Microsoft is previewing a new Xbox Cloud Gaming interface today that includes the social features and user interface you'd normally find in an Xbox dashboard. The new interface includes access to the web version of Xbox Party Chat, so you can use a browser to join a call with friends instead of the dedicated Xbox desktop and mobile apps.
The updated web interface also includes the ability to find and manage Xbox friends, send messages, view user profiles and achievements, and even access notifications. Microsoft is testing this First with Xbox Insiders Before this interface is rolled out to all Xbox Cloud Gaming users.
Since this new interface is part of Xbox Cloud Gaming, most of it will also be available on smart TVs and Meta's Quest VR headsets as well. The party chat feature on Xbox on the web is not currently available on smart TVs yet.
The Xbox Cloud Gaming interface is already modeled after the Xbox console's home screen UI, so the additional guide features are a huge improvement. Most of this functionality was only available once an Xbox Cloud game was running, so the ability to start and continue an Xbox party chat on the web between game sessions will be very useful for Xbox Cloud Gaming players.
As always, Microsoft is only previewing this new interface today, so it may be a few months before all Xbox Cloud Gaming users have access to these new features.
Microsoft also launches New game centers in the Xbox app for Windows, allowing PC players to track game progress, access add-ons, and get news from developers within the Xbox app. The April Xbox console update also started rolling out to all consoles today, with the option to mute the Discord soundboard, OneDrive game capture storage space notifications, and new options to restrict the ability to install games or apps on the Xbox console.
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