Microsoft has, over the past few months, emphasized that its different divisions are working more closely together and that the company is, now, truly One Microsoft. In that respect, Microsoft has started to more tightly integrate its different products, with a shared OS core between its Mobile, Desktop and console offerings. One of the most exciting results of this close collaboration is the feature that lets you to stream your Xbox One games to any Windows 10 PC or tablet.
Until now, however, the feature was locked and not available to all users. With Windows 10 coming in a couple of weeks, Microsoft has finally updated the Xbox One app which, among other things, now allows anyone test out the new functionality:
We’re taking the game streaming function on Xbox One, as announced last month, out of preview and expanding it to everyone who owns an Xbox One and has a PC or tablet with Windows 10. This means you can play the great library of games you’ve built for Xbox One on your Windows 10 PCs when you’re not in front of your console.
This is, of course, a big win for PC gamers who would like to play console exclusive on their PCs.
The company has also updated the Xbox app on Windows 10, with various improvements:
- Party chat is now enabled, allowing users to chat with multiple friends at the same time;
- The app will automatically detect Windows Store games and include them under the "My Games" tab - even a number of older, non-Store games will be added;
- The Home tab has been improved, which provides easy access to game streaming, recently played games and also shows you a number of featured games for better discovery;
- You can now change your Avatar or gamerpic, along with a host of other options, under the Customize tab; and
- Sharing clips and screenshots of your virtual adventures has been made easier.
The company has also added a feature to help acquaint new users with the Xbox app and help explain how profile, achievements and so on work.
Overall, it"s quite a hefty update and is sure to please PC and Xbox One gamers alike.