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[DBT85]

Common sense should dictate that, I'm afraid. The basic idea is that you want to be able to do something without being dragged entirely out of one experience and into another, as it's done on the 360. This offers a way to have two distinctly different experiences going at the same exact time with the user being able to seamlessly interact with either one. I don't need some canned, and badly acted demonstration of how it can be useful. I already know how, and Microsoft themselves have already shown some of the ways it can be used, conveniently accompanied by bad acting.

Watching a football game? Maybe you want to snap fantasy football, or head to espn site to take a look at scores. Playing a game, want to stop and tell some people on twitter about it? Snap twitter, tweet, and then go back to your game. I mean, it's so easy to find how it would be useful. You can even Skype and chat with a friend while you're busy editing a video in upload studio. You and a friend can both be watching the same movie on your xbox ones, but have a Skype video chat open on the side so you guys can talk about what you're seeing. You are playing a game of killer instinct, and then you can snap and start a twitch broadcast is the way I believe that worked. Or what's to stop you from twitch live streaming a game of Ryse SP? Microsoft has already shown a multitude of ways for it work. The rest is really up to common sense after that.

You've not said anything anyone else hasn't already said, thought of, shown on stage or in a video.

I still don't want it. I have a phone and a tablet. If I'm watching the F1, I have the F1 app on my tablet. I can also switch to GAF to comment in the thread about whomever Maldonado just took out, see some GIFs, see the latest outrage over developer y saying platform z is 0.03% -/+ than we thought, in my hand, while my TV is showing the race without any empty space. It's fast, it's so easy that a pre school child can do it, its convenient, and I always always get what I want when I want it.

If I want to Twat about the game I'm playing, or watching, doing that on my phone or tablet is again easy, fast and convenient.

I've tried, but Snap has been shown to do, and I cannot imagine it doing, anything that is better for me than the options I already possess. It truly is a solution to a problem I do not have.

But that's just me.

 

[lensoftruth]

Looks as useful as windows 8 snap ins. OS seems nice and smooth though, which is nice.

 

[Thrakier]

You've not said anything anyone else hasn't already said, thought of, shown on stage or in a video.

I still don't want it. I have a phone and a tablet. If I'm watching the F1, I have the F1 app on my tablet. I can also switch to GAF to comment in the thread about whomever Maldonado just took out, see some GIFs, see the latest outrage over developer y saying platform z is 0.03% -/+ than we thought, in my hand, while my TV is showing the race without any empty space. It's fast, it's so easy that a pre school child can do it, its convenient, and I always always get what I want when I want it.

If I want to Twat about the game I'm playing, or watching, doing that on my phone or tablet is again easy, fast and convenient.

I've tried, but Snap has been shown to do, and I cannot imagine it doing, anything that is better for me than the options I already possess. It truly is a solution to a problem I do not have.

But that's just me.

This is true and with a little market research, MS should've known. Hell, with smart glass they are even going for the second screen experience....

 

[Ploid 3.0]

Whatever. I trust the insiders. Let me know when it's in thousands of homes and no reports of it crashing games.

I'll tell you what I was rubbing my hands at the thought of though, millions of Xbox One owners not being able to play their games at launch because the servers got overloaded or had bugs (pre drm change). With how D3, Sims, and most recently and still ongoing GTA Online (it uses the cloud too) turned out, all signs pointed to disaster. They cleaned up their act and got rid of that crazy drm. Whatever changed their minds was a godsend.

 

[Ghost]

I think how useful snaps can be depends entirely on how much information the snap has on what's happening on the other side of the screen.

If the IE window knew you were playing KI as Sabrewulf then you could be on a website that showed you a move list for your character, or tips for the matchup. Playing Halo MP it could be tracking your K/D and weapon usage, recommending changes, in SP it could be telling you about upcoming secrets or providing commentary.

But I fear (I haven't seen the SDK) that the snap has no access to what's going on on the other side of the screen, and I think in that case the use cases are limited and mostly kind of lame.

 

[Erasus]

I dont know if I would actually use it but its a cool function, seems to work just like win8 snaps

 

[Ploid 3.0]

I think how useful snaps can be depends entirely on how much information the snap has on what's happening on the other side of the screen.

If the IE window knew you were playing KI as Sabrewulf then you could be on a website that showed you a move list for your character, or tips for the matchup. Playing Halo MP it could be tracking your K/D and weapon usage, recommending changes, in SP it could be telling you about upcoming secrets or providing commentary.

But I fear (I haven't seen the SDK) that the snap has no access to what's going on on the other side of the screen, and I think in that case the use cases are limited and mostly kind of lame.

That's a darn good idea. You should patent that, I suppose it's already an idea but the way companies patent things these days I'm sure you could own that feature and sell it to gaming companies (phone/pad/consoles). I guess at times it could be inaccurate to what you are expecting to see though (playing deadpool in the party area with him thinking about boobs - porn search).

Call it "Dynamic Homepage"

 

[walltowall]

This is true and with a little market research, MS should've known. Hell, with smart glass they are even going for the second screen experience....

What if I told you that if you had a few friends over watching the game and fantasy updates snapped in the corner would allow for everyone to see the same info simultaneously vs. everyone checking their phones every 2 mins. Could potentially be a better user experience wouldn't it?

 

[MysticGoujon]

I think how useful snaps can be depends entirely on how much information the snap has on what's happening on the other side of the screen.

If the IE window knew you were playing KI as Sabrewulf then you could be on a website that showed you a move list for your character, or tips for the matchup. Playing Halo MP it could be tracking your K/D and weapon usage, recommending changes, in SP it could be telling you about upcoming secrets or providing commentary.

But I fear (I haven't seen the SDK) that the snap has no access to what's going on on the other side of the screen, and I think in that case the use cases are limited and mostly kind of lame.

I wouldn't be surprised to see first party studios like 343 making "snap friendly" web pages. Ones that can read the multiplayer session you're in, and load the current stats of the session on that page, which you'll snap to the side (and the webpage will be optimised in that aspect ratio) and will update as you play. Insanely awesome potential if you ask me.

 

[walltowall]

I think how useful snaps can be depends entirely on how much information the snap has on what's happening on the other side of the screen.

If the IE window knew you were playing KI as Sabrewulf then you could be on a website that showed you a move list for your character, or tips for the matchup. Playing Halo MP it could be tracking your K/D and weapon usage, recommending changes, in SP it could be telling you about upcoming secrets or providing commentary.

But I fear (I haven't seen the SDK) that the snap has no access to what's going on on the other side of the screen, and I think in that case the use cases are limited and mostly kind of lame.

Didn't the Machinima show their app in snap mode giving info based on what was onscreen in DR3?

 

[dark10x]

Hmm, interesting idea, but I don't like the way it re-sizes the game. Would be nicer if they could just shrink the overall image with black bars around it.

The snapping of a browser could be useful for in-game information, though (like a FAQ or something).

 

[CadetMahoney]

The snapping of a browser could be useful for in-game information, though (like a FAQ or something).

It's for FAQ's and youtube walkthroughs/

When ppl start using it day in day out for those reasons ppl will question what all the complaints where for. PS4 comes with this snap-in feature right?

 

[intheinbetween]

I find it useful for FAQs or youtube walkthroughs/how tos

PS4 comes with this snap-in feature right?

IIRC PS4 does't support it

 

[DBT85]

PS4 comes with this snap-in feature right?

No.

 

[JaggedSac]

Hmm, interesting idea, but I don't like the way it re-sizes the game. Would be nicer if they could just shrink the overall image with black bars around it.

The snapping of a browser could be useful for in-game information, though (like a FAQ or something).

That is up to devs I believe as to how best to handle when something is snapped. Albert said it at some point if I am not mistaken.

I think how useful snaps can be depends entirely on how much information the snap has on what's happening on the other side of the screen.

If the IE window knew you were playing KI as Sabrewulf then you could be on a website that showed you a move list for your character, or tips for the matchup. Playing Halo MP it could be tracking your K/D and weapon usage, recommending changes, in SP it could be telling you about upcoming secrets or providing commentary.

But I fear (I haven't seen the SDK) that the snap has no access to what's going on on the other side of the screen, and I think in that case the use cases are limited and mostly kind of lame.

The knows at least what game the player is playing. Since the Machinima app does that. Perhaps, and hopefully, the API allows for more.

 

[mocoworm]

Mute the game. Hide the controller while you're playing. (Heck, if you use a blanket, she might think there's some sexy things going on underneath.)

If I am gaming then there ARE sexy things going on.

 

[Gen.Grievous]

Looks like a feature for people who see gaming as a chore rather than as something relaxing. Why ruin your immersion in a game by watching TV at the same time or having a browser take up part of the screen. Smart glass is a much better implementation if you ask me.

 

[iJudged]

Skype
youtube
a site with a walkthrough or faq
a video player
tv
apps like the machinima
live scores apps

the possibilities are endless just have a little imagination
yes you can do all that on a tablet or smartphone. But I don't want to look down to the and then up at my tv. Its better this way all in one screen

I am excited especially for Skype. Some fifa clubs with my boys group video while we ravage, well...we suck but it should be awesome..

 

[Mr_Zombie]

I would say why someone would use a web browser with that little real estate is confusing.

If a page is in rwd and scales nicely, the width shouldn't matter. I remember using IGN's walkthroughs on my smartphone when I was looking for manuscript pages in Alan Wake or emblems in RE6. Here you can simply snap the walkthrough to the left instead of constantly reaching for a phone.

 

[FeiRR]

PS4 comes with this snap-in feature right?

Fortunately it doesn't.

 

[SenjutsuSage]

Skype
youtube
a site with a walkthrough or faq
a video player
tv
apps like the machinima
live scores apps

the possibilities are endless just have a little imagination
yes you can do all that on a tablet or smartphone. But I don't want to look down to the and then up at my tv. Its better this way all in one screen

Simply more capabilities and options on any product, especially if they work well and are useful, are never a bad thing. People that don't like it don't have to bother with it.

 

[Naudi]

What if I told you that if you had a few friends over watching the game and fantasy updates snapped in the corner would allow for everyone to see the same info simultaneously vs. everyone checking their phones every 2 mins. Could potentially be a better user experience wouldn't it?

Does it work on yahoo?

 

[Caayn]

Fortunately it doesn't.

Sarcasm? Why would you want less features that you aren't even forced to use?

This looks backwards. It's like in Win8. You can snap 1/3 2/3 and switch which app gets the bigger space. In this "demo" they should have shown the game in the bigger space and browser in the 1/3 space. That would be more useful. It's pretty stupid to give a game only 1/3 of the screen (I'm surprised that's even allowed).

First off this isn't an official video from Microsoft. Second in the first part of the video the game has the bigger portion of the screen while the app only has a small piece of the screen. Later in the video they switch it around so it looks like in that screenshot.

 

[Thrakier]

Hmm...if oyu think about, this feature really fits the whole xbone story very well. It compromisses on one feature, to add another feature, which is also half assed. Like playing a game in a fucked up image ratio and low resolution on one half of the screen to surf the interwebs on the other hand via internet explorer and a controller. This is the xbone story in a nutshell, nice.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

Sarcasm? Why would you want less features that you aren't even forced to use?

I think it's because some of the xbox one's power is reserved for snap and kinect even if you don't use them, effecting power/resources used for games. Well if what's said about that is true. Like how memory is reserved for OS on both, GPU apparently have reserves for processing kinect and snap things just in case the player calls for it allowing the game to still work (snap to skype video chat for example).

 

[DBT85]

Sarcasm? Why would you want less features that you aren't even forced to use?

Snap and other things like it, at launch, are controlling 10% of the GPU on the Xbone, even if you don't use it.

 

[pocketaces]

.

 

[szaromir]

Works pretty smooth, but the Internet browsing is superawkward. It''ll require specialized apps like the Machinima one which was announced several weeks ago.

Hmm...if oyu think about, this feature really fits the whole xbone story very well. It compromisses on one feature, to add another feature, which is also half assed. Like playing a game in a fucked up image ratio and low resolution on one half of the screen to surf the interwebs on the other hand via internet explorer and a controller. This is the xbone story in a nutshell, nice.

Wow at the bitterness.

 

[le.phat]

in what universe is this more convinient then picking up your phone/tablet, to google stuff?
I don't think i can even read what the fuck is going on in that snapped browser.

 

[LCfiner]

Sarcasm? Why would you want less features that you aren't even forced to use?
.

This snap feature is a big reason why the Xbone is significantly less powerful than the PS4. It's not just an option that you don't have to use. The requirement for the system to have it has hindered the machine's ability to play games versus the competition.

 

[twobear]

My problem with this is, how do I control the snapped app if I'm playing a game? The game carries on running but the controller appears to be controlling the snapped app. So is there a button on the controller to swap between the snapped app and the game? It still seems like a nightmare of usability.

More generally MS seem to be going for this whole 'the game carries on playing' thing with their UI, like when you access the dashboard and the game keeps playing. Why would I want that? I want the game to pause when I do something else, not carry on playing. It's already frustrating on Xbox 360 and PS3 when the game doesn't pause when I bring up the dash/XMB, I don't want it to be the default behaviour.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

in what universe is this more convinient then picking up your phone/tablet, to google stuff?
I don't think i can even read what the fuck is going on in that snapped browser.

It'll probably be for families that don't yet have a smartphone, or tablet. Like webtv was going to be for families that didn't have a computer. I almost got a webtv before I had a PC.

 

[Ryuuga]

Wow at the bitterness.

Bitter? Maybe, but very accurate especially when you consider how much is reserved for the snap itself.

 

[RayMaker]

I had a dream last night, I had an xbox one

and the interface was revolutionary my dad and myself were surprised how smooth transitioning to tv to game to skype etc,and the kinect controls and voice commands were magical kinda of like using an iphone for the first time

I was saying to myself its not about the power of the console and the graphics, this interface is so good it will sell the console.

but because the interface was quite new and took some getting used to, there was a training game to help you with hand gestures and stuff, this training game was projected on to the floor and the goal was to tag different pieces of a circle (like a pie cut into pieces) that had different pieces of Microsoft marketing and propaganda on them, the kinect was making bright lights and noise and i felt like i couldn't escape from this game and it was brainwashing me.

I then woke up feeeling quite unsettled

 

[szaromir]

Bitter? Maybe, but very accurate especially when you consider how much is reserved for the snap itself.

10% isn't that much.

 

[derwalde]

when i sit down to play a game, i just want to play a game. i dont want to surf on the web, watch tv or youtube, use apps, read in forums. hell for 99% i dont even listen to other music while im gaming. so yeah.... why?_? do i need ADHS to find this "feature" useful?

 

[JaggedSac]

My problem with this is, how do I control the snapped app if I'm playing a game? The game carries on running but the controller appears to be controlling the snapped app. So is there a button on the controller to swap between the snapped app and the game? It still seems like a nightmare of usability.

More generally MS seem to be going for this whole 'the game carries on playing' thing with their UI, like when you access the dashboard and the game keeps playing. Why would I want that? I want the game to pause when I do something else, not carry on playing. It's already frustrating on Xbox 360 and PS3 when the game doesn't pause when I bring up the dash/XMB, I don't want it to be the default behaviour.

Up to dev.

 

[NingenJanai]

I don't know, the right bar seems too small to be usuable at all, at least when browsing the internet.

Can the bar be resized?

 

[Pug]

A see Albert has replied to a few question on Twitter regarding the Snap feature causing issues. Said there is no worries regarding snap and the Video is an old XDR build. When snaping the game doesn't get squeezed as in the video.

 

[Thrakier]

It'll probably be for families that don't yet have a smartphone, or tablet. Like webtv was going to be for families that didn't have a computer. I almost got a webtv before I had a PC.

Yeah, those families are certainly a rather large target group. They certainly will buy the XBOX1 for 500$. Great idea.

Bitter? Not at all. I'm just calling it like I see it. Things like that clearly show that MS, for the past few years, is a company without head, a target or an idea what to do. It shows in their other devices as well. Surface tablets, Win 8, Kinect, the last years of the 360, the X1 including the horrible reveal...there is always potential, cluttered with tons of shit and a very high price. X1 isn't any better and wow at people who are fine wit gaming performance is sacrificed top opening Internet Explorer in 1/3 on the TV screen. Just wow.

When Google delivers a full blown OS for free at some point, MS will have a problem. A pocket full of money is worth nothing without vision and a great concept.

 

[Pug]

10% isn't that much.

Didn't they also say they would release some of this 10% as the software improved also?

 

[hwy_61]

Looks perfect for my stupid, short attention span.

 

[Ryuuga]

10% isn't that much.

Isn't it still a compromise? I think that's the larger point.

 

[Dega]

This snap feature is a big reason why the Xbone is significantly less powerful than the PS4. It's not just an option that you don't have to use. The requirement for the system to have it has hindered the machine's ability to play games versus the competition.

I'm okay with reducing it's ability to stay toe-to-toe in games if it adds new functionality to distinguish itself and further evolve video game consoles. I wouldn't be surprised if features like this are the norm in the next generation of consoles.

I know that's a crazy thought in places like this though.

 

[Z3M0G]

Haha, did they accidentally close Killer Instinct at the end of the video? And say "Awwww..." when they realized it, just as it was fading out?

Also, with IE as a narrow browser snapped on the side, it should load mobile versions of pages. Perhaps full version when given more focus.

 

[twobear]

Up to dev.

There's confirmation of this?

 

[LCfiner]

I'm okay with reducing it's ability to stay toe-to-toe in games if it adds new functionality to distinguish itself and further evolve video game consoles. I wouldn't be surprised if features like this are the norm in the next generation of consoles.

I know that's a crazy thought in places like this though.

If you're gonna use the features, then that's totally cool. MS obviously thinks there are enough people who want this that they baked it in.

I just think that comments suggesting this type of functionality is "free" and comes without other compromises are incorrect. Building a box around this feature - and hitting a certain pricepoint - means there's going to be other areas where it's weaker.

 

[Prine]

If you load a browser within the snap i assume it loads at mobile width, which is smart because fluid sites (becoming more common) would "snap" into place, displaying content for smaller screens.

If thats the case (and i prefer mobile browsing on Gaf then Desktop) i could have NeoGaf on the right while a game loads then snap back into gaming.

IF it works this way it will most likely be a key feature for me, and many other gamers.

 

[le.phat]

I'm okay with reducing it's ability to stay toe-to-toe in games if it adds new functionality to distinguish itself and further evolve video game consoles. I wouldn't be surprised if features like this are the norm in the next generation of consoles.

I know that's a crazy thought in places like this though.

It's just another spin on the multi-screen hype that's going on at the moment. It has the same utility as the WiiU controller/smartglass/psvita connection, and all other asymertrical solutions. The xBone version just happens to be the most clumsy solution really.

 

[oldschoolpinball]

This looks very cumbersome.i can't imagine pulling up a browser on my screen along with my game.it would be much faster checking from my smart phone