Although nothing is confirmed, moves made by Redmond-based Microsoft could offer a hint as to the name of the next generation Xbox console, which, as yet, has oft only been referred to as the Xbox 720 by those putting two and two together.
With the help of the National Arbitration Forum, a firm dealing with international domain disputes, the software maker has managed to wrestle numerous domains from a Chinese cyber squatter. Although, of course, the domains may just have been purchased to prevent the company’s image from being sabotaged, the straw-clutching tech world cannot help but speculate on the possibilities.
Microsoft secured a number of domains, according to Fusible, including XboxPhone.com, XboxTablet.com, XboxLIVETV.com, XboxCompanion.com, Xbox8.us and Xbox8.org. Other domains with cases still being processed include XboxLIVErewards.com, Xboxsports.com, Xboxsmartglass.com, and Xboxmusic.com.
It’s no secret that the Xbox is one of the main focal areas of Microsoft’s future business, so in a sense, it’s unsurprising the Windows maker wants to begin hoarding the necessary domains from squatters, who may easily use them for unscrupulous ends.
From a marketing perspective, it may be slightly confusing to name the console Xbox 8, despite Windows 8 currently being prepared for launch. Personally, I would be rather surprised if Microsoft opted for this name over, say, Xbox 720, or Xbox Infinity – another name which seems to be getting plenty of airtime just now.
Whenever a product takes a different course, a change in the naming scheme is often a great way to indicate this to consumers, thus a name such as Xbox Infinity would, in my humble opinion, seem the most feasible at this point in time.
As far as those all-important tech specs go, the next generation Xbox console is reported to be up to six times faster than the market-leading Xbox 360, whilst also potentially packing in a Blu-ray player, true 1080p, as well as native 3D output.
Speculation can be a terrible thing for those that hate getting their hopes up prematurely though, so gamers will have to wait it out to see if the above – as well as the purported 6-8 2GHz ARM/x86 cores – end up bearing any fruit.
I’m pretty sure, if it measures up technically, consumers will be less than interested in which moniker it decides to take on.
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