maybe you should always be able to see them since this should be targeting the 10-ft (or greater) experience.

  6. I’m probably in the minority, but I like the current interface. Watching the preview of the new UI though, I can understand why (at least) MS made the change. It does look like MS has tried to elevate the most used features, which, once I start using the new UI I’ll probably get used to and appreciate. Until then, I’m happy with the current UI.

  7. Richard, like Mike, I’ll reserve judgement until I can get my hands on it. I do agree those icons on the left, and other elements, do look pretty small. But I’m willing to try something new (!) and if the voice control lives up to its billing, perhaps we can avoid much of it altogether.

  8. I like the new UI the one big miss for me is all of the scrolling required to get to pinned apps now. I use my xbox about 50/50 for games and apps. Now its just that much harder to get to pins for frequently used items.

  10. As long as the new UI still works with Kinect. Kinect is the one thing I always use with my two Xbox Ones. It has made navigation on the Xbox One superfast. I could not imagine just using a controller to navigate the Xbox One UI.

  11. Yeah, the Kinect is what put the Xbox One over the top for me too. I own two also, one with Kinect and one without. I will definately be purchasing another Kinect and would advise any one to ONLY purchase an Xbox One with Kinect. I didn’t know how cool and easy using your voice and body makes the experience. I can’t wait to see what happens with VR (and 4K).

  12. Which is the opposite of me. I found Kinect highly unrealiable and of little value. It sits unused in the basement storage area.

  13. I’m definitely a fan of the Kinect and advise getting it as well. Although, forcing people to buy it when the Xbox One first came out was probably a bit of a mistake on Microsoft’s part. And, the reliability can be questionable at times. But, I still use it often for getting to games/apps quick, snapping, and recording clips while in a game. And, with kids, you just can’t beat the full screen/HD Skype experience with the Grandparents.

    What do you think Dave? Did we convince you to dust off the Kinect and give it another shot? :)

  14. “Which is the opposite of me. I found Kinect highly unrealiable and of little value. It sits unused in the basement storage area.”

    Why do you hate exercise, Dave? 4 out of 5 dentists surveyed say that playing certain games with the Kinect is better exercise than swimming.

  15. I rarely use the hand gesture part of Kinect but the voice recognition is the one thing that is always used when my Xbox Ones are on. I’m still amazed that I can have the volume turned up loud in a game, yet it always responds when just speaking in a normal voice.
    It has been around 99% accurate in my use with both my Xbox Ones.

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