Microsoft is finally listening to it's Xbox One's supporters by including one of the most requested features to the Xbox One, voice messaging support. This is something that should very well be fairly easy to implement, but has been missing since the Xbox One's release.
Xbox One voice messaging support is going to be included in the April update with the ability to record and send voice communication between Xbox's of this and the last generation.
Typing can sometimes be quite the annoyance when trying to navigate a console OS, especially if the only input tool you have is a controller. In the April update, however, you'll be able to use your voice as a short recorded communication method.
The messages themselves will be limited to only 15 seconds in duration, though they can be sent from Xbox One to Xbox One and even from the Xbox One to the Xbox 360. The feature will also support being "snapped" to the side for easy access and the very quick sending of messages. I think this will add a lot of great functionality to the Xbox. It's certainly no replacement for a Skype or Teamspeak group chat, but it does allow the quick organization of games or even the ability to brag of some newly received achievement. I think it'll be well received.
Major Nelson also gave a list of the other features that will be included in the upcoming April update, which includes some dedicated servers to facilitate party chat and a What's On feature that can highlight popular content. The list of features from Major Nelson's blog is listed below.
- Voice messages – Xbox One preview program members will be able to compose and playback voice messages in the messages app when snapped on Xbox One. Quickly and easily record audio to send to your friends or others through your snapped messages app accessed through a simple quick double tap of the Xbox button. Additionally, voice messages can be exchanged between Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles.
- Dedicated servers for party chat – We’re enhancing party chat with dedicated chat relay servers that will enable Xbox One owners that may have historically had NAT issues to party chat more reliably. Parties where players are unable to form direct peer-to-peer connections for party chat will automatically leverage dedicated server infrastructure to relay traffic. This service is only enabled for parties where one or more members are previewing the April system update.
- What’s On – The Xbox engineering team is continuing to experiment with the What’s On area, which highlights popular videos, movies, TV shows and game broadcasts. We’re continuing to test different experiences for preview members in the U.S. and this month, the preview of this feature is being expanded to Canada and the UK as well.
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