The Xbox console update for November 2018 is here and you can expect some great new features and improvements this time around like a better search function, an Amazon Music app and support for mouse & keyboards. Let’s take a closer look at everything that comes with the November update, shall we?
Mouse & Keyboard Support
One of the most oft requested new features for Xbox One is finally here! You can now use your USB keyboards and mouse controllers on Xbox One. Not every game will support this feature – it will be up to the developers to include this feature in their titles. You should find that Warframe and Fortnite can be played with mouse & keyboard right away. Later this month you will be able to play War Thunder, Vermintide II, Deep Rock Galactic, X-Morph Defense, Bomber Crew, and Strange Brigade with either a controller or mouse & keyboard. Warface, Moonlighter, Wargroove, Vigor, DayZ, Minion Master, and Children of Morta will be updated with this feature soon.
You say you do not have a USB keyboard and mouse handy? No problem! They are pretty cheap these days but if you feel like splurging you will soon be able to pick up a fancy ‘Designed for Xbox’ keyboard and mouse with a few exclusive features such as a dedicated Xbox button and custom lighting effects. These lighting effects will largely be up to the developer but they could be used as a quick visual indicator of your character’s health or a warning if an enemy is nearby.
We know that a lot of you players who traditionally stick to consoles are concerned with the fairness of being pitted against opponents armed with mouse and keyboards. Remember that developers will need to opt-in to include this feature for their games and they have the ability to create lobbies for specific controller types. In fact, in Fortnite players who are using a mouse and keyboard will only be able to play against others with a similar setup. Those of you using controllers will have your own lobbies.
Alexa & Cortana Improvements
This month’s Xbox console update brings a number of improvements to both Cortana and Alexa. You will now be able to close your games and apps by simply saying “Quit [game title]”. You can also use your voice instead of traditional button inputs if you want to. Try saying “Start navigation mode” along with commands like up, down, left or right. You can also say Press A button or whatever button you like.
Amazon Music
An Amazon Music app is finally available on Xbox One! If you subscribe to Amazon Music you will be able to bring over your playlists and favorite stations to hear your songs on your console. The app also supports Prime Music so if you are an Amazon Prime subscriber you can stream over two million songs through your Xbox One.
Better Search Results
The Xbox console update for November brings you improved search results. These will now include titles from Xbox Game Pass, EA Access and your own “Ready to Install” list.
What new feature or improvement are you most excited for? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook – we’d love to know what you think of the newest Xbox console update.
