The Xbox app will now be capable of streaming games from your Xbox One to a Windows 10 device in 1080p/60fps.
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The Windows 10 Xbox App acts very similar to smartglass, giving you access to your games, friends, achievements, activity feed, and more.
The update also now lets you toggle notifications for when you are invited to a party or a multiplayer game.
Microsoft has already confirmed that the Windows 10 powered software experience for Xbox One is going to be released this fall and this could open up a world of new possibilities for third party game developers.
Considering most people will want to play their streamed games at the highest quality possible, it seems odd that Microsoft didn’t do this in the first place, but it is at least now available for those that didn’t want to mess with files to achieve the same goal. You will know you have received the update when your version number is 8.8.6000.00000 or higher.
A lot of PC players have long argued that the cost of video games on the platform, especially when they are offered via digital distribution, should be lower than on home consoles, and this is one area where Microsoft could make some interesting moves.
There’s no question that Sony’s PlayStation 4 is walking away from the Xbox One in the console sales race this generation.
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An upgrade to My Games also provides a grid view of your games, which is sorted alphabetically. The Xbox app now has the ability to right-click another player from a user’s friends list. “The display will then switch to show a second tile with your last played date, Gamerscore and Achievements percentage complete”. Windows will update your apps automatically by default, but if you’re still waiting for the update, you can force a check by launching the Windows 10 Store, clicking your account picture at the top of the screen, and selecting Downloads. The difference is that storms will come, and can often put out the fires that you might need for survival. This is serious incentive to pick an Xbox One over the competition this holiday season, given that exclusives like Forza Motorsport 6, Halo 5: Guardians, and Rise of the Tomb Raider are due to release between September and November, with more games coming next year.
