Microsoft turns Xbox One into a Slingbox to stream TV around the house in coming update

Xbox One console angle view with black background 780_wide

Microsoft made its presence at Gamescom 2014 today and announced a few meaningful features coming to the Xbox One TV experience. In the next update Xbox One owners will be able to watch TV on Windows, Android, or iOS phone or tablet using the SmartGlass app, pretty similar to what you can do with a Slingbox, though users will only be able to stream TV on a local network and not around the world via internet.

The new TV streaming functionality, at first, will be only available in markets where the new digital TV tuner will be introduced. Users will be able to play, pause, rewind, and even change channel “without interrupting gameplay”. Though U.S. Xbox One owners will have to wait a bit longer.

On the TV experience for Xbox One, Microsoft is also announcing that users will be able to boot straight to TV when waking up from connected standby, a new live TV mini guide will appear at the bottom of the screen with content details about what are you currently watching. In the same mini guide, users can change channels and see what’s playing in other channels as well.

The next update for Xbox One will also add a new media player that supports video and audio content from USB and DLNA enabled devices.

Source Microsoft

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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.