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Microsoft Could Turn Every PC Into an Xbox (theverge.com)

For the past few years, Microsoft has been trying to mold Xbox One system's user interface and functionalities to resemble that of Windows 8 and Windows 10's Modern UI. But the company has also hinted that we will be seeing a closer integration in the coming months. It is expected to unveil some of that at E3 tradeshow next week. Long-time Microsoft watcher Tom Warren reports for The Verge: Microsoft is currently working on a secret project internally, codenamed Helix. Kotaku originally reported on the Project Helix name, and the work is designed to more closely combine Xbox and Windows 10. Some of that work has started, but more of it is due later this year and next year with future upgrades to Windows 10. Microsoft wants to enable features like streaming PC games to the Xbox One, but sources familiar with the company's plans also tell us there are greater ambitions to make Xbox One games playable on a PC without needing a console for streaming. Part of this could involve bringing the full Xbox One UI and system directly into desktop versions of Windows 10. The latest Xbox One dashboards are built on top of Windows 10, so most of the work involved would be customizing the interface towards keyboard and mouse. Bringing the Xbox One UI over to Windows 10 machines would effectively turn every PC into an Xbox One, especially if they're also capable of running the latest console games.

3 of 255 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Even Linux Boxes? by geoskd · · Score: 3, Funny

    I run linux on both my desktop and my laptop. I run pfsense on my gateway machine. How in the name of the eight worlds of Sol is Microsoft going to convert them all to XBoxes?

    I'm guessing it has something to do with Microsofts recent flirting with open source software. Maybe the next revision of GWX is going to get truly ambitious...

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  2. technical details on the conversion process. by nimbius · · Score: 3, Funny

    windows 10 users: conversion to xbox will be automatic, once you click the red X for X box on the prompt to upgrade
    Linux/BSD/Mac: A drunken and slightly bloated Steve Ballmer clad in black spandex will shimmy up a drainpipe and into your bedroom window, where he will sail moistly past your desktop and furiously begin applying "x-box" stickers to the mini fridge in the corner of the room while furiously grunting "developers" over and over again under his breath.

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  3. You turn my firebreathing killer gaming PC... by Glasswire · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...into a cheezy three hundred dollar X-Box and you're asking for trouble