Image via Complex Original
While not being beholden to one anonymous corporate super-structure over another, both Sony and Microsoft's new consoles are works in progress, and both have ample room to improve.
Both machines have firmly embedded camps that will endlessly tout why one console is superior to the other. And that's great..really it is. Since this writer has spent the bulk of the Holiday season keeping himself warm by the welcoming glow of the Xbox One, he's made a few notes about how Microsoft can improve their already impressive console.
The Xbox One is a beast in both its appearance and its capabilities. And this isn't meant to be troll-bait, my PS4 is getting plenty of love as well, but here are a few things that Microsoft could change right now to make 2014 an even more successful year for the Xbox One.
Here are 10 Things Microsoft and the Xbox One Need to Change ASAP
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10. Improve Voice Command Functionality
One of the strongest pillars the Xbox One was to be built on was the Kinect 2.0. Registering users' bodies through facial recognition technology, the new Kinect was going to be a marginally sentient co-pilot in Microsoft's gaming ecosystem. Prior to release we were shown trailer after trailer showing what the future of a Kinect 2.0 enabled Xbox One was going to look like. The reality of the Kinect, and voice commands very, very specifically, are jarringly different.
The voice commands work about %50 of the time and usually require repeating commands. Berating the Kinect like a stern Uncle who's one reprimand away from showing you how we did things back in the military academy isn't how we should be interacting with our technology.
The Kinect is a brilliantly ambitious piece of hardware that may just need some time to flex its muscles, but Microsoft needs to make the voice recognition component more competent if the want fans to truly embrace the peripheral.
9. Make Cross Platform Unity a Prioroty
Integrating Windows 8.1, Windows phones, and the Xbox One into a single cohesive cross-platform experience would go a long way in creating a seamless Microsoft experience. Making Xbox One apps available on the Windows Store, and vice versa, would provide users an interlaced space that Sony has yet to create. Rumors about this possibility have been in the ether since before launch, but Microsoft needs to make this a 2014 priority.
8. Provide a Larger Selection of Apps
After receiving a Roku 3 for Christmas, I was amazed at the nearly endless selection of apps available. I don't think we need another platform for Angry Birds, but the game comes bundled with the Roku all the same.
The Xbox One's app selection is meager at best. With the recent announcement of HBO GO coming to both the PS3 and the PS4, Microsoft needs to assert themselves. They need to back up the claim that the Xbox One is an all-in-one entertainment system in addition to a gaming system.
7. Voice Messaging is Missed
Using the Xbox One controller to manually type out messages seems like a minor criticism, but if we're meant to allow the Kinect 2.0 free range of the living room, we should be able to use it leave voice messages for friends. Typing out messages takes forever and feels strangely anachronistic with a perfectly capable, next-gen peripheral with voice command sitting on top of our televisions.
6 "Xbox, Snap to Skype. No? Ok, That's Cool."
Why can't we snap to Skype while playing a game?
During the Xbox One launch event Microsoft gave us the impression of a console that was able to juggle games and apps seamlessly. And for the most part, that's what we got. Except for Skype. Why Skype isn't snappable from gameplay hasn't been explained, but it would still be dope if Microsoft made this an option sooner than later.
5. External Hard Drives Need to Be Supported
Mandatory installs of all games on the Xbox One is a drag for two reasons: 1. It takes about 30-40 minutes for a game to install, which means no gaming straight out of the box. 2. You're going to run out of space on the provided 500GB hard drive quicker than you think.
Oh, and about that 500GB, only about 360GB are available for games and apps. Most Xbox One games take up between 20-40GB which means you're going to be deleting games/apps to make room for new arrivals. We want external hard drives supported, and we want to be able to decide how that storage is provided. Make it happen.
4. Part Chat Needs Help
Party Chat, get your shit together.
Aside from being buggy since day one, and tremendous wait times to find friends, Party Chat must be turned on manually after joining a party. Why does the chat need to be turned on? I'm here and I obviously want to chat. And while we're on the subject of chatting, Microsoft has said that it will be supporting third party headsets, and sooner rather than later would be a good time to enact that policy.
3. Why No File Manager?
Remember back on the Xbox 360, where you were able to access your console's hard drive to manage your system files?
Yeah, that was pretty great. We'd love to be able to have this option for the Xbox One. Since Xbox One requires mandatory installs of all games, we'd love a way to be able to manage the space on the 500GB hard drive, before, you know, we actually run out of space. The "My games & apps" tile allows for manual deletion of apps and games, but this option is hardly a substitute. With Xbox One games like Battlefield 4 and COD: Ghosts weighing in at around 40GB each, we need a way to monitor just how much space we're using and how much we've got left.
2. Live Streaming Need to Be Fast Tracked
Microsoft was very upfront about the absence of live streaming before the launch of the Xbox One. We knew that is was going to be missing at launch with plans to support streaming at a later date. That later date needs to be pushed up ASAP. Live streaming for the PS4 is available right out of the box and Microsoft needs to support broadcasting to Twitch and the like.
1. More F*ng Games
We know, we know.
Launch cycle titles are always lackluster. Microsoft has done a solid job of locking down future exclusives, but they need to embrace even more new IPs in order to maintain diversity in their library.
Titanfall and Halo 5 will be monstrous for Microsoft, but we need more games. Sony has embraced the Indies on the PS4, and have a huge 2014 coming down the pike. Microsoft has no shortage of resources and they should open up their warchests to further expand Xbox One exclusives.
