Xbox One Creators Update preview releases with new features

The first Xbox One Creators Update test preview releases with updated Home, Guide, Cortana, multitasking, audio, system update, and a feature called Co-Pilot.

Microsoft begins the rollout of the first wave of features for Xbox One owners in the Xbox Insider Program. In the new test preview for the game console, the company is unveiling a number of new features users will get as part of the Xbox One Creators Update in Spring 2017.

According to the software giant the new update is about performance, users, competition, streaming, and just getting things done a lot faster. In this first test preview of the Creators Update for Xbox One, you’ll get an updated Home dashboard and a redesigned Guide. There are new improvements for accessibility, Cortana, system update, and the Blu-ray play now support bitstream paththrough.

What’s new on this Xbox One Creators Update preview

Home

On Xbox One build 10.0.15009.1012, the Home for Xbox One is getting a number of interface tweaks. The new version of the dashboard simplifies the number of steps to get certain tasks done and increases the overall performance.

Microsoft accomplishes this by making navigation faster and surfacing the most important content for quicker access.

For example, you’ll notice the main tile for the game you’re playing has changed. In this update, you’ll see a smaller icon for the game and a few options to dive deeper into the Game Hub, interact with your Club or LFG for that game, view your Achievements, and more. The updated Home also features a hero art in the background when you’re not using a custom background.

Update Home on Xbox One
Update Home on Xbox One

Guide

The Guide on this update has been updated that opens faster than ever before by just pressing the Xbox button on your controller from anywhere.

Inside the new Guide, the company added new features and options, including a new start page designed to get you to the content most important to you, such as games and apps, Home, Store, and your tops pins.

There is even a quicker access media playback when you’re playing background music.

Update Guide on Xbox One
Update Guide on Xbox One

Multitasking

In addition to the Guide improvements, Microsoft is also introducing new way to multitask. In addition to quick access to music, the update will add screenshots and GameDVR only one button press away. Once in the Guide, you can press X or Y on your controller to record gameplay.

There is a new achievement tracker that you can use to track your achievements while playing games.

You’ll also be able to start broadcasting using Beam from the Guide, but it’s something that will come in a later release.

Achievements on Xbox One
Achievements on Xbox One

Cortana

This flight includes a number of Cortana improvements. For example, you can now set reminders and alarms, and there is new Cortana interface. In future updates will add performance and reliability improvements.

Update Cortana on Xbox One
Update Cortana on Xbox One

System Update

The Creators Update for Xbox One will make clearer when a system update is available to install. In addition, the updating experience is getting resigned so that steps are easy to understand.

Furthermore, Xbox One now will let users keep their console, games, and apps up to date independent of which power mode they have chosen.

Updated System Update on Xbox One
Updated System Update on Xbox One

Audio

Xbox One now allows developers to add Dolby Atmos for Home Theater, Dolby Atmos for Headphones, and Windows HRTF support to your streaming media application or game for a more immersive audio experience.

Additionally, the Blu-ray disc player now supports bitstream passthrough (beta), which allows your receiver to decode audio natively. All bitstream formats are supported, including newer ones like Dolby Atmos.

Ease of Access

The Creators Update for Xbox One as well as for Windows 10 is focus on make software more accessible for everyone. In this new test preview, you’ll find a new feature called Co-Pilot that allows two controllers to work as one. This will come in handy to offer assistance to other users, and it’ll make it easier for players who need unique configurations to play.

On the release, there is a new Magnifier and Narrator, as well as giving more options over audio output and custom rumble settings on a controller

How to get the new Xbox One Creators Update

According to the company, this is just the beginning, in the coming weeks and months there will be more updates with new features and improvements.

Xbox One release version rs_xbox_dev_flight.170118-1900 is available for select participants of the Xbox Preview Program, but not everyone is going to at the same time, Microsoft explains that it’ll take weeks to reach everyone in the program.

You can also check all the Creators Update features coming to Windows 10 in this guide.

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.