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Xbox360 Name Confirmed

Posted by Zonk on from the oh-god-why-did-it-have-to-be-that-one? dept.

63N1U5 writes "GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that British sources have confirmed that the next generation Xbox will be named Xbox360. Also included are details of the design features of the console, including a concave shape and platinum white finish."

100 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. White by turtled · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Don't say it... "Apple"... They don't own the color white...

    Probably more hoaxes til the real thing comes out.

    --
    "I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." -- Sigmund Freud
  2. Holding out... by knight37 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'm holding out for the Xbox 720 myself.

    Actually I will definitely be getting Xbox 360 if it can play Xbox games. If not, it just depends on what games they have at launch.

    --
    Knight37 - Once a Gamer, Always a Gamer
    1. Re:Holding out... by Reignking · · Score: 1

      Ah, but will the XBox 360 have the skateboarding game 720 available?

      --
      One man's Funny is another man's Offtopic.
    2. Re:Holding out... by ZephyrXero · · Score: 1

      No, but the revolution might have 1080 ;)

      --
      "A truly wise man realizes he knows nothing."
    3. Re:Holding out... by nb+caffeine · · Score: 1

      Ill get the "360" if its backwards compatable with my modchip.

      i kid, i kid, mine is softmodded.

      --

      "Something's wrong with you...and I hope we never do meet again." - Deftones When Girls Telephone Boys
    4. Re:Holding out... by MatW · · Score: 1

      I hope so too I hate the idea of spending so much $$$ for new Xbox games.

      --
      http://www.iWebmasters.com -your offshore staff leasing services!
    5. Re:Holding out... by Magnus+Reftel · · Score: 1

      720? No one will ever need anything more than an XBOX 640.

      --
      print "Yet another p{erl,ython} hacker\n",
  3. Controller by -kertrats- · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Just as a side note in relation to this story, there have been controller pics floating around for a few days now (seen here). It would appear that Microsoft has learned nothing from the debacle of the original Xbox controller; this thing looks horribly uncomfortable to hold.

    --
    The Braying and Neighing of Barnyard Animals Follows.
    1. Re:Controller by Datamonstar · · Score: 3, Informative

      It actually reminds me of the old sidewinders, which isn't too bad of a thing. AND (YES!) they finally got the idea that all those half-hazzardly placed buttons were soooooo annoying. I might be able to FIND these without having to look down all the time.

      --
      The eternal struggle of good vs. evil begins within one's self.
    2. Re:Controller by Datamonstar · · Score: 2, Insightful

      That's not the original controller. But it is suspisciously simple in design. Still prototype controlers are like this. It lacks finishing features, such as logos and hand grips.

      --
      The eternal struggle of good vs. evil begins within one's self.
    3. Re:Controller by Datamonstar · · Score: 1

      The dual shocks have it right on. Fighting games will give you callouses, but anything else is un-playable. I personally use a custom joystick, but I've put in my fair share time with a controller. Also, I remember trying to play Marvel vs Capcom on the Dreamcast with it's controler. It's impossible.

      --
      The eternal struggle of good vs. evil begins within one's self.
    4. Re:Controller by ZephyrXero · · Score: 1

      The Xbox controler type-S is my favorite controller out of the current big 3 (Gamecube's being second). I hope they don't change it too much except for the stupid start,back,black and white buttons. Then again I kind of liked the original Xbox controller too. The idea of being able to get my controllers in multiple sizes is kind of nice...

      --
      "A truly wise man realizes he knows nothing."
    5. Re:Controller by aztektum · · Score: 4, Interesting
      The original controller was a mess, I'll agree. But the Xbox S is probably the best controller I've ever used.

      I don't get people's love affair with the PS controllers. They're so small my hands cramp up. The S controller for the box fits right into my hand comfortable and doesn't cause any fatigue.

      Btw that picture looks nearly identical to the Logitech Wireless Xbox controller and various other 3rd party Xbox controllers, minus the black and white buttons. It wouldn't be terribly surprising if MS embraced and extended someone else's original design. We'll see at E3 I guess.

      --
      :: aztek ::
      No sig for you!!
    6. Re:Controller by Keeper · · Score: 1

      I never had a problem with the position on the S controller; my thumb can hit them without any problems. The original dukes were horrible though.

    7. Re:Controller by milkman_matt · · Score: 1

      The Xbox controler type-S is my favorite controller out of the current big 3 (Gamecube's being second). I hope they don't change it too much except for the stupid start,back,black and white buttons. Then again I kind of liked the original Xbox controller too. The idea of being able to get my controllers in multiple sizes is kind of nice...

      I picked up a wireless logitech controller for the XBox (and have used them for ps2) and I've got to say they're some of the most comfortable controllers i've ever had the pleasure of using.

    8. Re:Controller by -kertrats- · · Score: 1

      I agree that the Controller S is by far the best controller of this generation, and in my opinion it's only rival for best controller ever is the Genesis controller (for the comfort vs. placement issues, at least). However, the original Xbox controller was clunky and annoying to use, and that's what these images remind me of.

      --
      The Braying and Neighing of Barnyard Animals Follows.
    9. Re:Controller by ikkonoishi · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Not if you have large hands. That controller looks like a joy compared to the PS2's cramped buttons.

    10. Re:Controller by Bri3D · · Score: 2, Informative

      The controller images were gathered from ourcolony.net, the microsoft marketing for Xbox360 similar to ilovebees.com. So they probably real but of a prototype. And notice the lack of the back+start buttons where they normally are.

    11. Re:Controller by badasscat · · Score: 1

      I don't get people's love affair with the PS controllers. They're so small my hands cramp up. The S controller for the box fits right into my hand comfortable and doesn't cause any fatigue.

      I don't get the love affair with the dual shock either, but I don't get the love affair with the controller S even more.

      I grant that it's fairly comfortably shaped, but it is, without doubt, by far the heaviest standard console gamepad ever made besides the original Xbox controller. They are both unacceptably heavy for long periods of use.

      The buttons are also too resistant and not springy enough - they just don't have the right feel. And though MS could have easily gone to a more standard six-button layout with the S (something a lot of people were hoping for), they stubbornly stuck with those recessed black and white buttons, just put in a different place. At the same time, they put the start/back buttons in the exact spot where my thumb seems to want to go by mistake about fifty times per play session.

      I personally think the S controller is the fifth worst console controller ever produced, behind the Atari 5200 joystick, the Colecovision and Intellivision gamepads, and the original Xbox controller. It's too heavy and the buttons are just a mess. Its shape is the only thing it's got going for it.

      It's also the worst of the current three first-party controllers. The dual shock, while probably overrated, is at least shaped in such a way that your hands aren't really forced or even guided into any sort of position - you can hold it any way you want to. The buttons are okay, though not great, and they're laid out logically, if not traditionally. The Gamecube controller's only big failing is that it's just too specialized for its own good - the feel of it I think is amazing, but the button layout just doesn't work for a lot of games. And the d-pad is too small. Despite the bad layout, though, I think the springiness of the buttons is just perfect. Other than the d-pad, the Gamecube controller is probably the most comfortable gamepad I've ever used.

    12. Re:Controller by AlexMax2742 · · Score: 1

      The white and black buttons are now relocated to above the triggers.

      --
      I'm the guy with the unpopular opinion
    13. Re:Controller by AlexMax2742 · · Score: 1
      I've decided to pick apart your knocks against the Xbox controller. Not because I don't like you, but it's interesting for me to see how something bad for one person can be good for another

      I grant that it's fairly comfortably shaped, but it is, without doubt, by far the heaviest standard console gamepad ever made besides the original Xbox controller. They are both unacceptably heavy for long periods of use.

      I don't get the 'extended use' thing at all. I hated the fatbody, and I don't have particularly large hands, but the Xbox Controller S is perfectly heavy for me. The PS2's controller is a little too flimsy for me, and the Gamecube's 'conforms' too much to my hand, I don't feel like I have any leeway with it.

      The buttons are also too resistant and not springy enough - they just don't have the right feel. And though MS could have easily gone to a more standard six-button layout with the S (something a lot of people were hoping for), they stubbornly stuck with those recessed black and white buttons, just put in a different place. At the same time, they put the start/back buttons in the exact spot where my thumb seems to want to go by mistake about fifty times per play session.

      The springy buttons seem to respond just fine to me, and actually feel a lot better for games that use analog buttons than the PS2's equivilent. (I feel like I have to mash on the buttons to get them to go down fully. The black and white buttons, yeah, they do suck and I wish they had gone with a 6 button layout, but it's not terrible. However, I will never ever understand people's complaints about the start and back buttons. They are in an absolutely fantastic spot, recessed enough to prevent accidental pressage, but whenever I need to pause (or check my score in Halo 2) it's incredably convenient and just a short thumb motion away. It's a design feature I wish more compedators would copy.

      It's also the worst of the current three first-party controllers. The dual shock, while probably overrated, is at least shaped in such a way that your hands aren't really forced or even guided into any sort of position - you can hold it any way you want to. The buttons are okay, though not great, and they're laid out logically, if not traditionally.

      I have three major complaints with the PS2's controller. First of all, if you thought the Xbox's D-Pad was terrible, the PS2's d-pad MURDERS my thumb after long Virtua Fighter sessions. Whoever put that seporation in the middle needs to be flogged, seriously. Secondly, the left analog stick is a pain in the ass for me to use, and not in a comfortable position in relation to the rest of the controller at all. Third, and this didn't occor to me until playing with an Xbox controller, is that for racing games and FPS's, triggers are infinately superior to buttons. One of the things I like about the upcoming Xbox 360's controller design is that it's essentially doing both, putting buttons above the triggers, so you can have triggers for racing and FPS's and shoulder buttons for things like fighting games.

      The Gamecube controller's only big failing is that it's just too specialized for its own good - the feel of it I think is amazing, but the button layout just doesn't work for a lot of games. And the d-pad is too small. Despite the bad layout, though, I think the springiness of the buttons is just perfect. Other than the d-pad, the Gamecube controller is probably the most comfortable gamepad I've ever used.

      Oh my my.....where to begin. The Nintendo 64 controller, aside from it's blister inducing and prone to breaking thumbsticks was fantastic, what happened? First of all, the D-pad is attrocious. Simply attrocious. Never should have made it on there. Secondly, the C-stick feels way too flimsy, and while it might work for camera control, in the day and age of FPS's, it's a terrible choice. Third, the Z button is placed in a way too akward to reach place. This wouldn't be so bad if the triggers of the cont

      --
      I'm the guy with the unpopular opinion
    14. Re:Controller by Golias · · Score: 1

      I grant that it's fairly comfortably shaped, but it is, without doubt, by far the heaviest standard console gamepad ever made besides the original Xbox controller. They are both unacceptably heavy for long periods of use.

      The X-Box controllers are too heavy for you!?

      Holy shit, dude. You clearly need to stop playing console games for a while and get some exercise! You're a small step away from needing a feeding tube to survive.

      Maybe learning the trombone would be a good move for you. Holding that thing up for an hour or two at a time while working the slide would probably do you a world of good.

      --

      Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

    15. Re:Controller by antic · · Score: 1


      Tell me about it. Are these people playing while standing up with their arms outstretched!? When did the wider population become so small that the Xbox controller is too big for them?

      My brother and I play a lot of Halo 2 and love those original controllers and always force guests to use the S Controllers so we can use the originals. OK, we're 6'3" and 6'9" but even friends who are shorter and have smaller hands have never complained about either controller (most are from Playstation background).

      I would bet that a substantial percentage of people on here are just looking for something to whinge about because it's a Microsoft product!

      --
      'Thats they exact same thing a banana wrench monkey.'
  4. XBox 360 by CaseM · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's a whole new...direction?

    1. Re:XBox 360 by hobbesx · · Score: 2, Funny

      Geez- This joke's coming around again?

      --
      This rating is Unfair ( ) ( ) Fair (*) Funny
      Sigh... If only. Modding would be so much more fun.
  5. Am I the only one... by hollismb · · Score: 4, Insightful
    That thinks this could all be made up information? Seriously, after having seen the 'prototype' controller, I could've guessed the white finish, and the name had pretty much been adopted by all gaming sites, so it's not much of a stretch. My problem though, is that the 'source' can't even confirm whether there's a hard-drive bay, where the disc loads, and doesn't mention any controller ports. You know, if I'd seen any shot of the system, I guarantee you I could answer at least two of those questions. And the logo? Please, is anyone shocked that a system named XBOX 360 would have a round logo that says exactly that? Read this info and tell me you couldn't have totally made it up, knowing that you've got a good chance of being right:

    "The machine can stand upright and hollows in at the middle, like it's "sucking in its cheeks," our source told us today. Previous rumours had put the console as light silver, although fresh information says the final design may be white. It's impossible to tell from the documents, our source explained - although the glimpse of the machine's controllers given on viral marketing website OurColony does suggest a platinum-white colour scheme for the hardware.

    According to the source, the rumoured slot for the hard drive module - which was apparently at the top of the machine - is not obvious on the document, and the person was unable to clarify where the slot for discs is actually located.

    One other aspect we've been unable to confirm is the rumoured customisation features on the box. It's been speculated that the emphasis on customisation which J Allard touted at the Game Developers Conference last month could extend to allowing users to change the "skin" of the console, but this feature was not mentioned by our source.

    As for the logo of the console, it is described as a simple, round nexus with "Xbox 360" written inside it. Previous rumours had simply the numbers "360" in the disc. This branding tends to suggest that we can expect to see "360" appearing after many game names, as happened with the Nintendo 64.

    I call B.S. on this whole anonymous source.

    1. Re:Am I the only one... by Saige · · Score: 1

      Well, the rumours have been going around that the Xbox 2 would use wireless controllers only - the supposed leaked pics of the control don't have a wire, which would support that theory.

      I don't take the article seriously, however, since "unnamed" sources are confirming things. This we can't confirm that their sources are of any value. In fact, I have an "unnamed" source that will confirm that it will be called the "Xtreme Xbox", feature 6 controller ports, have 10 7.8 Ghz processors and a 2Tb hard drive, and retail for $2499. My source is just as trustworthy.

      --
      "You know your god is man-made when he hates all the same people you do."
    2. Re:Am I the only one... by hollismb · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Exactly my point. Rumors say we'll get wireless controllers, and the supposed prototype controller confirms this. So, someone who's seen the system doesn't even bother to mention the presence or absense of controller ports? Come on! Can't tell where the disc loads, or if there's a hard-drive bay? Which side of the system were they looking at that they couldn't discern these simple things? Nothing got 'confirmed' here at all.

    3. Re:Am I the only one... by robbway · · Score: 1

      I agree on the BS. If the source isn't Microsoft, then its not much of a source, is it? Microsoft would take the free advertising and allow them to print their source. Also, why would you bother with OurColony if you were just going to hand out the major information freely?

      I don't like the "Xbox 360." There is nothing wrong with "Xbox 2," and that's what my "source" confirms the name to be. My source? Pure guesswork.

    4. Re:Am I the only one... by n0dnarb · · Score: 1

      All I know is that the Xbox representative that comes to my friend's Game Crazy store keeps refering to it as Xbox 2.

  6. Re:This kinda irritates me... by Baikala · · Score: 2, Insightful

    As far as I'm concerned, they could name their product "Xbox Reloaded" or "XBox: So much better than PS3" if they please. "Xbox360" sounds better than "xbox next", or "xbox 2". The name doesn't matter, it's just merc talk, In the long run is the games that matter, always the games.

    --
    16,777,216 comments ought to be enough for any forum!
  7. Nintendo Revolution by polyp2000 · · Score: 1

    Whats next ?

    Playstation Gyration ?

    Nick ...

    --
    Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp
    1. Re:Nintendo Revolution by Winterblink · · Score: 3, Funny

      If the bootup screen is a video of Jessica Alba trying to capture the spirit of the console's name with a pole dance, sure.

      --
      "I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
      -Hoban Washburn
    2. Re:Nintendo Revolution by ZephyrXero · · Score: 1

      Okhama Gamesphere ;)

      --
      "A truly wise man realizes he knows nothing."
    3. Re:Nintendo Revolution by damsa · · Score: 1

      Playstation 6.28318531

  8. Sweet! by borg1238 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I just know this is gonna' be +357 better than the next Sony console.

  9. I'm not a fanboy but... by Ailure · · Score: 1

    Bits dosen't matter that much really... 360 bits means nothing. Wasn't the Ps2 2 bit? Yet it creamed the N64 console in terms of perfomance! I can't wait for Sony's 3 bit console.

    1. Re:I'm not a fanboy but... by KronicD · · Score: 1

      The number in the name is exactly that, part of a name. The processor itself isnt reflected by this.

      The Xbox (2, Next, 360, whatever its called) will use a 64 bit processor.

      I am unsure of the ps2 processor but you should be able to google the ps2s specs

      --
      "Those who would give up Essential Liberty, to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"
    2. Re:I'm not a fanboy but... by TelJanin · · Score: 1

      Does that mean you have a 0-bit sense of humour?

  10. So they went with the worst possible name. by Pluvius · · Score: 1

    Good job, microsoft.

    Rob

    1. Re:So they went with the worst possible name. by Jakeypants · · Score: 5, Funny

      "So they went with the worst possible name."

      At least until Nintendo unveils the RapeSphere CancerTron 256.

    2. Re:So they went with the worst possible name. by LordNimon · · Score: 1
      I would have preferred "Xbox 2", but at least they didn't pick "Xbox Next".

      What are they going to call the third Xbox console? Xbox 360 2? Xbox XP? Why confuse the customer and make life difficult for the marketing department?

      In either case, I won't believe any of this until I hear it straight from Microsoft, and that's probably not going to happen until May 12.

      --
      And the men who hold high places must be the ones who start
      To mold a new reality... closer to the heart
    3. Re:So they went with the worst possible name. by Pluvius · · Score: 1

      I would have preferred "Xbox 2", but at least they didn't pick "Xbox Next".

      I beg to differ; "XBox Next" would've been far superior to "XBox 360."

      Rob (Christ, what's their slogan going to be, "Sit and Spin"?)

    4. Re:So they went with the worst possible name. by NeMon'ess · · Score: 1

      How do you figure? Subconsciously many people will think "3" as in PS3, is better than "2" as in xbox 2. "360" makes it equal or better than just "3". As for calling it xbox next or nextbox, that's where marketing surveys come in. I assure you the marketing department was intensely interested in which name had the most appeal.

  11. I hope they offer a black alternative... by ZephyrXero · · Score: 1

    Didn't we do away with the ugly white/grey/beige console trend with this last generation? Why are they trying to bring that ugliness back?

    --
    "A truly wise man realizes he knows nothing."
    1. Re:I hope they offer a black alternative... by ikkonoishi · · Score: 1

      What would be nice is if they put glass tubes in it with RGB LEDs that you can set to the color of your choice.

  12. Re:This kinda irritates me... by Ailure · · Score: 1

    Well, Nintendo dosen't name their next Gamecube Gamecube 2. Althought they did keep with the Gameboy on each portable system they released, until they released the DS. But they didn't increase a number. And Xbox 360 does sound alot better than Xbox2. Besides it's going to be anything with an X in, especially when X-box is using Direct-X technology.

  13. Re:This kinda irritates me... by squiggleslash · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's named the 360 because it's as big as the mainframe of the same name.

    --
    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
  14. Re:This kinda irritates me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's a way of saying 2 (as in 2 pi) and 3 (360 degrees) at the same time - so you're right on that front about catching the numbers up with the Playstation. If anything else, it'd be the start of the second *revolution* of a circle, which could be turneed into a nice marketing gimmick against Nintendo's console. It really is a clever name for the console from a marketing point of view.

  15. Proof of the effectiveness of viral marketing by superultra · · Score: 3, Informative

    So amidst no doubt a flurry of comments that will assume that Apple owns the copyright on white round design, I'm going to suggest that Microsoft is innovating at least in the way they are slowly unvieling the xbox whatever. Some of the the most successful game-based viral marketing campaigns have been Microsoft's (cloudmakers, I love bees), and they are doing it yet again with ourcolony. My prediction is that between now and May 12, Slashdot will have no less than a dozen news posts that hang on every new development revealed by ourcolony.net. Other game sites will probably have even more than that.

    Brilliant.

    Apple could learn a thing or two, as opposed to suing people for slowly releasing information.

    1. Re:Proof of the effectiveness of viral marketing by Reignking · · Score: 1, Funny

      viral marketing campaigns have been Microsoft's (cloudmakers, I love bees)

      Microsoft does know a thing or two about "viral" :)

      --
      One man's Funny is another man's Offtopic.
    2. Re:Proof of the effectiveness of viral marketing by b0bx13 · · Score: 1

      M$ had nothing to do with Cloudmakers....

    3. Re:Proof of the effectiveness of viral marketing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Well, he really means "The Beast", the first ARG (alternate reality game), which was composed and run by the same production company, 4orty2wo, who made ILoveBees.

      The Beast was designed for advertising the movie AI, but it is indeed true that one of the founding members of 4orty2wo is a Microsoft worker - Elan Lee.

      And of course, the Cloudmakers were the group that was established by the players of The Beast, to solve it.

      So, Microsoft was involved... barely :) (in a "friend-of-a-friend-who-knows-their-cousin" sorta way)

  16. Xbox360... will pump you up! by WarPresident · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hopefully, they've worked out the assorted design issues (huge controllers, superlarge system that doesn't really fit anywhere, horribly buggy games including KoToR, power adaptors which start house fires, incessasnt cooling issues, DVD support, projector support).

    Fear not, Microsoft has been listening to the debate about the size of their controller. That's why each and every Xbox360 system comes with a 3-month supply of Jose Canseco Brand (tm) Steroidal Hand Cream and illustrated exercise chart. Within 6-12 weeks, that enormous controller will comfortably fit your mutated, gigantic, powerful hands.

    Microsoft doesn't like buggy games any more than you, the consumer, do. That's why backward compatibility with old Xbox titles may be limited, or completely eliminated, depending on which rumor you believe. Rest assured that when purchasing new copies of the same game you had for Xbox, they will be certified to not have the same annoying bugs that the old version had.

    --
    Here come da fudge!
    1. Re:Xbox360... will pump you up! by ikkonoishi · · Score: 1

      Or you could just play Tribes

  17. Confirmed? by LordNimon · · Score: 2, Insightful
    The name of Xbox's successor is Xbox 360, we can confirm, and the design of the machine is indeed a concave shape.

    ...

    When contacted today, Microsoft simply said that it does not comment on rumours and speculation relating to next generation product.

    (emphasis mine)

    They have a funny definition of the word "confirm". When I want to confirm something about a product, I ask the manufacturer, not a "British source who is privy to Microsoft's marketing documents".

    --
    And the men who hold high places must be the ones who start
    To mold a new reality... closer to the heart
  18. Re:This kinda irritates me... by chman · · Score: 3, Informative

    "huge controllers" - Rectified with the Controller S, which has long been the standard controller. In fact, every game now only references this version, and the original has been long forgotten.

    "superlarge system that doesn't really fit anywhere" - Sure, if your home entertainment system has no space for your average DVD player, then the Xbox will have nowhere to go. It's unlikely you'll have somewhere for a PS2 to go that wouldn't also accomodate an Xbox, except if you were planning to put the PS2 vertically.

    "horribly buggy games" - Wah? KoToR? I guess you mean KoToR2, which was an awful game on any platform because of the decision to stop developing about halfway through the process. I know that there were problems with Xbox live and a few games (SC:PT I think had a serious lobby bug) but Live allows developers to patch games in serious circumstances, despite MS's wishes for it to not be used in this way. They'd rather it were used for expanded content and, you know, decent console multiplayer gaming.

    "power adaptors which start house fires" - There actually haven't been any house fires yet. There have also been numerous notices for all that could possibly be affected by this extremelly rare fault to obtain a cable that may (or admittedly, may not) fix it.

    "incessasnt cooling issues" - I keep my Xbox in an enclosed, wooden cabinet that sits in front of a radiator. I leave XBMC on auto temp control, and I can't hear it at all once I start playing video/music.

    "DVD support" - Version 1 Xbox, from the evening after they started selling them here in the UK. It's played all media I've put in it - CD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-R. Certainly no disc read errors for me.

    "projector support" - Wasn't there actually a third party selling an Xbox themed projector? How could they be doing that if it wasn't possible to hook up a projector to the system, and surely projectors use the same hookups as regular display devices, or their usage would be incredibly limited.

    I know, you put a disclaimer at the top of your post. But a disclaimer doesn't obviate the need to present truth in your argument.

    --
    This comment was formatted for readability, but I forgot the line break tags
  19. Because... by GTRacer · · Score: 3, Funny
    eX-box
    whY-box
    zZz-box
    made for an unappealing sequence.

    GTRacer
    - Hopes that "leaked" PS3 pic is bogus...

    --
    Defending IP by destroying access to it? That makes sense, RIAA/MPAA. Go to the corner until you can play nice!
  20. "360" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    So, does '360' refer to its weight in pounds or volume in cubic feet? :)

    1. Re:"360" by sharkey · · Score: 1

      No, it's the wattage required per controller.

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  21. Sign of no significant changes to come.... by Metroid72 · · Score: 1

    Because MS seems to be walking in a circle.... More power... More graphics... More recurring-cost-online features... More Halo (only + until we get tired)... More high budgets... More of the same cross-platform titles... Things to go 180 on: - Size of the console - Patch oriented mentality - No more thinking we're "MTV"-watching airhead teenage boys/girls - Trying to tell us what to do with our hardware - Embrace modding (and yes, protect your revenue flow)

  22. Re:This kinda irritates me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Wait, you mean we're finally going to leave behind the PS/2 jokes only to have System/360 jokes replace them? Kill me now.

  23. Re:Engage Ludicrous Speed! by snuf23 · · Score: 1

    Yep. Because it's not like IBM has anything to do with the development of the G5 or any other model of PowerPC processor.
    Nope, the whole PowerPC chip line was made from tin cans and telephone wiring by the Woz in his garage under the guidance of Mr. (say hallelujah!) Jobs.
    You should have seen the size of the bread board!

    --
    Sometimes my arms bend back.
  24. Re:Engage Ludicrous Speed! by DavidLeblond · · Score: 1

    Playstation 2 has 4 syllables.

    Personally I think they should have called it anything but XBox 360. I mean, what the hell is 360 suppose to mean? Full circle? Does that mean it only plays text games?

  25. Music Service by fixmyship · · Score: 1

    Seeing as there have been a lot of rumours about how every game made for the Xbox360 has to be able to play each users own mp3s on the machine, I'm willing to bet that Microsoft will

    1: Start their own music service (à la iTunes) which you can use both on windows and on the xbox
    2: Release their own music device to use as both hard drive on the xbox (for save games, etc). Also, you'll be able to play the music on those music players in your games too.

    Another possibility is of course to let all Microsoft compatible music devices be able to act as a hard drive.

    1. Re:Music Service by hollismb · · Score: 1

      Or, maybe they could just let you access files stored on a PC somewhere on your network. Takes care of custom sountracks, game saves, content download. Plus, 100% of Xbox Live users have broadband and the majority also have a PC. Maybe you're running a Linux or Mac? Well, then do all the same stuff with the optional HD.

    2. Re:Music Service by ikkonoishi · · Score: 1
      I would like to see them hook in a wireless system, and then use it to its full potential.

      • Wireless controllers
      • wireless video out
      • wireless networking


      Just plug it into a power outlet, plug a reciever into the TV video in, stick the game in, and play.

      Add features so you can walk around with a controller, and sync up with consoles with a line of sight infrared beam.

      Instant lan party.
    3. Re:Music Service by amliebsch · · Score: 1
      1: Start their own music service (à la iTunes) which you can use both on windows and on the xbox

      They might even tie it in with their existing web services, maybe something called MSN Music.

      --
      If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.
  26. Re:This kinda irritates me... by MBraynard · · Score: 1
    Please explain how 2 pi and 360 are related. I thought that Pi was diameter divided by radius.

    I'm not saying you are wrong, only that I don't understand.

  27. Domain name already taken? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    If the name is true, it looks like someone will be hearing from Microsoft shortly......
    [Querying cwhois6.completewhois.com]
    [cwhois6.completewhois .com]
    Completewhois.Com Whois Server, Version 0.91a21, compiled on Mar 22, 2005
    Please see http://www.completewhois.com/help.htm for command-line options
    Use of this server and any information obtained here is allowed only
    if you follow our policies at http://www.completewhois.com/policies.htm

    [DOMAIN whois information for XBOX360.COM ]
    Domain Name: XBOX360.COM
    Namespace: ICANN Unsponsored Generic TLD - http://www.icann.org
    TLD Info: See IANA Whois - http://www.iana.org/root-whois/com.htm
    Registry: VeriSign, Inc. - http://www.verisign-grs.com
    Registrar: MELBOURNE IT, LTD. D/B/A INTERNET NAMES WORLDWIDE - http://www.melbourneit.com
    Whois Server: whois.melbourneit.com
    Name Server[whois+dns with ip] NS51.WORLDNIC.COM 216.168.228.28
    Name Server[whois+dns with ip] NS52.WORLDNIC.COM 216.168.225.192
    Status: REGISTRAR-LOCK
    Updated Date: 14-feb-2005
    Creation Date: 27-jan-2004
    Expiration Date: 27-jan-2008
    [whois.melbourneit.com]

    Domain Name.......... xbox360.com
    Creation Date........ 2004-01-28
    Registration Date.... 2005-02-08
    Expiry Date.......... 2008-01-28
    Organisation Name.... Gaming360 Limited
    Organisation Address. 5 Jupiter House Calleva Park
    Organisation Address.
    Organisation Address. Reading Berks
    Organisation Address. RG7 8NN
    Organisation Address. -
    Organisation Address. GREAT BRITAIN (UK)

    Admin Name........... Adrian Judson
    Admin Address........ 5 Jupiter House Calleva Park
    Admin Address........
    Admin Address........ Reading Berks
    Admin Address........ RG7 8NN
    Admin Address........ -
    Admin Address........ GREAT BRITAIN (UK)
    Admin Email.......... adrianjudson@yahoo.com
    Admin Phone.......... +44.2089262569
    Admin Fax............

    Tech Name............ Adrian Judson
    Tech Address......... 5 Jupiter House Calleva Park
    Tech Address.........
    Tech Address......... Reading Berks
    Tech Address......... RG7 8NN
    Tech Address......... -
    Tech Address......... GREAT BRITAIN (UK)
    Tech Email........... adrianjudson@yahoo.com
    Tech Phone........... +44.2089262569
    Tech Fax.............
    Name Server.......... NS51.WORLDNIC.COM
    Name Server.......... NS52.WORLDNIC.COM

    1. Re:Domain name already taken? by hords · · Score: 1

      Hmm Good point. Microsoft would only choose that name if they owned the domain already. Unless they are that stupid. Do a lookup on XboxNext.com and they do own that. Personally, I hope they choose X-Box Next, less syllables.

    2. Re:Domain name already taken? by Bega · · Score: 1

      Why not go even further and name it XBOX 365! Gaming all round baby!

      --

      THIS IS THE INTERNET. PLEASE PICK UP YOUR SERIOUS BUSINESS SUIT AT THE FRONT COUNTER.
  28. Re:This kinda irritates me... by Gigahurt · · Score: 1

    2 radians = 360 degrees

  29. Re:This kinda irritates me... by blighter · · Score: 1
    pi is Circumference divided by radius; diameter divided by radius is always 2

    2pi radians == 360 degrees

    (radians are an alternate metric for angular measurement based on the unit circle -- which is a circle with a radius of 1 unit)

  30. Re:This kinda irritates me... by Gigahurt · · Score: 2, Informative

    Damn.... 2 pi radians = 360 degrees (character map pi didn't show up)

  31. Hmm... by et3rnul · · Score: 1
    If you do a complete 360...don't you just end up where you were?

    Personally I liked the Xbox S-controllers(not that fat originals). They felt comfy in my hands. Dual shocks are nice too.

    Not feelin the 360 or the pics of the new console. The black and green colors of xbox 1 looked fine (but it was a little big and heavy).

  32. Re:This kinda irritates me... by defy+god · · Score: 1

    uhm.. diameter / radius would give u 2.

    • the radius is the line segment from any point on the circle to the center.
    • the diameter is a line segment that goes from one point on the circle, through the center, then to another point on the circle.

    and uhm.. there are precisely 2Pi radians in a circle (where Pi is the ratio of the circumference to its diameter). 2Pi radians in a circle = 360 degrees in a circle.

    --
    hackers of the world unite!
  33. They're sort of taking a step back... by Ki+Master+George · · Score: 1

    ...when the obvious OS and "System" to use were released in 1964.

    --
    Before you walk a mile in someone's shoes, you should insult them so you know how they are and what they're doing.
    1. Re:They're sort of taking a step back... by WillerZ · · Score: 1

      Sadly, only two of us got that.

      --
      I guess today is a passable day to die.
  34. The Article is speculation and probably wrong. by AzraelKans · · Score: 3, Insightful

    After RTFA Is sadly pure speculation more than anything else. And to be honest I would call it "full of crap" as well

    First of all the name "xbox360" has been already related as a joke to the nintendo revolution (ms most probably doesnt want be related) so is most probably fake. The color white? maybe but someone mentioned people would asociate it with an iMac (MS doesnt want that) so once again is probably fake. The controller picture laying around is obviously a first generation controller painted (by hand or by photoshop) white and with the cord unattached. (MS lost a good ammount of cash remaking the controllers to the "S" design) So is DEFINETILY fake. The "confirmation" they are bragging about is from some "secret source" who works for ms (or claims to work for them) but it could be a forum member for all we know. When contacted MS said "We dont respond to rumors" since when a _rumor_ can be "confirmed" without an official source?

    So in a shell the whole article is crap. please refrain to post this kind of articles in the future Zonk.

    p.s. Oh and just to add a finishing touch, www.xbox360.com has been reserved by a guy with a @yahoo.com email, xboxnext has been registered by ...drumroll please... Microsoft corporation.

    Do your homework next time.

    --
    Go ahead MOD my day!
    More opinions here
    1. Re:The Article is speculation and probably wrong. by amliebsch · · Score: 2, Funny

      I was hoping for "Microsoft Gaming Console 2005 Professional Edition" for, you know, consistency with their other products.

      --
      If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.
  35. Microsoft's new sales slogan... by MegaManXcalibur · · Score: 1

    "Buy the Xbox 360 becasue its 120 times better then the PlayStation 3!"

  36. Re:XBOX controller sux... by Mattintosh · · Score: 1

    The N64 controller was and is the only tolerable FPS controller ever. If I can't use a keyboard and mouse, that controller is the only remaining option.

    It really hurts Nintendo to make their new systems incompatible with old controllers. I'd probably love Metroid Prime if I could use an N64 controller to play it.

  37. Xbox/360 by Detritus · · Score: 1

    Great! Will it will run OS/360 MFT? Time to dust off those JCL decks.

    --
    Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat
  38. Re:This kinda irritates me... by defy+god · · Score: 1

    and uhm, yes uhm, obviously uhm I uhm meant circumference and uhm wouldn't have asked the uhm questions in the first place uhm if the parent uhm hand't uhm ... FORGOT to mention radians when he said "2 pi = 360" as 2 pi equals more like 9.9.

    And, uhm, thanks for being all like... sarcastic and demonstrating why nerds are.. uhm, always at the bottom of any social ladder. Hope your elite math skills keep you company on prom night.

    three people genuinely try to help you because you had stated that "I'm not saying you are wrong, only that I don't understand." then you get upset because we actually did try explaining it to you. who's the one with the social problems?

    btw, pi < 3.15. so 2pi < 6.30 < 9.9

    --
    hackers of the world unite!
  39. Welcome to the past! by TyrionEagle · · Score: 1

    Just for a bit of historical perspective, SPOnG found out the new name almost a month ago.

    --
    -- I like the cut of your thinking, young man. - me.
  40. "confirmed" by chronovoreprime · · Score: 1

    With an anonymous source, shouldn't the word "confirmed" have some kind of air-quote modifier applied to it? It's not like MS has admitted anything.

  41. 360degree turn by lordperditor · · Score: 1

    MS have rethought their console strategy and after a 360 degree turn are heading off in completely the same direction - lets try to buy market share.

  42. Re:Engage Ludicrous Speed! by DavidLeblond · · Score: 1

    I imagine people will call the new XBox "The New XBox" :)

  43. Patent by tepples · · Score: 1

    Whoever put that seporation in the middle [of the PlayStation D-pad] needs to be flogged, seriously.

    That would be Nintendo, whose patent on the Control Pad was still in effect in 1994 when the PlayStation digital controller was first sold.

  44. 5.6 times as powerful as the N64 by tepples · · Score: 1

    The number in the name is exactly that, part of a name. The processor itself isnt reflected by this.

    Try telling that to AMD, which had to renumber its Athlon CPU line in terms of equivalent performance on the old T-bird core because Intel's "more GHz" mentality was leading buyers to prefer more GHz over higher instructions-per-clock.

    Consumer: "I have a Nintendo 64 and a GameCube. Why would I go for an expensive Xbox 360 if it's only six times as powerful as my N64?"

  45. I'm waiting for Xboy by tepples · · Score: 1

    I'm waiting for Microsoft's Pocket PC gaming handheld, the Xboy.

  46. ThereIsNoSpoonBox by tepples · · Score: 1

    they could name their product "Xbox Reloaded"

    Matrix Revolutions came after Matrix Reloaded. Consoles that come with a connotation of "after" are thought to be more powerful. Nintendo Revolution vs. Xbox Reloaded, now what?

  47. Re:This kinda irritates me... by ostermei · · Score: 1
    Disclaimer: I like the XBox... I'm just arguing for argument's sake (and because I DO disagree with a few of your points)
    "huge controllers" - Rectified with the Controller S, which has long been the standard controller. In fact, every game now only references this version, and the original has been long forgotten.
    This is true, but it doesn't help someone who bought the system when it first came out and bought multiple controllers for their friends to use. Sure, they can (and probably did) go buy new controllers, but let's say someone picked up 3 extra controllers at launch, now they'll have to replace 4 controllers with the Controller S. That's another $120 down the drain... If MS had just thought about the controller for more than 2 seconds, this wouldn't have had to happen (although I suppose MS isn't arguing... it allowed them to sell more controllers).
    "horribly buggy games" - Wah? KoToR? I guess you mean KoToR2, which was an awful game on any platform because of the decision to stop developing about halfway through the process. I know that there were problems with Xbox live and a few games (SC:PT I think had a serious lobby bug) but Live allows developers to patch games in serious circumstances, despite MS's wishes for it to not be used in this way. They'd rather it were used for expanded content and, you know, decent console multiplayer gaming.
    Yes, KoToR. Also Fable and Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (Game of the Year Edition). All three of these games bugged out on me at some point. KoToR corrupted multiple save files (I'd try to save and everything would freeze, the screen would show random text characters, everything would be wonky, and even after letting it sit for 15 minutes it was locked solid. The only option was to reboot, and then the save was corrupted. Also I managed to run into a bug with my character disappearing (clothes, etc were still there, just no person)). Fable would just randomly freeze up during play (I can't recall clearly, but this may have been a disc read error, which goes under hardware bugs as opposed to buggy games... but even so: I have all three current consoles, and the XBox is the only one I've had disc read issues with... I'll get to that in a later point, though). Morrowind would only allow me to play for about 5 minutes, then would just lock solid, no way around it. There is XBox Live where patches can be distributed, but someone who's not paying MS for that service (like me) gets left out in the cold with the buggy games. Consoles are supposed to be virtually bug-free by their very nature (one platform to develop for, etc.), but it seems like XBox games get a little less testing time because of the crutch of XBox Live.
    "DVD support" - Version 1 Xbox, from the evening after they started selling them here in the UK. It's played all media I've put in it - CD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-R. Certainly no disc read errors for me.
    I don't know if there's any difference between the XBox sold there in the UK and here in the States, but I DO have disc read errors on mine. It won't read CD-Rs at all, and many games randomly crap out with dirty disc errors (I keep my discs immaculate... and I've had a "dirty disc error" on a game the first time I opened it and played it.). I know the XBox isn't alone in these sorts of problems, but it's the only one of the three consoles I own that gives me trouble (including my first-gen PS2 that I picked up the day they went on sale).
    --
    "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -- Groucho Marx
  48. Re:This kinda irritates me... by tepples · · Score: 1

    Sure, if your home entertainment system has no space for your average DVD player, then the Xbox will have nowhere to go.

    The common DVD player nowadays is some dinky little $50 player sold by Wal-Mart, perhaps bigger than an old PS2 but smaller than an Xbox.

    It's unlikely you'll have somewhere for a PS2 to go that wouldn't also accomodate an Xbox, except if you were planning to put the PS2 vertically.

    I do so plan.

    "DVD support" - Version 1 Xbox, from the evening after they started selling them here in the UK.

    As an extra $30 option, most of which goes to the MPEG-LA and Dolby. PS2 comes with it built-in.

  49. ObHibbert by sharkey · · Score: 1
    Within 6-12 weeks, that enormous controller will comfortably fit your mutated, gigantic, powerful hands.

    Good Lord!! Gigantism!

    --

    --
    "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  50. Re:This kinda irritates me... by MBraynard · · Score: 1
    Two people were helpful. You, on the otherhand, were a jerk about it. It was like that computer guy skit on Saturday Night Live. You know what I'm talking about.

    btw - the 2 pi thing was bait.

  51. Re:This kinda irritates me... by defy+god · · Score: 1

    wow, i think you should re-read all the posts made from the one you originally replied to, all the way to this one. maybe you'll realize who was the jerk.

    --
    hackers of the world unite!
  52. It doesn't really matter, you see.... by AvantLegion · · Score: 1
    ... the point is to keep the name "XBOX" as the central brand name.

    "Xbox Next" is a bit awkward.

    It's no coincidence that the new consoles will be:
    PlayStation Three
    Xbox Three..... Sixty

  53. Re:This kinda irritates me... by MBraynard · · Score: 1
    Your ability to discern 'jerk' was forfiet by your own original post. Take a look.

    BTW - here's a good way for you to loose your virginity.