Although Xbox One is significantly more powerful than Xbox 360, the console uses almost the same amount of power. However, this did not stop environmentalists to criticize the “instant-on” feature in Xbox One, saying that it’s a “poorly designed feature” that waste a lot of power — you can read the report here.
Microsoft responded to the criticism that the instant-on feature solves the issue of system updates that interrupted gaming and entertainment experiences, and that frustrated users. It helps to automatically download games and content users purchase through Xbox.com or SmartGlass, and the instant-on feature brings an entire new way users can control Xbox One by using voice command.
However, the company reveals that while Instant-on is a great feature, owners should also have a choice of an “Energy-saving” mode to reduce the household power consumption. According to the software giant, the lower power state mode in Xbox One helps customers to save an average of $6 to $15 in energy cost per year (on average U.S. customers can expect to spend about $6.50 to $15.50 per year for “Instant-on” and about $0.26 to $0.62 per year for “Energy-saving” mode). Nevertheless, the company warns that the new “Energy-saving” mode will remove the background update feature.
Xbox One consoles already offer two power options that partially addresses this issue, but Microsoft will be updating its software with a new screen (which you can see in the image above) to make the power options clearer and easier to access.
In the coming months, the company promises that new Xbox One owners worldwide will be prompted to choose from the “Instant-on” or “Energy-saving” modes during the initial setup process. Current Xbox One owners can change the power consumption configuration in Settings under Power & start up.
Along with the new screen that will allow users to configure the new Energy-saving mode, Microsoft says that will continue the efforts to keep reducing the Xbox One power usage as it did with Xbox 360. According to the company, since the console launched, the company itself has reduced the power consumed and Instant-on by a third.
Source Microsoft
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. Email him at [email protected].