New Xbox App updates brings handheld gaming optimizations

Since the unparalleled success of the Nintendo Switch in recent years, OEM’s are looking to dip their toes back in the handheld gaming market, and Microsoft’s late November Xbox update will make that effort a little bit easier.

Xbox App brings Compact Mode to all users

Visiting the Xbox Games & apps support page will highlight a November 2023 update headed to the Xbox app on PC that enables a new Comact mode for more optimize UI for gaming on PCs, specifically those geared toward handheld gaming.

Computer companies such as Asus and Lenovo have made some concerted efforts to deliver gamers more practical handheld gaming devices that are powered by the full breadth of Windows 11, unfortunately, replacing the keyboard and mouse with condensed joysticks and button pads has had to wait for Microsoft to develop an adjoining OS experience to accompany.

However, the Xbox app update version 2311.1001.7.0 inches closer to a UI that highlights the benefits of a compact Xbox gaming experience for handheld devices such as the Lenovo Legion Go and the Asus AROG Ally.

Compact Mode

When you choose the new Compact mode, the sidebar collapses into icons, providing you with more space to browse content. To use this feature, select your profile in the upper-left corner of the app and turn the toggle for “Compact mode” to On.

What’s new: Xbox app on PC updates | Xbox Support

To find your Xbox app on PC version number:

1. Launch the Xbox app on your PC.
2. Select your profile picture and go to Settings.
3. Go to About to view your version number.

In additioin to Compact mode, the latest Xbox App update also brings under-the-hood changes to how games are installed and launched as well the overall update experience for gamers.

The notification system also recieved a bit of a tweak to allow users to choose show unread notifications only from a dropdown menu. Alert banners also got a tease up in style that is more closely in line with the overall look of the Xbox app.

The Xbox app team also points out that there are some additional navigation improvements users should see and feel with the latest version as well as some bug fixes that include

• Resolved an issue in which the app might not load based on some language settings.
• Fixes have been implemented to address several UI issues across the app, such as text boxes being displayed incorrectly or not scaling correctly, as well as incorrect fonts being displayed.
• Add-ons should now correctly display the current discount for Game Pass subscribers.
• Resolved an issue in which the Xbox app would not load past the launch screen.
• You can now click “Check connection” directly in the Xbox app if it can’t connect to the internet.

For those less interested with handheld gaming, but are more interested with making sure their currently gaming experience is generally improved by this update they can head over to Settings > About > App Updates to confirm the latest update.