Xbox One August Update Rolls Out: 3D Blu-ray Support, Mobile Purchases, Activity Feed Improvements

Microsoft is rolling out a substantial update for the Xbox One and the changes are making a good initial impression on some of the Internet’s best known Xbox gurus. Some improvements, like the change to the Blu-ray player, add new functionality. Others, like the low battery notification icon and the Friends list changes, give you new information that will make your Xbox experience better. And one change removes unnecessary notifications from your activity feed. Nice, eh?


Let’s start with the Activity Feed, which is getting a few tweaks in this update. The Activity Feed previously updated you when friends switched games – but no longer. Microsoft pulled the plug on that, deeming it “unnecessary.” It’s keeping other aspects that it considers worthwhile, though, like new achievements. Additions include the ability to “like” and share uploaded game clips on your feed and add messages to the feed. The idea there is that you may want to alert fellow gamers to your plans. (“I’ll be playing XYZ game at 10 tonight,” for example.)

Other improvements include the addition of a Friends section on the Dashboard, which lets you see what your buddies are up to, and support for disabling notifications while you’re watching video. Interestingly, you can now buy games and other content from Xbox.com, which is handy if you’re not near your Xbox One.

Another big change involves the Xbox One’s Blu-ray player. It can now play 3D Blu-ray discs. Microsoft is also taking the opportunity to preview the Media Player app that’s in the works.

You won’t need to do anything to get this feature or any of the others; the entire update package is rolling out worldwide today.