The earliest generations of consoles were one trick ponies — you could only use them to play games and you had to have a physical copy of the game to be able to play it. Those days are so far in the past that some young gamers don’t even know about those days.

While Xbox came after the days of having to blow into the cartridge to get it working right, the early days still weren’t always easy. We are so lucky that times have changed.

With internet connectivity, apps, and plenty of other features, the newest Xbox generations are capable of much more. Of course, gaming is still the main attraction, especially with the Game Pass and Cloud Gaming providing players with access to bigger game libraries than ever.

This article will look at the other ways that you can use your Xbox as an entertainment hub in your home.

Home cinema

This one is kind of a no-brainer, but you can use your Xbox to play movies. Since the Xbox One, every generation has had both DVD and Blu-ray capabilities. You can also download movies to watch through any of the Microsoft-supported apps. Using your Xbox to play media makes life simpler as you don’t have to switch between devices.

Streaming more your thing? You can also use your Xbox to stream movies and television shows. With full internet connectivity, this means you can access all your favorite streaming apps through the Xbox hub. This includes Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, and Amazon Video.

It’s a smart decision to use your gaming setup as your movie-watching setup as well. You can invest in one great screen instead of a monitor and a television. Having a good speaker system is another investment with double perks as it makes your movies sound better and helps you feel fully immersed in your gaming.

Bonus entertainment during poker night

Poker nights are one of the ultimate guys’ nights. Getting together with a bunch of buddies and playing a few hands of cards is a great way to spend an evening. Throw in good food, good drinks, and maybe even some cigars and you’ve nearly got the recipe for a perfect hangout.

It’s just missing one thing — something else to do for anyone who wants to sit out a hand or two but doesn’t want to just watch everyone else play. You can use your Xbox to add to the casino feel of the night and to keep everyone entertained. Pull up an online casino and let whoever wants to play some slots!

Slot machine games might be solo-player activities but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to play alone. The most popular slot games, such as Starburst, can entertain a whole room because the tension and excitement as a player gets closer to winning a jackpot is infectious. These games also have flashy graphics and catchy music, which makes it enjoyable to watch other people play.

Watch your favorite streamers

Playing games is great but sometimes you just want to watch other people play. The popularity of Twitch and the massive success of the top streamers shows just how common this is. Some people like watching streamers to get ideas for new strategies to try while playing, others for the engagement and community, and others just because it’s fun.

Xbox lets you watch Twitch through the Twitch app. You can watch on your own or even arrange watch parties for your favorite streamers or to watch a speedrun before trying to win against your friends.

Play music or podcasts

Just as buying physical copies of games and movies is no longer essential, most of us now stream most of our music. Apps such as Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud are hugely popular because they give us access to massive music libraries.

Using your Xbox to play music lets you take advantage of your gaming sound system instead of having to rely on your phone’s speakers or earbuds. If you’re having a party, the right music is a great way to set the vibe.

Binge-watching has kind of ruined the weekly watch party experience, however; podcast-listening parties have replaced them. You can use your Xbox to play the latest episode of whatever hit podcast you and your friends have been following. This is a really nice way to keep close with friends even when life starts to get busy as it can be a weekly or monthly event."