The latest Xbox update pushes the console to adopt shutdown mode by default to save energy. Microsoft takes the opportunity to also allow you to use your smartphone as a remote control to control your console with the Google Home mobile application.
Microsoft has officially started rolling out the February Xbox update. And the program is rather busy. Because as the Redmond company announced a month ago, this update will change a lot of things in the behavior of the console. Xbox will now be more environmentally friendly. By default, it adopts the more energy-efficient shutdown mode and can even start downloading its updates during times when the electricity used comes from renewable or low-carbon sources.
Microsoft also took the opportunity to include in this update an option that will allow you to use your smartphone as a remote control to control your console. Xbox now supports the Google Home app.
An update for a more eco-friendly Xbox
With the deployment of this patch on its consoles, Microsoft intends to lead by example and make its console greener. For this, Microsoft made sure that patch modifies the behavior of the console so that it is more energy efficient. After initially deploying it to Insiders only, this patch is now available to everyone. Now, depending on the country you live in and local data from your energy provider, the console will be able to perform certain power-intensive tasks during times when electricity is from renewable or low-carbon sources . In addition, the console is now configured by default to go into shutdown mode, which is 20 times more energy efficient than when the console is configured to remain in standby.
Google Home remote control the Xbox
Another notable new feature of this update is that your Xbox will now support the Google Home app. You can therefore use the application from your smartphone to transform it into a touchscreen remote control. You will be able to turn your Xbox on or off, navigate the menus or even control media playback on the console directly from your phone.
For the rest, Microsoft has chosen to include a new option in the console customization settings. You can now choose to hide the visual displayed in the background of the console home page in favor of a solid colored background.
Microsoft
