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Xbox system software

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Xbox One system software
File:Xbox One logo B.png
Xbox One system software
DeveloperMicrosoft
OS familyWindows, Hyper-V, Windows 8-based, Xbox OS[1]
Working stateCurrent
Source modelClosed source
Initial releaseNovember 22, 2013; 10 years ago (2013-11-22)
Latest release6.2.13194.0 (xb_rel_1507.150702-2154) / July 7, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-07-07)[2]
Latest preview6.2.13326.0 (xb_rel_1508.150810-2029) / August 11, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-08-11)
Available in
Languages
  • Dansk, Deutsch (Deutschland), Deutsch (Österreich), Deutsch (Schweiz), English (Australia), English (Canada), English (Czech Republic), English (Greece), English (Hong Kong), English (Hungary), English (India), English (Ireland), English (Israel), English (New Zealand), English (Saudi Arabia), English (Singapore), English (Slovakia), English (South Africa), English (United Arab Emirates), English (United Kingdom), English (United States), Español (Argentina), Español (Chile), Español (Colombia), Español (España), Español (México), Français (Belgique), Français (Canada), Français (France), Français (Suisse), Français, Nederlands (België), Nederlands (Nederland), Norsk bokmål, Polski, Português (Brasil), Português (Portugal), Suomi, Svenska, Türkçe, Русский, 한국어, 中文 (新加坡), 中文 (简体), 中文 (繁體), 中文 (香港), 日本語 [3]
Update methodDirect Download
USB Recovery[4]
PlatformsXbox One
Preceded byXbox 360
Official websiteXbox.com

Xbox One system software, sometimes called Xbox OS is the operating system for the Xbox One.[5] It is a Windows based operating system using Hyper-V virtual machine monitor and contains separate operating systems for games and applications that can run on the console.[1] It is located on the internal HDD for day-to-day usage, while also being duplicated on the internal NAND storage of the console for recovery purposes and factory reset functionality.

Since launch, Microsoft has been updating the OS monthly, with updates downloaded from the Xbox Live service directly to the Xbox One and subsequently installed, or by using offline recovery images downloaded via a PC.[4]

The Xbox One allows users to download applications that add to the functionality of the dashboard. From June 2014 onwards, entertainment apps no longer require the user to be signed into a valid Xbox Live Gold account in order to use the features advertised for the given app.[6]

The current public version of the Xbox One system software is 6.2.13194.0, that was released on July 7, 2015.[2]

The current preview version of the Xbox One system software is 6.2.13326.0, that was released on August 11, 2015.

Planned upgrades

Through its Xbox Feedback website, Microsoft has been soliciting input from consumers on its features and taking requests for future additions to the console.[7] Updates were announced for 2015 which include:[7][8][9][10][11]

  • Ability to stream TV content to a SmartGlass-enabled device
  • Support for OneGuide with Xbox One Digital TV Tuner peripheral
  • Windows 10 universal apps
  • Ability to stream games to compatible Windows 10 devices (currently in the July 2015 preview update)
  • Ability to play cross-platform with PC players
  • Support for Miracast (currently in the May 2015 preview update)
  • Pause and resume game installations if external hard drive is unplugged (currently in the June 2015 preview update)
  • Xbox 360 backwards compatibility (currently in the June 2015 preview update, scheduled for public release holiday 2015)[12]
  • Windows 10 dashboard with integrated Cortana voice support[13]
  • Television DVR[14]

Starting in February 2014, Microsoft invited select users to join a preview program that enables them to receive early builds of upcoming system updates and experiment with the features prior to the public launch of the software.[15]

History of updates

Aside from introducing improvements and fixes for native console apps and software, the monthly updates introduces major features that are voted on or requested by the community. [16] Before a update is released to the public, beta releases are tested for about 3 weeks before going live to check for unwanted bugs and stability. [17] Sometimes, it is possible that owners can have more than one update in a month.

In the first couple of months after the launch in 2013, two updates were released to stabilise the system, and to correct the policies announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2013. After a wave of backlash from gamers and press alike, Microsoft were forced to reverse its policies regarding the always online DRM. This was known as the day one patch and meant that users had to go online at least once to receive this patch. [18] [19]

One of the few notable features that was introduced in the early set of the 2014 updates was the support for USB keyboards. This meant that users could plug in a keyboard into their console, thus eliminating the use of the cumbersome on-screen keyboard. [20] Over a year later, in July 2015, Phil Spencer head of the Xbox team vowed that mouse support would be added sometime in the future as part of cross platform game play between the Windows 10 operating system and the Xbox One console. [21]

More importantly a issue had arisen in the United Kingdom whereby users could nod properly use their consoles, as juddering occurred. This is because in the United States, refresh rates on screens are higher (60Hz) than in Europe. This issue was fixed in the March 2014 Update. [22]

In the June 2014 update, external hard drive support was added along with the ability for users to share their real name, and a new feature for Xbox Live Gold members to retrieve free games, a feature introduced with the Xbox 360. External hard drive support was highly requested since day one, as the 500GB internal hard drive was not enough to store more than 10 games. This was a result of games being 50-60 GB in file size. The restrictions are that the external hard drive must have a minimum of 256 GB of memory, and must be USB 3.0 compatible. A total of three external hard drives can only be connected to the console at one time. [23]

As part of the aim to get consoles into new and existing markets, as part of the July 2014 update consoles could now better understand different accents and dialects. It meant that users in supported territories could now operate their console using voice with less mistakes being made. [24] A month later, purchases from the xbox.com website and the SmartGlass app was enabled, allowing for easier content purchasing. The August 2014 update also included a battery indicator on the dashboard to let users know the charge state of their battery. These changes were a result of high feedback. [25]

In the October 2014 update, MKV and DLNA support were added, as users wanted to connect their media servers to the console for streaming films and music. Again this was a popular feedback feature on the dedicated website. [26] In the November 2014 update, customisable backgrounds and tile colours were added to enable greater customisation of the consoles. This would later be extended to the Xbox app in Windows 10 to allow a user to customise their console on the move. [27] [28]

In March 2015, a new screenshot feature was added to the console along with tile transparency. The screenshot feature was highly anticipated since the November 2014 update, as this meant that owners could use a game screenshot for their background. Part of the delay of the screenshot feature was the technical challenges that the development team had to face regarding to the implementation. Owners could also share their screenshots to different services, including, Twitter, OneDrive, the users activity feed and the owners profile showcase, thus integrating more social options for users. Based on high feedback after the introduction of customisable backgrounds, the development team also introduced tile transparency as part of the update. [29]

The April 2015 update addressed an issue whereby owners in the United States had an energy bill of a extra $250 million collectively, due to the instant on feature that was enabled by default out of the box. In response to the criticism made by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Microsoft allowed all owners worldwide to choose their power option both on updating the console to the latest version and at the initial set-up of the system. Previously a similar option was only given to European residents due to European Union regulations. [30]

During the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June 2015, Microsoft discussed three major features that would come to consoles by the end of 2015. These features were Windows 10 streaming, Xbox 360 backwards compatibility as well as the release of their upcoming interface redesign, named the New Xbox One Experience. [31] In advance of the impending Windows 10 launch, a July 2015 update let users stream games from their Xbox One to their personal computers. Though the feature was announced in January 2015, [32] the development team wanted time to test the feature on wireless networks for latency issues. As Microsoft is developing a unified code base known as ‘Windows OneCore’, [33] [34] it means that users can access either individual games or the Xbox One dashboard through Windows' Xbox Live app. The service streams only to one device at a time. [35]

See also

Other gaming platforms from Microsoft:

Other gaming platforms from this generation:

Gaming platforms from the seventh generation:

References

  1. ^ a b "Xbox One: Hardware and software specs detailed and analyzed - Three operating systems in one". ExtremeTech. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  2. ^ a b "Xbox One operating system versions and system updates". Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 2015-04-06. Cite error: The named reference "updatelist" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Set Up Help". Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 2014-09-02.
  4. ^ a b "Offline System Update". Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 2013-11-30.
  5. ^ "Xbox One system updates overview". Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  6. ^ "Delivering More Choices for Fans". Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
  7. ^ a b Chris Pereira (2014-07-18). "Xbox One August Update Detailed; New Friends Section of Home Screen Coming". gamespot.com. CBS Interactive, Inc. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  8. ^ Evan Campbell (2014-07-23). "Microsoft Has Xbox One Monthly Update Features Planned through October". ign.com. Ziff-Davis. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  9. ^ Eddie Makuch (2014-08-12). "Xbox One Getting DLNA Support, USB Media Playback, Boot-to-TV Option". gamespot.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
  10. ^ Chris Pereira (2014-08-15). "Xbox One's Next Update Now Live for Preview Members--With Some Unannounced Features". gamespot.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
  11. ^ Jenna Pitcher (2014-10-08). "Xbox One Getting Customizable Themes, Background Pics and Screenshots". ign.com. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  12. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon. "Play your old Xbox 360 games on Xbox One starting this holiday". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  13. ^ "New Xbox One dashboard includes a huge new design and Cortana". The Verge. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  14. ^ http://kotaku.com/dvr-functionality-is-coming-to-xbox-one-next-year-the-1721980582
  15. ^ Nelson, Major. "Invitation to Preview the Next Xbox One Update". xbox.com. Microsoft. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  16. ^ Phillips, Tom. "Microsoft launches Xbox Feedback website, asks for your ideas". Eurogamer. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  17. ^ McWhertor, Michael. "Xbox One beta program lets console owners preview future system updates". Polygon. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  18. ^ Schreier, Jason. "Microsoft Is Removing Xbox One DRM". Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  19. ^ "Your new Xbox One won't do much without the day one patch". Engadget. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  20. ^ Peckham, Matt. "Microsoft's Xbox One Update to Bring Common Sense Back to the Console". TIME.com. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  21. ^ "Xbox One to get keyboard, mouse support". Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  22. ^ "Xbox One 50hz option & controller patch shown in photos as March update previews begin". VG247.com. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  23. ^ "Xbox One update brings external storage support, real names in Xbox Live - CNET". CNET. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  24. ^ "Xbox One update will better understand certain accents - CNET". CNET. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  25. ^ "Latest Xbox One update adds remote game buying, 3D Blu-ray". Engadget. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  26. ^ "Latest Xbox One update adds MKV support, quicker voiceless commands". Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  27. ^ "Xbox One November Update Adds Custom Backgrounds - IGN". Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  28. ^ "The Xbox App for Windows 10 Will Make Gaming More Social and Interactive - IGN". Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  29. ^ "Xbox One March update rolling out, includes screenshots, friend suggestions and more". Polygon. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  30. ^ "Xbox One, responding to criticism, to offer energy-saving options at initial setup". Polygon. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  31. ^ Tach, Dave. "Xbox One's latest update prepares for Windows 10 streaming and 360 compatibility". Polygon. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  32. ^ "Xbox One streaming to Windows 10 is available now". Polygon. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  33. ^ "What is Windows OneCore and what does it mean for the future of Microsoft?". Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  34. ^ "First Windows 10 mobile preview, due in February, key to Microsoft's OneCore vision | ZDNet". ZDNet. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  35. ^ "Here's what you need to know about streaming Xbox One games to PC and tablet". Polygon. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
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