14 DAY TRIAL // The Xbox One is due for an update, and Microsoft's Phil Spencer has confirmed during a recent conversation with Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb that it will land soon, sometime this month.
The details regarding the contents of the updates are usually kept secret until the patch goes live, but this time some of the things the company is working on have surfaced on NeoGAF, allegedly from the private Xbox One beta testers forums.
For now, Microsoft has confirmed that the next update will improve SmartGlass and TV functionality, with users being able to make use of the new "Rent Once, Play Anywhere" feature that will allow them to purchase a film on one device, pause it and then pick it right up across the Xbox One, Xbox 360, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 as well as online at XboxVideo.com.
Fixes
-Ongoing fixes and adjustments to the user interface. -Additional fixes to address audio crackling sound encountered when Dolby Digital is enabled. -Fixes for Blu-ray software issues that can result in 0×21 or 0x87de07d1 errors. -Update to address an issue where ejecting a Blu-ray disc after the drive is idle can result in the disc being pulled back in, requiring a second eject command. -Fix to address Kinect not responding to “yes” or “no” after issuing the “Xbox, turn off” command. -Updates to reduce or eliminate Blu-ray drive “seeking” sounds after drive is idle (experienced in the 1403 update.) -*NEW CONTROLLER FIRMWARE UPDATE* -Update to help address controller disconnect issues. -Update to help address headset adapter audio quality. -Fix for LiveTV audio outputting in stereo instead of surround sound. -Update for the Blu-ray player to fix an issue where it can freeze if left idle or paused for an extended period of time. -Update to fix an issue where fast forwarding or rewinding an external video source results in screen freezing when surround sound is enabled. -Fix for video playback stuttering while audio plays back normally in several apps (Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, etc.)
Features Enabled
-Game save progress bar will now display when syncing cloud game saves. 50Hz Blu-ray player support for content recorded at 50Hz. -Improved GameDVR video quality. -Online friends notification, including the ability to filter notifications to all friends, favorites only, or disable friends online notifications altogether. -*NEW FEATURE* Requested by the update preview community: Manually install available updates. If a new system update is detected as available, a button will appear under Settings, System that will display “Apply Available System Update.” Note: this feature is being enabled after this current update completes installation. This feature will be available to preview when the next update is made available. -*NEW FEATURE* A new ability to automatically redeem a license code from console messages. For future console messages that include a 5×5 license code, a new option will appear to allow you to automatically redeem the license, versus having to copy and paste the license code.
As with any rumor, there is the issue of legitimacy, and the information posted is subject to change, or may be addressed in a later patch, but it's certainly an interesting read, allowing users to see what the Redmond giant has in store for them in the near future and most importantly showing how much effort is being put into improving the entire Xbox One experience.