Talking Point: Is There A Place For 'Snap Mode' On Xbox In 2024?

I would use it to like have a show on in the background while i browse games on the store but that's really the only scenario i could imagine id use it.

I would never use it, to be honest. When I'm gaming, I'm gaming.
Still I'm sure some people like to multitask while playing, so it's not a terrible idea, just not for me.

I loved it bring it back it will actually work properly aswell 100% of the time with the current machines!

I was a big fan of the snap feature and actually used it quite a lot. I would have Netflix in snap mode while I played games that didn’t require full attention like Minecraft. I’d almost certainly use it if they bought it back as I love a cheeky multitask.

One of those features that was ahead of it's time, dropped but should absolutely be revived. I remember loving it on XO and would welcome it back.

@eastephens I will forever hold that “ahead of its time” was the whole story back during the original Xbox One reveal. For better or worse, always-online, check-ins, and digital-first gaming are all commonplace in the industry now. Even things like multitasking with Snap, watching TV on your game console, and the voice-activated features of Kinect, are alive and well in modern gaming, with several commenters saying they use their phones for additional things while gaming, streaming services playing a significant role in Xbox’s platform (and PlayStation’s, too), and the presence of voice assistants (Siri, Alexa, Gemini, etc.) in our lives today. The Xbox One effectively set the standard for modern gaming, but it was definitely ahead of its time. About the only thing we don’t have today from that presentation is the one thing that could actually significantly benefit us as gamers: the ability to sell, share, and trade-in digital games.

Loved having a hockey game on the side in Snap Mode while playing COD.
My teammates however, probably less than thrilled.

It's not useful to me. Shows just divide the attention, making me half a gamer and half knowing what's happening in the show (also: the snapshow is tiny, having to squint at the screen to make out details) . Music was an option until they enabled it to play in the background so no need for snap. Walkthroughs are easier on the phone (scrolling, zooming at screenshots).

Can't think of anything else.

The TV content aggregator for the XOne was damn good as well. It had some bugs, but it was a stellar guide to all your various streaming content. Bring both back!

As a fan of dual screens, the fact Picture and Picture or snap like footage was shown for PS5. I think it had a benefit.

I am surprised by the results, I hear no one talk about it at all so this is something. Sure it's how they do it, sure it's the marketing was an issue but surprised people either did want it or miss it or whatever the case. However they 'could' implement it again.

Sure balancing apps/games and webcams or TV shows or other apps uses a fair amount of the system but at this point if PC has had multiple desktop features for years and yes it isn't a console.

I just want to see more happen than just quick resume as a thing as good as it is for digital games (not something I use but I appreciate the feature existing as it has a benefit for sure).

I think snapping besides just the burger/slide out menus to tweak audio or other settings would be nice with snap again.

So to me I actually want snap to be a thing.

They just needed to market it better I think.

I have no interest in Xbox social features myself but I get why people wanted them.

There is a reason why if GBA VC with manuals not pausing the game or other uses for dual screens on consoles besides phones nowadays or in the past and better memory/CPU usage we could have gotten some fair uses.

I doubt even Switch 2 will be wireless TV casting or docking base station to process into the TV and dual screen returning.

It does suck that there were features on the Xbox One that were dropped for the Series X. I used the cable box pass through to watch TV through the special TV guide, and they cut out the kinect and voice control stuff over the life of the console.

Plus it may just be my specific setup, but the Series X doesn't work as well with the official remote and won't control my TV (turn off/on, volume, etc.).

I used to put a game (sports) on while playing...games. My only major complaint about snap is that it wasted a lot of screen real estate.

If I need to do something else while I'm playing a game, what is the purpose of the game? Find a better game or a better hobby.

I loved it tbh. I enjoyed being able to play some music through an app I wanted with a android tv attached to my system. It was great for watching a netflix show too. I miss it.