Microsoft is working on a new UI and Dashboard for the Xbox Series X/S. The new update will bring some much-needed changes to the console user interface making it easier to find your games and get into the content you love the most. The new Xbox Dashboard is currently in early testing and is planned to roll out for all users in early 2023.
Microsoft says the new changes have been developed on gamer feedback. Ivy Krislov, senior product manager lead of Xbox experiences says:
“We know the Xbox homepage is where our gamers spend the most time, and it’s a space that’s very personal. We also know we can always be listening and learning how we can do better here while keeping your experience fast and familiar. With that, we’re kicking off a multi-month series of experiments to learn how to create a more personalized home screen experience and address some of the top trends and fan requests.”
If you are part of the Xbox Insiders program, there’s a good chance you’ll get access to the new dashboard starting soon. Alpha users will get access first followed by other insiders later.
The first thing to notice on the new Xbox Dashboard is the new “Jump back in” section at the top of the display. These icons will adjust and change depending on what you interact with on the console. Microsoft has removed the larger tile from the Dashboard which used to be the game you last opened.
The new Xbox Dashboard isn’t shy of ads though. Microsoft will continue to include product placements on the home screen which include sponsored adverts for games and apps.
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Sadly, the new dashboard still doesn’t offer much customization apart from changing your wallpaper. The current build doesn’t allow users to tweak what they see and move apps and pins around the menu system. Microsoft has yet to confirm whether or not that feature is actually coming out with this redesign.
But the lack of customization is not the only issue with the current dashboard and the new one. It seems that gamers still don’t enjoy using the overall UI on the system. Many believe that Microsoft could do a better job. One example is this fan-made UI developed on Windows Fluent Design by user Souls Ninja. Honestly, it is so much better.
Other users think that Microsoft is cluttering up the dashboard with blocks and pins and even using a wallpaper is pointless due to how little of it you see on the screen. Even removing the smaller details such as the button display and search bar helps showcase more of the menu.
I doubt Microsoft is going to change what they have already worked on but hey, it is a start.
Source: Twitter
