Latest Xbox One OS Update Turbocharges Download Speeds, Dolby Atmos Sound Incoming For Xbox One And Windows 10

The newest Xbox One update, OS version 10.0.14393.2152, contains specific tweaks for customers that have high-speed internet connections (in Microsoft parlance, that means speeds greater than 100 Mbps). Microsoft says that its network code update means that customers will experience up to 80 percent faster download speeds. Even if you don’t have a fat pipe running to your house, Microsoft says that those with slower internet connections will still receive up to a 40 percent speed boost. The company has also made improvements to make background updates less susceptible to “intermittent connectivity issues”.

But that’s not all, the 10.0.14393.2152 update includes a new firmware update for Xbox One wireless controllers that improves performance (although no specifics were given) along with improvements to background music playback to ensure “reliability and consistent experiences across steaming music apps.”

If your Xbox One is set for energy-saving mode, it’s likely that your console has already been updated to the latest OS. If you manually perform updates, you’ll have to go to Settings —> System to initiate the download.

In other Xbox One news, Microsoft announced that the console will be the first to add support for Dolby Atmos audio, and support will also be coming to Windows 10 PCs and tablets. While the general public will have to wait a while before they can enjoy the aural benefits of Dolby Atmos sound, Xbox Preview members and Windows Insiders will get their first crack at it today.

“With Dolby Atmos, sound moves precisely all around and above you. You can hear where your allies and enemies are in three-dimensional space,” writes Spencer Hooks, Director of Gaming, Dolby Laboratories. “Snipers on the roof? You’ll hear them over your left shoulder and know where to aim to take them out. The same goes for an attacker with a jet pack hovering behind you.

“Beyond its tactical advantages, Dolby Atmos also makes your experience of a game much more intense. You’ll feel like you’re inside the action as the voices, sounds and music move all around you.”

Last, but certainly not least, Xbox Preview members will also gain support for Blu-ray Bitstream pass-through on the Xbox One and Xbox One S. “This feature enables all Xbox consoles to pass Blu-ray audio data untouched to a user’s audio equipment, allowing your audio receiver or other audio device to produce a high quality, immersive sound experience,” adds Microsoft’s Larry Hyrb, aka Major Nelson. “To use this feature, you will need to have your console connected over HDMI to a compatible audio receiver which supports decoding of popular Blu-ray audio formats.”

So no matter whether you’re on the release channel or the preview channel, Xbox One and Windows 10 gamers have plenty to be excited about with these latest updates.