After teasing this update during E3 2017, Minecraft Better Together is finally out of beta testing and can be downloaded across all devices (except for Nintendo Switch, which will see a later release to optimize the experience.)
Mojang detailed the update and what it entails in a blog post. If you already own the Xbox One, Android, iOS, and Windows 10 versions of Minecraft, you can get the update for free right now.
For those unaware, the Better Together update lets players across all platforms play together. By allowing cross platform play, it opens up an entirely new form of Minecraft gameplay to fans across the world. This update also sees the Xbox one and Switch versions making the switch to the Bedrock Engine for the game. Saved data, purchased content, and world progresses will transfer over from older versions of Minecraft to the new one. For example, a player can start working on something in their realm on the Xbox One, log off, and jump on their phone when they're on the go to continue their work. Its an incredible technological feat for not only Minecraft, but for the gaming world at large and one can only hope that this will open the eyes of developers everywhere to new gaming possibilities.
The Better Together update also brings a slew of new features, bug fixes, and tweaks. Parrots, armor stands, banners, and more are all introduced with the update. You can see the full list of changes on the Mojang blog.
It's worth mentioning that absent from this list is the Playstation 4 version of Minecraft. This is because Sony has once again blocked cross platform support on the PS4. While there have been ongoing talks between Microsoft and Sony regarding this, there is no concrete information to present at this time.