Microsoft is preparing the next major system update for its Xbox One and customers will start getting it on March 11th, 2014. But the company isn’t just patching the system, users will receive new functionalities, enhancements, and Twitch full integration for the console, just in time for the release of Titanfall.
In this update Xbox One owners will get a revamped Party, now party chats inside parties will start by default with the option to invite friends to chat, play the game, or both. You’ll also notice that Friends list can be accessed a lot quicker — according to the company it will only take one voice command or 2-3 click –, and your favorite friends now will be listed at the top. The Xbox One team is also including a new context menu to the Friends list to allow gamers to send a message, invite to party, or compare games. And the March update will also add search gametag using the Bing feature.
SEE ALSO: Hands-on with Xbox One March update: improved Party and Friends (video)
Twitch
Perhaps one of the most important features coming in March 11th to Xbox One is full integration to Twitch, which adds the ability to live stream games, watch other games broadcasts, use Kinect voice command to make your very own game broadcasts, which then you can watch on any device. Users will also be able to broadcast using the Kinect camera, as it is possible now in PlayStation 4.
Additional features will include: exclusive content for Xbox One, media achievements, upcoming livestream alerts, text chat, and the option to create private parties using voice chat outside the stream.
Twitch was supposed to be included at the Xbox One launch, but according to Microsoft the Twitch app was not ready for what the company had in mind and what that PlaySation 4 features was “too limiting”. Now Twitch CEO Emmett Shear states that the feature will be a “complete integration” into Xbox One.
SEE ALSO: Microsoft Xbox One update preview soon to start rolling out to selected members
In February the console received another update which add some small, but significant tweaks to Xbox One including a new storage management, the ability to control download queues, My Games and My Apps got broken down into two lists, a new battery life indicator was included in dashboard, and more. Now after only one month, Microsoft is yet releasing another update for the game console, which shows the company wants to make Xbox One the best next game console.
On March 11th Microsoft is also planning to release a limited edition Tittanfall Xbox One bundle that will include a standard version of the console, Kinect camera, chat headset, one month of Xbox Live Gold, and a download code for Tittanfall. Although you’ll save the $59.99 because of the free game, for those waiting on an Xbox One price cut in the US, Microsoft said that the company doesn’t have immediate plans to slash prices.
Starting February 28th, consumers in the U.K. will also get a price cut on the console from $429.99 to $399.99, which will also include the code to download Tittanfall. Australia in the other hand will get the bundle for $599.99 (local currency).
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].