Xbox Live update makes co-op live streams a reality

Previously, Xbox owners had to choose from pre-defined images for their player photo Gamerpics. With the new update, you can upload any digital image from your console, Windows 10 PC, or mobile phone to use as your on-screen avatar or club profile and background image. Nelson urges you to “keep it clean,” though, as everyone can see what you upload.

Xbox’s Mixer (née Beam) is the platform’s game streaming system. With the new update, you can now stream along with up to two other people, called co-streaming. “With co-streaming, you and up to three of your friends can broadcast together to create a shared, multi-view experience on Mixer.” You can invite any other user (or your whole game party) to co-stream on your console and stream together in perfect harmony.

Xbox owners will also be able to connect a single controller as their default sign in device. When you turn on the linked controller, the console will sign into that account. This could make it much easier in a multi-account household where everyone has their own controller, for sure. Killer Instinct fans can now create their own custom tournaments via Live’s Club system, too.

The mobile Xbox apps are also getting updates, including more exposure for “looking for group” (LFG) messages. When you create a LFG from any game hub on the console, you can share it out to the Activity Feed or a pre-defined group of friends via Messages. In addition, mobile users can browse all the titles they’ve subscribed to with Xbox Game Pass. You can install the games to your console from within the app, too. You can now set your region on your phone to match that of your Xbox console, which gives you access to the content from different regional Xbox stores. Finally, the Xbox app for Android gets a bonus feature: Chat Bubbles. When a new message arrives, a new chat bubble will appear on your phone, no matter what app or game you’re currently using. It’s a handy way to keep on top of your Xbox messages and Club chats.