A few days after a leaked screenshot appeared to show external hard drive support for the Xbox One was getting close, Microsoft has now confirmed that will indeed be added as part of the console's next major system update in June.

In fact, as shown on the Xbox Wire website, the update will allow the console to have two external storage devices to be hooked up at the same time. It will allow users to copy full games, DLC packs and apps on those drives so they can be moved to a friend's house and played on their console. Of course, the user will have to sign onto their Xbox Live account to access those files on another console if the content was purchased digitally.

The June system update will also allow users to show their real names online, which should make it easier for them to be found by their friends. Microsoft will offer options so that a person's real name can be shown to all of his or her friends on Xbox Live, or just a subset of their friends, or none at all.

The Xbox One SmartGlass app will get some added features with the June system update, allowing for full universal remote control functions along with OneGuide TV support. The website says:

Now in supported markets you can view all of your TV listings on your SmartGlass device and set and view your favorite channels and app channels on your smart phone, tablet or PC. With the Universal Remote Control, you can also easily switch channels, set new recordings and select and control recorded content from your DVR. Another great companion feature now in SmartGlass is pin reordering. With the touch of your finger you can easily organize your pins in categories or favorites based on your preferences and have those changes refresh to your console.

Speaking of OneGuide, the June system update will expand its use beyond the U.S. market for the first time to add Xbox One owners in Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. The update will add the new Games for Gold and Deals for Gold sections on the dashboard, as revealed earlier this month. Finally, it will remove the Xbox Live Gold requirement for accessing the console's streaming media apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus and others.

Posted: May 21, 2014 1:23 pm
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/xbox-one-external-hard-drive-support-coming-in-june-system-update