Xbox (beta) app update adds Facebook friends, voice recording for Game DVR, Xbox Store integration

Beta version of Xbox app updated with Facebook friends, voice recording for Game DVR clips on your PC, and the Xbox Store is now integrate into the app.

Facebook friends on Xbox Live

Microsoft has just released a new update for its Xbox (beta) app on Windows 10 that includes the ability for users to find Facebook friends on Xbox Live, brings the Xbox Store to the app, and it will let you add voice recording for your Game DVR clips on your PC.

Lately, the software maker has been introducing various preview programs, such as for Windows 10, Xbox 360, and Xbox One, and recently we also got a preview program to test upcoming changes to the Xbox app on Windows 10 as a separate app.

In the latest update released on October 23rd, users will now be able to friend more Xbox Live friends through Facebook by connecting their Xbox Live account with social network. The option will appear in top-right corner of the app, and after you linked your account, you will start seeing suggestions for friends from Facebook in the Suggested Friends area.

Secondly, Microsoft is now also enabling voice recording for your Game DVR clips on your PC. The feature is now ready for testing, but you’ll need to be running the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview and the Xbox (beta) app.

This means that you now can simply to connect your headset to your PC, then to turn microphone recording on or off for a gaming session by pressing Windows + Alt + M. Want to turn microphone recording on for all gaming sessions? Go to Game bar > Settings > Audio or Xbox beta app > Settings > Game DVR > Audio. And if you like personalizing your Game DVR hotkeys and want to customize the microphone recording hotkey, do it here: Game bar > Settings > Shortcuts or Xbox beta app > Settings > Game DVR > Keyboard shortcuts.

Once you’re done recording your clip you can share it with commentary to your friends on Xbox Live through the Xbox app, social network, or through an option in your PC.

The company is also adding improvements to make it easier for users to find games and redeem codes. Now, clicking the Store link will open the new Xbox Store interface inside the app, instead of opening the Windows Store app, where you can search and find games for Windows 10 and Xbox One.

Users will be able to easily find sales, Deals with Gold, and more importantly your free Games with Gold games of the month. In the same way you can do on Xbox One, users can now redeem codes straight from the app. Just click the “Redeem a code” next to the search box, enter your 25-digit code, and click “Confirm”.

The new interface also displays a persistent search box to help you always be ready to find the games you want to play. If you already own the game, you will then see the “play on console” button to start the game on the console or over a streaming session.

The update is available immediately through the Windows Store. The app should update automatically, but you can always go to the Store > Downloads and updates > Check for updates. If you don’t have the beta version of the app, you can always get it from the Store too.

What do you think about the new changes coming to the app? Let us know in the comments below.

Source Xbox News

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.