Microsoft is testing a new Xbox dashboard with Xbox Insiders and the reactions to it are mixed. In particular, users aren’t fans of the change to the larger tile that used to indicate the most recent app or game you used. Instead, there are six tiles approximately the same size. Although this makes the UI on the home screen feel less cluttered, the tiled interface is starting to show its age. More importantly, a quick scroll down below will show you why Xbox Insiders are all saying the same thing. The section reserved for the recently added games to the Xbox Game Pass is a noteworthy addition. The only problem is that the rest of the dashboard is starting to feel like one big marketing tool designed to make you download and buy more games. An even bigger issue is the lack of customization options. The current Xbox dashboard lets you re-arrange and remove sections as well as pin your favorite apps. The new Xbox Home UI doesn’t let you do that. For what it’s worth, Xbox Insiders are giving Microsoft the benefit of the doubt. As this is still in its early stages, there’s a high chance that feedback from Xbox Insiders can still bring changes. But, we’ve got to be honest, it’s not looking good, especially when you compare it to the new features that we saw arrive on the Xbox dashboard over the past year such as a 4K dashboard, night mode, and Discord integration. Also, build number 2308 did add a few notable features. For example, the new quick-select lets users add and name top groups to the homepage as well as choose which ones to put there. Also, users can add 10 games to their home page as well. It should all look familiar if you have a PS5 as the PS5 UI recently added similar features. Basically, all of the additions allow for quick and easy browsing, which is understandable. The company wants to use the same UI across its multiple ventures. Ultimately, this new Xbox Home UI will still go through several months of testing, tweaking, and changes. Fingers crossed, it won’t look like a giant ad by the time it rolls out for all of us. Speaking of the Xbox, Microsoft Gaming CEO, Phil Spencer, had a few choice words about the Metaverse. In the same interview, Spencer revealed that price increases are coming to the Xbox consoles. Finally, Spencer doubled down on his earlier statements about bringing Call of Duty to the Nintendo Switch.
