Xbox app on Windows 10 updated, ‘Xbox Beta’ with preview features coming soon

Microsoft rolls out a few new features for its Xbox app on Windows 10 and announces that Xbox Beta app will arrive later in September.

Xbox app on Windows 10

Microsoft has been pretty busy since the release of Windows 10 and servicing its products with new features, improvements, and fixes. Recently the company began rolling out the first preview of the new Xbox One experience based on Windows 10 to a small group of users. And today, the September update for the Xbox app is arriving with a number of changes and improvements, plus Microsoft is also announcing a beta version of the Xbox app that will be rolling out later this month with preview changes.

In September, the software giant is pushing a few interesting features to the popular gaming app on Windows 10, new improvements include:

  • Real-time Friends list presence: Your Friends list will automatically refresh with your friends’ on/offline status and the apps and games in which they’re currently engaged – including whether the game they’re playing can be joined via multiplayer or party.
  • Real-time Activity Feed updates: No need to hit refresh to see new Activity Feed items; keep the Xbox app open and your Activity Feed will let you know when there are new items to view, comment on, like, or re-share.
  • Game progress comparison: Discover how you stack up against your friends on specific game progress by visiting the Achievements section of your profile and selecting ‘Compare.’ You’ll enjoy a side-by-side comparison of your selected friends’ progress on games you’ve recently played, including game completion percentage, Gamerscore and Achievements earned.
  • Console text entry: Microsoft is also bringing one of the most requested features from Xbox Feedback to the Xbox app on Windows 10 – the ability to use the Xbox app for text input on Xbox One. You will now be able to use the Xbox app and other inputs compatible with Windows devices – keyboards, touch keypads, and the like – to enter text in search boxes and more on Xbox One.

Alongside the new update, the company also announces that has embraced the Xbox One Preview Program and it’s expanding the program to the Xbox app.

“Later this month” Microsoft will be making available the “Xbox Beta” app through the Windows Store, which will let users test the new features before they roll out to everyone and users will have the chance to offer feedback that will help the company to shape the gaming application even further.

If you’re interested on testing the new features coming to the app, once released, you’ll need to download the Xbox Beta app from the Windows Store to enroll.

Source Major Nelson

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.