Xbox One adds 3D Blu-ray support

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In an update due out this August, Microsoft will finally be adding support for 3D Blu-ray playback on the Xbox One, along with a number of other updates.

Neither the Xbox One or the PS4 can currently play 3D Blu-ray discs, but it looks like Microsoft will beat Sony to the punch and bring the feature to Xbox One consoles in a system update due to begin rolling out from August.

Other features coming in the next Xbox One update include the ability to remotely purchase games and add-on content using the Xbox SmartGlass app or on Xbox.com, allowing you to set content to download while you're out. There will also be a new look to the activity feed and friends area on the Home screen, while a 'Last seen time' will be added showing when your Xbox friends were last online.

Also new is a low battery notification so you know when your controller is getting low on juice, and you'll also be able to choose to disable notifications altogether during video playback, a much requested feature according to Xbox.

The PS4 couldn't play 3D Blu-ray discs, CDs or MP3s at launch, something yet to be rectified, despite the president of Sony WorldWide Studios suggesting support would be added soon after the console was released.

So, if your choice of next-gen console hinged on whether you could use it to spin the rest of your discs, it seems Xbox One has taken a step in front...

The Xbox One system update is set to go live any day for people with early access and begin rolling out to all users from next month.

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Joe Cox
Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff, and the Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).