The August update for Microsoft's Xbox One will bring in tweaks to the system's social features. The new update will enable remote buying and download of games.
The new update was detailed in the official blog of Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb, director of programming, Xbox Live. This update has also included the feedback from the Xbox Feedback channel. Users who are part of the early access program will be receiving the new features in the coming weeks.
Below are the complete notes of the August update (Major Nelson blog):
- Activity Feed Updates: We're adding new ways for you to interact with friends in the activity feed. The interface will change to a single column scrolling list that is longer and includes more content. We'll add the ability to post text to your feed, and to "like" and comment on feed items. You can share game clips and anything else in the feed with friends either publically (to your activity feed) or privately (as an attachment to a message). You'll also be notified when anyone likes, comments on or shares your items. Each user will get a personal feed on their profile, so you can see what specific friends have been up to. And, with SmartGlass, you can see what your friends have shared to their activity feed and "like" specific posts (additional activity feed support coming in future SmartGlass updates).
- Expanded Friends Area on Home: Right from Home, see what's going on with your friends. Stay up-to-date with their current activity, the top trending games your friends are playing, and a leaderboard to see who has been working the hardest on their Gamerscore. We're doing an extended preview on this, rolling it into the early access preview this month to a subset of our preview audience so we can refine it until it's ready for the entire Xbox One market.
- Mobile Purchase: One of the most requested features on Xbox Feedback. Using Xbox SmartGlass or on Xbox.com, you can remotely purchase games and Add-on content. No more waiting to begin downloading when you get home – if your console is set to automatically take updates, your console will begin downloading your purchase.
- Low Battery Notification: You asked for it, now a notification will pop up when your controller battery is getting low.
- Disable Notifications During Video: Adding the ability to turn off notifications based feedback we heard from you.
- Enabling 3D Blu-ray: An update to the Blu-ray player app will enable 3D Blu-ray functionality on Xbox One.
- OneGuide in Brazil, Mexico, Austria and Ireland: Live TV listings can be configured for four new countries as part of this month's Preview program. And now there is an OneGuide Issue Reporter available under the TV & OneGuide settings, Troubleshooting section.
- Last Seen Time in Friends List: Direct from Xbox Feedback, the friends list will now show how long it's been since a friend has been online. For example, "Last seen 20m ago: Forza Motorsport 5."
Sales Increase Following Price Drop but Unable to Overtake PlayStation 4
Microsoft has said that drop in the price of Xbox One from $499 to $399 in June has helped it in improving the sales. It said that Xbox One sales have doubled since it brought in the price cuts.
"Since the new Xbox One offering launched on June 9th, we've seen sales of Xbox One more than double in the US, compared to sales in May, and solid growth in Xbox 360 sales," said the company in a post on Xbox Wire. However, no number has been specified and the company based its comparison on the internal data from the units purchased in retail stores.
However, PlayStation 4 has claimed that it has topped the sale of consoles in the U.S. for the sixth month since the release of the next-generation consoles, outselling Xbox One. In a tweet, the company said, "PS4 is #1 top-selling US next-gen console in June, 6th month in a row. Thanks for your support!"
