On the eve of E3 2019, images of Microsoft’s new built from the ground up Xbox app have begun surfacing on the internet.
First spotted by Microsoft sleuther the Walking Cat aka @h0x0d on Twitter, showcases more fluent design and appears ready to support the company’s Xbox Game Pass push.
the new Xbox app beta https://t.co/yHeCAbsgGD
— WalkingCat (@h0x0d) June 8, 2019
Other tidbits about the app that have found light include its codename Garrison, its Win32 architecture implying that Microsoft will be shelving its UWP version for its seemingly older design and its ability to download and install Game Pass games directly to PCs from within the app.
Perhaps, the most eyebrow-raising feature of the new Xbox app is its Electron nature as reported by Windows Central. While users will get a new Xbox app with better game-related integration from chat to download features, the app apparently will be a rather heavy piece of software.
Zac Bowden of Windows Central is reporting via Twitter that the app reaches Chrome levels of memory consumption.
The new Xbox app is a heavy boi. And it wants to set itself to auto-start with your PC. PLEASE. pic.twitter.com/MqAa1tv97R
— Zac Bowden (@zacbowden) June 9, 2019
Granted, the app is in beta and can only be accessed with a redemption code from the Windows Store, so there is time for the app to develop.
Chances are Microsoft shows off the app at this years E3, unveils an Insider program to help test and tweak the app until its official rollout perhaps sometime later this year.
We’ll update accordingly…
Further reading: E3 2019, Electron, Game Pass, Microsoft, UWP, Windows Central, Windows Store
