Labor Day 2016 Deals: $100 off Xbox One 500 GB, 1 TB bundles; $2,000 discount on Samsung Smart LED TVs (Photo : Twitter)
Microsoft rolled out a major update with several new features to its Xbox One console on July 30, Thursday. Some gamers will get the software giant's Cortana digital assistant on its Windows 10 operating system, which now includes Siri-like voice commands starting with "Hey Cortana". The third Xbox console's summer update also includes background music featuring music-streaming service Pandora.
Microsoft's personal assistant will be rolled out to Xbox One owners in the United States and United Kingdom. It has many of the same queries as the Windows 10 version.
Cortana will also include other features for the Microsoft game system. Gamers can use Kinect motion-sensing devices or a headset to search games and set up parties, and the voice assistant to control media playback.
Meanwhile, Xbox One owners can now use mobile apps such as Pandora to play music in the background. Quick controls can increase/decrease the volume or pause the song, according to The Verge.
The new update starts to combine Microsoft's Xbox and windows Stores, and some Windows 10 apps are already available on Xbox.
Microsoft's summer update for Xbox One also includes the Play Anywhere program set to go live in mid-September. This allows Microsoft customers to get game versions for both PC and Xbox One when they buy one of them.
The tech giant is also updating the Xbox app for the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. It is set to launch August 2, Tuesday. The Xbox app will show top Windows 10 PC games on Xbox Live, allow chat with PC gamers, and share PC game clips.
Microsoft's language settings are also improved. The language selected will stay the same for any location in the world.
In related News, GameStop is offering a trade-up program that lets gamers trade in old game systems for the Microsoft Xbox One S/Slim. It will release on August 2, Tuesday, according to DualShockers.
PS4 is offering a $200 trade credit, Xbox One is crediting up to $150, and Wii U and 3DS XL are offering up to $100 in trade credits. Most Xbox One S systems are included in the GameStop deal including the "Gears of War 4", "Halo", and "Madden NFL" bundles.
Here's an Xbox One S preview:
