Members of the Xbox preview program get to try out unreleased monthly software updates for the Xbox One a couple of weeks before it’s released to everybody. This allows Microsoft to test out the update at a large scale before it’s sent out. This month the Xbox One April update is being released in waves. According to Major Nelson the first wave is out now and the second will arrive next week.
Features and improvements in the first wave include new troubleshooting guidance for Xbox One owners using Party chat. The app will help users get their microphone enabled and teach them about privacy settings as well as networking issues that may block communication with certain party members.
Game hub links will let Xbox One owners easily discover game hub content from activity feed. Items in the activity feed will now be displayed whenever a friend follows a game. Users will also be able to get back to a game’s hub from activity feed posts related to the game. A link to game hubs has been added to the game’s page in the achievements app.
The first wave of Xbox One April update brings a feature called Achievement notifications. This will include an achievement’s description in the notification so users will find out what they did to earn it without having to open the app. Those who do decide to open the app will notice performance improvements that make it faster to bring up the achievements app.
Major Nelson promises more features in the second wave of this update.