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New Xbox One update introduces new UI, backwards compatibility & more (Hands-On)

Since it’s original release in 2013, Microsoft’s Xbox One has received minor software updates but none as massive as its most recent upgrade. Introducing a complete design overhaul, backwards compatibility with Xbox 360 games and even more noticeable changes, Xbox fans everywhere overhauling their gaming experience. Whether you’ve already updated or you’re on the fence about doing so it’s important to know what to expect with the Xbox’s newest update.

In this video avid gamer Joshua Smith brings a hands-on tour of the Xbox One’s latest update. With Windows 10 at the core of the new software there’s plenty in store for gamers to customize and uncover. Find out what’s new and see it all in action in this quick video tour to decide whether or not you want to take the plunge with the new update.

Joshua Smith
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Just another not so ordinary kid living this thing we like to call life.
You can try the new Xbox Game Pass Standard tier for $1
An Xbox Series X sits next to both Series S models.

Xbox Insiders will be the first to check out the new Xbox Game Pass Standard tier. The plan costs just $1 per month for testers, who can also provide feedback, starting today.

Xbox has also clarified its plans for Game Pass Standard, the new tier for its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, and which games will be available for it. In an Xbox Wire post published Tuesday, Xbox Game Pass senior community lead Megan Spurr noted that day-one titles will still only come to the Game Pass Ultimate and PC plans. The Standard tier will only have access to the regular Game Pass catalog. That's not nothing, but it does mean that if day-one games stay on the service, they might be available on Standard until "up to 12 months later or more."

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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor finally coming to PS4 and Xbox One in September
Cal Kestis wielding his blue lightsaber and carrying BD-1 in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

EA and Respawn Entertainment have revealed that PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will come out on September 17. That means players who only own last-gen consoles will be able to try out this excellent action-adventure game that was previously exclusive to PC and current-gen consoles.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a sequel to 2019's Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and continues the story of Cal Kestis, who stumbles upon a new threat connected to the universe's High Republic era. I gave the game a four-star review when it launched in April 2023, writing that "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor still tells a thematically rich, character-driven Jedi tale in one of the most densely packed 3D Metroidvania games I’ve ever played. It’s now the definitive single-player Star Wars experience."

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One of Xbox’s big purchases looks like it’s about to pay off
Barbie rides in a pink car with Candy Crush Saga characters.

With its Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft got access to some highly successful franchises, like Diablo and Call of Duty. It also got more casual, mobile titles, like those from the Candy Crush franchise, thanks to Activision Blizzard subsidiary King. The hope was that it could expand into mobile gaming -- and it looks like players might see the fruits of that labor soon.

Microsoft confirmed to The Verge on Friday that testing has begun on a "browser-based mobile store." It looks like it'll soon be available to Xbox Insiders, according to a post on X (formerly Twitter) from Xbox enthusiast account Klorbrille. The post links to a site that has "mobilestore" in the URL and a "Coming Soon" banner.

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