Software giant Microsoft is all set to change the way its Xbox app works on Windows 10. Previously, the app was the primary way of accessing the Xbox friends lists, messages and party features on a PC. Now, the company has updated the Xbox app on Windows 10 and renamed it as “Xbox Console Companion.” Microsoft has also sent an update message to users that says, “This app is being renamed to Xbox Console Companion to be a dedicated app for your Xbox console’s features and settings.”
At the same time, Microsoft is also teasing that it has other plans for the Xbox app on Windows 10. The message by the software giant further said, “A new desktop experience is coming soon!” However, as of now, it is not clear exactly what the new desktop experience will be like. The company recently also updated its Game Bar on Windows 10 and it is worth noticing that the Game Bar is now on a full overlay similar to Nvidia’s GeForce Experience or Discord.
There are also a number of widgets that have been added to Xbox features including LFG, messages, and friends. In a way, this also makes the Xbox app irrelevant.
A number of Xbox fans also assumed that the company would close down its app on Windows 10. However, Microsoft’s plans seem to be different than that. It seems like the company has plans to create a different desktop app for Xbox that users will be able to access via PC. The company’s gaming chief Phil Spencer has admitted last year that the software giant has a “ton of work to do on Windows”. He also added that this work was meant for PC gamers.
We should mention that E3 gaming event is right around the corner and because of that, it looks like we would get to hear more about the company’s plans for PC gamers soon.
Recently, Microsoft also announced that its Xbox Game Pass subscription service is coming to its Windows platform. This subscription will come with over 100 games from more than 75 developers, which is a lot more compared to fewer than 20 titles that can be accessed via Xbox Game Pass on PC. This obviously means that Microsoft has signed deals with other new developers too.
As of now, there is no word on which games will be made available and how much the subscription will cost. There is also no news on when exactly the new service will be available. Microsoft has added that it will be announcing more details about the Game Pass for PC at the E3 which is scheduled for next month.
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