Xbox One System Update is Live, Brings Additional New Features

I wrote about the next major system update for Xbox One back when it was only available for those on the Preview. Now it’s live, Microsoft says. And best of all, it includes a few previously announced additional features.

“All of the features that hit preview earlier this month are rolling out today,” Microsoft’s Larry Hyrb says. “There are also a few additions and updates. Thanks again for continuing to chime in on Xbox Feedback, and enjoy the new features!”

Here’s what’s new (beyond what we previously knew):

Improved thumbstick precision for the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller. Courtesy of an associated firmware update, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller now offers improved precision, especially when moved diagonally. “We’ve created a new method to calculate the position of the thumbsticks consistently, enabling thumbstick response that is more in line with what you are expecting,” Hyrb says. “This method measures and uses the distance of the thumbstick position relative to the center focus point of the thumbstick base, instead of the standard method, which calculates the measurement using a two-dimensional plane. With the latest firmware update, you can expect increased accuracy of the thumbsticks on your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller for even greater control.”

Include Party Chat in Twitch broadcasts. A top request, you can now optionally broadcast Party Chat when using the Twitch app. “If you are broadcasting from your console and in a party, you can invite other people to include their chat audio in your broadcast by enabling ‘Broadcast party chat’ in the Twitch app settings,” Hyrb explains. “If a member of your party declines, they’ll still be able to chat in the party; they just won’t be heard in the broadcast. Additionally, as the party leader, you have the option to mute a party member’s chat audio, even if they opted-in. You can also include party members on Windows 10 PCs in your Twitch broadcast.”

Additionally, the Xbox Accessories app for Windows 10 now includes a page that displays the current firmware version, battery status, and other details about the controller. (This information about the controller is already available on the app on Xbox One.)

Good stuff.