Microsoft steps up its gradual update of the Xbox One, giving it a much faster Dashboard.
The past months showed Microsoft slowly upgrading the console, due to problems with its controller being slow and outdated. Good thing it was launched with Kinect and voice controls, otherwise playing it would have been a complete nightmare.
The latest update, released Oct. 16, makes it more effortless to use the controller. Moreover, Microsoft has rearranged the Dashboard so that players can easily switch between the different sections. The updated guide shows sign-in, home, messages, achievements, parties, friends, broadcasts and a new action center. These are now ordered horizontally and can be accessed through the Xbox controller bumpers or left thumbstick and d-pad.
The new update forces players to go through several drop-down menus to do things, but at least the controllers are faster so it would not be such a pain. And with the new home interface, players can pin their favorites on the home section, alongside games and apps. A new light theme also prevents screen ghosting and notifies players when the Xbox is idle.
Most of these updates are in preparation for the upcoming Xbox One X console. The new dashboard allows an easy transfer of games to external drives, home network or another console. So that they would be ready when the Xbox One X arrives on Nov. 7.
The new Xbox One dashboard is now available for all Xbox One and Xbox One S users, with "more great features" coming soon.
Meanwhile, new deals are up for Xbox One users this week. "Fallout 4" is available for only $20.09, "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition" for $20, and "Ghost Recon: Wildlands" for $30. Gold subscribers can also purchase "NBA Live 18: The One Edition" at a discounted price of $30 and "Madden 18" at $40.19.
The complete list of discounted games can be found on Major Nelson's blog.
This week's Xbox One sale will be available until Tuesday, Oct. 24, 6 a.m. EDT.
