As part of the Windows Insider program which allows users to test Windows 10 preview builds, Microsoft has updated the Xbox app and one of those updates brings us one step closer to Xbox One streaming on your Windows PC. Amongst other updates to the app, which we’ll get to in a moment, the biggest one that is sure to have a lot of gamers excited is the addition of a “Test streaming” function in the Connect menu. While this doesn’t actually stream your games from your Xbox One to your Windows 10 PC yet, it does send anonymous data to the Xbox team which will assist them with tweaking the upcoming streaming service.
Other updates to the Xbox on Windows 10 app include the ability to launch the Avatar app from the Xbox app, and bringing friend and Game Hub functionality closer to that of what you can do on your Xbox One. Another highly requested feature will also allow you to delete your cloud-based clips and screenshots directly from the app, as well as customizing the keyboard shortcuts used to open the Game Bar for PC game recording and screenshots – a feature that should get around it not working in all games due to key press conflicts.
The full list of new and updated features include:
Avatars – You can now download and launch the Avatars app from within the Xbox app. After the app is installed, select Customize > Customize your avatar to launch the Avatars app and edit, dress up, and buy new items for your avatar.
Friends updates – We’re making it easier to add friends, designate them as favorites and share your name from the Xbox app. The friends list will also show you which of your friends are in a party, playing multiplayer games, or broadcasting. You can also report or block people from the Xbox app.
Game hubs – Similar to Xbox One, you can now view the game hub for an Xbox One game and view the activity feed curated by the game’s community manager. Click on any game tile, under Home > Recently played or elsewhere in the Xbox app, and you will be taken to the game hub.
Game DVR – You can now alter the keyboard shortcuts used for opening the Game Bar, starting and stopping recording, taking screenshots, and more. Also, you can now view and manage your cloud-based game clips from the Xbox app by selecting Game DVR > Shared.
Testing streaming – The Xbox team needs your help in providing information about your PC’s performance and connectivity characteristics as we prepare to enable game streaming from Xbox One to Windows 10 PCs. To do this, connect your Xbox One to your Windows 10 PC using the Xbox app: from the Connect menu, select your Xbox One console then choose Connect. Once connected, click on Test streaming to anonymously send the team diagnostic information about your PC and network settings.
Turn On/Off your Xbox One Console – The Connect menu in Xbox app has been updated to let you power your Xbox One on and off from your Windows 10 devices when they are on the same home network as your console.
The Xbox app will sign in using your primary Microsoft Account and associated gamertag that you use to sign into Windows 10. If you want to sign in with a different gamertag, you will need to set up a second Microsoft account on your Windows 10 PC. The ability to sign into the Xbox app with a different Microsoft Account/Xbox Profile will be re-enabled in a future update.
What new or updated feature are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below, or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.
[button type=”link” link=”http://majornelson.com/2015/05/21/new-xbox-features-now-available-in-preview/” variation=”btn-danger” target=”blank”]Source: Major Nelson[/button]Last Updated on November 27, 2018.
