The Next-Gen wars have truly begun!
After months of speculation, Microsoft finally revealed its next-generation console today: the Xbox One. Microsoft called the system an “all in one system” for games, entertainment, and television.
Microsoft also announced it’s specifications which includes 8GB of RAM, an 8-Core CPU, a 500GB hard drive, a Blu-ray drive, HDMI in and out ports, USB 3.0, 802.11n wireless, and more. It also includes a new version of the Kinect sensor. Amongst rumors, it has been finally confirmed that the Xbox One will not require an always-on internet connection.
The news came during today’s much-hyped Xbox Reveal event and puts numerous rumors to rest including names like Fusion, Xbox 720, Xbox 8 and Loop. It also ends the need for the system’s long-running codename, Durango.
More information was revealed as the day progressed and here are some excerpts and insights:
Analysts who had wondered whether the company could follow up on the success of its Xbox 360, first unveiled in 2005, said its successor offered a complete entertainment system designed for the family.
“The Xbox One really looks to advance the state of video game technology and entertainment in a way that we haven’t seen before,” said Brian Blau, a director of Gartner Research.
“The Xbox One is a real advancement, one that will transform the way we experience TV, games, music, movies and more. From what we can see so far Microsoft has met and far exceeded expectations for the Xbox One. This is Microsoft branching out into the living room to reach more of a family audience rather than a core gaming audience.”
Fred Huet, a managing partner at Greenwich Consulting, said Microsoft had thrown down the gauntlet to Sony’s PlayStation and other rivals. “The Xbox One is set to mark the beginning of a new generation of games, TV and entertainment.”
The Xbox One, which will be available from the end of the year, will be powered by 300,000 servers, more than the entire world’s computing power in 1999, said Whitten.
An improved, ultra-sensitive Kinect sensor will track wrist and shoulder rotations and be able to read users’ heartbeats. Its main camera can record 1080P RGB video at 30 frames per second.
Microsoft executive Yusuf Mehdi wowed the audience by calling out commands and using minimal hand gestures to manipulate content on the Xbox One. He said “a new set of universal gestures to control your TV” would banish the fumbling confusion many feel with existing remotes. TechCruch called it a “massive, massive upgrade” from the original model.
A “snap mode” similar to Microsoft Windows 8 experience allows users to run two activities – such as watching TV and browsing the internet, or using Skype – simultaneously. It offers a second screen.
The Xbox One has 8GB of Ram, along with a Blu-ray drive, 64-bit architecture and a 500GB onboard hard drive. Microsoft also unveiled a new version of its camera-based Kinect system with better motion and voice detection. It showed how users can watch live sports on TV while getting updates on fantasy leagues on a split screen. In an effort to stay ahead of rivals, Microsoft said new content for the popular Call of Duty game can be downloaded on the Xbox One before any other system.
But Microsoft gave little detail on games, apart from glimpses of EA’s Fifa and Madden stalwarts, some shiny cars in Forza Motorsport 5 and a confusing glance at Quantum Break, a futuristic action adventure that appears to mix televisual sequences with gameplay.
Microsoft said more games would be shown at next month’s E3 video games conference in Los Angeles.
The previous model, the Xbox 360, was launched eight years ago, and has been the leading games console for the past two years.