Microsoft is adding several highly requested features to the Xbox One in the next system update. Available to preview members today, the next Xbox One update will allow console owners to buy and play Xbox 360 games. While Microsoft added backwards compatibility last year, Xbox 360 titles weren't listed in the store for easy access. This new update means Xbox One owners can now quickly obtain the monthly Xbox 360 games with gold titles and store them in their digital library.
If you're a fan of the Twitch app for Xbox One then Microsoft is adding a big feature with the next system update. Game streamers will be happy to hear that they'll soon be able to broadcast party chat audio. Party members will have to opt-in to include their audio in the broadcast, and party leaders can also mute individual members from being broadcasted to the Twitch stream. Windows 10 party members will also be able to participate.
Microsoft is also making some improvements to the party chat experience outside of Twitch. Output from a party chat is currently restricted to a headset if you play with one connected, but Microsoft is changing settings options to allow Xbox One members to output party chat audio to headsets and speakers simultaneously. Microsoft is also expanding the number of people who can participate in a party chat to 16, up from the 12-person parties feature previously. This will work across both the Xbox app on Windows 10 and the Xbox One console.
All new features available to preview members today
Another highly requested feature is more control over DVR recording length. Xbox One owners are currently restricted to 30 second clips, and there have been cumbersome methods to extend this figure. Microsoft will now allow Xbox One owners to adjust recording length to 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes or 5 minutes. Microsoft is also building achievements into the Xbox One guide, so you'll no longer have to launch and snap a separate app. All of these improvements will be available to Xbox One preview members today, and will roll out generally to all consoles in the coming weeks.