A new power-saving mode is being tested for Xbox consoles that helps the system use renewable energy rather than fossil fuels.
Key Details
- Microsoft announced a new carbon-aware mode that is in testing for Xbox consoles.
- The new mode allows the console to update and download software when the power grid is the least reliant on fossil fuels allowing the system to run on renewable energy instead.
- The new power-saving mode is still in testing but is planned to be released to all Xbox consoles in the near future.
Why it’s important
Xbox is releasing a new mode that allows the console to run on electric energy and not overwork its local power grid.
Microsoft recently announced the new power-saving mode that will be released to all Xbox consoles in the future.
The mode works by optimizing the time the console updates itself and downloads new software. It waits until the local power grid is less reliant on fossil fuels and uses renewable energy sources instead.
In order to do this, the console must be connected to the internet and in shutdown mode, not sleep mode. The difference between shutdown and sleep is during shutdown mode, the console is completely shut off, whereas with sleep mode, the console is just sleeping and can be woken back up by the remote control, and users do not have to reboot the console completely.
It needs to be in shutdown mode because it is up to 20 times more efficient than sleep mode. Microsoft says that two consoles using shutdown mode rather than sleep is the equivalent of carbon removed by planting one tree and allowing it to grow for ten years.
The new mode is still in the testing phase, and Microsoft has not given a set date as to when it will be released to all Xbox consoles.