Microsoft has announced that its going to start previewing some new Xbox One TV features. They will only be rolled out to select Xbox Live members by invite in the U.S., Europe and Canada. The company says that these features have been designed to improve the TV experience on its latest console. They include elements of OneGuide and also add universal remote control to Xbox SmartGlass.
The select Xbox Live members will also get an enhanced TV watching experience, though it will only work for those who have their TV connected to an Xbox One via HDMI=in. They’ll also get the ability to set new recordings and watch recorded content from their DVR. Select members will also get new Kinect voice commands in Europe and Canada through which the set-top box and other AV equipment can be controlled. The commands are already available in the U.S.
Features being rolled out to everyone starting this week include the ability to rent or purchase movies on Xbox Video, users will be able to start watching on one screen and pick up right where they left off on another screen. Initially it will only work on Windows Phone 8 and XboxVideo.com, playback resumption will be added to other devices soon.
SmartGlass update includes ability to navigate game options to get full list of Achievements, challenges and game clips without having to jump through multiple screens. It will let users receive Xbox Live messaging alerts on their mobile devices, and also to launch an app in Snap through the device itself. Activity Feed will be displayed on SmartGlass the way it is on the console, users will also have the ability to sort the Friends list by online status to find out what their friends are up to at a single glance.