Microsoft has confirmed rumors we reported last week that the Xbox One is getting an upgrade at this upcoming E3. As various leaks suggested, the newest version of the console will come with a 1 TB internal hard drive, doubling the baseline storage capacity of previous models. The new console (also sporting a classy, matte finish) will be available on June 16 for $400. For a limited time that will also include a bundled copy of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which definitively compiles the first four main entries in Bungie’s genre-defining first-person shooting franchise.
Along with the new version comes news of a permanent price drop in the 500 GB models. In January Microsoft announced that, following strong holiday sales, the Xbox One would be temporarily available at a discounted $350, down from its regular price of $400. Starting today, that promotion is now permanent for the 500 GB model, with the new 1 TB version assuming the $400 price point. All future Xbox One consoles will also come with a newly-improved version of the Xbox One wireless controller, finally featuring a universal, 3.5mm stereo headset jack. When the console first launched, it featured a proprietary headset jack in the controllers, requiring specialized hardware, unlike Sony, which included a standard 3.5mm input for the PlayStation 4.
In addition to this much-requested feature, the new controller also has a variety of subtler improvements, such as improved bumper sensitivity, and wireless firmware updates (so you no longer have to plug the controller in to receive updates).
Finally, Microsoft also announced the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows, making it easier than ever to use your Xbox One controller on Windows 10 PCs. Simply plug the dongle into any USB 2.0 or 3.0 port on your Windows 10 computer, bind it to your Xbox One controller, and you’re ready to go.
All features of the controller, including voice chat and the newly-improved stereo headphones, will work on Windows 10 as well. The adapter is available separately for $25, or bundled with the Xbox One wireless controller for $80. Similar rumors about improvements to the PlayStation 4’s storage capacity have been circulating, and Sony is likely to confirm those by E3 next week at the latest.
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