The day is finally here. The new console generation is officially live — and a host of new features comes with it. The Xbox Series X came out on November 10, one day before the PS5. Amid the pre-order craze that took the world by storm, Microsoft and Sony have been showcasing review units, demonstrating some of the cool features that come with each console.
If you are a gamer who has the new Xbox, or you plan to get one in the future, you can look forward to a variety of cool functionss, some lesser-known than others, and some that you can make better yourself.
10 Amp Your Multitasking
The power of the Xbox Series X is nothing to scoff at, unlike some contenders in the underworld of consoles. The combination of its RAM and SSD enables lightning-fast switching between multiple suspended games, thanks to the Quick Resume function. Basically, pressing the Xbox button allows you to suspend your game, literally pausing it while you go play another game.
Feel like jumping back in that game you just paused? It only takes the Xbox a few seconds to load you back in exactly where you were. Some games retain this functionality even after restarting the system — all thanks to a push of a button.
9 Personalize The Home Menu
Clicking the view button while in the main menu enables you to customize your screen and reorder icons as you wish. That means the layout of the home menu, and the feel of your console, can completely change at a moment’s notice.
There are also more personalization options to be found thanks to the view button. You can change the user interface of the console (light, dark, or both depending on the time of day), use screenshot or colors as backgrounds, or give the screen some pop with dynamic themes.
8 Turn On Your TV With The Controller
Once your machine is all cabled up and ready to go, scroll over to the settings tab in the main menu. Then find the Power Mode & Startup icon within the general settings tab. There’s plenty of useful settings to thinker with here, especially for those looking to power-save.
Within the TV & A/V Power Options tab, find the HDMI-CEC option and toggle it on. There are four more boxes to check within the next menu, which essentially allow the console to turn your TV on and off when the console is powered up or down. You can even enable the console to control the volume output.
7 Minimize Startup Time
The Power Mode & Startup settings allow gamers to drastically reduce their boot-up time and start playing almost immediately, no added frills. This setting, called Instant-on, can be found in the Power Mode dropdown menu.
When enabled, it turns the console on much faster, and if you are feeling like it, you can even use your voice to do so (if you have the required accessories). Alternatively, Energy-saving mode can be toggled on instead, which requires a period of 45 seconds to boot up the console.
6 Pretend You’re Tony Stark With Voice Commands
This allows you to turn the console on and off, launch games and apps, capture gameplay, and more. You do need either Alexa or Google Assistant and their respective mobile apps to make this happen, though.
5 Manage Storage Optimization To Free Up Space
The Xbox has a smart storage option that lets you get rid of items you don’t use anymore, automatically suggested by the console or hand-picked by the user. Removing leftover add-ons from games that have been uninstalled also frees up extra storage in a pinch. This is especially useful if you plan to game with the Xbox Series S.
The Xbox Series X also comes with a slot on the back that allows you to increase your storage capacity. The 1TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card is an optional, and proprietary, SSD sold separately from the console, but it allows lighting fast installations, and it’s worth it since videogames keep increasing in volume size, especially Call Of Duty.
4 Control How Long You Play By Setting Break Reminders
Another great setting is the Break Reminder in the system preferences. This does exactly what it sounds like. After a set amount of time, you’ll receive a notification informing you to take a break.
This is especially useful if you want to manage your time better, or simply monitor how long it takes you to get tired when you play.
3 Personalize The UI Guide
Pressing the Xbox button on the controller pulls up the console’s guide, a helpful quick-access screen with useful features. The guide has your friends list, parties and chats, and achievements among other things. The information it presents can be modified according to your preference.
In the profile tab, at the very right, scroll down to Customize The Guide. From there, you can reorder the placement of each tab, though you cannot delete them. Think about prioritizing the tabs you use the most over others.
2 Use Your Old Xbox One Controller
It would be a shame to have to renounce to a couch co-op moment simply because your new Xbox only comes with one controller. Luckily, previous-gen Xbox One controllers are compatible with your new machine.
Simply hold down the pair button on the front of the Xbox, next to the USB port. Do the same with the button between the triggers of your old controller. Once the lights on the console power button and the controller flash, you are ready for action. The same process works with new Xbox Series X controllers and the Xbox One.
1 Transfer Your Games From Your Old Xbox Over A Local Network
While you wait for new games to be released, or maybe you’re saving up for a particular one, you can transfer all the installed games from your Xbox One to your Series X, using your local network. This is especially useful if your internet comes with data limitations.
To do this, turn both consoles on. Next, open up their respective system menus, select Backup and Transfer, and then Network Transfer. On the Series X, a list of consoles should pop up, and you can select your old Xbox. After that, select the games you want to copy and move into your new console.
NEXT: 10 Cancelled Xbox Games You Never Knew Existed
