Xbox One Keeps Getting Better – Product Updates Coming

Xbox Wire:

I’m excited to be able to share details with you today about several product updates we’ll be delivering for Xbox One starting next week. The team has been really excited to see the gameplay on Xbox One and the millions of hours of fun our fans have experienced since launch. We’ve also been busy listening to your feedback and working hard to incorporate it into Xbox One as soon as possible. We remain incredibly energized and we are aggressively working to make Xbox One better, faster than ever before.

[towelie1288]

niiice! goods news
eager to see what else they have planned for Xbox one!

[ThePope]

Way to go Microsoft!!!

[Gazondaily]

Battery indicator needed to be there day one tbh. Glad it's coming out soon though.

The battery life is really goos on the X1 bt still, this needs to come out asap.

[ThePope]

@septic

I agree but that's life. The Battery life is insane, one of the reasons is as you may know, when your watching tv or a movie and you set the controller down, the Kinect knows you've put it down and turns it off.

[Gazondaily]

Yeah man. Hard to believe this but I still have the same batteries from launch on one of my controllers! Ive used it a fair bit on and off as well. Really impressed with how Kinect knows when you're not using it.

[4Sh0w]

Yeah I hate not knowing how much battery life is left, I keep saying I want to see exactly how long I can play before its dead but whats weird is mine never seem to die because even after a couple days of long gameplay hrs I always forget and end up putting it back on the charger.

[redwin]

Battery indicator and fixing the party system, wow. I'm very excited about the hardrive space management . Way to go Microsoft !

[USA007]

I must be doing something, I need a new set of batteries almost daily for my controller when I'm playing X1

[mcstorm]

I agree. I am glad they have got some of the missing bits back with this update and im looking forward to the March update ide expect MS to be adding a lot for this is I expect MS to push Titan fall like the pushed Gears.

[Volkama]

It wants to say "Dolby Digital" somewhere in the list.

[hollabox]

Shouldn't be needed unless you have older audio equipment. If the audio equipment does not support neither format it defaults to stereo so I can see people having problems DTS and LPCM.

[Volkama]

Majority of surround sound headsets for consoles depend on Dolby Digital. MS have said it was only omitted because of scheduling, so I'm optimistic it will be on the list for feb or March.

[Bigpappy]

I am surprised with the keyboard support. But that will make the browser more fun to use.

[Volkama]

A long time ago they refused keyboard support because they wanted to distance Xbox from PCs. Not they want to unify everything they do.

I wonder if this means we can expect TESO and such to keep emphasis on text chat?

[USA007]

I'm assuming keyboards will work the same as they do on the 360

[BallsEye]

Project Spark lauching this feb and it's here on dash screen...hmm (now you cant find anything when you search PROJECT SPARK in XO)..maybe feb 11 then!?? :D

also...halo 5 in featured..not sure but seems like on very edge of the screen right hand side, you can see DRM and a bit of spartan armor? Could be wrong tho.

Also what got my atttention is "behind the scenes updates for devs". Is that the driver update insiders were talking about? Some gpu boost?

Anyway, another dash update in march to prepare us for titanfall!

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Indeed good news finally.

The team even teased another big update on the 4th of March. Multiplayer and Chat updates.

That's some really exciting news.

Can't wait to boot up Titanfall on the 11th with the new party system and enhanced Multiplayer.

[UncleGermrod]

Very happy to hear they are already adding some of the missing feature we all wanted, and also quickly improving the party system. I have found it to work fine, it was just better on 360...i knew the improvements would come.

[IanVanCheese]

About time, roll on march 4th, the party system needs fixing lol

[ThePope]

I love how you're getting disagrees. Either some people love the party system or its silent ponie trolls lol.

[creatchee]

I'd also like to see when friends sign on. Not ALL of my friends, but certainly those that I have designated as favorites. I hate having to open an app to see if I have somebody to play with online.

[UnHoly_One]

I miss that, too.

I assume they removed it because of a combination of the increased friend's list size and the TV integration. (Most people probably wouldn't want a "bleep bloop" every 2 minutes while trying to watch TV. lol)

I totally agree with you, though, the favorites list is the perfect way to handle that, and make it so you can just control which notifications you see with the general friend's list and which you see for your favorites.

[PsylentKiller]

We should also be able to set friend notifications for when a friend starts playing a certain game.
Something like: alert me when creatchee started playing BF4.

[Death]

This is good news. There is no reason the Xbox One should have shipped without the features the Xbox 360 had. The ability to join a game with a friend without a request needs to be back asap.

[jimjam3442]

yeah i switched from 360 and on ps4 you cant invite people to your game from your friends list which sucks.

[JDabney24]

You can invite friends in every ps4 game that offers multiplayer in game and in the notifications area of the ps4 there is a separate category for invites.

[frostypants]

Because you're doing it wrong.

[Naga]

The battery indicator thing was the biggest gripe on my end. The last time it died, I was in mid-flight in an attack chopper on a 25 kill streak... and without any warning, I got to sit helplessly on my couch and watch my chopper take a spontaneous nosedive right into the ground.

[Gr1mmyshadows]

You do know the light in the middle of the Xbox controller blinks when it's about to die. So it's your fault for letting your battery die completely.

[FragMnTagM]

I don't understand why this is such a huge issue for people...

Get a charging station with rechargeable battery packs, or get rechargeable batteries.

I use rechargeable batteries and slap them in the charger when I am done using the system, that way I know I have fully charged batteries in my controller.

I do miss the indicator, but it is not the end of the world. There are other more pertinent things that need to be worked on first.

[Naga]

@ TRD4L1fe

I am well-acquanted with that feature on the Xbox 360, but I have never seen my Xbox One controller do this. Perhaps that is because I spend my time looking at the screen rather than staring at my controller as I play video games. Could just be me, though.

@ FragMnTagm

I have a play and charge kit, and I use it. But that does absolutely nothing for me if the battery decides that it wants to take a giant dump in the middle of my game. That's the issue.

And did you read the article...? The battery indicator is actually coming with this next update... I don't understand the point in saying there are more pertinent things that need to be worked on first.

[KingDadXVI]

I know that it is a little hard to notice but the white light does blink once your batteries are getting low. It was definitely more noticeable on the 360 controller with the green alternating lights though.

I will actually use the battery level indicator with the Xbox One more often than I did on the 360 just for that reason.

That being said the battery life for this controller is superb. I get close to 40 hours on a set of Energizer AA 2300 mAh rechargables. My oldest son has a PS4 and he is getting about 5 hours with the DS4, now that would really piss me off. He ended up having to buy a second controller for $60 so he didn't have to plug the damn thing in constantly. I guess not allowing replaceable batteries is a good way for a company to line their pockets.

[Bigpappy]

@Naga: TRD4L1fe is correct about the flashing guide button.

[Naga]

Thanks, everyone. I'm glad you guys all chimed in on the guide button thing. I didn't mean to sound so incredulous; I'll be keeping a more watchful eye out for the flashing guide button as I play on.

It actually makes me feel a little relieved to discover that they hadn't just forgotten that whole feature.

[Dinkis]

You'll notice it doesn't vibrate anymore too when the batt are guna die

[jimjam3442]

good news for xbox people, im still waiting for a fix for ps4 share not working correctly and the fact it doesnt tell you when friends get online.

[Angainor7]

FINALLY...

[dansdooz]

I know right...

[Naga]

Wow. Those updates are some pretty big news. Looks like they really have been listening.

[Bolts-N-Rays1109]

Updating it just in time for when I'll be picking up my XB1. Also, updating the multiplayer stuff before Titanfall launches is a smart move. Hopefully is fixes the issues.

[greenyboi]

Finally i cant believe how broken the party system is , as long as its as easy as it was on x360 ill be happy . Just in time for titanfall as well good news

[vikingland1]

I want control of my HDD. So this update will make me happy.

[Nocando]

I do hope the voice commands become more fluid, because my wife is badgering me to disconnect the XB1 from our cable box. I am the biggest Xbox nerd, but where there is fault, there is fault. I am glad that I can manage HDD space and see my battery life, but jeez come on MS, it should have been in there to begin with. And what about this "turn on party chat" crap? Why should I have to think to do that every time?

And more importantly, fix this resolutiongate nonsense, if it is indeed fixable. If I am being honest with myself, it does bother the hell out of me when I am dropping over $60 a pop for an inferior multiplat. I am bitching not because I hate the XB1, but because I am a fan, and everyone else should do the same.

[Minato-Namikaze]

Ps4 has aadvantage. No way they can close the gap for resolution gate.

[Nocando]

Well no shit sherlock, thats not what I was implying, I simply want my system of choice to improve. By that logic the PC has a huge advantage, but congrats for taking a nice fanboy dump on the conversation.

[dantesparda]

You're the one who just took a "fanboy dump" on it, reacting like that.

[cozomel]

@nocando

nice, little fanboy lash out there buddy

[4Sh0w]

They don't need to "fix" resolution gate but I see his point. They just need to make sure X1 multiplats don't get lazy ports since last gen ports should perform better given how much more pwerful X1 hardware is even if it's not as powerful as ps4 should be capable of running multi at 1080p so those devs need more time and support to do better work porting old games. It doesn't have to match ps4 in power to do that. He responded accordingly to his fanboy comment, like he said if all you care for is the very best graphics then you should just get a pc.

[MRMagoo123]

@4show

"like he said if all you care for is the very best graphics then you should just get a pc"

anyone using this excuse is just kidding themselves. You can use that reason for anything even against the xbone e.g

if all you care about is multimedia then get a pc

if all you care about is Shooters then get a pc

if all you care about is party chat get a pc

if all you care about is the best online experience then get a pc.

PC in general will be better for anything that either of the consoles can do so the get a pc excuse is just weaksauce.

[beerzombie]

You don't know what they can do. your not a developer or computer software engineer. Everything said is based on haters and developers making games on Ps4 which is a lot easier to develop for. MS built a balance machine that I think will surprise people in the future.

[mhunterjr]

I don't think 'resolutiongate' can be fixed... even when xb1 games match ps4 in terms of resolution and framerate, there will be other graphical differences that folks will make a big deal about.

[Hicken]

So you want them to fix something you know they can't fix, and then lash it at somebody else for making that plainly known?

Whatever.

Glad the system is improving, though I daresay the title is a little redundant, as I've never heard of a console getting worse over time.

[mewhy32]

will this update increase the resolution and frame rates?

[Hicken]

lmao, so you leave an angry comment, then block me? Sure, let's be childish.

"Who the f*** was talking to you? It certainly wasn't me, but I guess you couldn't help yourself. The other a**wipe that brought up the Ps4 was just beating that dead horse, we all know the Ps4 absolutely dwarfs the Xb1 in specs, no need to belabor the subject."

Anyway... I'm sorry. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings, but I was unaware that someone had to be talking to you first in order for you to reply to their comment. Pretty sure there's nothing in the site's rules about that. Is it something you made up on your own?

And if you know the PS4 is better- not that it necessarily "dwarfs" the XB1 but there IS a significant difference in power- then why would YOU bring up "resolution-gate" yourself? That's obviously a reference to the PS4, if not a direct mention of it, so anything anyone else says that contains reference to the PS4 is YOUR fault, because you brought it up. What Minato says is that resolution-gate CAN'T be fixed, because it's an advantage built into the hardware.

Next time, try not to make such ridiculous comments.

[Bdub2000]

I am very excited for this much needed update. I can't wait to find out what the other unrevealed updates are!

[pompombrum]

"The ability to see and manage your storage space"

"The battery power indicator is back"

Wait, the Xbox One didn't even ship with such basic features as these? I hate to sound like a troll but I wouldn't call it "keeps getting better" rather "finally playing catch up" by the sounds of it.

I'm 90% likely to buy one at the end of March or early April, is there any other glaringly major omissions which an Xbox 360 owner would come to expect the console to include?

[lastofgen]

I think those are the two main gripes, imo.
I suppose having notifications as to when your friends log in would be another, but other than that, I don't know anything else that's major.

[Wikkid666]

Lots of little things missing. Nothing that you can't live with out. All of them will be coming in updates soon.

[BattleTorn]

Disregard the disagrees, because youre right.

These are Xbox 360 features that were left out, by gargantuous oversight.

[Alsybub]

@BattleTorn

Or having to scrap everything and starting from the beginning late in development may have had something to do with it.

It's a pain but it will get there.

[BattleTorn]

@Alsybub

What are you talking about?

What, because MS had to reverse DRM they had to 'start from scratch'?
And it was such a re-work that the battery indicator had to be completely re-done????

[Wikkid666]

@Battle Torn

What he's saying is..

When there is a deadline and suddenly you have to rework a main component of the OS, the little things get pushed to the side.

[gamer2013]

The X1 was obviously rushed out to keep pace with the PS4. Give it time.

[asmith2306]

Yeah tell me about it, such exciting updates...

[beerzombie]

That's because they were going in one direction and the internet exploded with a shit storm of jerk offs that hated everything they were doing. (Sony is doing the same thing with their NOW)
They are in the process of changing a lot of software because the X1 is supposed to be connected 24/7 and its not now.
I believe this set them behind with all of their drivers because the people working on them had to switch to getting the X1 ready for launch. I could be wrong but doubt it.

[namEuser]

Nice to hear, good news!!! 😊

[wicked]

When can we have a Sky app, and iPlayer on the XBOne

[deepio]

No plans for Sky Go at the moment, only "Now TV" which is coming in the Summer. Why? Only Sky knows!

[infectedaztec]

I love the 360 sky app. It means I dont have to pay for skysports, just use someone elses subscription. I guess sky have copped onto this?

[deepio]

Possibly, but it doesn't stop you doing it on a laptop or an ipad and connecting that to a TV. So I'm not sure if that is the reason for the delay. They'll bring it out eventually but I guess they're not bothered with the install base at the moment.

[MajorMayhem70]

Bring on the 3D Bluray movie playback update. This goes for the PS 4 too.

[RiPPn]

Interesting to see the excitement for features that should have been there day one. lol Personally nothing exciting for me, but everything functional and necessary, so way to go Microsoft, I think.

[Bolts-N-Rays1109]

It's exciting to know that they are listening to the feedback and are going to address the problems.

[BattleTorn]

Well said. I haven't been disagreeing with any of the positive comments, but I was tempted to.

I don't like how they're turning features that should've been there at launch, seeing as they're merely stuff from the Xbox 360 that they didn't initially include, into a joyous achievement by the Xbox team.

I'm glad their working on updates, now they can work on bringing us truly new features, I hope

[Grown Folks Talk]

A lot of the stuff probably would have been there at launch had they released the console as they originally intended to. Catering to the whining from people about things that wouldn't even impact the majority caused things to be delayed.

As usual, Microsoft is in a no win situation. Add stuff folk have been calling for, "Should have already been there." Don't add stuff, "They don't listen."

[UnHoly_One]

I believe you hit the nail on the head, there.

They had to spend so much extra time accounting for all the changes that they had to leave other things out completely or unfinished as a result.

[gamer2013]

You know where it's coming from so don't stress.

[RiPPn]

Oh poor Microsoft, such the victims of the mean bully interwebs. Man could you be any more of an apologist? They brought this all upon themselves and all ridicule is more than rightly deserved and will be until their next console when they prove they won't try to pull that crap again. Anyone who believes the policies where there for the consumer needs to take the blinders off, foolish fanboys.

Had they not made the changes they would be out of the console business, as a fan of the Xbox you should be glad for the uproar. I know I personally wouldn't have owned one, but thanks to the changes I do, and I'm in the majority in this thinking.

[beerzombie]

Thats what happened.

[GUTZnPAPERCUTZ]

KEYBOARD SUPPORT! :D

[user9597082]

All this sounds like great news. Can't wait to hear the things that they didn't announce in this article too.

[DiRtY]

Some of the improvements are really needed. Nice to see Microsoft delivering fast.

[Gamer666]

Excellent.

I will dub this and the March update, the "360 Updates".

Essentially, to put the XO OS on par with the functionality with the 360 OS.

I know a lot of people thin MS could've did better for launch but given the changes they made based on the negative gamer feedback they had a lot to do. Hopefully, they will continue giving us what we deem as priorities and keep improving the OS well past what it was on 360.

Next up, I want external storage!

[RosweeSon]

Always good news to see any console get updates and progress but you've not even been able to manage storage on their up until now? Wow.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

The update list seems like its addressing a lot of check list items many have brought up. I am very curious as to the split of update and of course what are the items getting updated that are not listed.

[christocolus]

Nice...

[IRNMUNKEY]

Great been waiting for updates. Good to hear also some updates for developers as well.

[josephayal]

The Xbox One is a beast of a machine

[daedra]

Woooot

[Mikefizzled]

Still waiting for a delete all on Peggle 2 replays. I like the feature of Xbox PVR but Peggle is recording every other damn shot.

[imt558]

Finaly :

The ability to see and manage your storage space. With this update, you will find it easy to find how much space your content takes up and better manage your content.

[maniacmayhem]

•And, you will be able to use your USB keyboard with your Xbox One."

Interesting, I wonder if MMO's will be able to support the keyboard.

[JDabney24]

Well, even though I own just a ps4 for the next gen consoles and am very happy with my purchase, we can all agree that compared to last gen(ps3 and Xbox 360) both Sony and Microsoft shipped consoles with, in my mind, a lot of missing features that are already present in last gen consoles. In most cases it seems like a few steps backwards as far as an "upgrade". I plan on getting an Xbox one sometime, but I'll wait to see what's down the pike as far as features and games later. Glad to see that some features are getting "added back".

[jacksjus]

I'm sorry hooking a USB keyboard just sounds backwards to me. How about updating the Kinect to allow for dragon dictation?

[Cherchez La Ghost]

I just want to play Mp3's for custom tracks again.

[rafaman]

About time!

[Bdub2000]

I agree with a lot of comments that these updates should have easily been available day one, but there are a lot of other updates to be excited about as well. I think we are also very happy that Microsoft literally heard gamers voices on the biggest complaints and took action to remedy. It helps me look forward to the next few years with my x1.

[DoubleM70]

The new Graphic Driver is coming soon also. The one thing Microsoft do best is Software.

[urwifeminder]

Loving the Forza updates I can now save those online race replays sweet joy.

[bornsinner]

no offense but these small things like a battery indicator & faster dash should have already been implemented, the 360 dash was simply the best for online multitasking, ps4 is pretty much just as good if not better, if xbone manage to make it simular to their old one then it could be the best UI

[JoseV76]

Can't wait to get xbox1, I go to my nephews house and play on it with him and I have to say, prefer it over my ps4.

[cruzngta]

I am assuming this is the update that will reallocate 8% of the GPU's power back to the developers for increased graphical performance? The 2% left will be for the kinect - I guess that is why they are working on the software to make the kinect work in a more refined state while also being more responsive. Must be a MAJOR software patch deep down if this is true. Interesting. Either way if this is the 8% increase that is a nice shot in the arm to overall performance. Anything helps. Wonder if they will outline all the details about this after the update to clarify it all.