Rumor: Xbox Infinity Will Have Blu-ray, DVR
The Xbox Infinity may have a Blu-ray optical drive, DVR capabilities, 8 GB of RAM and more.
The January 2013 issue of Xbox World reports that Microsoft plans to reveal the second-generation Kinect device alongside the company's next-generation console, Xbox Infinity (720, Loop, take your pick). This bit of info really isn't anything new, as a previously leaked Microsoft roadmap indicated that the big reveal will likely take place in June at E3 2013 followed by a possible retail release sometime before the holiday season kicks in – likely in time for Black Friday 2013.
According to the magazine, Kinect 2.0 will be more accurate, have better voice recognition, better stereo imaging, and have the ability to track up to four players simultaneously. There's also talk that Kinect 2.0 may actually be integrated into the console itself, but at this point, Microsoft may option to make this tech separate to keep the console's end-cost for the consumer low – for the base model, at least.
Xbox World also claims that Xbox Infinity will have a Blu-ray optical drive, making up for Microsoft's decision with the Xbox 360 to stick with DVD and support the now-deceased HD-DVD format. The current console is capable of playing DVD-based movies, but a Blu-ray drive not only means HD quality media, but enough room for bigger games and more bonus content on one disc.
The report also claims that the next-generation Xbox will feature DVR capabilities, allowing users to record input from an external source. Also slated for the console is directional audio, an "innovative controller" with a built-in HD touch screen, and possible augmented reality glasses. On a hardware level, it will supposedly pack a CPU with "four hardware cores, each broken into four logical cores" and 8 GB of RAM.
CVG reports that the magazine used Microsoft leaks and industry sources to create a 3D mock-up of a possible form factor the Xbox Infinity may use. "We built ours with the same glossy face and patented VapourMG magnesium alloy Microsoft uses for its Surface tablet, and modelled the silver band after its new 'Wedge' touch keyboard and flexible Arc Touch mouse," it writes. "The future will be black, sharp and curved."
The latest issue of Xbox World Magazine can be purchased via iTunes here.
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What's the price?
I have a feeling that it might be 600+
Heh. lol..
At least with the Xbox 720, hopefully it will come with a CPU that can be unlocked as its needed. Don't count on SSD's they are still to expensive.
Some places have it estimated at as high as $499 when it's released, other places have the as low as $299.
That's why I would go with HD DVD, no need for a license, more capacity for each layer and also is a way better than BD if you plan to use as an anticopying device, at least in Europe there is no HD DVD writer or any HD DVD at all
my bet is $600 even, and they will take a loss per console sold for the first 2 years
My other guesses?
+x86+ARM hybrid, x86 for games and such, ARM for the OS environment for low power non-game use. Quad core x86, duel core ARM.
+4GB of RAM. I am sure it could be 8GB... but as consoles use ram so much more efficiently I don't think they will 'need' the extra 4GB. Or put another way, game machines running much higher resolutions/settings/textures, and running multiple programs rarely go past 4GB of ram in use, so I think they would see 8GB of ram as a waste on a console where ram is use more effectively than on a normal PC... but then again, ram is cheap.
+1080p 30fps graphics, with hardware capable of doing at least 2x AA and AF, and with 1-2GB of GDDR. Console will be 'capable' of doing 4K, but in the same way that the current gen are 'capable' of 1080p... yes, the pixels are there, but they sacrifice a lot to do it.
+A modified WinRT for the OS, which will live in embedded 'tamper proof' flash media, and run on the ARM cores to make modding a royal pain. IE10 preinstalled, along with the win8 mail/people/messaging/skype softwares so that it can be used as the 'family PC' instead of just a console. This will be the Microsoft PC, Surface will cover the tablet/laptop space, and a phone will come out as well with the MS branding before the end of 2013.
+160GB-1TB HDD options, with capability for SSD down the line, but not at launch. Skydrive storage will be pushed as a backup feature of the console, with all games being available to be re-downloaded in the event of a console failure, or if you run out of space.
+Blue Ray drivefor media consumption only, and games will be DL only. I hope I am wrong, but MS and sony have both expressed their opinions on the subject, and it would not be a dealbreaker for 90% of current users anyways.
+Due to the shared win8 core OS, there will be a wide range of devices supported so that you can use this as your college/family desktop computer to do some work on, as well as your main game console
+Again, games will be DL only, and due to the ARM+WinRT nature of the system you will be locked into installing software via the official store only to prevent things like Steam sales events from eating any profits.
Silly thought, of course everybody knows consoles will always be generation(s) behind PC and albeit cursed. But seriously, if you want more games then you will need to embrace the sales of consoles at an affordable price. We'll have next to nothing of games for PC's if consoles were too dear.
Realistically that's how the gaming industry is operating now unfortunately, but at least PC gamers are still able to play those games.