The December 2014 system update for Xbox One will be smaller than previous updates, and will not include the long-awaited screenshot feature, as Microsoft’s Head of Xbox Phil Spencer told IGN during a recent interview. He alluded to the holiday rush as a reason for the delay: “In December, it’s probably a time for us to pause for a little bit and settle just as all the new consoles are coming online.”
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Taking a screenshot requires more than just grabbing a frame from a video, Spencer said. “It’s a little more technically challenging than I thought. Two weeks ago, they think they’ve found a good solution for screenshots. They’re working on it. They know people want it. The team has a path to getting it done, and now it’s just prioritizing.”
“As we come back into the new year, we’ll see new stuff, and screenshots is on the list,” Spencer said. He also emphasized that improving the install times on the console is a personal priority for him. With the influx of new Xbox One owners from the impending holiday shopping season, it makes sense that Microsoft would want to batten down the hatches and ensure system stability rather than introduce new features with the possibility of new bugs.