Xbox One Update Coming Next Month: Improvements To Friends Notifications And Kinect

Were you chosen by Microsoft to test out new Xbox Live updates? You may get to experience Microsoft's newest Xbox One improvement next month. A new update will be rolling out in April, but no specific date has been confirmed by the brand. The new update will improve the following:

[Via NeoGAF:]

Game and app saves and updates. A game save progress bar will show you the status of your game saves. You will also be able to easily tell what games and apps are being updated or have been updated recently.

Friends improvements. Notifications will be added to see when favorites and friends sign in to Xbox Live. This actually was one of the most frequently requested features from the first preview wave and we made it a priority to include it in the April update. Also, friends who are in multiplayer will be identified in the friends list. We’ll also add the ability to view friends’ most popular apps.

Blu-ray 50 Hz video output support for content recorded at 50 Hz will resolve video playback issues some Xbox Live members in Europe are experiencing.

Kinect voice and motion improvements will continue to fine tune the quality and reliability of Xbox One commands.

Improved GameDVR video quality through compression algorithm improvements.

Updates to Xbox One device management to address issues controlling TVs, set top boxes, and receivers that our customers have reported.

New audio settings to tune how much volume is lowered when Kinect is used in communications.

In February, director of programming at Microsoft, Larry Hyrb promised new software updates would vastly improve the Xbox One experience.

“The team is working hard to deliver some exciting updates in March that will make Xbox One even better,” Hyrb, 51, posted on the Xbox blog on Feb. 20. “But in order to ensure our customers have the best experience on Xbox One and Xbox Live, we need the help of our passionate community.”

Microsoft chose Xbox Live members to sample new features coming to the next-gen console in the March system update. Chosen users will also test out future system updates as they roll out -- providing valuable feedback for Microsoft before updates are made available to the international public.

Selected users received an Xbox Live message with a token to register. Once the system update launched in early March, users gained access to a private forum where they provided feedback to Microsoft.

The Xbox One console’s most recent update rolled out on March 4. “On March 4, in advance of what is expected to be the biggest game launch of the year, we will be delivering another system update to prepare your Xbox One for ‘Titanfall,’” Whitten posted on Microsoft’s Xbox blog on Feb. 5. “This update will contain many new features and improvements, most significantly to our party and multiplayer systems.”

Whitten also assured players that Microsoft was listening to their suggestions and complaints. “We have received lots of feedback since the launch of Xbox One in November and listening closely to you,” he assured players on March 4. “I’m excited to share that our second, and most significant, system update for Xbox One rolled out in early March and includes improved matchmaking, party chat and friends features that will make gaming on Xbox One an experience like no other. To me that means playing games like ‘Titanfall’ on the best multiplayer service on the planet, using a new headset or the one you already own, while live broadcasting your games on Twitch.”

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