Windows 10’s Xbox Console Companion is the new way for PCs to interact with Xbox
The new-look Xbox app
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Microsoftis overhauling the Xbox app inWindows 10in preparation for what the company claims will be “a new desktop experience”.
The biggest change is the name – the app will now be called the Xbox Console Companion, and a message from Microsoft says it will be “a dedicated app for your Xbox console’s features and settings”.
We didn’t think there was anything wrong with the name of the Xbox app – it was nice and concise – but Microsoft’s change of name possibly hints at the company’s future plans for how Windows PCs and theXbox One– and its successor, theXbox Two(or whatever it will be called) – will work together.
New experience
The “new desktop experience” Microsoft promises with the Xbox Console Companion app is intriguing. Asthe Verge points out, the Game Bar feature inWindows 10has been recently updated, which includes features that make the Xbox app in its current form feel a bit redundant.
Microsoftis expected to reveal more informationabout its next Xbox console atE3 2019, with the company holding an event on June 9. The new Xbox Console Companion could be laying the groundwork for connecting the new console to Windows 10 PCs.
This follows Phil Spencer, executive vice-president of Gaming at Microsoft,recently reiterating the company’s commitment to PC gaming. Could the new Xbox Console Companion app be its way of bringing console and PC gamers closer together? Hopefully, we won’t have long to find out.
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Matt is TechRadar’s Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there’s no aspect of technology that Matt isn’t passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. He’s personally reviewed and used most of the laptops in our best laptops guide - and since joining TechRadar in 2014, he’s reviewed over 250 laptops and computing accessories personally.
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