Microsoft has released the next big update for Xbox One consoles, delivering a range of improvements upon the last year's major feature update. While the update doesn't debut any major enhancements, some welcome changes have still made an arrival.

While an official name isn't paired with this update, it goes by the version number "1802." Early builds on the next branch, "Redstone 4," are expected to roll out sometime in the coming months with a larger batch of features. We've wrapped up everything changing with the update and what to expect when it hits your console.

Scheduled Themes

While a simple concept, "Scheduled Themes" is a welcome addition to the Xbox One OS. Complementing the "light" and "dark" themes implemented last year, the feature aims to deliver a dynamic color scheme to the console.

Although the dark theme is generally easier on the eyes in dimmer environments, light themes offer improved visibility in brighter locations. Using Scheduled Themes, the console automatically shifts between the two themes at set times of day, securing the benefits of both themes around the day and night cycles. For more information on Scheduled Themes, and a step-by-step guide to its implementation, make sure to check our extensive post on the subject.

How to use Xbox One Scheduled Themes

Do Not Disturb status

Xbox Live packs some impressive social features, serving as the binding network for Microsoft's gaming platforms. Communication, matchmaking and content features are engrained into the console but can distract you from the Xbox One's main attraction: games.

"Do Not Disturb" allows gamers to cut out Xbox Live's clutter, by blocking incoming notifications for social activities. System-level notifications, such as Achievement unlocks are still visible, meaning you won't miss the activity important to you.

How to enable Do Not Disturb status on Xbox One

Next Achievements

Achievement hunters are in for a treat, with a new feature that helps pinpoint easy achievements on the horizon. "Next Achievements" gathers achievements into an individual feed, allowing you to sort upcoming unlocks based on various factors. Using the filtering tools, achievements can be categorized by completion, rarity, highest value and more.

Next Achievements can be found in the "Achievements" tab of the Guide menu, as a pop-out window. This also means the feature can be quickly accessed without leaving the game, alongside existing Achievement tracking features.

Xbox One Achievement tips to maximize your Gamerscore

Mini Game Hubs

Game Hubs serve as a single location for Xbox One games, condensing announcements, social posts, and other content into a single source. While in the previous version of the OS Game Hubs were isolated sections to visit, "Mini Game Hubs" deliver highlights directly to the Guide menu.

Mini Game Hubs may lack the depth and functionality of full Game Hubs, though they serve top posts in a more digestible manner. This allows you to catch up on Game Hub activity, without leaving your current gaming session.

More features

Outside of the biggest changes with this update, smaller tweaks have been implemented across the OS, including:

  • A new Game Pass tab has been added to My Games & apps, which compiles all current titles into a single location.
  • A new download progress tile can be seen on the Xbox Guide menu, allowing users to view install percentages and manage their download queue.
  • A new Xbox Game Pass Discovery tile has been added to the bottom of the Guide menu, hooking directly into Microsoft's Netflix-style subscription service, Xbox Game Pass. Providing a way to explore the full spectrum of Xbox Game Pass titles, the Discovery tile opens the list for a random title from the library when selected.
  • This update brings the ability to finely tune the console's automatic shut down timer, allowing for two-, three-, four- and five-hour periods, alongside the existing one- and six-hour options.
  • Comment sorting has been reworked to place most recent comments at the top.
  • The most recent comment on a post is visible directly from the Activity Feed, encouraging more users to jump into the conversation.
  • Comment likes are viewable to see which users have interacted with a specific comment.

Your thoughts

What new features would you like to see on Xbox One? What do you think of these changes? Let us know in the comments.