Xbox Sequel Rumors

no1here writes "PC Format has an article about a supersecret device from Microsoft code-named HomeStation. Supposedly it will be the home entertainment system that Microsoft has always wanted. It will tie into Microsoft's .NET strategy, delivering video-on-demand, high speed internet connection, and communicate wirelessly with portable devices. It might even be able to play Xbox games, along with PC games."

Comments

This is really, really old news...and a hoax

[Glonk]

This came up months ago, everybody had a laugh. In fact, Slashdot posted about it.

It's a hoax, though. But probably not too far off from what MS will eventually do anyway.

Xbox is cool

[!Xabbu]

I rented one over new years.. I liked it.. of course, the last console I played on was an Atari, but I thought the graphics where cool.. the menuing system was kinda neat too within just the xbox itself. The controlers where nice although kinda big.

I should say that it kills me to admit I like anything MS, but.. well.. it just shows that I am open minded I guess.. :)

Re:Xbox is cool

[geekoid]

In order have have a fair comparison, you would need to also play PS2 and Gamecube.
you eally have no idea which one is better, only that its better then that atari you played.
Its ok to be open-minded, but don't be stupid about it ;)

Since I have a philosphical beef with MS, it doesn't matter how good there products maybe, I won't buy them. Unless they change some of there business tactics.

winy added for the humor impaired.

Was this so non-obvious?

[IIOIOOIOO]

Step 1) Microsoft develops a technology infrastructure to support a full range of set-top-box applications.

Step 2) Microsoft deploys a subset of those technologies in the form of a game console.

Step 3) Microsoft releases a packaged version of their set-top-box mislabeled as "Windows XP Embedded" to see how applications running under it work in the marketplace.

Step 4) Microsoft takes the lessons learned from both deployments to deploy a super-box.

Step 4 is the only one to not have happened yet, but it's a pretty obvious step in the progression. I mean, look at what's in XP Embedded and you can see that you could almost drag-n-drop to create the box under discussion. The real shame is that they're selling companies the tools to create cookie-cutter STBs all the while planning to squash them with M$s real deal.

I thought it...

[Freija Crescent]

I thought the sequel was going to be called the Special Edition X-Box, code named SEX-Box.

This fits in with Microsoft's recent trend to stick a 2 letter prefix/suffix on every thing (cf. Windows98SE, WindowsME, WindowsNT, WindowsXP etc)

I have a really novel idea, since it is related to the PC on many levels, and we ALL know PCs are evolving at an astronomical rate, Microsoft should do the following to prevent the SEX-Box from being quickly obsoleted..

Make the SEX-Box bigger, to allow internal components to be added..

Make the SEX-Box equipped with PCI and AGP slots so that it can be kept up-to-date with commodity hardware.

Make the SEX-Box compatible with off-the-shelf hardrives. Yeah i can see it now "No one will ever need more than 40GB"

Make the SE... wait a minute.. haven't I got one of these already??

-fc

Re:I thought the Xbox itself was that

[Steveftoth]

I don't think that the number of PS2 units outsold the xbox AND GC, but the number of games sold for PS2 was crazy.
According to http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011227/tc/tech_v ideogames_sales_dc_3.html
During early december, The ps2 had 8, ps1 had 4 gc had 2 , gba had 4 , gbc had 1 and Xbox had one game in the top twenty best selling.

Going by those numbers it's going to be hard for anyone but Nintendo to get rid of the PS2. At least Sega will be making games for every system, even if Shenmue 2 will only be for X-Box.

Hoax or no...

[kitts]

It will tie into Microsoft's .NET strategy, delivering video-on-demand...

I guess the jury's out on whether the article is a hoax, but this idea is pretty scary. Just imagine: they've trumped everyone else for the home desktop system, and so they dip into territory previously ruled by video stores, Pay Per View, and speciality movie channels.

Monopoly? Nah. Monopoly would be too good a word to use for them.

Re:Heh microsoft

[davmct]

News for Nerds != Linux Developers
You'd be surprised to find that slashdot's user base has come a long way since it was first opened. Sorry, but all techies have invaded this place you thought was home. Blame it on commercialization or the slashdot effect, but the s-dot has become a mainstay of geeks everywhere, not just the Linux uber-geeks.

Old news but makes sense

[syrupMatt]

This is old hat, however, it makes perfect sense with the moves ms has been making lately.

First they break into the consumer electronics biz with the Xbox, and develop a loyal following. Next, they offer online services with your xbox games (and other entertainment features) via broadband.

Then, with the shares they just dumped into the AT&T cable deal, they have a hand in cable content delivery, as well as satelite content delivery (cant remeber if its echostar or dtv that they have invested in). Never mind the fact that they have something like 36 billion (with a b) cash in the bank to invest in further content mediums and conduits.

Once they have all the pieces in place, voila, unleash this hardware on the public, and possibly an upgrade offer for owners of current xbox's. .Net provides the framework for content delivery and tracking, also giving developers a ready platform for producing apps.

Interesting strategy, and again proving Gates's intelligence in market entrance for his products.

Re:Old news but makes sense

[bdavenport]

It will tie into Microsoft's .NET strategy, delivering video-on-demand

good article at Forbes (free registration required) talking about video on demand and the burgeoning digital cable market.

fake or not, this is the plan that Bill is seeking - a trojan horse in your house that will play games, videos, cable, etc.

HomeStation... sounds creepy

[decipher_saint]

Just what I need, Microsoft connected to my TV...

Whats next?

-Microsoft Regeneration Chamber
-Microsoft NanoProbes(TM)
-MS HiveConnect '05
-MS UpgradeLimbs (USB w/ Serial adapter)

Re:Supersecret?

[Black Parrot]

> The project is *so* supersecret that it appeared on Slashdot three months ago.

Wow! The didn't even tell the editors about it!

The glimmer of hope

[evilpenguin]

This gives me my first glimmer of hope since the Bush the Younger administration emasculated the anti-trust suit against Microsoft.

Microsoft is now moving into and p---ing off entire new markets. Either they will compete legitimately one-on-one with the game console makers, and with the consumer electronics companies, in which case they will find themsevles back under proper market control (the ideal Laisser Faire solution), or they will leverage their monopoly into new monopolies and no administration will be able to ignore their blatant abuse of the law.

In other words, the thinner they spread themselves, the greater the chance they will lose their dominance.

"Leaked" plans keep competitors nervous

[Infonaut]

Microsoft has a long history of leaking or announcing technology long before it actually is developed. As the 800-lb. gorilla, this tactic works quite well, because it makes the competition less likely to embark on technologies that might compete directly with the "upcoming" Microsoft product.

I'm not saying that Microsoft deliberately leaked information about HomeStation, or that they're not well on their way to making it a reality, but early announcement is a clever way of placing barriers to entry in front of their competitors. If you're trying to line up partners for deployment of your new all-in-one home gizmo, who's going to work with you if they know Microsoft is coming out with their own gizmo "any time now"?