Xbox Insider program previews UI changes, including pinning games and hiding apps

Microsoft may be more focused on cross-platform publishing than hardware. However, it's still tweaking the UI of its Xbox consoles. Xbox Insider members have new ways to customize the tiles on the Home screen. Testers can pin their favorite games and hide system apps, with an upcoming option to select the number of visible tiles. With rumors of a new Xbox console in a handheld form, Microsoft may implement similar changes on other platforms.

Many Xbox console owners have complained about a lack of customization with the Home menu. The screen can become cluttered with rarely used apps and unwanted promotions. Thankfully, Xbox Insider participants can now hide some of these tiles. Gamers with large libraries can also pin recently played games in the new Xbox UI. Even after booting other titles, the favorite Xbox games will remain listed first.

Gamers will soon be able to further reduce their consoles' messy interfaces. In the future, Xbox consoles will allow users to choose how many tiles are in plain view.

Anyone can download and install the Xbox Insider Hub, but previews for some features are by invitation only. The Xbox UI modifications are available to the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead rings. If Xbox Insider history is any indication, Microsoft will introduce most features to the public.

PC users would love to see the Xbox Windows App become more customizable. Players have few ways to control what content they see, and sorting capabilities are lacking. Microsoft may also unveil more tweaks that benefit Windows-based handhelds. Project Kennan is reportedly a new Xbox console manufactured by Asus. The ability to easily find and launch titles from multiple marketplaces would make these compact systems intuitive for gamers.