Microsoft is today rolling out the October 2018 Update for Xbox One. The company is introducing some major new features with the latest major update for the Xbox One system, launching much-awaited features like the next-gen Avatars.

With the October 2018 Update for the Xbox One, users can now control their console with their voice using Amazon’s Alexa and Microsoft’s Cortana. Microsoft is launching a new Xbox Skill for Alexa and Cortana that will allow users to control their console through an Alexa or Cortana-powered device. Once enabled, you will be able to use your voice to turn on/off your console, adjust volume, launch games and apps, take screenshots, and much more.

Microsoft is really focusing on Alexa here for the Xbox Skill, so much so that Microsoft is even launching a new deal for the Xbox One X and the Xbox One S where customers can get a free Amazon Echo Dot while supplies last. It just goes to show how much Microsoft really cares about Cortana.

And then there is the much-awaited Xbox Avatars. After multiple delays and months of wait, the new Xbox Avatars are finally coming to all Xbox One users. With millions of customization options, the new Xbox Avatars are meant to be diverse, supporting a wide range of body types. You can now choose to have your Xbox Avatar across your entire Xbox One profile and console, and even use it as your gamerpic. Microsoft is also launching a new Xbox Avatar Store where you will be able to buy Avatar items and accessories for your favourite games like Halo, Gears of War, etc.

These new updates are immensely powerful, with more than 16 million color options for almost all the Avatar items. And if you don’t like the new Xbox Avatar, Microsoft will let you get back your original Xbox Avatar by simply switching to the Xbox Original Avatar through the Xbox Avatar Editor.

Another highlight of the October 2018 Update is support for Dolby Vision HDR video streaming. Microsoft is adding Dolby Vision support to the Xbox One, so you will be able to stream Dolby Vision HDR content with your Xbox One, as long as your TV actually supports the latest Dolby Vision tech. Dolby Vision support delivers enhanced HDR and dynamic scene-by-scene precision, with highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are 10 times darker. Right now, only Netflix premium users will be able to make use of Dolby Vision HDR streaming on their Xbox One as Microsoft works with other apps to expand its Dolby Vision support in the future.

And lastly, Narrator is getting upgraded with support for five new languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Swedish, and Dutch. Narrator is getting support for an Australian version of English, meaning Aussies will no longer need to use US or UK English on their system

Xbox One’s October 2018 Update is available right now, so go check for updates on your console to get the latest updates. Keep in mind the new Xbox Skill is only available for users in the United States, so if you are outside of the US, you are only getting the new Xbox Avatars, Dolby Vision streaming, and new langauges for Narrator.

Tagged with October 2018 Update, Xbox Avatars, Xbox One, Xbox SKkill