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Xbox One gets “Game Hubs” and improved TV features in February update

Microsoft is always improving their new console, and though some suggest some hefty changes to the console coming with the new Windows 10, the Xbox division is still churning out some substantial updates.

In the February update, Microsoft has added both cosmetic and functional features. For preview members, they’ll immediately take note of the transparent tiles if they have a custom background.

The new tiles were hinted by MajorNelson in a twitch.tv stream in mid-December, but beyond just the dashboard plenty more notable features have come as well.

“Game Hubs” are now incorporated into every game on the Xbox Store — adding a variety of content easily accessible related to each title and function similarly to the user profile pages.

Xbox users will have the option to follow their favorite game just as they do players. Gameclips, broadcasts, player leaderboards, and game VIPs are also displayed on each title’s Game Hub page.

The TV features are also getting a collection of small improvements as well.

(Per MajorNelson's blog)
  • OneGuide for the Netherlands – Support for OneGuide will continue in preview for the Netherlands and the missing channels for the Netherlands OneGuide listings will become available over the next few weeks.
  • TV trending in OneGuide – As you scan the detailed OneGuide TV listings, you can see which shows are trending by a “Trending on Xbox” note and associated icon. Xbox – live TV trending is based on the number of Xbox One owners currently watching that show in each country, pulled from anonymous data collected at a national level. Currently, Xbox TV trending is available to all members in the U.S., UK and Canada.
  • Live TV trending (new countries) – France, Germany, Brazil and Mexico will begin seeing live TV trending data in Xbox OneGuide.
  • Improved control of TVs, set-top boxes and audio/video receivers – Xbox One will work even better with more devices. This month’s preview release contains updates to the IR blasting database for new models and addresses issues reported by our fan community.
  • “Trick play” with Xbox One Digital TV Tuner – Preview members with the Xbox One Digital TV Tuner in supported countries (UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) will now be able to see video frames when fast-forwarding or rewinding paused TV on your Xbox One consoles.
  • Live TV streaming on Windows Phone and Android – We are continuing the preview of live TV streaming on Windows Phone and Android devices for Xbox One Digital TV Tuner owners in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.