With all the recent talk about the new Windows 10 Build 14316 released to Insider Preview Fast ring participants, and what Anniversary Update features arrive with it, the Xbox One seems to have taken a back seat, waiting for the highly-anticipated update this summer to bring it new features as well. However, it seems that Xbox One owners won’t have to wait for very long for a preview of what’s to come.
According to Microsoft’s Mike Ybarra, Partner Director of Program Management of the Xbox and Windows platforms, the next Xbox One system update will roll out to Preview Program participants by the end of May or early June. Based on his comment via Twitter, this update will include some key Anniversary Update features outlined in the initial keynote during BUILD 2016.
Win10 Anniversary Update announced at //build will have key gaming features, so next Xbox system update goes to preview end May/early June.
— Mike Ybarra (@XboxQwik) April 12, 2016
“BTW, the team is always thankful for our Preview members and the amazing feedback they provide. So, thanks!!” he adds. He also acknowledges on Twitter that additional updates will be released to Xbox One Preview Program participants before the highlighted update taking place in May/June.
Ybarra doesn’t detail what the update will provide in terms of the new Windows 10 Anniversary Update features, but the company already revealed that the upgrade will finally bring Microsoft’s Cortana personal assistant to the console, who will supposedly provide Xbox One owners with tips and tricks, help them find new games, and more.
Related: See the latest Xbox One games here
The Windows 10 Anniversary Update will also debut a unified experience in the Windows Store, allowing Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps to be installed on the console. This unification will enable developers to create games for one platform spanning the Xbox One and Windows 10 devices. That means it will be possible to start a game on the Xbox One, and pick it up later on a PC — if the game is coded to support it.
Finally, the Anniversary Update will enable any Xbox One console to become a developer kit via a new Xbox Dev Mode. This will seemingly allow anyone with game programming experience to become a developer in the living room, and test their apps and games without having to leave the house or office.
Not in the Xbox One Preview Program club? Unfortunately, it’s hard to gain access, and requires an invite from someone who is not only a participant, but on the Xbox friends list as well. The invite is received through messaging on the Xbox One, and requires the user to download and install the Xbox Preview Dashboard app. The registration process supposedly takes up to 72 hours, and up to 48 hours after that for the console to receive the current Preview build.
As previously stated, Anniversary Update is slated for a summer release, although it wouldn’t be surprising to see the launch this July to celebrate the first anniversary of Windows 10.
