Microsoft enabled external storage devices last month, but now meet double-tap.
Before the final day of E3 2014 concludes later this evening, Major Nelson of Xbox revealed the first details for upcoming July console update. In comparison to the massive overhaul of changes we received a few weeks ago for June update featuring organized content tabs, External storage, and real names (good times) among others, July sees a minor updated filled with some key additions gamers will soon fall in love with.
One of the most annoying features currently on the Xbox One has been fetching online achievements during live gaming or competitive multiplayer sessions. July will finally see the addition of snap mode for achievements, making things more convenient to see what you’ve unlocked at the time of playing. Another unique feature is also double-tap your controller to bring up Snap Center. Achievements, snap-able apps and switching games between any other snaps you have up is making the Xbox One more user friendly than the launch console we had to endure with for months. After the jump, you can get a brief preview of July’s update, then look for its release early next month.
OS REWIND: Microsoft “Xbox One E3 2014” Recap
OS REWIND: Xbox One Controllers Now Compatible With Windows
OS REWIND: Microsoft Reveals 46 New Apps Coming to Xbox One in 2014
- Snap Mode for Achievements. As we showed at our E3 Green Carpet event before the show, we’re offering an easier way to track and view your achievements in the moment. With Achievement Snap, you can track your achievement progress in real time without ever leaving the game. You can also ‘Get Help’ on any Achievements you’re struggling with. Xbox will scan the web for you and deliver relevant tips and strategy content right to your TV.
- Double-tap to Snap. Double-tap the button on your controller to bring up Snap Center, where you can launch Achievements or any other snap-able app, without leaving your game. Already have an app snapped? Double-tap quickly switches between your game and the snapped app.
- Choice of Spoken Language. Folks in New Zealand, Ireland and Austria, with this update in July, will be able to select voice control using the English or German voice models from other countries. And if you’re an expat in an English-speaking country, you, too, can choose any of the other English language models that fit you.
- Future Digital Bundles and Compilation Discs. We’re doing some work now so that publishers will have options for great digital bundle and disc compilation offerings in the future. As we test this feature, we’ll be seeing more flexible combinations of game titles and game content.
- ‘Like’ Game DVR clips. We’re adding the ability to ‘Like’ all your favorite Game DVR clips as well as activity feed items in SmartGlass.