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Microsoft Reportedly Working On Xbox TV Device
SternisheFan writes with news of rumors over Microsoft's plans for its next-gen Xbox console. According to The Verge, the company is working on a cheap, Xbox-based set-top box for some time in 2013.
"The device will run on the core components of Windows 8 and support casual gaming titles rather than full Xbox games typically found on a dedicated console. Although hardware specifications aren't fully locked down, we understand Microsoft will use a chipset to enable an "always on" device that boots quickly and resumes to provide near-instant access to TV and entertainment services. Microsoft's Xbox set-top box work is said to be part of a broader effort to ensure its core architecture for the next-generation Xbox is scalable enough to be put together to run on a number of devices. We understand that the company could opt to combine its core system for the next Xbox with a phone stack to deliver a phone capable of running a full version of Microsoft's Xbox Live services."
I have known for a long time the xbox 360 would be relegated to a lower end Xbox gaming device when the next Xbox came out. Im surprised this is a mini, scaled down version that wont run the whole 360 stack though. I figured they would be able to make the 360 cheap/small enough by now to do so.
Good-bye
My previous TV was older with no internet connection and I ended up using my Xbox that last year or so more to stream netflix then actually play video games. When that TV died last year and I bought a new one, the new TV had a dozen services built in including Netflix and Hulu. Since then I actually let my XBL subscription lapse because I just didn't use it enough. If the idea works, what is to stop Panasonic/LG/Samsung et al from basically building similar services directly into the TV. My current TV is still wired into the home network, but I'm seeing a lot more TV's with built in Wifi.
My Cable bundle contract expires at the end of the year and I'm seriously debating whether or not it's time to cancel the TV subscription.
"The problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people's money" - Thatcher.
That's Mediaroom 3.0, not Xbox... nuff said...
Why?????
Why can't they just make an XBOX 360 with a TV Tuner built-in???
Why????
Why make a cheaper XBOX - by the time this XBOX TV is released the XBOX 360 will already be considered cheap???
Why?????
Why does Microsoft fragment their market????
Why????
They all failed. Invariably. So what makes this one different ???
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Which means many of these games won't be backported to Windows 7. I guess it is part of the strategy to get use to use Windows 8 and Modern whether we like it or not.
http://saveie6.com/
MS recently announced the availability of Windows 8 Embedded in early 2013, basically a modular version of the complete Win8 system which can be pared down for devices like set-top boxes, terminals etc. to run on limited CPU, graphics and memory as required. The description of this set-top box sounds like it's going to run Win8 Embedded but as a Xbox Live content delivery system rather than being aimed at console gaming i.e. it's going to be MS TV.
Is there really a pressing need/demand for an upgraded Xbox? Are console gamers crying out for more CPU and more graphics or are folks like MMO players satisfied with what they can see on their HD teevees right now with the current generation of consoles?
It's going to confuse consumers like Windows 8 RT tablets are doing now. Most consumers think that Windows RT tablets will run desktop Windows software and people will think that XBOX 360 TV RT will play XBOX games. Just saying!
The article was an unpleasant read. It felt as if it was really written (imho) by a marketing department; sentences that included a variety of pleasant sounding adjectives that were abstract enough to give multiple meanings to the reader -- all designed to make the product's capabilities sound impressive, important and possibly giving the mistaken impression it's a new product release (without actually saying so).
From TFA:
"We reached out to Microsoft for comment on its Xbox set-top box plans and the company issued the following statement:"
"Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend the console life cycle by introducing controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships. We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the life cycle convention."
Did I understand this correctly? It appears this could have been just as easily done with any potential product coming from any company
Yesterday's Weirdness is Tomorrow's Reason Why
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Xbox team’s ‘consumer detector’ would dis-Kinect freeloading TV viewers
http://www.geekwire.com/2012/microsoft-diskinect-freeloading-tv-viewers/
Maybe they will watch you to see if you are skipping out on the wonderful commercials and instantly rewind the show for you, just in case you missed something important. Or maybe they will charge you more money for their service if you don't watch at least a minimum of their intellectually challenged TV shows each day? There are lots of ways they could increase the popularity if this system, only I bet they misuse all of its capabilities to the max. After all the stupid decisions Microsoft has made in the recent past, this one is likely going to be a real dud as well.
It doesn't make much sense to make it an xbox unless you're planning to run actual xbox titles.
The Xbox 360 can't even emulate all Xbox titles.
The Xbox was one bright spot in an otherwise bleak product landscape. And now they're hell-bent on ruining that? They got rid of Sinofsky. When are they going to get rid of Ballmer?
I purchased a $15 digital TV antenna and I get all the local sports broadcasts.
How would you like to miss the finals because the finals are on cable? The NHL, for example, had the third and fourth games of its 2012 Stanley Cup finals on the network formerly known as Versus.
They work on everything and nothing. Whatever they touch it is complete failure.
Morons.
Stop jumping on every wagon without any directions.
Why can't they just make an XBOX 360 with a TV Tuner built-in???
Because not all shows that people like to watch are on ATSC. Monday Night Football, for example, is one of the big draws of cable over Netflix. Microsoft would have to make a separate tuner for each cable TV provider and each satellite TV provider. I don't think DirecTV and Dish support CableCARD at all, and older versions of CableCARD don't work with cable systems that have switched their lesser-watched channels to switched digital video.
people will think that XBOX 360 TV RT will play XBOX games.
And people thought Xbox 360 would play Xbox games, but not all are compatible. Nor do most PlayStation 3 consoles play PlayStation 2 games.
What Microsoft doesn't get about casual gamers and media users is they don't want an additional $60 per year Xbox Live Gold tax just for the privilege of being able to use the broadband connection they are already paying for.
Most Netflix users I know would rather pay a one time fee of $99 to Apple or $49 to Roku than have to pay an additional $60 per year, even if a Xbox 360 is *given* to them for *FREE*.
Most casual gamers would rather pay Apple $320 for an iPad mini or Amazon $200 for a Kindle Fire than to pay an additional $60 per year.
It just doesn't make sense to pay for Xbox Live Gold just to unlock access to Netflix and being able to play Uno online. You can get the same online functionality with no yearly fee with everyone else's offerings.
Good luck with that. Both Google and Apple tried to make STBs and they're just plain useless garbage compared to the not-nearly-as-arrogant companies like Western Digital (and some others). But Microsoft is going to make something which doesn't suck, right?
Here's a tip: if your want your STB not completely suck, it needs to support standards at a bare uncompromising minimum. If it's anything like a stock Windows or Mac OS X system, both of which come with media players but are crippled out-of-the-box without the ability to play common file types, then it's useless shit.
Remember when Linux was "codec hell" and the mainstream OSes just worked? Yeah, me neither, because it was so long ago. Nowdays an STB ought to work at least as well as a generic Ubuntu system. WD understood this, so they sell boxes which actually work with whatever the hell files you have and whatever network shares you have. Google and Apple: typically can't access your files, and couldn't play them anyway even if it could access.
Of course, if you make a media STB which actually works, it removes all your incentive to make the box to begin with, since the whole point is to lock users into using your online store. A store where most of the videos that people actually want, aren't present or for sale at any price. But maybe, like iTunes, you'll have the video equivalent of AC/DC, though twenty years too late. And maybe, like Netflix, you'll have whatever movies were on SyFy ten years ago, and maybe Hogans Heroes reruns. Yes, Hogans Heroes was a good show. I still get chuckles out of it. "I see nothing!" Ha! And a gonkulator! OMFG, gonkulator! Ha ha ha!!
Is that how you're going to sell your STB, Microsoft? Are you really that with it?
why in the fuck would i pay 50 dollars a year to access netflix (which i already pay for), youtube and crackle? wtf is the syfy app that's running on xbl - other than completely useless... ps3 does it all for free. srsly m$????? srsly?????
If the rumors are indeed true, then this is further proof that stand-alone consoles are dying. The tabletop non-mobile console will be merged into the home TV; the portable consoles will become a tablet or an oversize smartphone. Everything will be downloaded, so while the world waits for gigabit Internet, smaller, less graphically intense games that require less minutes to download will become overwhelmingly popular.
As for the hardware controller zealots that insist that touch is no substitute for buttons, think of smartphone docks where you can embed your phone should you want old-fashioned console gaming. Separate controllers are already being sold for the Xboxen, PSations and Wiis of today, so for couch potato gamers, the decision will be whether to buy a hardcore controller or simply frag the enemy with their pointy fingers.
No, I don't like the way technologies are converging into a gadget singularity. But the writing is on the wall, or should I say LCD screen.
I am wondering if such a device will be able to be used as a media center extender, and how that would tie into their strategy of allowing media center to languish and die
//m
I don't get it. We don't call the PS2 or the PS3 "Playstation", We don't call the WiiU stuff Wii. Why do we call the Xbox 360 the Xbox? The Xbox was the first game console they released, not the xbox 360, yet everyone still calls it the 360. So if the new console is named Xbox 720, are we still going to call it Xbox? Even though it's the third generation and does NOT run any of the previous generation games?
wtf people. Lets call it by it's name. Xbox 360 or the 360.
Be seeing you...
Would I have to pay Microsoft $5 per month just to watch Netflix, like I have to with the Xbox 360?
Nickel and diming bastards...
During my two visits to the MS store, I have asked several employees how I use a projector with the Surface. The standard answer is to use a wire. Upon pointing out how impractical that is, and asking how to mirror wirelessly, none have had an answer. They need the equivalent of the $99 AppleTV. I would partner with Roku to bring out this functionality next month, but Ballmer prefers the slow route. And no, the college I teach at cannot afford new wireless projectors.
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With the Mk802 / Mk808 / Ug007 out for $40-$70, we know what cheap is. It has to be way below $99.
MS is following when it should lead!. The Xbox is fine, competing with sub $100 media boxes is a waste of resources. Get the OS right, and I also mean right price, and it would be much better than spending resources across many products. STOP it NOW!
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When I ask about work visas, it's to tell people that "just leave the country" is far easier said than done, and "sucks to be you, American" isn't very polite.
Infamously, Microsoft chose not to support XNA for Windows 8 app/game development. However, XNA powers a large percentage of Xbox Live / XBLIG games. Hopefully this new device will promote the use of XNA an all Microsoft platforms.
XBMC was providing this sort of experience without the paid content 10 years ago.
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