Xbox PC app update promises faster launches and redesigned navigation

Technology · First reported 5 Nov, 18:55 · Updated 19:37

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

Microsoft is rolling out a redesigned Xbox PC app to Xbox Insiders, with claimed improvements to launch and loading times alongside changes to navigation, search and game organization. Related updates to Xbox cloud gaming are also underway, but Microsoft has not provided a general PC-app release date or a timeline for the TV and VR redesign.

Microsoft says the Xbox PC app launches up to 60% faster, its Home, Store and Game Pass pages load up to 50% faster, and in-app windows open up to 65% faster; the figures come from internal testing.
The update changes library organization, search and navigation, including moving friends and social features into the main navigation.
Microsoft says its refreshed cloud gaming web experience will reach more players automatically, while a similar redesign is starting to roll out to supported TV and VR apps; the reports give no timeline for those apps or for the PC app’s wider release.

Summary written by Lux AI from 2 articles

Key facts

Initial availability: The redesigned PC app is rolling out to Xbox Insiders.
Reported launch improvement: Up to 60% faster, according to Microsoft.
Page loading improvement: Home, Store and Game Pass pages load up to 50% faster, according to Microsoft.
In-app window improvement: Windows open up to 65% faster, according to Microsoft.
PC app wider release: No release timeline is confirmed in the reports.
Cloud gaming apps: Microsoft is starting to bring the redesign to supported TV and VR apps; no timeline is confirmed.