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Microsoft Unveils Xbox One

Today at a press conference leading up to E3, Microsoft unveiled its next-gen games/entertainment console, the Xbox One. Their stated goal for the Xbox One is to have a single device provide "all of your entertainment." One of the big changes is increased support for voice and and gesture input. You can turn the console on by voice, and it will recognize you and automatically login. Swiping to the side with your hand will browse through menu pages, and saying "Watch TV" will bring up the TV app very quickly. The same with music, internet, and movies. The new console also supports multitasking — for example, while watching a movie, you can bring up your web browser in a side panel and surf the web at the same time. There is also a built-in TV listings app that responds to channel names — saying "Watch CBS" will switch to CBS without giving it an actual channel number. By this point, you're probably asking: does it play games? Yes. Hardware specs: 8-core CPU/GPU, 8GB RAM, a Blu-ray drive, a 500GB HDD, USB 3.0, and Wi-fi Direct. (They didn't provide the CPU frequency, instead saying it had 5 billion transistors.) The Kinect sensor got an upgrade: 2Gbps of data capture has finer skeletal visibility, can detect minor orientation changes in hands and fingers, and can even calculate your balance and weight distribution. The new controller looks slightly bigger, and is designed to play well with Kinect. They've also updated Smartglass, the remote control software that runs on mobile devices, but they didn't explain much about it. The new Xbox Live will have 300,000 servers powering it, up from 15,000 this year — though, of course, no details were provided about server specs. The console will have native game capture and editing tools — essentially, a game DVR. Saved games will be stored in the cloud, and they have new matchmaking capabilities that operate in the background. Update: 05/21 17:50 GMT by S : Halo is getting its own live-action TV show, for some reason. They'll be collaborating with Steven Spielberg. Microsoft is also partnering with the NFL for live broadcasts and interactive experiences, such as split-screen Skype chats and fantasy league updates. Xbox One will be out "later this year." No price information. it will not be backward-compatible with Xbox 360 games.

40 of 782 comments (clear)

  1. I look forward to hearing about why this will fail by Toreo+asesino · · Score: 4, Funny

    Please Slashdot, do your worst :)

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  2. Looks like a cross between by kipin · · Score: 4, Informative

    A 1980's stereo receiver and a VHS player from the 1990's.

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    1. Re:Looks like a cross between by vuke69 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Those goofy vent things on the top will be a dusty wreck in about a month.

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  3. Xbox One? by Andrio · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Didn't that come out like 12 years ago?

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    1. Re:Xbox One? by dmomo · · Score: 5, Funny

      Brace yourself for the awesome as I go to every gamestop to buy every first generation XBox for $40 a pop. Once the new console is released, I'll sell them on EBay as "XBox 1, slightly used, only $200".

  4. Wait for it.... by tekrat · · Score: 4, Funny

    And it comes with Windows 8 (crickets...)

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    1. Re:Wait for it.... by Aqualung812 · · Score: 4, Funny

      I actually do like Windows 8.
      A lot less eye candy

      It is perfectly clear to me that either you have not used Windows 7, or you have not used Windows 8.

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  5. Cable integration? by jandrese · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I really hope this means every XBox will come with a Cablecard slot in the back, just so Microsoft can cause every Cable Company manager's head to explode at the same time when they announce the feature.

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    I read the internet for the articles.
    1. Re:Cable integration? by F34nor · · Score: 4, Interesting

      If each household with a subscription buys $150 worth of Comcast stock every month for the next three years we could own them and fire them,

  6. XBMC by elzurawka · · Score: 5, Interesting

    So basically all the features I have been using for the last 3 years on XBMC + Steam, except for Voice and motion input(which i think are silly and I don't want).

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    -EL
    1. Re:XBMC by knight24k · · Score: 4, Funny

      Not only silly FUCKING annoying. The dogs tail sets of the Kinect all the time and worse when I was playing Skyrim **FUCKING DIALOGUE** activated commands in the game.

      All I want from Kinect is a Gesis style visualizer for music with interaction.

      Saw this little idea on another site (wish I could take credit for it, but meh). Sony creates new ad campaign. Ad starts out with "XBox, Off!"

      Troll level - Over 9000!!


      hehehe

  7. one by Ian+0x57 · · Score: 5, Informative

    before everyone jumps in on the "i thought this was version 3 not 1" bandwagon - it means ONE as in ONE tool to do it all. not ONE as in version 1 of the product line....

  8. Microsoft's attempt at a do-everything box by JDG1980 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Looks like the Xbox One is a home-entertainment center for which gaming is mostly an afterthought.

    That's not necessarily a bad thing (hardcore gamers aren't nearly as important of a demographic as they think), but a lack of focus could be a real problem. We already have general-purpose machines that are versatile enough to do what we want them to. Microsoft needs to make the case why this is better than a laptop or a tablet or a smartphone – especially as it is certain to be loaded down with DRM.

    1. Re:Microsoft's attempt at a do-everything box by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I wonder what all the TV stuff is getting replaced with in countries that aren't the US.

    2. Re:Microsoft's attempt at a do-everything box by JDG1980 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Don't even get me started on using a PC/laptop to output to a TV. I've tried to explain a simple "PC video > HDTV, PC audio > sound system" setup to people and been flatly told to shut up and just make it work.

      It's no more difficult to hook up a modern PC to a HDTV than it is to hook up any other device. Your description above implies they are using a separate sound system (not the TV's speakers) so it would go something like this:

      • 1. Connect a HDMI cable from the PC's HDMI output to an HDMI input on your A/V receiver
      • 2. Connect a HDMI cable from the A/V receiver's video output to a HDMI input on your TV
      • 3. Set the TV so it displays input from the HDMI input you used
      • 4. Set the A/V receiver so it plays sound from the HDMI input you used
      • 5. Turn on the PC and set the resolution to match the TV's resolution.

      And if they don't care about surround sound, then all you have to do is wire the PC straight to the TV via HDMI. How much simpler than this can it get? If someone can't figure that out, then they won't be able to figure out how to connect any modern audiovisual device, including a game console.

      If someone is too stupid to figure out how to set up their PC to play Netflix, they can always buy a Roku box. It'll be significantly cheaper than the Xbox One and better suited to that particular purpose.

  9. Re:Depends, but will probably get it by h4rr4r · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I will consider it when I can play netflix on it without any sort of subscription.

  10. Wait, what? by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does "You can turn the console on by voice" mean when "off" this thing is actually running a voice recognition system waiting for you to turn it "on"? Ignoring the "it's constantly listening to what is going on" part: what did they say the "standby" power use was?

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    1. Re:Wait, what? by AmiMoJo · · Score: 4, Funny

      Also what happens when more devices start to support voice control, or you have two XBOXs in proximity? You say "off" and and your XBOX, TV, hifi, laptop, phone, tablet, air conditioning and lights all turn off simultaneously.

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      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  11. Re:Depends, but will probably get it by h4rr4r · · Score: 4, Informative

    No, why?
    Netflix has no advertising. I play it on my PS3 with no subscription to any sony product and there are no ads.

  12. Re:I look forward to hearing about why this will f by AmiMoJo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Easy, they will sell it at below cost, like console manufacturers always do at first. Both Sony and Microsoft lost money on every console they ever released until well into their lifecycles.

    That is one reason why Microsoft encrypted the controller protocol on the 360. They claw back money on expensive accessories and didn't want any unlicensed hardware on the market.

    --
    const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
    SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  13. It's freeaking me out by Immerial · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's always going to be on... you can walk into a room and say "Xbox, On." That means it's always going to be watching. It reports back what your watching ("See what your friends are watching."). They've increase the camera resolution enough that they can read your heart rate. Sorry... too freaky for me. It's like a LOTR Palantir... gonna have to cover it with a cloth. Or maybe another metaphor, like an Xbox Hal... me: "Xbox, Switch to Playstation 4" Xbox: "I'm sorry Dave, I can't let you do that."

  14. Re:Does it work in other languages than English? by AmiMoJo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I prefer Japanese. No-one else around me can eavesdrop, it doesn't sound as dorky and it actually works better. In Japanese sounds don't run together nearly as much as in English and so the voice recognition is considerably more reliable. Plus Japanese sat-navs are super-polite.

    Having said that Google seem to have got English recognition more or less perfect now, even if you are Scottish.

    --
    const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
    SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  15. XBoner by ilikenwf · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just considering that this will be abbreviated XBONE...so errors are XBONERS, and if you get an RROD, wouldn't that make you XBONED?

  16. Re:I look forward to hearing about why this will f by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Xbox customers are extremely loyal, to the point of sycophancy. Of all the Xbox owners I know, zero of them have just bought one Xbox 360. After they got RROD'd, they ALL went out and bought another at full price. One of my friends is now on his 13th one.

    Plus there are legions of people who buy the special edition Xbox 360's, and just toss their old working one in a closet and forget about it or repurpose it for another room.

  17. Re:I look forward to hearing about why this will f by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Specs like this? You say that like they are good specs. Some cheap-ass 4 core hyperthreaded CPU so they can say it technically has 8, like the PS4, a paltry 8GB of RAM, obsolete Blu-Ray drive and an absolutely tiny 500GB hard drive (why 500GB? why not AT LEAST 1TB?).

    Nah. This thing will come out for $300-$400 and will be drastically underpowered compared to even a moderate range gaming PC, just like the PS4

  18. How ya doin'.... by MiniMike · · Score: 4, Funny

    You can turn the console on by voice

    Do you need to have a really sexy voice?

    Does it matter if you're male/female or will it work both ways?

    If you fail to turn it on the first time, will you ever be able to turn it on in the future?

    I just really need to know these things before I even think about buying one.

  19. Backwards Compatible? by bogie · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Any news on if it can play Xbox 360 games? The thing is if MS drops 360 Xbox Live support the 360 becomes an expensive boat anchor. Everything on the 360 revolves around Live including your profiles, Important game patches, Video content like renting movies and HBO GO, etc.

    I guess I can live without being able to play 360 games on the One but then Microsoft HAS to keep Live going on the 360 for as long as people are willing to pay for Live service. People have a ton of money invested in these systems and If MS says "Sorry buy the new one and all new games" that would be a big Fuck You to all of us. There is definitely something to be said for old cartridge and cdrom based gaming systems that were pre-internet. They all work now and will all work 15 years from now. The 360 probably won't.

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    If you wanna get rich, you know that payback is a bitch
  20. Re:I look forward to hearing about why this will f by Black+Parrot · · Score: 4, Informative

    If you have an XBox 360, why go with something 359 releases out of date?

    Actually they use 8.491853096 bits to store the version number, so "One" is overflowese for "361".

    (3 quatloos for whoever spots the problem with that first.)

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    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  21. Re:I look forward to hearing about why this will f by Samantha+Wright · · Score: 4, Funny

    As a former Texas Instruments customer, I am deaf to your claims.

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  22. Offline multiplayer by tepples · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm firmly in the single-player, offline-only game-play camp

    So what you're saying is that you're prefer masturbation, over getting involved with other people

    There's the offline single-player camp. There's the online multiplayer camp. Do we already forget the offline multiplayer camp? I thought that was console games' one big advantage over PC games.

  23. Re:Installation notes. by Black+Parrot · · Score: 5, Funny

    Do not install Xbox One in the bedroom and/or avoid having sex in the same room as your Xbox One.

    Which room does your Xbox One have sex in?

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    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  24. eBay will soon require a picture for all items by tepples · · Score: 4, Informative

    Once the new console is released, I'll sell them on EBay as "XBox 1, slightly used, only $200".

    That won't work. As of this July, eBay requires all listings of used goods to come with a photo of the item taken by the buyer, and this photo must be at least 500 pixels long on the longer side. You won't be able to post a listing without a photo, and stock photos qualify only for brand-new items and for services. Sellers who don't already own a suitable camera can always buy one on eBay.

  25. Re:Always on internet? by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Informative

    So far I've not seen anything about the always-on requirement for the internet connection.

    that is because, shock amazement, you did not RTFA.

    [...] it also possesses a low-power standby mode, allowing Xbox Live and game updates to be pushed to the Xbox One overnight â" or whenever the box knows your usage is lowest â" without keeping the console all the way on. (Donâ(TM)t worry; you can still play a single-player game without being connected to the Internet.)

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  26. Re:I look forward to hearing about why this will f by MitchDev · · Score: 4, Informative

    Don't want an overpriced box that does everything. I want a game console that plays games and doesn't need the internet to "check in" with the home office...

  27. Re:I look forward to hearing about why this will f by TWiTfan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Xbox customers are extremely loyal, to the point of sycophancy.

    Not this one. I've been an Xbox owner since the Xbox 1. But I've grown tired of having to pay $50/year for basic stuff like using the Netflix and Hulu apps. I'm also sick of the ad-heavy new home UI, the shitty new Netflix UI, and the fact that MS has spent years dropping all their best first-party developers.

    I was vastly underwhelmed by today's unveiling (seriously, a Halo TV show, wtf?!?!?). The fact that the didn't even address the "always on" requirement for single-player titles rumors tells me all I need to know. Combine that with a bunch of "cloud" shit, no interesting exclusives, a new cable interface that probably won't even work with my cable system, and hardware that's no better than the PS4--and it all adds up to a great big cup of who-gives-a-fuck.

    This Xbox fanboy is probably going PS4 this time around. At least it will save me $50 a year.

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  28. Re:Depends, but will probably get it by TWiTfan · · Score: 4, Informative

    So you want Adds in the middle of your shows?

    He means the Xbox Live Gold subscription, not the Netflix one. Unlike every other device on the market, Xbox requires you to pay them $50/year just to access the Netflix app (on top of what you pay Netflix)

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    The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
  29. Just keep telling yourself you understand CPU arch by default+luser · · Score: 5, Informative

    AMD doesn't make Hyperthreaded(tm) CPUs, but they use a very similar technique for duplicating core components. Don't be so dense.

    Bulldozer module is NOTHING like hyperthreading.

    Hyperthreading duplicates/shares key registers, cache entries and TLBs in order to execute instructions from TWO THREADS on the same processor core. The EXECUTE and DECODE are typically much wider to allow two threads to fully-utilize all the execution resources of a single core. Software must be written specifically to take advantage of this feature (separate threads for FPU and ALU ops, and go easy on the thread locking), or you'll see zero, or possibly NEGATIVE improvement. Best-case scaling throughput (Nehalem) is 20-30%.

    Bulldozer modules are two COMPLETELY INDEPENDENTLY OPERATING cores that share decoders and an FPU unit. The decoders are tasked depending on how many cores in the module are loaded, and the FPUs just have a shared reservation station available to both processors (assumes that most loads are integer-heavy). Neither processor can execute instructions from another thread, and the best-case scaling is much higher than Hyperthreading (typically 70-80%).

    Also, Bullozer will be losing one of it's major disadvantages when Steamroller launches: the decoders will be 4-wide for each module, and run independently, which is expected to allow scaling to 90-95% in integer-heavy loads.

      As you can see, there is NOTHING in common between the two designs. The Bulldozer approach reduces the size of the core in favor of putting more cores on a die. The Intel Hyperthreading approach is to make a much wider core, and get more efficient use of those execution units. The only thing they have in common is that they both can theoretically improve multithreaded performance.

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  30. Re:I look forward to hearing about why this will f by clarkn0va · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Also interesting is the fact that the entire world of computing outside of the XBOX 360 was able to adapt to the Pb-free initiative without all the drama and years of failed hardware.

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  31. Re:oh i see by Issarlk · · Score: 4, Funny

    Think about it, saved games in the cloud is genius. Now when you move, you can plug the console at your new flat and all your saved games will be there!

  32. Re: I look forward to hearing about why this will by s.petry · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The courts and politicians were not nearly as corrupt in the 70s as they are today. You can read every case on US-DOJ regarding Microsoft being found guilty of predatory monopolistic practices, and see what their punishments (or lack thereof) were.

    This is in addition to numerous states that have found them guilty of predatory monopolistic practices, and receiving no punishment.

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