Let’s take a moment for the Game Bar. It’s that app you’ve probably never used in Windows 10. If you have an Xbox controller plugged into your PC, you may have accidentally seen it pop up when your thumb hit the logo button. Enabling the Game Bar allows you to take screenshots and post them to social media, record footage, and stream to Mixer or YouTube. It’s functional, but duplicates features in more popular programs, opting (up until now) for ease of use over more configurable choices.
Microsoft is updating the Xbox Game Bar. The improvements include a customizable HUD, the ability to (oh no) “turn your captured screenshots into memes,” run Spotify from an overlay, and a “looking for group” chat widget. Thanks to user feedback, the team at Microsoft felt these were the most needed additions. Okay, none of that sounds essential, but maybe you’ll use the Game Bar more than when you stumble on it with button mashes?
Microsoft may be adding a feature to Windows that minimizes other application needs to improve game performance. As reported by Windows Central, the “Game Mode” seen in test builds of Windows 10 lets the operating system prioritize a videogame over other running software and diverts resources as needed. Analysis suggests the mode works similarly to how the Xbox One handles the protocols for games versus other applications. How much of an improvement users can expect is unknown, or if the Game Mode feature will be available to games outside of those from the Windows Store.
As for when the feature will be implemented, the suggestion is that users could see an announcement along with the upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update.
Behold the Windows 10 VR Headset! It’s a virtual reality headset. Just like everyone else’s. They’re going to start at $299. The big deal with Microsoft’s headsets is that they include inside-out tracking sensors, so you don’t need an external tracking camera. Oh, and since it’s Microsoft, there isn’t just one product. Acer, Dell, Asus, HP and Lenovo are all coming out with their versions of the headset. You’ll also need a Windows 10 system to use the headsets, which is par for the course with Microsoft.
