Microsoft is preparing an update that is more cosmetic than technical, and may seem secondary… But in reality, it shows that mobile PC consoles such as Rog Ally or MSI Claw are really taking off, and Microsoft doesn’t want to miss out. This mode is designed for small screens and portable devices, facilitating access to widgets and navigation when using a controller. A first step was taken a few weeks ago, but things are about to get even bigger.
Xbox Game Bar in compact mode: confirmation of the advent of PC consoles
With this update, you get a much more streamlined presentation that allows quick access to recent games, game closing and additional features. You can call up the Game Bar by assigning a button to the Win G shortcut. Microsoft explains: Compact mode is a new experience that simplifies the Game Bar, making it more intuitive and easier to navigate on small screens, Windows handhelds and when playing with a controller.
If you want to try it out, you’ll need to sign up as an Xbox Insider in the PC Gaming pre-release. In fact, this update shows that Microsoft is taking the advent of portable consoles more and more seriously, and wants to make its OS more accessible for these formats. But other features are also available to make the life of the PC console gamer simpler. If you feel that your Windows is consuming too many resources with unwanted background tasks, compact mode also has a solution. The resource widget becomes your control panel on the subject, allowing you to monitor performance usage and quickly close resource-hungry applications.
What’s more, with the Widget Store at your disposal, extending the capabilities of your game bar is just a few clicks away. Already last May, the Xbox for Windows application benefited from an update that makes it more user-friendly on portable devices. A new “Rewind” feature provides quick access to recently played games, and improvements have been made to navigation. Microsoft is accelerating in this direction.
