A very early Windows 10 Technical Preview has rolled out to a very limited number of people for testing, as is always the way with new Microsoft operating systems. However, there's a new app included with this edition that might turn a few heads.
The latest release features a new Xbox app, which allows you to browse the Xbox Games Store (and purchase games, we assume!) as well as access your Xbox Live messages, activity feed, and do a little bit of profile customisation, all from your Windows PC. It appears to be much the same as SmartGlass is for tablets and smartphones, but one nice little feature we noticed revolves around notifications.
In this very early edition, you can choose to be notified on your PC when you get new Xbox Live messages, when your favourite friends appear online, and when your favourite friends start broadcasting gameplay. It might not be a bonus to everybody, but for those of us who head back to the PC to quickly clear up a few emails before their friends turn up for an online game session, it could prove to be very useful. Also, the store integration means that you won't need to fire up your browser to take advantage of any game deals when they appear when you're at your PC. Again, a lot of people won't find this to be an annoyance anyway, but we'd bet that the Xbox app will become the go-to way of browsing the store when using a PC - especially given the sometimes frustrating limitations of the online store at Xbox.com.
If it all works as it should, then this could be a real boon to those who upgrade to Windows 10. We'll bring you more information on new features as and when they're confirmed.
[source thecollectionbook.info]
Comments 7
All neat I guess but I really expected a screen mirroring option for windows 10 and xbox ones on the same network.
Sweet, this is great. Not what I'd hoped for (cross-platform play for certain games, shooters obviously don't apply), but this will do.
@EternalDragonX That would be a great function for mobile Win8 devices.
Great feature, really looking forward to this but my "PC" is a Surface Pro 3 so I'm not feeling brave enough to try the dev preview out on that.
Have to say that this new push to integrate Live into Windows (again) feels at odds with MS shutting down Games for Windows Live and actually publishing their games on Steam though...
@stylon how do you like the Surface Pro 3? Battery, powerful enough for gaming? I play tons of Dungeon Defenders on my pc and would love it on the go. Major plus is the xbox controller support too .
@EternalDragonX I love it so far - battery lasts all day even with heavy use. I've not done too much gaming - just Minecraft and Age of Empires (off Steam) on the PC side of things but they play well on it, get about 60fps in Minecraft. Looking at the system requirements for DD I'd say it would probably play that no problem.
@stylon Sweet, thank you kind sir
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