Microsoft kills another Xbox One feature, and people aren't happy

The Xbox One is shedding some extra weight at the expense of those trying to do the same, as Microsoft Studios announced today that its Xbox Fitness program is coming to a close.

Effective immediately, content for the Xbox One's virtual personal trainer is no longer available to purchase, while any workouts purchased by users will remain available for one more year before being completely inaccessible on July 1, 2017.

The trial version of the service for Xbox Live Gold members will also go under on December 15, 2016, which provided over 30 fitness routines for free as part of subscribing to Xbox's premium online membership.

Microsoft has not yet discussed any plans to reimburse those who purchased soon-to-be-obsolete workouts, adding some vitriol to already disappointed users of the service - on top of a petition to have Microsoft reverse its decision or otherwise allow access to the service after its closure.

Xbox Only-Does-One

Launched with the Xbox One back in 2013, Xbox Fitness was one of the first major features touted alongside the console back when it originally pitched itself as more of an all-in-one media hub than a gaming machine.

Instead, Xbox Fitness joins the likes of DVR functionality, Kinect, and that whole DRM debacle as cancelled or half-hearted attempts by Microsoft to expand the Xbox One beyond gaming.

It's not necessarily a bad thing that the Xbox One is evolving into a more gaming-focused console - the PS4 found success in simplicity, leading to Microsoft firing back with popular decisions like lowering the One's price and adding backwards compatibility to help tip customers on the fence onto their side.

However, those who originally purchased the Xbox One on the promise of having all their entertainment in one place are probably having a sour taste in their mouths right now.

We have reached out to Microsoft on the direction the Xbox One is heading, as well as any comment on refunds for Xbox Fitness, and will update the story as the story develops.

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Parker Wilhelm