From the official page for Xbox Video on the User Voice site:
This update (version 1.6.205.0 on Windows Phone 8 and 2.6.205.0 on Windows Phone 8.1) includes:
- Faster app startup and faster playback for streaming, downloaded and personal video
- More informative error messages for geofencing and download limit issues
- Improved search results
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I'm a little confused at the WP8 reference, since it was only for 8.1 that Xbox Video was spun out as a separate application. Can anyone clarify this?
In the meantime, the new version seems to work quickly and smoothly. I tried buying a TV programme - expensive when bought this way, but hey, this was the first episode of a 60's classic that I hadn't seen since I was a young boy(!):
Resuming a previously streamed video resulted in a three second wait, but then I was part way through an Internet-streamed broadcast, so this is probably fair enough. Resumption of playback from local videos on the phone were much, much quicker.
A couple of things I miss from Xbox Video:
- a 'home' control - having to step back seven times to get back to the home screen from some deep content can be a bit tiresome.
- no 'free' content listed. Surely, amidst the thousands of commercial titles, there must be SOME free content - even Microsoft tutorials or licensed YouTube content - anything. If only to reassure people as to how the streaming/watching process should work.
Content, in general, seemed to be quite expensive, especially in a world where Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and other 'all you can watch' services are only about £7 a month. I do think the Xbox content team needs to rethink some of its deals.
You can update Xbox Video in the Store here.