Today, the new update for Microsoft went live and added some new features. First, the revamped Xbox Avatars are available for all users. Second, Xbox Skill is now available, which allows those with Alexa or Cortana devices to interact with the Xbox. Lastly, Dolby Vision HDR streaming has been added.
The new Xbox Avatars have been remade from the ground up and are focused on inclusiveness. Microsoft announced that there is a greater range of customization than the previous Avatars from the Xbox 360. This includes such things like different body types, more accessories, and more options to make your Avatar your own. An Avatar store is also available and will be updated monthly with new clothes and props that you can buy. The new Avatars can show up on your dashboard, friends lists, and even leaderboards if you like, as it is completely optional. The choice to use your old Avatars from the Xbox 360 is also available for those who wish to do so.
Xbox Skill is the new feature that allows interaction with your Xbox using Alexa or Cortana devices. What’s different than previous devices that allow for Xbox interaction like the Kinect is that you’re able to control your Xbox through voice commands better and with more options.
For example, if you tell your Xbox to launch a game, the Xbox will turn on, sign you in, and then launch the game you wanted to play. Other new commands that you can now do with Xbox Skill include snapping a screenshot, starting broadcasts with Mixer, or starting a party. If you want to use Xbox Skill, then you will need to download the app for your device.
Dolby HDR streaming enables enhanced HDR with scene by scene precision and accuracy for televisions that can support it. The only app that can use Dolby Vision right now is Netflix but more apps will be adding support for this new feature in the near future. Another thing that this update added was more languages for the narrator which include Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Swedish, Dutch, and Australian English.