Microsoft has done an outstanding job of continually improving the Xbox One’s software since the console’s launch last November. As much as I’ve enjoyed a few of the updates, particularly the one in March that delivered the Twitch App, this month’s update is undoubtedly the best of the bunch. Titled the Xbox One October Update, it’s not just the best Xbox One update yet, it’s one of the best I’ve ever experienced on any console.
At this point, I would consider the Xbox One to be at a place where it now feels refined, and confident in its feature set. Sure, it’s taken 11 months, but the road here has shown a stark contrast between potential to potential realized.
Also See: Can the Xbox One Ever Overtake the PS4?
There are a few reasons I consider the October Update to be one of the best in console history. Check out the gallery below to find out why.
Xbox One October Update: One Of the Best Console Updates Ever
-
Snap: At the Snap of Your Fingers
Since the Xbox One's launch, the Snap feature has been a great idea that's been held back by its clunky interface. Thankfully, those days of are long gone.
Using Snap is now as easy as double-tapping on the Xbox button, which brings up a quick menu hotkeyed to the d-pad. From here, it's extremely simple to snap an application such as Twitch, or even begin recording footage of the current game. I've found that the speed of using snap has increased noticeably in addition to interfacing with it being easier. In the past, I've only really used Snap to watch Twitch (especially StarCraft 2 and League of Legends tournaments) while playing games, but I can see myself using it much more now that it's not a pain to use. Given it's arguably the most important feature of the Xbox One, that's a big deal.
-
Popular Games: What is Everyone Playing?
The new Friends Section on the home menu of Xbox One includes a 'Popular with Friends' section, which shows what people on my Friends List have been playing the most during the past few days. I'm well-read on what games are coming out, so I have a general idea of what's going to be popular. However, it shows the names of who is playing each, making it easier to track who has which game. It's a lot easier to pool together friends to play online in a game like Forza Horizon 2 as a result.
-
Gamerscore Leaderboard: I Challenge You
I've always found leaderboards to be addictive. In Diablo 3 I enjoy competing for high scores with others on my friends list, and that same experience has now come to the Xbox One.
The Gamerscore Leaderboard is based on the local Friends List, and applies to the last 30 days of achievements. So, if nothing else my addiction to video games can translate into myself placing high on leaderboards, indicating to others that I'm serious business. I completely expect to have some friendly competition with others, especially with Halo: The Master Chief Collection bringing 4,000 Gamerscore along with it in just a couple months.
-
DLNA & MKV: Now Supported
DLNA streaming is now supported on Xbox One. This means that it's now possible to access and stream music, movies, and other content from a home media server.
Also, there's now an option to playback MKV files from a USB device, making it easier to use the Xbox One for general entertainment solutions.
I used DLNA frequently on my PS3, and find it a very useful feature. And really, given that the Xbox One is marketed as an all-in-one entertainment center, these are necessary additions.
-
Achievements App: Perfect for Achievement Hunters
I've always been a bit of an achievement hunter, and the October Update has added a few noteworthy features to the Achievements app.
For one, it's now possible to share an achievement to players on the Friends List with a caption of my choosing, highlighting anything I would consider to be an accomplishment. These shared achievements can then show up in the Activity Feed of other players, or be sent as a message to one or more friend(s). They can then favorite or even comment on the shared achievement.
Additionally, the app now shows any users on my Friends List who have earned the achievement before, along with a time stamp of when it was earned.
These two additions make achievement hunting a more social experience, which is always welcomed by social gamers like myself.
