Xbox Releases New Console Update for February 2023

gamerant.com:

Xbox has begun to roll out its February Update for both Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S consoles. The latest update for Xbox platforms has been framed as an effort by Microsoft to make its hardware increasingly sustainable by making consoles «carbon aware.» But while that's certainly the heart of the February Update, there's more beyond that Xbox players will likely appreciate.

Microsoft first announced its plans to create a greener Xbox console in early January. At the time, Microsoft said that as a company it not only held itself accountable regarding carbon emissions used in the production and distribution of its products, but also the emissions created through the general use of those products at home. That's why Microsoft decided to create options for Xbox users if they'd like to help reduce the environmental impact of the Xbox consoles they have in their homes.

Xbox Fan Gets Creative to Get Series X Console to Fit on Shelf

Starting today, though it may roll out later to some Xbox gamers than others, Xbox consoles will now feature technology that makes them «carbon aware» when evaluating when to download games or updates. If regional carbon intensity data is available, Xbox platforms will schedule update downloads for specific times that will help lower carbon emissions created by high-carbon sources in the electric grid. More specifically, it's designed to decrease fossil fuel dependency and lower CO2 emissions, while also saving Xbox users money.

Xbox users will have a choice for how to use this technology, of course. Microsoft isn't imposing a strict download schedule on anyone, but it's there for those that prefer it. To help frame how helpful these options can be, Microsoft says that the «Shutdown (energy saving)»