Microsoft released yet another Xbox Insider Preview build to the Alpha ring tonight, bringing the build number to 15038, or rs2_release_xbox_1703.170214-2312. The main new front-facing feature is the Beam app, which will allow users to view and participate in game streams.
Note that built-in Beam streaming has already been available for a week. This allows you to stream your own games directly from the Guide, so the app should expand upon that.
But like any build in the Preview Alpha ring, it comes with a list of fixes and known issues. Here's what got fixed:
Beam Broadcasting
The camera can now be configured before starting a broadcast.
There are now better visual cues to notify when a broadcast is stopped or paused due to switching games.
Various improvements for audio.
Various fixes for chat display and controls in the Guide.
Stability and performance improvements.
Cortana
Resolved an issue which caused Cortana to be too responsive to phrases which sound like “Hey Cortana”.System Update
When downloading a mandatory system update, selecting “Skip and go offline” should no longer cause the console to slowly become sluggish and unresponsive.Networking
Fixed an issue which caused Moderate or Strict NAT type.Sign-In
Fixed an issue which prevented the console from automatically signing in a profile with automatic sign-in enabled.
Here are the known issues:
Notifications
Some users may not receive certain types of notifications.Game Clips
After capturing a game clip, the game clip fails to automatically post to the Activity Feed (if your profile is configured to do so).
Workaround: Manually view game clips in Profile > Captures > Manage captures and post to the Activity Feed.Cortana
Cortana may take a long time to respond when activated while playing certain games.
Scheduled Cortana reminders will not provide a notification if the user who created the reminder is signed in, but not the current active user.
Using voice dictation sometimes causes the virtual keyboard to become unresponsive.
EA Access
The EA Access app may indicate you are not an EA Access subscriber when you are. This does not affect your ability to download or play games from the Vault, or receive discounts on EA titles.Screen Dimming
The screen may dim after a short amount of time while viewing videos in certain apps (Hulu Plus).Settings - Ease of Access
When enabling the Mono output setting in Ease of Access - Audio, Settings becomes unresponsive, crashes, and fails to launch on subsequent attempts.
Workaround: To launch Settings, perform a hard reset (hold down the button on the front of the console for five seconds until it fully powers down, then power it back on).Settings - Display & sound
The Audio output page is under construction and some of the new settings are not yet functional. New support is planned for Dolby Atmos for home theater, Dolby Atmos for headphones, and more in upcoming builds. An announcement will be made when these new features are ready to try out; enabling these settings now will have no effect.Wireless Display
The Wireless Display app fails to launch and immediately crashes to Home.
The build should come in at 530MB, and if you're in the Preview Beta ring, you'll probably see it tomorrow, assuming that Microsoft continues with the trend that it's been on. If you're on Preview Ring 3, you haven't seen a Creators Update preview yet, so it's anyone's guess when you might.
If you want to be in Alpha, you'll need to put in some work. You can do this by completing Surveys and Quests in the Xbox Insider Hub, but remember, if you become inactive, you might lose your Alpha status.
