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Xbox Next to Include PC/Console Hybrid Option?
Pluvius writes "According to CNN/Money staffer Chris Morris, Microsoft's next-gen game console, XBox Next, could be PC- and XBox-compatible and retail for $599. This was one of many possibilities for the console which was explored by the B/R/S Group, a marketing firm which recently did focus testing for Microsoft. This theoretical console would also require a PC monitor or HDTV to display images and come with a full version of Windows as well as a CD burner and a keyboard and mouse. However, Morris notes that even if this hybrid becomes a reality, it would probably be an alternative to a standalone XBox Next console, much like the Sony PSX is to the PlayStation 2. Would you be willing to pay $600 for a console with all of the capabilities of a standard OEM PC?"
I'd have to say no. These systems are known to not be reliable -- many Xbox harddrives have failed, dvd drives have failed, but the loss isn't too great .. would you expect the same from your own PC -- losing all your data? I think not.
Everything I've heard thus far is that Microsoft dropped Intel and is using IBM chips in the Xbox2. So that would limit this "hybrid" to running applications compiled especially for this device, which drastically reduces the usefulness of it, IMO.
The PC's openness really bothers Microsoft. The only way to "correct" that situation is to turn consumers away from the PC as we know it, towards a "PC" which is closed from all sides (i.e. software and hardware) and Microsoft controls everything about it. The XBox is a nice platform for that.
The first step was to establish the XBox brand name in the public. I think this is already done, since XBox is the no 2 console.
The second step is to lure consumers do tasks on their XBox other than play games...for example, surf the internet, write letters, keep accounts etc.
The third step is to introduce the newest versions of Office and other applications for Windows for XBox first...then slowly delay those apps for the open PCs due to problems arising from the PC's openness (viruses, piracy etc).
The final step is to withdraw from the open PC and only code for XBox, which at the time it will be transformed to a fully fledged computer.
Microsoft also plans to dominate the internet, since the XBox computer will not play with anything else than the Microsoft network. They will claim that security reasons forces them to do so, whereas in fact it was their crappy software.
Nice plan Microsoft. No wonder for the Borg logo.