➡️ The Shortcut Skinny: New Xbox dashboard

• 🆕 Microsoft is updating the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One dashboard

• 🎨 The new design is similar to what we have now but more refined

• 🤝 Microsoft wants Xbox Insiders to provide their feedback to help shape the new dashboard

• 💚 The new interface should make navigation and finding your favorite games easier

Microsoft is testing a new Xbox dashboard that aims to make it faster and easier to play the games you love. The new Xbox Home Experience, as it’s being dubbed by Microsoft, is rolling out to a subset of Xbox Insiders in the Alpha-Skip Ahead ring this week.

As you can see from the picture above, the biggest change to the current dashboard is the new “Jump back in” row, which gives you access to your most recently played games and apps.

Settings, Store, Search, and My Games & Apps each have their own dedicated tiles on the dashboard, and when you scroll down, you’ll see recommendations and categories based on your gaming preferences.

It’s not a drastic change, then, but more of a refinement of the current Xbox dashboard we’ve been used to for the last few years.

However, the new Xbox Home Experience could look rather different from this first iteration. Microsoft is calling on Xbox Insiders and those on the Xbox Insider subreddit to help shape the final design of the Xbox dashboard, which should ultimately ensure users are happy with the new direction.

If you’d like to become an Xbox Insider, you can apply by following these steps:

• Launch the Xbox Insider Hub on your console (you may need to download it from the Store)

• Select ‘Previews’

• Choose a game, app, or other experience

• Press ‘Join’

• Read the Terms and Conditions and then select ‘Accept’

It’s important to note that applying to become an Xbox Insider does not guarantee you’ll be selected, but if you receive an invite, make sure you join straight away as spots fill up fast. You’ll also have to be comfortable using features that are in an experimental change, which could affect the stability of your console.

More changes to come

Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One owners can expect to see more changes to the consoles’ UI, as Microsoft has promised to do a “multi-month series of experiments to learn how to create a more personalized home screen experience and address some of the top trends and fan requests.”

Microsoft continues to improve the Xbox Series X|S experience. A new noise suppression feature is now available, and Discord voice chat is still undergoing testing.

The company also announced a new Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller, which is a cheaper version of its $179 pro gamepad. The new controller comes after Sony announced its own competitive gamer-focused pad, the PS5 DualSense Edge Controller.