Xbox One is getting a major overhaul courtesy of an upcoming dashboard update.
In a new post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft has showcased a streamlined new Xbox One dashboard.
Microsoft claims it will make it quicker and easier for users to jump between Xbox Game Pass, Mixer and the Xbox Store, while also prioritising recently played games.
It’s a much better look for the Xbox One dashboard, which is clumsy to navigate and far too cluttered.
But it could end up being even better news for Xbox Scarlett and its battle with the PS5.
Launching so close to the release of Xbox Scarlett, the new and improved dashboard will almost certainly benefit the next-gen console more than the current.
A well designed dashboard isn’t likely to make a difference to fans looking to invest in a new console, but it certainly makes the Xbox Scarlett a more attractive prospect to potential customers.
It’s also another sign that Microsoft is getting its act together following the disastrous launch of the Xbox One.
The Xbox One dashboard update will be rolled out to select Insider members this week, before launching in full later this week.
Microsoft explains more: “The Home on Xbox One is the first thing you see when you turn on your Xbox One, and we want to deliver an easy and seamless experience for you to navigate your console.
“We’ve heard your feedback and have continued to iterate on Home to get you into your gaming experiences faster and keeping more of your content front and center.
“With today’s update, we’re experimenting with a streamlined user interface.
“With this new experimental Home design, the first thing you’ll notice is we’ve removed the Twists from the top of Home in favor of separate buttons that launch your gaming experiences.
“The goal is to let you jump into Xbox Game Pass, Mixer, Xbox Community and Microsoft Store quicker than ever. We’ve also shifted things around to make more room for your recently played titles.
Microsoft also warns that the dashboard layout could change based on feedback.
The company is also making changes to voice commands on Xbox One, although not necessarily for the better.
According to Microsoft, the platform holder is moving away from an on-console experience in favour of a cloud-based assistant.
“This means you can no longer talk to Cortana via your headset,” Microsoft explains.
“However, you can use the Xbox Skill for Cortana via the Cortana app on iOS, Android, and Windows or via Harmon Kardon Invoke speaker to power your Xbox One, adjust volume, launch games and apps, capture screenshots, and more —just as you can do with Alexa-enabled devices today.”