Microsoft has been updating the Xbox experience on PC quite a bit lately, adding new handheld-friendly features like Compact Mode. Now, the company is testing a Compact Mode for the Xbox Game Bar, further improving the Xbox experience for players using devices with smaller screens.Xbox Insiders begin testing a Compact Mode for Game Bar on PCLast year, Microsoft rolled out a Compact Mode for the Xbox PC app, which aims to improve users’ experience on smaller screens. The company later rolled out even more features for Compact Mode, adding a “Jump back in” display, and improvements to the friends panel for players using a controller. Now, it looks like the Game Bar is getting a makeover for handhelds.As announced on Xbox Wire by senior product manager Oliver Xu, Xbox Insiders can now test a new Compact Mode for the Game Bar, which simplifies the menu to make it more intuitive on handheld devices. You can find the new Compact Mode within Game Bar’s General tab in the settings. The mode works alongside widgets and controllers and can even access other launchers, such as Xbox, Steam, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect, EA Play, and Riot Games. The Home widget displays your recently played games and the games you have running, and it allows you to quit a game. The Resource widget, much like it does on desktops, shows you the apps that are drawing on your system’s resources.”With Compact Mode enabled, access to widgets and navigation is simplified to ensure you can get access to the content you want as easily as possible,” Xu says. “When using a controller, you can switch between widgets quickly with left and right bumpers (LB/RB).”While Xbox boss Phil Spencer has seemingly teased a possible Xbox handheld, the rumors that Microsoft planned to announce one during Summer Game Fest didn’t pan out. Maybe we’ll have better luck during Gamescom or The Game Awards.
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