Microsoft has been talking quite a bit lately about its’ upcoming dashboard UI update. One of the details about this refresh that just became available is that it will feature the removal of a function that is one of the more original functions on any console out right now.

Microsoft’s Mike Ybarra confirmed on Twitter that the Xbox One dashboard will soon not have the Snap function any longer. Ybarra said the removal is so that the dashboard will, “improve multitasking, reduce memory use, improve overall speed, and free up resources going forward for bigger things.”

The bigger things have not been made clear yet but there has been some talk about a kind of picture in picture feature. This would be an interesting replacement for a function that allowed people to see their game play alongside a period of time when another app was running. We’ll just have to wait and see if picture in picture is indeed a new addition.

Microsoft has been cranking out one update after another for the Xbox One, even releasing this month’s update before September even arrived. A new video preview showcases some of the upcoming improvements in the October update which will include new functions for Snap, the Friends section, Achievements and much more. Check it out above.

The October update will now let you Snap messages and Friends without ever having to leave a game in progress. In this way, you can view your Friends list and respond to messages. The Achievements app has been update to allow sharing of Achievements. You’ll also be able to sort out which Achievements have been unlocked by which friends.

This doesn’t include DLNA and MKV support in the media player, the ability to stream TV to SmartGlass and much more. It’ll be well worth a look in the coming weeks so stay tuned for more details and let us know what you think in the comments.

The July firmware update for the Xbox One is nearly on the verge of release and will add some fairly interesting features to the mix. This includes the ability to Snap Achievements while playing a game and even track Achievements in the process. So if you’re curious how many more zombies you need to kill in order to unlock that next Achievement in Dead Rising 3, this is the best way to do it.

The update also adds a new Double-Tap to Snap feature. Simply tap on the Xbox button to bring up the Snap Center and you’ll be able to Snap whatever apps you want. You can also use it to switch between the game you’re playing and the app snapped.

There are other features incoming including enhanced voice support for select regions to stay tuned for more information. What are your thoughts on the July update? Let us know in the comments.

We also get to see how easily one can switch between users without much trouble, and how programs like Bing can easily be switched to in the middle of gameplay. Interestingly, it’s not as awkward as it sounded the first time around. Kinect works fairly well in voice recognition and executing commands quickly as well.

The Xbox One will be launching on November 22nd in 13 territories across the world. Will you be picking one up on launch day or will you hold off till later? Let us know below in the comments.

As per this reply, the dev stated, “When I saw reports of Sony having a million or 1.5 million pre-orders for the PS4, I didn’t even think twice about it. We’re not disclosing pre-order numbers at the moment for accounting reasons but I know for a fact we have just as many. Don’t be bogged by published statistics. At the end of all this, what matters is the games you want to play.

“Which games will people go back to over and over. Go with that. Look at the list of exclusive launch titles for each console. I’m quite curious how Microsoft will put consoles on shelves at launch day given that almost every console we made and will make until launch are accounted for.”

The developer also talked about the Xbox One’s Snap Mode, and how it will work. “Snapping can be done in two ways. One is via the controller by selecting the ‘Snap an app’ button on the Home screen. This will show a list of apps that are snap capable. The other is via voice commands. ‘Xbox, snap X.’

“The majority of the apps that come at launch can be snapped, though not all. Some apps are by design only to run in snapped mode. As more apps will be developed in the future by third parties, they can choose whether an app can be snapped based on what kind of experience the app will provide. Game titles do not have the option be to snap enabled (shrunken to 1/4 size) even if the developer wants to.

“What MajorNelson confirmed is that once you have an app snapped, it will by default have focus. You can then press the center button twice to switch focus back to your original app/game. E.g You are playing a game. You say ‘Xbox snap Internet Explorer.’ Your controller is now controlling the browser and not the game. Tap the center button twice to switch back to the game.”

The Xbox One will be launching on November 22nd across 13 territories. Are you excited about it? Let us know in the comments below.

So yes, Kinect.

The Xbox One will reportedly support an all new set of gestures for Kinect, such as “grab and pan” and “swipe up” for executing different functions. It also does Instant Switching between applications.

For instance, you can enter a game by saying “Xbox, game” and then automatically switch to Internet Explorer by saying “Go to Internet Explorer.” All of these are processes are instantaneous and quick. Microsoft is touting this as the “beginning of intelligent TV”. Other applications which can support Instant Switching include Skype, now supporting Widescreen HD ratio, and watching ESPN.

Let’s not forget Snap Mode, which lets you snap multiple running programs together. Nifty. Stay tuned for more.