Microsoft is rebuilding the Xbox One’s dashboard to emphasize speed and ease of access

The Xbox One is not the most nimble of machines when it comes to the performance of its user interface. Even after Microsoft rebuilt the console’s operating system to feature a Windows 10 backend, an initiative that was, among other things, supposed to make the system snappier, the console still lags behind the PS4 in that department.

However, a new set of enhancements may finally make the Xbox One a UX contender.

In a blog post detailing a number gaming-related enhancements coming to the Xbox One and Windows 10 via Microsoft’s upcoming Creators Update, Microsoft says it’s reworking the Xbox One dashboard to make it faster.

“Every Xbox One will see an update coming to the Guide that will make it faster to complete common tasks,” says Mike Ybarra, head of platform engineering for Xbox. “Through one press of the Xbox button on your controller, you’ll be able to pull up the newly enhanced Guide as an overlay on the left side of your screen no matter what you’re doing.”

Ybarra goes on to add that Microsoft is rebuilding the system’s most popular multitasking features, including the Game DVR interface, to emphasize speed” and ease of access. Other interface elements like the Achievements overlay will get a fresh coat of paint.

Microsoft doesn’t say when Xbox One owners can expect to see these enhancements land on their machines, but given that the company is talking about them in relation to its upcoming Creators update, it’s a safe bet they’ll likely launch alongside the upgrade.

[source]Xbox Wire[/source][via]The Verge[/via]