Microsoft has already announced a massive overhaul coming with the Xbox One Fall Creators Update (version 1710), including Fluent Design elements, completely redesigned dashboard, new guide, and updates to Avatars, Profiles, and Game Hubs.
However, those are just some of the changes we’re expecting, Microsoft has been releasing a number of test versions of the Xbox One upcoming update, which reveal several smaller, but interesting, features and changes coming to the console.
Here are five additional improvements that you probably didn’t know are coming with Xbox One version 1710.
1. Light theme
Starting with update, Xbox One introduces a new “Light theme” that you’ll be able to use in addition to the original “Dark theme”.
The new theme using light gray and white colors is inspired by the same theme included in the Xbox app for Windows 10.
Once the update arrives on your console, you can switch from the default dark theme going to Settings > Personalization > System personalization > System theme, and selecting Light.
2. Game DVR
Game DVR is a very well-known feature on Xbox One that allows you to capture gameplay and share it with the world. However, up until now, the feature was limited to a resolution of 720p at only 30fps (frames per second).
Starting with the Xbox One Fall Creators Update, consoles will be able to capture gameplay using Game DVR with 1080p resolution. While, Xbox One X owners will be able to record gameplay in 4K resolution at 60fps and on HDR (High Dynamic Range) as the console has far more powerful hardware than the Xbox One S.
The resolution increase for both consoles is possible to a new change that allows Game DVR to save video and audio directly to an external hard drive.
3. Expanded Resources
The Fall Creators Update for Xbox One is also introducing a new feature called “Expanded Resources” specifically for developers.
Using Expanded Resources allows developers to access to six exclusive cores, 5GB of memory, and complete access to graphics processor, which as a result will improve performance of games and apps on Xbox One.
In the past, apps and games were able run alongside each other, but on an environment restricted to 1GB of memory for an app or game running in the background, two to four shared cores, and only access to 45 percent of graphics processor.
4. Small download size
In order to speed up downloads and reduce space consumed by games, Xbox One is also introducing “Intelligent Delivery” with the Fall Creators Update.
Intelligent Delivery is a feature that will ensure that games only download the parts that are necessary to run the game instead of downloading the full game.
For example, using the new delivery optimization mechanism, games will automatically select the languages necessary to play the title, instead of including other languages which increases the download size. In addition, the feature will be able to detect and request only the assets supported in your environment. This means that 4K resolution assents will only download when they’re required to significantly reduce the download size.
If you’re upgrading from an Xbox One S to an Xbox One X, and you move the external hard drive to the X, then Intelligent Delivery will replace the assets with assets supported by your console.
5. Arabic language support
Another interesting improvement coming to Xbox is support for Arabic language on the console. If you happen to speak that language, you’ll now be able to go to the language settings and switch to Arabic.
Other improvements
Alongside these new features, Xbox One is also expected to include a few smaller improvements, including the ability to filter 4K and HDR games in the My Games & Apps section. In addition, Mixer will now support 1080p broadcast resolution.
If you like to play games with keyboard and mouse on your PC, while it’s still not available, Microsoft Xbox Platform’s Corporate Vice President, Mike Ybarra, has recently confirmed that keyboard and mouse support for Xbox One is in the works.
What’s the feature that you’re most excited about coming to Xbox One? Tell us in the comments.
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 15 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 21 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. Email him at [email protected].