About a year ago, Microsoft was on stage to announce DVR functionality for Xbox One. However, the company has decided not to release the update, which underlines the strategic shift that Xbox One is going through.

Xbox One is a game console
When Microsoft launched Xbox One in 2013 it positioned the box as half TV box, half game console. Since then, PlayStation 4 took off and Sony still has a significant lead

Microsoft is now in the process of forgetting all about its promises of a TV-capable Xbox One and is repositioning the Xbox One as a pure game console.

This has consequences for some of the promised TV functions, including the promised DVR functionality that Microsoft announced on stage in August 2015. The plan was to release the update in 2016. Besides allowing users to record TV channels Microsoft wanted to make it possible to stream recordings to PCs, phones and tablets running Windows 10.

The DVR update is no longer planned.


- "We’ve decided to put development of DVR for Over-the-Air TV on hold to focus our attention on launching new, higher fan-requested gaming experiences across Xbox One and Windows 10. We’re always listening to fan feedback and we look forward to bringing more requested experiences on Xbox One, Windows 10 and Xbox Live this year," said Microsoft.

Microsoft will continue to sell its digital TV tuner for Xbox One. The TV tuner was a prelude to the more comprehensive TV functionality planned for Xbox One.

At E3 this coming Monday, Microsoft will unveil its future plans for Xbox One. The company is rumored to announce a new version of Xbox One as well as possibly two “Xbox TV” devices.