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Microsoft's monthly tinkering with the Xbox One's system software will produce something special in October, as the console will at long last offer the kind of distinct, smartly-designed system-wide functionality that could make rival console-makers jealous. 

The console's October update doesn't perfect the Xbox One. But, 11 months into the machine's existence, it finally sees the Xbox One using its unusual architecture to do things that significantly improve the gaming experience on the Microsoft console in ways not seen on the rival PlayStation 4 and Wii U. 

The key to all of this is an improvement to how the console handles split-screen multi-tasking, a feature the system's three operating systems were designed to do but have so far not done in many, if any, impressive ways. In short, the Xbox One's so-called Snap features finally make sense and work well. 

Here's a video I recorded, explaining the improvements as I run through them:

http://kotaku.com/octobers-xbox-one-changes-make-microsofts-console-a-who-1640349566?utm_campaign=Socialflow_Kotaku_Facebook&utm_source=Kotaku_Facebook&utm_medium=Socialflow

Eh. I'm sure there are people out there who would run over their own grandma for the opportunity to have their achievements open and visible while they're playing a game but it does absolutely nothing for me. I think I've looked at my trophies twice in my gaming career. I don't really want anything to take away 1/5th of the screen while I'm playing, either.

Now, that being said, I love having two screens when I'm playing a PC game but that's not exactly the same.

The snap in achievements are already there.

However, I wasn't aware you can double tap the Xbox button to quickly switch between windows. That is useful.

Loving it! Its very helpful. 

To be honest these are getting a bit ridiculous. Why have an update every few weeks.... just get it right first time. The dashboard that shipped was honestly a good 2 maybe even 3 months away from what it should have been.

I think that's the point of software, to be worked on, itterated and improved on as time goes on. Every major OS offers frequent updates  and there is absolutely no reason consoles shouldn't do the same, since they are essentially PCs. 

I've been really impressed with the software support from ms. I'm really looking forward to the friends leaderboards as well. And snap etc has been getting really fast. Impressive system that ms have. Feels very social and very clean. Jeep it up.

are you seriously complaining about having constant, useful updates that are released on a fast-release schedule??

the team works on something and ships it.  they work on the next thing, they ship it when it's finished, etc.

if they waited until they've finished everything they wanted to do and everything that the fans have been asking for (which is an ongoing process), these updates would probably only come once a year. 

monthly updates is awesome, imo.  and if you haven't noticed, that seems to be the general trend of software updates these days.  Absolutely nothing wrong with this.  Xbox fans have been more than ecstatic with these updates and constant support.  Same goes for windows updates.  And android updates.  And...etc. 

Ugh, remember when consoles didn't need updates and stilll worked perfectly.

Too anyone trying to make fun of this or whatever. They're adding plenty of useful features based on feedback. What's wrong with that? This update is more catered to the kinect less gamers. At launch there were none so why would they have needed this? They're just making it better because we have more options now.