The Xbox One will go head-to-head with the PlayStation 4 when it releases later on this year, and thanks to some confirmation straight from Redmond, we now know exactly where the forthcoming Microsoft console will be launching initially. Unfortunately, the company's claim that the Xbox One would be releasing in 21 countries from the get-go was actually a bit of an ambitious target, and today, it has emerged that only an initial 13 markets will see the third-generation Xbox.
Since announcing the Xbox One, Microsoft has been doing quite a lot of back-tracking, and as well as rethinking its Xbox One used games policies and DRM, the company has now stepped out and admitted that in actual fact, the Kinect sensor is not required in order for the console to function. Hitherto, Microsoft has said that the bundled second-gen motion sensing peripheral would need to be connected for the purpose of the console's operation, but while that may be true of certain features, it's not essential for all tasks.
One of the most exciting things about a new tech product is the process of unboxing, and thanks to sites like YouTube, we can get a taster of that feeling through the scores of videos detailing the wonderful process of opening up a brand new gadget. In the case of the Xbox One, we needn't wait for the release, for Microsoft’s Larry Hryb, better known to most as Major Nelson, has just released a clip showing his very own unboxing video of the forthcoming Microsoft console. You can check the video out right after the jump!
The Microsoft Xbox One should be hitting the market later on this year, and in anticipation of the big release, the Redmond company is doing everything it can to whet the appetites of consumers. We've already feasted our eyes on the console's new design and most of the key accessories, and today, the software maker has released yet another couple of videos allowing us to take a closer look at the new controller and some of the other important Xbox One accessories. The clips are only around 40 seconds long, but give enough of an insight to be deemed a must-watch for any prospective Xbox One owner. You can check the videos out after the break!
Microsoft's Xbox One will serve as one half of the next-gen games console battle, and while many fans of the powerful upcoming machine have been busily deciding which launch titles to select as the holiday release draws ever closer, the folks of T3 have instead been dreaming of a smartphone built with the new console in mind. Justifying its 'Xbox One smartphone' concept, T3 imagines a device born through lack of Windows Phone apps and CEO Steve Ballmer's "one Microsoft" mantra, and with a typically solid-looking Nokia build and a set of eye-watering features to match, we actually kind of wish this were a real product.
The upcoming next-gen console battle is so very nearly upon us and in anticipation of the release of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 this holiday, both Microsoft and Sony are naturally trying to score as many points with the gaming world as they possibly can. Recognizing that the graphics performance of its Xbox One is, at least on paper, inferior to that of the PS4, Microsoft has been working on pushing the boundaries further in this department since the console's announcement back in May.
Just as the console wars were beginning to cool down, Microsoft and Sony set about getting everyone hot under the collar by announcing the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. We're just a little bit giddy about both, and for different reasons, and we know you're all counting down the days until you can pick your next generation console of choice off the shelves too.
With the dust having settled on the Xbox One used-games policy that marred the announcement of the Redmond console, gamers can finally get down to looking forward to the great titles set to grace the forthcoming console. Microsoft has already confirmed that first-party games will cost the consumer $60 before tax, and since value added tax is regular throughout the UK, this equates to around £50 for British gamers.
Microsoft is well known for throwing out deals to entice users into long-term adoption of its flagship products, so it should come as no surprise to see the Redmond outfit use a free Xbox LIVE subscription as leverage for those signing up to Office 365. The productivity suite has been the subject of heavy promotion of late, and if you were tempted to subscribe to Office 365, you now have twelve more reasons to go ahead and take advantage.
Microsoft has stepped out and confirmed that the Xbox One games console will indeed allow gamers to begin playing games before the entire download has completed. An unnamed Microsoft rep has spoken with Polygon to convey the news to the on-looking gaming world, and although we'd long since suspected as much, it's nice to have the confirmation there enabling us to draw a line under any uncertainty.
