At their Windows 10 conference this afternoon, Microsoft dropped something of a bombshell regarding how Windows 10 interacts with the Xbox One.
As well as confirming that every Windows 10 device will come preloaded with an Xbox app - which looks a bit like this - they also confirmed that every Xbox One game, both existing and to come, can be streamed from your Xbox One console to your Windows 10 PC, or Windows 10 tablet.
Given that it was confirmed every Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will get a free upgrade (for the first year) to Windows 10, this could be huge. It means that pretty much any PC running Windows that you have in your house, will become a second screen on which you can play Xbox One games.
That could free up the TV for other things. Phil Spencer played Forza Horizon 2 to demo the idea, and there was no delay in control and the framerate and resolution looked absolutely spot on. Phil controlled the game with a standard Xbox One controller. We're assuming that this controller was connected to the Windows PC, with the commands being sent to the Xbox One from there - mainly because the demo suggested that the Xbox One could be in another room in the house. It could have been wirelessly linked with the Xbox One directly. The official word is that you can stream Xbox One games from the console to any Windows 10 PC or tablet on the same wi-fi network.
When you're done, you can power off the Xbox One from the Xbox App in Windows 10.
With a free upgrade to the new O/S, the cost of adding a second screen (if you own a PC or Windows tablet) is now...well...free.
If this works as advertised, it could be a game-changer.
Comments 12
HAH! my prediction of screen mirroring was true. Awesome news, I can't wait to upgrade.
Yup, I've been waiting and wondering about this since launch as technically it seems quite a simple feat. Surface + Controller = WiiU with better range
Thrilled about this. As long as there aren't any latency issues, I'm sure I'll make use of this feature around the house and in the yard.
@DRL In the yard! Didn't even think of that. Oh, the possibilities.
This might make me cave and finally get a Surface pro! Like @DRL, I'm sure to make use of this paticularly on my deck. Also it'd be great to just hook my laptop to the TV in my room and game from there. I wonder if Microsoft will eventually make use of "the power of the cloud" and make remote gaming possible, a la PS4 remote play?
Though the one thing Microsoft didn't make clear was the free upgrade to Windows 10. Is that to say they're going to turn Windows into a subscription service? Odin knows I don't need another one to keep track of.
Wow,time for me to get a new PC
@JaxonH @Sir_JBizzle
I own a Surface Pro 2&3 (I was thinking of selling the 2... but now.)
They're great machines, I got a great deal on the 3 and they both have merits. For streaming XB1, I think the 2 will become my device of choice as the resolution matches up perfectly. For art or work, the 3 is a more sensible option. They're still both great computers, give me a surface over a laptop any day. (even an RT should support this new function)
Now do I start saving for a Win10 tablet to replace my ancient Xoom, or upgrade my new Win8.1 laptop to Win10...or BOTH! haha
Was there any info regarding Windows Phones? I have a Lumia 920 (which is due to be replaced shortly) and I would like to stay Windows for the future.
@crippyd The Xbox App will likely make it to Windows Phone 10, but I would be very surprised if the game streaming bit makes it to phones. It was only confirmed for tablets and PCs - that's about all I know.
Well it's the feature a few of us predicted her in the comments. Couldn't be happier, finally I can still play when the wife is hogging the tv to watch crap!
Even more excited now I've read that existing W7 and 8.1 users get a FREE upgrade to W10!
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