Microsoft Details Xbox One's August Update

The Xbox Ones August update is rolling out today, and Xboxs Larry Major Nelson Hyrb has details on what Xbox One fans can expect when they install the latest firmware for the system.

According to Hyrb, the firmwares primary focus is to help revise the Xbox Ones social features related to its sharing capabilities. This means that the activity feed you see that shows what your friends are doing has been significantly streamlined to show only the most important updates such as when they share a video. Also added are what is essentially the equivalent of Facebook statuses that you can post, like and comment on.

Also included in the update is the addition of mobile purchasing, which allows users that own the Xbox Smartglass or use Xbox.com to purchase and download games and downloadable content while away from their Xbox One console.

Other updates include the addition of 3D Blu-ray support, the ability to disable notifications while watching movies and videos, as well as an on-screen notification that lets players know when their controllers battery is low and needs to be replaced.

Just what Microsoft decided to update this time was determined by feedback from fans that was sent in through Xbox Feedback.

• Mobile purchase: One of the most requested features on Xbox Feedback. Using Xbox SmartGlass or on Xbox.com, you can remotely purchase games and Add-on content. No more waiting to begin downloading when you get home if your console is set to automatically take updates, your console will begin downloading your purchase.
• Activity feed updates: Were adding new ways for you to interact with friends in the activity feed. The interface will change to a single column scrolling list that is longer and includes more content. Well add the ability to post text to your feed, and to like and comment on feed items. You can share game clips and anything else in the feed with friends either publically (to your activity feed) or privately (as an attachment to a message). Youll also be notified when anyone likes, comments on or shares your items. Each user will get a personal feed on their profile, so you can see what specific friends have been up to. And, with SmartGlass, you can see what your friends have shared to their activity feed and like specific posts (additional activity feed support coming in future SmartGlass updates).
• Low battery notification: You asked for it, now a notification will pop up when your controller battery is getting low.
• Disable notifications during video: Adding the ability to turn off notifications based feedback we heard from you.
• Enabling 3D Blu-ray: An update to the Blu-ray player app will enable 3D Blu-ray functionality on Xbox One.
• Last seen time in Friends list: Direct from Xbox Feedback, the friends list will now show how long its been since a friend has been online. For example, Last seen 20m ago: Forza Motorsport 5.

Hyrb urges players to continue to send feedback to the Xbox team to help shape future Xbox One updates.