Xbox One: 10 coolest features

1. Control your console using voice commands

The Xbox One is designed to be always on, in a low-power state, whenever it's not being used. This means you can activate it just by walking into the room and saying "Xbox, on". Users can start playing a game or watching a TV show, change channels, turn up the volume and more, simply by issuing voice commands. So for example, you can say "Xbox, go to Netflix" and the Netflix app will immediately launch on your TV.

2. Watch live TV via Xbox One

Xbox One lets you watch live TV directly from your console. This means you can be playing a game and cut straight to television any time you want, while still receiving Xbox notifications. Users simply need to connect their set top box to their Xbox One and voilà! No more multiple remotes, missed multiplayer matches, or frustrating delays

3. Get a personalised home screen

Kinect can recognise you and instantly log you into your personalised home screen. Your favourite games, shows, TV channels, movies, albums, Skype contacts and recently-played apps can be pinned right to your home page. Biometric sign-in and personalisation extends to everyone in your house, so each person has a home screen tailored just for them.

4. Record and share your greatest moments

The Xbox One has a digital video recorder (DVR) function which can capture up to 5 minutes of gameplay at a time. If something remarkable happens, you can shout “Xbox record that” and it will grab the video clip. With the Upload Studio, you can turn your gameplay footage into a work of art, record a taunt over the segment, add a skin and share it with your friends.

5. Do two things at once

The Xbox One lets you 'snap' two screens together side by side, so you can play a game while you listen to Xbox Music, or watch a football game while managing your fantasy football team. Alternatively, gamers can snap the Machinima app next to whichever game they are playing and get access to walk-throughs, game reviews and help videos.

6. Find opponents of the same ability

Smart Match on Xbox One uses advanced algorithms to pair players based on skill, language, age, and even their specific gameplay style. This means that you won’t find yourself in way over your head but you’ll always have a good challenge. The Smart Match system goes far beyond what was possible with the Xbox 360, which was limited to people you already knew.

7. Skype on your TV

Xbox One comes pre-installed with Skype, allowing users to video chat with up to four people at a time via their TV sets. The Kinect camera will follow the caller and pan and zoom automatically,. Users can have full 1080p video calls with their friends while surfing the web or checking the latest stats of a sports team.

8. Stay connected with the Xbox Live community

Downloading the Xbox SmartGlass app lets you check your achievements and game progress, watch DVR clips and message your friends while on the go. SmartGlass can also be used to navigate the Home screen, browse the web and get game help and hints during gameplay, as well as search the Xbox catalogue and pin content so it’s waiting for you when you turn on your console.

9. Controller triggers

Of all the features of the new controller, it is the triggers that are most noteworthy. They are wider and moulded around the index fingers, and there are four vibrating pads behind the triggers that provide haptic feedback and make individual weapons feel very different within games.

10. Personalised TV guide

Xbox One has its own TV listings guide that can be navigated with your voice. Say “Xbox, what’s on BBC One?” and a list of shows will be displayed. Users can create their own personal favourites list in OneGuide, so they can quickly find the entertainment they are looking for.