Xbox November Update adds handy Microsoft Rewards feature

In an attempt to improve the Xbox app experience on PC, Microsoft will soon add new notification banners, a compact mode for handheld devices, and more. The November Xbox update will also introduce new features to the platform, such as support for Japanese.

As announced on Xbox Wire, a slew of improvements are heading to the Xbox app on PC, including a new Gaming Services Repair Tool dedicated to troubleshooting missing gaming services and content when using the app. Plus, new notification banners will give you the option to only show unread notifications from the dropdown menu, instead of the full list of notifications it currently shows.

For those of you who enjoy using handheld devices like the popular Asus ROG Ally, the introduction of a Compact Mode might also be a welcome addition. The new feature is designed to make the Xbox app more intuitive and user-friendly on smaller-screened devices by having the sidebar collapse into icons for ease of navigation around the menus. Microsoft is currently attempting to ensure that the Compact Mode is enabled by default with its partnered manufacturers, so you should have it set automatically when loading up the app.

As for the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles themselves, Japanese language support will soon be enabled, offering you specific keyboard layouts for Japanese, both physically and digitally. As an example, Microsoft says you’ll be able to choose between the 106/109 Japanese keyboard layout or the 101/102 English layout.

“To update your keyboard settings, press the Xbox button on your Wireless Controller to open the guide, and then go to Settings > System > Language & location. You’ll be able to select the Japanese keyboard layout if the Keyboard & dictation setting is set to Japanese.”

While the company seems to be removing even more ways to earn Microsoft Reward Points, a new feature will be added to the Rewards tab on your console. When redeeming rewards with your points, you’ll be able to claim them directly from your console, using your phone to authenticate the offer.

Finally, the latest firmware update for official Xbox controllers, the Elite Series 2, and Xbox Adaptive Controller will include a number of bug fixes and a Shift mode for keyboard mapping.