TechGamingGaming ConsolesThe Xbox user experience is coming to everyone, even if you don’t own an XboxMicrosoft’s expansion plans continueWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechGamingGaming ConsolesThe Xbox user experience is coming to everyone, even if you don’t own an XboxMicrosoft’s expansion plans continueWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Microsoft’s expansion plans continue
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Microsoft)
(Image credit: Microsoft)
Quick SummaryMicrosoft is extending Xbox console features to the web and, eventually, Smart TVs as it expands the user experience beyond the console.Xbox Insiders now get a browser UI much more like the Xbox Series X dashboard.
Microsoft is extending Xbox console features to the web and, eventually, Smart TVs as it expands the user experience beyond the console.Xbox Insiders now get a browser UI much more like the Xbox Series X dashboard.
Microsoft is extending Xbox console features to the web and, eventually, Smart TVs as it expands the user experience beyond the console.Xbox Insiders now get a browser UI much more like the Xbox Series X dashboard.
Microsoft is extending Xbox console features to the web and, eventually, Smart TVs as it expands the user experience beyond the console.
Xbox Insiders now get a browser UI much more like the Xbox Series X dashboard.
Xbox has announced a welcome update to the interface for its cloud gaming platform, bringing it far closer to the full-fat console experience.
Where Xbox Cloud Gaming was great for single-player fun, its social features had lagged behind those you could get on anXbox Series Xor indeed a PC, which should now be close to fixed.
With the latest update that it’s making available toXbox Insiders, there’s a persistent social option while using Cloud Gaming, which allows you to join and create party chats just like you would on a console.
Some parts of this will be easier to access on different hardware at first, according to Xbox. For one thing, the party chat system is all designed around web browsers right now, so it won’t come to Smart TV apps at first.
The update means some other welcome additions, including the ability to view both notifications and achievements on your games, and being able to send messages to friends (or indeed to send friend requests to new contacts).
A lot of these options were technically already available while using Xbox Cloud Gaming, but only once you were in a game – you could then use the Xbox interface as you liked, but when you quit that given game everything would end.
For example, being able to have persistent party chats that don’t disappear if you swap game is a pretty major addition that could make Xbox Cloud Gaming a way more practical and reliable option for social gaming.
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The caveat to all of this is thatMicrosoftdoesn’t always rush to move things from the Xbox Insider programme out to everyone else, so it could be a little while before this update is fully rolled out.
There’s no doubt that Xbox Cloud Gaming is a big part of that ambition, alongside the new willingness to put out first-party games onPlayStationand Nintendo consoles.
Today’s best Xbox dealsMicrosoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Xbox dealsMicrosoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Xbox dealsMicrosoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Xbox deals
Microsoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series S
Microsoft Xbox Series S
$349.99View
$349.99
$349.99
See all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series X
Microsoft Xbox Series X
$449.99View
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$449.99
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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