The next Xbox One update will provide MKV support, and much more

Microsoft seems to be having a big time at Gamescom, with some big titles being talked about for the Xbox One, including Quantum Break from Remedy Entertainment, the studio which made Alan Wake and Max Payne, and Rise of the Tomb Raider, which is an Xbox One exclusive.

The company has announced that they are adding many more options to the Xbox One in a future update, which will turn the Xbox One into a much more feature laden media player. Microsoft will be adding the ability to play media files from a USB drive from the Xbox One, as well as teasing that it will be providing support for the very popular MKV format, as well as DLNA network support. Major Nelson has promised that the Xbox One will receive support for new file types, including MPEG2 TS, animated GIF and of course, MKV. There should be a preview version of the app that will include USB support, but DLNA and MKV abilities will be baked into a later update.

Microsoft will also be making the Xbox One a better device for controlling your TV, with a new update to soon let you boot directly to your TV from standby mode, something that will make things easier for non-gamers who want to watch TV and not play games at that particular time. SmartGlass TV streaming is also coming, something that will allow you to be in another room and watch your shows over your home network with your SmartGlass-powered tablet or smartphone, on either Windows Phone, iOS or Android.

This feature will let you change channels, pause, play and rewind TV shows, all while you are playing games on your Xbox One. This feature will first drop in European countries receiving the new Xbox TV tuner before the year wraps up. But what about gaming? That's what a game console does, right?

Well, gamers will see a new Friends section rolled out, something that early access members have been enjoying for a while now. The new feature will keep you up to date with your friends' activities, showing you which games they're playing, and a Gamerscore leaderboard. A new Snap Center will find its way onto the Xbox One, something that will let you view messages, parties, friends and achievements, all in a single place without having to leave the game.

Microsoft has also said that it is still going full steam ahead launching its Xbox One into 29 new countries, and that it is still all good for the Japanese release of the Xbox One "in the coming weeks", as well as Russia and Switzerland.