Hey look, Xbox One is getting another interface overhaul! It seems like it was less than half a year ago that we got our newest update. That’s because it came out five months ago, in March. This new one isn’t quite the big overhaul that one was, but it still brings some substantial changes to the interface.
The update revolves heavily around customization and speed. The customization lets you pin just about anything to your home page, from games to apps and even friends. The intent is to let you see only what you want to see when you turn on your Xbox. These items, called content blocks, will “evolve over time,” according to Microsoft, pulling in new information related to the items you’ve shown interest in.
There’s a big focus on speed with this update, too. The vertical menu that comes up when you hit the guide menu is now along the top of the screen. The menu itself still pops out from the left side, but the menu tabs are along the top, kind of like a web browser. The tab options and the content in those tabs are mostly the same; you can just navigate them with the left and right shoulder buttons now. The team has also sped up some basic apps like Home, Social, and My Games and Apps, by consolidating them into one experience.
The other kind of half-baked
The other day, I bit into a cookie I’d bought at the grocery store, and got what might as well have been a mouthful of cookie dough. That’s what these Xbox updates are starting to feel like; half-baked and rushed to the shelf.
I’m all for updates and optimizations, but there’s a limit. For a long time, Microsoft was adding functionality to the operating system, and updates like the one that significantly sped up downloads late last year. Now, it feels like the team is just throwing stuff at us to see what sticks without giving it the proper gestation time to fully develop. I’m still getting used to the March update in some ways – partly because Microsoft hasn’t released any first party games in such a long time that I’m barely using my Xbox One.
The update is rolling out to members of Microsoft’s Xbox Insiders Alpha Ring, but it’s likely a ways out for the rest of us. Some of the update is probably optimization for the Xbox One X’s impending release, but c’mon, Microsoft: can we slow down a bit?
Add magic to your living space with these string lights
String lights add personality and soft light to your living space. Here are some of the best.
Disguise your little one with the help of a themed costume
From roaring lions to hoppy bunnies, costumes speak to every child's unique spirit. And we've collected our favorite options.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra's Space Zoom camera is amazing and a bit creepy
The Galaxy S20 Ultra supports up to 100X zoom, which Samsung calls Space Zoom, but is it any good? Can a phone really product usable photos at 100x zoom? We've got our Galaxy S20 Ultra already so join us to find out!
Keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold
Nobody wants lukewarm coffee, or any other beverage for that matter (but especially coffee.) A well-designed insulated thermos will keep your beverage at the desired temperature for hours. Here are some of the best thermoses you can buy.