The Xbox November 2023 update begins rolling out to all users on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S very soon, and we've got new features coming to the PC version of the Xbox app as well. The highlight of these is arguably a new "Compact Mode" targeting handheld devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go.
Here's a short overview of the Xbox November 2023 update, with more details available at Xbox Wire:
Xbox Consoles
Japanese language support for keyboards
"You can now select specific keyboard layouts for Japanese keyboards for your console. For example, you can choose between the 106/109 keyboard layout for Japanese or the 101/102 English keyboard layout."
Wishlist notifications for Xbox Free Play Days
"With this update, if a game is on your wish list and is part of Xbox Free Play Days, you’ll get a notification on your console that the game is free to play for a limited time."
New phone authentication for redeeming rewards
"Now you can use phone authentication to redeem your rewards from your console. To redeem Rewards directly from your console, visit your profile and look for the My Rewards tab. Open the guide and go to Profile & system > your profile > My Rewards and click on “Get rewards.” You’ll be able to confirm your rewards after you authenticate with your phone."
Controller firmware update
"Keeping your controller updated with the latest firmware maximizes your controller’s capabilities and compatibility. We’re rolling out a firmware update that includes bug fixes to enable Shift mode for keyboard mapping on Elite Series 2 and Xbox Adaptive Controllers through the Xbox Accessories app. It also includes a fix for some users whose controller fails to take a previous firmware update."
Windows PC
New Compact Mode UI for ASUS Rog Ally and other devices
"Compact mode is a new feature that enhances your gaming experience by providing a more intuitive user interface on smaller screens. With Compact mode, the side bar collapses into icons, providing you with more space to browse content. To use this feature, click on your profile in the top-left corner of the app and turn the toggle for “Compact mode” on."
Notification and banner improvements
"With new games and benefits coming to Game Pass all the time, we’re making it easier to keep up with what’s new by giving you the option to show only unread notifications in the notification dropdown on the Xbox app on PC."
Additional improvements
"We’ve heard that you want a more streamlined experience when diagnosing and troubleshooting, so we’ve added the new Gaming Services Repair Tool, a dedicated tool to fix any issues with Gaming Services or missing content when launching the Xbox app on PC. To use this feature, click on your profile in the top-left corner of the app and select “Support."
Which of these November 2023 Xbox features are you excited for? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments 8
compact mode doesn't add much improvement to the experience on the ROG Ally. It is really just a visual adjustment giving you more screen for the main page if you want it. I don't like that it removes the "most recent" section from the side bar and makes you go to your library to launch the games you just downloaded or recently played. It doesnt really do anything for me. I was hoping for something closer to steam deck or steam big picture mode buts its still just the desktop version of gamepass and using the touchscreen is still the best way to navigate. I will continue with the old layout.
Windows is what needs the compact mode.
@BacklogBrad Yeah, I have an AYANEO that runs Windows, and whatever happened to Tablet Mode? I know it sucked and all, but I could really do with having that back on a gamepad-oriented system...
Another controller update without the ability to map deadzones on the hardware level. 🤦
They really just want people to keep buying controllers, huh?
new controller arrived in post today, and just won't connect at all. why is nothing ever simple with xbox, why does crap like this keep happening
@Dimey Are you trying to connect it to a PC? If so you may need a microsoft xbox wireless adapter (USB stick)
The Xbox dashboard needs a complete refresh to look more like Windows 11.
@LonelyMuthaShutYo Please no. The utter trash look of Windows 11 is the whole reason I've not upgraded yet. Waiting for plenty of UI customization apps like what Stardock offers to cover up that mess.
@Gollum just saw this, got it working eventually, by removing the battery and connecting via cable it finally recognised it!! all good. series X
btw I LOVE the feel of the green recycled controller!!
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