New Xbox Series X controller features surface with Xbox One update

Microsoft recently debuted its latest pre-release Xbox One update for its closed Alpha Skip Ahead testers, and with rollout across consoles, traces of the next-gen Xbox Series X have started to emerge. We expect Xbox Series X to share the same fundamentals of the Xbox One operating system (despite some differences), with considerations for the future already underway.

The vision for Xbox Series X been discussed extensively, with the latest CPU and GPU technology, speedier solid-state storage, and other enhancements enabling improved horsepower. Microsoft also plans to expand its Xbox social features in an age of streaming, and social media, spearheaded by a “Share” button slapped dead center on the new Xbox Series X controller. Likely to mirror equivalents on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, the shortcut provides one-tap access to screenshots, clips, and sharing features.

The newest Xbox One preview update for Alpha Skip Ahead users now sees those foundations, with options for controller mapping within the capture and screen menu. That’s not a huge surprise — the new Xbox Series X controller will also support Xbox One — bringing all social upgrades to existing hardware, too.

The new “Share” submenu includes the option to remap the new Xbox Series X Share button, redirecting to the Xbox Accessories system app. This button isn’t present on the existing Xbox One controller, yet provides an insight into how Microsoft handles its implementation. Microsoft will seemingly allow users to configure desired shortcuts to this assignable key, building upon its existing Game DVR from the Xbox One era.

The arrival of Xbox Series X looks to bring much-needed revisions to how Xbox handles content creation, revising unintuitive solutions, and hopefully its all-but-dead Upload Studio editing suite. Microsoft is expected to unveil new platform details at an upcoming August live showcase, which may also host its latest social endeavors.