How to use Kinect with the Xbox One S using a free adapter Not only does Xbox One S come with this new controller as standard, but it's also available for purchase for £50 / $59.99 for existing Xbox One owners.
Most interestingly, as well as the Xbox One's proprietary wireless connection to Xbox One, it can also connect via Bluetooth to PC, going hand-in-hand with Microsoft's push for gaming on Windows 10, and the ability to continue playing select games like Gears of War 4 from one system to the next with its new cross-buy, cross-play initiative. The range is almost twice as much as previously, too. The most noticeable is a textured grip on the underside of the controller, while new thumbsticks are said to be harder wearing to last over the life over the console's lifespan. The console also arrives with a revamped, streamlined controller - the third for the Xbox One to date, if you include last year's improved bumpers and headphone jack revision - with some tangible upgrades.
The new Xbox One S wireless controller is more PC friendly If you want to read more on how well Xbox One S outputs 4K content - Digital Foundry calls upscaling "competent but could be better" - then read our Xbox One S review. With 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players only just entering the market, the Xbox One S stands as an affordable way of getting one underneath your television. While Xbox One S won't support native 4K gaming - it will upscale existing HD games to the higher resolution - there is wide-ranging 4K video support, from Ultra HD Blu-ray discs to 4K streaming through apps like Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. If you're interested in investing in a 4K TV for Xbox One S and beyond, here is a list of some of the best 4KTV screens for HDR gaming.
So for games that support it, how much better would they look? Digital Foundry has had a theoretical look on what HDR means for games and movies based on the information available and the possibilities are promising, providing a "tangible boost in graphical quality in areas where pixel counts are less important", even if the final image isn't native 4K and is being upscaled to a full 4K resolution. Supported HDR games on Xbox One S include:Įlsewhere, HDR will also be supported with 4K video, but again, only content that have been mastered to do so the main source of HDR right now is on UHD Blu-ray, but the likes of Netflix and Amazon Instant Video are getting in on the act too. It's important to note that not only will you need a TV that supports it, but HDR is something that has to be mastered at the source - so not everything you play on an Xbox One S will support HDR visuals. Televisions with HDR - or High Dynamic Range - allows visuals to display a richer array of colours across the entire spectrum, including stronger blacks and whites, that are touted to be much closer to real-life colours than non-HDR content. What is HDR gaming and what Xbox One S games will support it?
Of course, the difference is slight - with up to 9 frames-per-second difference on certain games - so Microsoft is wise not to advertise it as a core feature, and certainly isn't anything close to what we can expect from the distinct 'Pro' mode that will be offered for PS4 games with the upcoming mid-generation upgrade. Outside of that, you should expect your Xbox One games to run exactly the same." That's why we said HDR on-screen, and that's what we want to be explicit about. "I don't want anybody to think a performance boost for Xbox One games. In terms of hardware specs, the additional processing power not only allows for 4K video output and HDR gaming support, but it also gives some Xbox One S games performance boost, despite what Xbox boss Phil Spencer said at E3: An IR Blaster on the front of the device, similar to the Kinect's IR Blaster, allowing you to turn on other devices like your TV and set top boxes without traditional remotesįrom the next Mario to fan-favourite indies, a list of every confirmed game and release date.Offers up to 2TB storage, depending on the SKU (1GB and 500GB models also available).The device pairing button and one of the three USB ports are now located to the front of the device.
The 'On' button at the front of the console is physical, instead of being touch sensitive.The console can now be stood upright with an optional vertical stand.A New Xbox Wireless Controller with a revamped design and Bluetooth connection.GPU performance boost up to 9 frames-per-second on some games.HDR visuals for supported games and video, 4K video support for Blu-rays, apps and movies, and 4K upscaling for games.
40% smaller form factor with a new "robot white" colour scheme.How powerful Microsoft's next system will be, backwards compatibility and more.