14 DAY TRIAL // During the Gamescom press conference, Microsoft talked about a number of video games for the Xbox One coming in the next 12 months, but the biggest new entertainment feature that's being added to the console is a new DVR service for all over-the-air channels that is set to arrive in 2016.
The company wants to make sure that the entertainment element of the home console remains an important selling point and explains that gamers will be able to record programs, schedule their device to catch their favorite programs and make sure that the best shows are offered regardless of location.
The Xbox Wire announcement states, "Once your Xbox One is set up for over-the-air TV, it’s as easy as plugging a USB hard drive into your Xbox One console and recording your content. And by recording content to an external drive, there’s no impact on your gameplay activities or ability to save to the console."
The One Guide can be used to set up recording sessions, but users can also resort to the Xbox app that's running on Windows 10 devices, or the SmartGlass offered on iOS and Android.
Those who want to use the new feature will have to get a spacious hard drive in order to get a good collection of favorite shows and content.
Microsoft is not saying exactly when the DVR function for over-the-air channels will be added to the Xbox One.
The console needs more entertainment options to attract users
DVR for the Xbox One represents a good way to add value to the platform for users who are not interested in the massive wave of exclusive titles that are coming before the end of the year.
When the Xbox One was first announced, Microsoft placed a big emphasis on the entertainment options that the device would offer.
A DVR service is a good way to put the console at the center of the living room experience in 2016.
Microsoft needs to add new features to the Xbox One in order to make it more attractive than the PlayStation 4 from Sony, which is at the moment holding the lead when it comes to sales both worldwide and in the United States.