Microsoft Reveals the First Set of New Xbox One Features for 2016

If you follow Microsoft’s monthly system updates for Xbox One, you know that the software giant routinely adds great new features to its premier console. And after taking December off, they’re back with a new set of features that will begin rolling out to Preview members today.

Presumably, the broader Xbox One user base will see these updates in February.

“This month, we’re focused on continuing to improve social features to help you stay connected to the Xbox Live community across console and PC, while bringing these experiences closer together,” Xbox Director Of Program Management Mike Ybarra revealed in a new blog post.

Here’s what’s coming. Some of these updates are also being made to the Xbox Beta app for Windows 10 on PCs and phones starting next week, as noted.

Party peek. That’s my name for it, anyway. Now, you will be able to see who’s in a Party before joining. “When you view the profile of a friend who is in a Party in the guide, you will now be able to see who else they’re playing with. Click the ‘Chat’ button which appears immediately below the user to jump in and see who is in the Party,” Microsoft explains.

Gamerscore leaderboard. The Gamerscore leaderboard has been “revived” in this update so you can “see where you stand relative to your friends by comparing total gamerscore, as well as biggest gains over a rolling 30-day period.” To find this, navigate to the Guide, select your profile at the top, and then select “View achievements” via the drop-down off your profile graphic.

Improved pins management. Now you can rearrange the tiles you pin to the Home screen of the Dashboard and access those pins when the console is offline.

Activity Feed notifications. Your activity feed will inform you when there are new items in your feed, much as it does already in the Xbox Beta app on Windows 10.

Join Twitch broadcasts. You will be able to join in-progress Twitch broadcasts from individual game hubs and tiles.

Suggested Friends improvements. A new Friend Suggestions area in Community and the Friends list in the Guide on Xbox One will—wait for it—suggest friends, and will explain why the suggestion was made to you.

Hide games in Ready To Install list. Now, you will be able to hide “content like betas, trials, games, and apps that you no longer wish to install.”

Avatar Store. (Also coming to Xbox Beta app for Windows 10.) A newly-integrated Avatar Store will provide “access to the entire catalog of new and oldie-but-goodie items, including free items. As you’re perusing catalogs, enjoy the ability to preview the items on your avatar real-time before you buy.”

Xbox News. (Also coming to Xbox Beta app for Windows 10.) A “one-stop source for all the latest information about new hardware, console updates, game releases, tournaments like the Halo World Championship, breaking entertainment content, and more.” Xbox News will appear in your activity feed.

Easier access to Trending. (Also coming to Xbox Beta app for Windows 10.) Now you’ll be able to access Trending from the Community tab on Xbox One (and in the left menu area of the Xbox app).

Additionally, the Xbox Beta app for Windows 10 will now support a new Compact mode, similar to a phone experience, where you can switch between Friends, Party, Messages and Activity Alerts views.