Last week, Microsoft launched the Windows 8.1 Release Preview, including some new updates for the Xbox entertainment apps on Windows. Here’s a snapshot of what you can experience with Xbox on the preview.
Xbox Games
With Xbox Games on Windows 8.1, we’ve created easy entry points into the games you love. With Windows 8.1, it’s even easier to find personalized content with:
- Improvements to Search: Search from directly within the Xbox Games app using the new Search bar, access game extras in search results and view your achievements by date.
- User Interface Updates: Browse your friends list or receive content notifications in easy-to-view tiles, and use Snap to access other apps while gaming.
Xbox Video
The Xbox Video app on Windows 8.1 lets you browse and search the latest blockbuster movies and hit TV shows. The latest updates introduce new ways to multitask, allowing you to access your content quickly and efficiently with:
- Streamlined Search: Through new and improved Windows search, access everything from your local drive to the web with the power of Bing, and easily find content from within the Xbox Video app.
- Continuous Engagement: Continue to download your video, while you use other apps on your Windows 8 device. Or seamlessly snap other apps onto your screen while you watch, including in portrait mode.
- More Content: Save your movies and TV shows to an SD memory card and use Play To for streaming user-generated content.
Xbox Music
We shared last week that the new Xbox Music experience on Windows 8.1 is entirely redesigned from the ground up and will bring music lovers closer to their favorite experiences while still offering free streaming music. Updates available now through the Windows 8.1 Release Preview include:
- Faster, Easier Search: Access your favorite songs, artists and albums faster with an in-app Search bar, also made easier through Windows search powered by Bing.
- Improved Collection Management: Simple access to your music starts in the “Collection,” where the music you’ve saved in the Xbox Music cloud and your local music will be at the forefront of the app.
- Streaming Radio Stations: Radio offers seamless creation of new streaming Internet-radio stations based on artists you like and will give you faster access to your favorite Radio stations that you’ve already created.
Download the Windows 8.1 Release Preview and experience the Xbox entertainment apps for yourself today.
Later this year, be sure to check out the full launch of Windows 8.1 that will offer even more updates for Xbox Music and Xbox Video. With the launch of Xbox One, we’ll also be introducing an updated version of Xbox SmartGlass, making games and TV more interactive and immersive with new companion experiences on your smartphone, tablet and PC.