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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 got an Apple TV3 precisely because I am able to buy the NHL Center Ice package for about $130 a season and watch all the games I want. Its cheaper than cable, and the quality is better than playing through a web browser. The quality is better because NHL streams HD content to the Apple TV and does stream that high of a quality over the web viewer. They also have plugins for MLB, and NBA as well. My TV doesn't offer anything but Hulu and Netflix. I wish they had an Amazon Instant Video plugin, but oh well. Maybe I just need to update my Apple TV for that. I have been hesitant to do so with hopes that they would jailbreak. Either way, a set top box will have a longer life period than a TV. I can tell you that there hasn't been a firmware update, or new plugins for my TV in over a year.