Xbox Updating UI Dashboard

Microsoft, diving into something quirky and fun, is rolling out this little feature for the Xbox dashboard. Honestly, it’s about time they make cloud gaming more of a breeze. Like, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve scrolled endlessly to find that one game I played last Tuesday. So, what’s the scoop? It’s all about adding a “Play History” tab to make bouncing between recently played games super easy. Xbox’s been doing this “Play Anywhere” vibe, letting folks switch it up between their console, PC, and even handheld gadgets. And… hey, even some big hitters like Forza Horizon 5 have crossed over to PlayStation. Wild, right?

This year, though, something totally new’s joining the Xbox family. Enter the ROG Xbox Ally. Yeah, it’s a mouthful. It’s a Windows 11 handheld device, and get this: there’s a standard version—just the ROG Xbox Ally—and a beefier one, the ROG Xbox Ally X. So, gamers can tote their games wherever, which is perfect since, let’s face it, the Steam Deck left a bit of a gap. And rumor has it, Xbox’s own handheld plans? On hold for now. Fall release for the Ally sounds likely, assuming all goes to plan. Fingers crossed no hiccups there.

Anyway—wait, I’m backtracking—the “Play History” thing is like swapping out tiles on the home screen. Instead of digging through menus like you’re hunting for buried treasure, you get your four recent cloud games all neat and tidy. It’s like a speed dial for your games. Makes me wonder, though… can you turn it off? I mean, not everyone’s into cloud gaming, and who wants a blank gray square staring at them every time they turn on their Xbox, right?

For now, it’s just for Xbox Insiders. Testing the waters, I guess. But soon enough, everyone will get to try this magic trick. And yeah, it’s a handy addition for the upcoming ROG Ally launch. Xbox, just keeping things fresh and fast. Or at least that’s the plan. Let’s see how it all shakes out.