Xbox app

AppWizard
May 22, 2025
Microsoft has updated its PC Game Bar, enhancing the settings widget for easier access to audio adjustments and screen brightness controls. The update allows users to toggle between compact and desktop modes. The Xbox app for PC now includes simplified options for an on-screen keyboard, Bluetooth device management, and airplane mode activation. It also features Wi-Fi and battery status icons in compact mode. The broader Xbox update has added Retro Classics to all Game Pass tiers, including titles like Pitfall and MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat. Xbox Insider Program members can customize their console home screens by hiding system apps from the "recently played" section and pinning up to three games or apps. Microsoft has scheduled the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 for June 8 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM UK, followed by a presentation on The Outer Worlds 2.
AppWizard
May 22, 2025
Xbox and Antstream Arcade have launched Retro Classics, a collection of over 50 Activision titles from the ’80s and ’90s, available to Xbox Game Pass members worldwide. Notable games in the collection include Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall!, accessible on consoles, PCs, and cloud gaming devices. The collection features modern enhancements like cloud saves, achievement support, and gameplay pause/resume options, with plans to expand to over 100 titles from Activision and Blizzard in the future. Additionally, Xbox has introduced updates for PC gaming, including a revamped Game Bar with Quick Settings, an upcoming Microsoft Edge Game Assist for in-game browsing, and GeForce Now streaming integration for the Xbox app. The Xbox Rewards program has also been updated, allowing players to redeem points for customizable gift cards for various purchases.
Winsage
May 17, 2025
Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro does not yield significant benefits in gaming performance, compatibility, or features for most gamers. Both editions provide identical gaming performance, supporting the same core gaming technologies such as DirectStorage, Auto HDR, and Game Mode. Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM and one CPU socket with 64 cores, while Windows 11 Pro supports up to 2 TB of RAM and two CPU sockets with 128 cores. Pro includes additional features like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V virtualization, and Group Policy management, which are not typically utilized by gamers. The price of Windows 11 Home is lower than that of Pro, making it a more cost-effective choice for gaming. Both editions meet the hardware requirements for modern gaming, and compatibility with major games and platforms is consistent across both versions.
BetaBeacon
April 23, 2025
Xbox is now allowing beta testers to purchase games, DLC, and more directly from its app on Android and iOS. The update also includes the ability to sign up for Game Pass, but remote play within the Xbox app will no longer be available.
Winsage
April 21, 2025
Users have expressed frustration with the restrictive Start menu in Windows 11 compared to Windows 10, prompting some to seek third-party solutions. A newly discovered Start menu design is larger, allows immediate access to the full list of applications, and offers the option to remove the Recommended section. Microsoft's inclusion of Clipchamp as a video editing tool is seen as a step forward, but it lacks features compared to Apple’s iMovie and operates as a web-based application. Widgets in Windows 11 are not well-received due to their isolated interface, and integrating them onto the desktop could improve accessibility. The gaming experience on Windows remains subpar, particularly in navigation with a gamepad, and Windows Search directs users to Bing and Edge, limiting browser choices. The initial setup process for Windows 11 is cumbersome, with numerous prompts for Microsoft services, leading to a frustrating experience.
BetaBeacon
April 17, 2025
Microsoft has expanded the features of its Xbox mobile app to allow users to purchase Xbox games, DLC, and sign up for Game Pass on both Android and iOS. Additionally, users can now stream games they own on their Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles without needing to install the software locally. Xbox remote play is also moving from the Xbox app to Microsoft's website to optimize streaming performance.
AppWizard
April 6, 2025
Grand Theft Auto V will return to Xbox Game Pass on April 15, available on all Xbox consoles, cloud services, and for the first time on PC Game Pass. Both Legacy and Enhanced versions will be included, allowing for optimized gameplay across platforms. The game will support cross-platform play among players on Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Rockstar Games Launcher. No official end date for its availability on Game Pass has been provided, but it is expected to remain for approximately six months based on historical patterns.
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