Microsoft is bringing a wave of new features to Xbox One in its next update. These are all the confirmed expected changes so far, ahead of its public release.
Microsoft has been preparing the next big update for Xbox One consoles, delivering a range of improvements upon the last year's major feature update. While the update isn't expected to debut any significant enhancements, some welcome changes are still in the pipeline.
The next update is currently available for testing to members of the Xbox Insider Program, ahead of its expected public release in the weeks ahead. While an official name is yet to be paired with this update, it currently goes by the version number "1802." Early builds on the next branch, "Redstone 4," are expected to roll out sometime in the coming months with a larger batch of features.
Ahead of the update's public release, we wrapped up everything we know so far – and what you should expect when it hits your console.
Scheduled Themes
While a simple concept, "Scheduled Themes" will be a welcome addition to the Xbox One OS. Complementing the "light" and "dark" themes implemented last year, the feature aims to deliver a dynamic color scheme to the console.
Although the dark theme is generally easier on the eyes in dimmer environments, light themes offer improved visibility in brighter locations. Using Scheduled Themes, the console will automatically shift between the two themes at set times of day, securing the benefits of both themes around the day and night cycles. For more information on Scheduled Themes, and a step-by-step guide to its implementation, make sure to check our extensive post on the subject.
How to use Xbox One Scheduled Themes
Do Not Disturb status
Xbox Live packs some impressive social features, serving as the binding network for Microsoft's gaming platforms. Communication, matchmaking and content features are engrained into the console but can distract you from the Xbox One's main attraction: games.
"Do Not Disturb" will allow gamers to cut out Xbox Live's clutter, by blocking incoming notifications for social activities. System-level notifications, such as Achievement unlocks will still be visible, meaning you won't miss the activity important to you.
How to enable Do Not Disturb status on Xbox One
Next Achievements
Achievement hunters are in for a treat, with a new feature that helps pinpoint easy achievements on the horizon. "Next Achievements" gathers achievements into an individual feed, allowing you to sort upcoming unlocks based on various factors. Using the filtering tools, achievements can be categorized by completion, rarity, highest value and more.
Next Achievements will be found in the "Achievements" tab of the Guide menu, as a pop-out window. This also means the feature can be quickly accessed without leaving the game, alongside existing Achievement tracking features.
Xbox One Achievement tips to maximize your Gamerscore
Mini Game Hubs
Game Hubs serve as a single location for Xbox One games, condensing announcements, social posts, and other content into a single source. While in the current version of the OS Game Hubs are isolated sections to visit, "Mini Game Hubs" will deliver highlights directly to the Guide menu.
Mini Game Hubs may lack the depth and functionality of full Game Hubs, though they will serve top posts in a more digestible manner. This allows you to catch up on Game Hub activity, without leaving your current gaming session.
More features
Outside of the biggest changes with this update, smaller tweaks have been implemented across the OS, including:
- A new Xbox Game Pass Discovery tile is being added to the bottom of the Guide menu, hooking directly into Microsoft's Netflix-style subscription service, Xbox Game Pass. Providing a way to explore the full spectrum of Xbox Game Pass titles, the Discovery tile opens the list for a random title from the library when selected.
- This update will bring the ability to finely tune the console's automatic shut down timer, allowing for two-, three-, four- and five-hour periods, alongside the existing one- and six-hour options.
- Comment sorting is being reworked to place most recent comments at the top.
- The most recent comment on a post will be visible directly from the Activity Feed, encouraging more users to jump into the conversation.
- Comment likes will be viewable to see which users have interacted with a specific comment.
Your thoughts
What new features would you like to see on Xbox One? What do you think of these expected changes? Let us know in the comments.