In the dynamic gaming world, Microsoft is once again enhancing the Xbox app on Windows to cater to the growing demand for seamless handheld gaming. The recent update adds features and improvements that elevate the overall gaming experience, particularly for those who rely on Windows handheld devices.

Compact Mode: Making Gaming on Small Screens Easier

The compact mode, introduced last year, marked a significant step towards improving the handheld experience. Initially designed to refine the user interface for small screens, it paved the way for gamers to enjoy their favorite titles on compact devices. Microsoft is tackling the intricacies of navigating the Xbox app with a D-pad and sticks, making it more controller-friendly.

New Features Elevating Handheld Experience

Jump Back In One of the standout features in this update is “Jump back in,” allowing gamers to access up to nine quickly recently played games directly from the Xbox app’s main screen. Players can instantly launch their preferred game by pressing the menu button on a controller. Moreover, this feature smartly recognizes if a game is already running, seamlessly switching to that instance.

Game Hub Integration: By default, the new feature navigates to the game’s hub, offering a comprehensive view of the current activity. Players can see which friends are active, monitor achievements, and delve deeper into their gaming community without missing a beat.

Improved Friends Panel: Social connectivity is essential in gaming. The updated friend panel now features slide-out friends list accessible from the sidebar, providing big buttons for easy party chat initiation. This makes joining party chats or interacting with friends significantly easier via a controller.

Challenges of Navigating the Xbox App on Handhelds

Despite these improvements, navigating the Xbox app on Windows handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally still poses challenges. Accessing the sidebar can be difficult if a user has navigated down a page. Sometimes, the app gets stuck in certain sections, preventing navigation to the sidebar by moving left unless at the top of the page or highlighting a specific element.

Addressing the Challenges

• Sidebar Accessibility: Microsoft intends to improve the sidebar’s accessibility, ensuring smooth navigation even when the user is not at the top of the page.
• Controller Navigation: Improved controller navigation is crucial for a better handheld experience. Microsoft is prioritizing this by enhancing compatibility across different devices.

Looking Ahead: A Handheld-Optimized Future

While Microsoft has made significant improvements to the Xbox app on Windows for mobile gaming, there is still much room for improvement. With an increasing number of players subscribing to PC Game Pass and using Windows portable devices, these updates are relevant and needed.

Further Improvements on the Horizon

Microsoft is working to improve controller navigation across the entire Windows operating system, not just the Xbox app.

• Consistent UI/UX: A consistent user interface and experience across devices ensures smooth transitions between gaming sessions, regardless of device size.
• Enhanced Social Features: More robust social features, such as better chat functionality and friend suggestions, are expected.

Conclusion

Microsoft’s commitment to improving the Xbox app for Windows is evident in these latest improvements. By solving the issues of mobile gaming and prioritizing controller navigation, Microsoft promises a brighter future for handheld gamers. Whether playing on a ROG Ally or another Windows portable device, the new Xbox software features will make your gaming experience more enjoyable.