Microsoft Is Removing Xbox One Snap Mode And Here's Why

As suspected, the newest Xbox One update removes the console's multitasking feature, Snap. This was discovered on Monday when the update started to roll out and has now been confirmed by Xbox engineering lead Mike Ybarra.

Writing on Twitter, Ybarra explained that Snap was removed in an effort to "improve multitasking, reduce memory use, improve overall speed, and free up resources going forward for bigger things."

Microsoft's decision to back away from Snap is not a total surprise, as a November 2016 report said the company was looking to kill the feature. Snap-style functionality hasn't been removed entirely, though, as you can enable a new Achievement overlay that lets you track your progress.

The update that removes Snap is currently available for some Xbox Insiders and will go live for everyone in the spring. The overall goal for the update is to simplify the UI and improve overall performance, according to Microsoft. The company acknowledges that "the UI can be complex, and for certain tasks, can require too many button presses."

New accessibility options are also being introduced; most notably, the co-pilot feature that allows two separate controllers to be simultaneously as one. Read GameSpot's previous coverage to see a full rundown of what's included with the update or check out the video above to see it in action.

The Xbox One was the best-selling console over the second half of 2016 in the US, though the rival PS4 outsold it during December.