In the past few weeks, the collective console consciousness has been firmly planted in the Nintendo and Sony camps. This has been thanks in large part to the release of the Wii U and the rampant rumors surrounding the PlayStation 4, or the Orbis as it’s reportedly called by Sony. Even as Microsoft made headlines with the controversial release of its Windows 8 operating system, its Xbox brand has been firmly planted in the present. The Xbox 360 received a line wide price drop in October, but talk about its successor has been scant. What’s going on with the Xbox 720, or the Durango as it’s sometimes called?
The latest issue of Xbox World magazine has a report summarizing what a number of industry sources and leaks have said about Microsoft’s next gaming machine. The magazine even went so far as to make a mock up of the machine based on the information it’s received.
Although still unconfirmed, those details fall largely in line with what we’ve heard before about the console. The next Xbox will use Blu-ray discs for optical media, 8GB of RAM (compared to the Wii U’s 2GB), and its CPU will include four cores (just as the PlayStation Orbis is rumored to have.)
It will have an “innovative” controller according to the report, but it doesn’t go so far as to say that Microsoft will mimic the Wii U with a touchscreen in its controller. It does, however, seem likely that both the next Xbox and the next PlayStation will incorporate a touchscreen, or something similar, into its controller. Nintendo isn’t the only company pursuing that strategy. Ouya, the crowd-funded Android console, will have a traditional controller with a touchscreen in it as well.
The next Xbox will be accompanied by the next generation of Kinect as well, said to be called Kinect 2.0. Microsoft will augment the new motion controller later on with a specialized headset, likely based on the company’s patents for “Project Eyewear.”
While the Durango codename is still in use, the article says that Microsoft plans to name its next console simply Xbox. A good plan actually, considering the success Apple has had by maintaining simply brands for the iPod and iPad.
Xbox World is a reliable source for information on Microsoft’s business. The magazine published stories on new versions of Kinect, Microsoft’s headset plans, and new surround sound systems that were all later detailed in the infamously leaked 10-year plan for the Xbox brand.
Source: CVG
Stupid naming convention. Call it the Xbox something, but don’t leave it as just “Xbox”. That will mean that Apple is dictating the naming convention for every CE product that comes out. yuck
I am begging Microsoft not to have some weird controller like the Wii U. Hardcore gamers want a regular controller. I am also hoping that Microsoft does not tie the new Xbox into Windows 8 that much. A little bit is fine, but if they try to pull a stunt where you will need a computer with Windows 8 to take advantage of major features in the new Xbox, that will overdo it for me.
I am also willing to bet that the CPU’s in the new Xbox and the PS4 are similar in design. I think Sony learned their lesson with the difficult-to-develop for cell CPU’s in the PS3.
Most of this is rumors, so I think having a serious discussion about this right now is mute. Regardless, I do believe we already have a touchscreen format for the current XBOX called smartglass. The console is already integrated with Windows 8 and already share a similar UI. I find it hard to believe that the next consoles are anywhere near being close to release. If anything I think we still have another year and a half, I believe that it is more probable that some sort of attachment will be released, like a new Kinect.
If anything I expect the next console to be more integrated with Kinect support, keep the current controllers and expand on it’s current smartglass support. That just seems like the smart way to go. Windows 8 is a good OS that’s being ragged on by a bunch of stubborn “change resistant” mules. I’ve been using Windows since NT came out and I had no problem adjusting to Windows 8 some of the gripes about Windows 8 are unfounded and down right retarded. ex. “I needed to use google to figure out how to shut off my computer”. I found that out really easy.. push the power button or pop up charms and select settings and then shutdown and hit ok. That said, I would love more integration between console and PC the PS3 allows users to use their computer keyboard to type on the console and control their browser. It’s only natural progression and Microsoft is doing the right moves to get ahead, despite all the haters.
right on about W8 although i havent really used it alot it was so simple to turn it off and people were saying u have to go to control panel to turn it off. Idiots you put your mouse to the right hit setting power then shut down takes the same time as the old start button. Im going to stick to w7 because i love it but ihave w8 and it was really neat i have them dual booted
Actually windows 7 also has xbox 360 support in the form of media extenders for windows media center. The console is getting old, one year left max till next generation. Also, they will not release the next kinect as a separate peripheral device for the xbox 360. This would damage the next gen. xbox sales as they are basically taking a feature off the list of things added, not to mention, they want it integrated into the next xbox.
You argument on windows 8 is also pretty weak. You take one point of contention that you noticed and made it seem like that is all there is to complain about. Yes many people did complain about find the power, but there are many other reasons. For example: the option to choose between metro UI and desktop UI at install is non-existent, thus forcing users into Microsoft UI of choice. Now there is a desktop “tile” on metro, saying that desktop is just one app is insulting professionals. The new UI dose not even improve anything, only changes the look to make the OS more accessible to computer illiterates. It’s also a pain to find power tools when compared to windows 7, and tech people will find the UI more often, a barrier when working.
Many other reasons exist, but I don’t know if a word count is instated on this site. Some closing notes though:
– Windows NT isn’t that old, and judging by your post, you should spend some time being more considerate to others voicing their opinions.
- If you want, just hook a PC up to your T.V., it will run you around the same as a console and you can do alot more than what the xbox’s closed ecosystem will let you do.
Your comment is moronic. I am a Computer Science Major and I use Visual Studio Pro 2012, SQL Express 2012 and other Developing software. I have absolutely no problem with any of my programs running. I’ll agree they made the UI more simple to use to the computer illiterate, which begs to question why you have so much trouble finding power tools. It’s fairly easy, you can either pop the charms and hit search or pop the charms in desktop mode and select “settings” there you’ll find the control panel, which looks exactly like win 7. If you need to access the registry, the “run” or any other “power tools” they are on the charms menu in under 3 clicks. You seriously aren’t a “professional” you simply claim to be one and on the off chance you are, I highly suggest you go get re-trained or back to school. The only valid gripe which I agree with is the functionality of the OS using a mouse and I do recommend upgraded hardware for the OS. Another valid gripe which I believe is the only real gripe people have is the new UI, it takes a while to get used to it. That said the Desktop isn’t an “App” and it’s a fully functioning desktop. The only difference between win 8 and 7 is the start menu, that’s it. Also if you where a “professional” you’d realize 2 things 1. Windows NT 3.1 came out in 1993 so it’s about, 10 years old (that’s old). 2. You’d also understand that the change in UI was a necessary one and would understand why. Microsoft has created an OS that can run on Tablets (mobile devices) AND home PC’s (laptops/desktops). If hardware allows Win 8 would be able to run on you phone. I for one would appreciate having to develop for ONE OS and be able to market my software on multiple devices, with little or no adjustments. This is actual innovation and something I expected an educated “professional” to understand.
“Your comment is moronic. I am a Computer Science Major and I use Visual Studio Pro 2012, SQL Express 2012 and other Developing software.”
Always nice to be nice isn’t it? You must have too many technical skills to, as you say, “understand,” social ones. Also, your grammar could use some work tough guy.
As an Information Systems graduate I’ve been using Microsoft Windows products for well over 15 years. While I can understand a tablet/device oriented operating system I do not care for Windows 8 on the desktop. Unlike you mister student I’m not a parroting cheerleader for Microsoft’s parity attempt. I think I possibly have the I.T. skills outside of a text book to use Windows 8. But that doesn’t change how much I dislike it. History can repeat itself as Windows Vista (if you recall) was a relative flop. Regardless of their skills many consumers rejected it. And in response Microsoft quickly released Windows 7. I have news for you: Windows 8 is a far greater paradigm shift for the average Joe than Vista ever was. And In case you didn’t notice new PC sales are down drastically. PC manufacturers and CPU manufacturers are struggling right now. Having Windows 8 on top of those new PCs isn’t helping matters.
In regards to Win 7 support for Xbox 360, I believe I stated “integration” not media support. Play Xbox games (not full retail versions but Arcade games) on the PC and get Achievements on your Xbox live account. I don’t believe you can check your Xbox live Messages, Add/accept friend request, control the Dash board, View relevant information on Netflix,Hulu and many other apps. So in that respect there is no “integration” between win 7 and XBOX. Additional support will be added in the future.